Detroit to San Diego~2 drivers+ a 2 year old....

[Mochi7]

Glc: thank you!
myfriend lives in Boulder, CO.
According to my calculations, Salt Lake is too far out of the way. So, I'll nix that.

I freed up my schedule so that I have 5-6 days to complete the trip.

[glc]

You could still do SLC, it only adds about 2 hours to the trip between Boulder and SD.

Take I-94/I-80/I-57/I-70/I-25/I-80/I-15. That's 2710 miles, which is 5 full days of driving, all on Interstate highways. Fastest route without going through Champaign and SLC is 2355 miles, and about 5 hours less. That's I-94/I-80/I-76/I-70/I-15, which takes you near Boulder.

[Mochi7]

Thank you, Glc!

When you are traveling, do you have any advice on how to find a cheap, but safe motel/hotel?

[glc]

I hate to promote a single brand, but you are generally safe at a Motel 6 at an interstate exit. I try to avoid the ones in major cities, they are either expensive, dirty, and/or in a questionable area. I have the best luck in rural areas and in small towns. My next choice, although more expensive, is Super 8. You can stop by your local hotel chains before you leave and pick up printed directories to help you plan - you can get current rates on their websites. There are other decent budget chains, hopefully some other folks will see this and hop in with their observations.

[Mochi7]

Glc: Thank you for the advice.
Is it hard to get a room in Vegas? I think my last overnight will be there...

[glc]

That would be a question best answered by someone else - the only time I've stayed in Vegas is on a casino package deal.

[Mochi7]

glc: okay! :) will do!

One more question: (sorry). to go from Farmington Hills, MI to Denver, CO. Would I need 2 or 3 driving days?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Is it hard to get a room in Vegas? I think my last overnight will be there...

Not really, occupancy is down a bit right now, It's been quite a while since we really had 100% occupancy at all of the places in Las Vegas -- Weekend availability is less -- but if your night here is Monday to Thursday, I really doubt you'll have a problem. I don't know what your budget is but the M and South Point are running some very good deals about now.

Mark

[glc]

Detroit to Denver can possibly be done in 2 LONG days - its 1260 miles. The halfway point is around Des Moines. If you have 3 days, why not go see your sister and spend the night? From Champaign to Denver is 1025 miles and a lot more reasonable 2 day drive, with an overnight around Lincoln NE.

If your 2 year old will be with you, I'd opt for the latter. 1260 miles in 2 days will have you on the road for about 14 hours each day after all necessary stops.

Looking forward, you can't do Denver to Las Vegas in one day, so you might as well go to Salt Lake City.

To recap:

Day 1 - Detroit - Champaign
Day 2 - Champaign - Lincoln
Day 3 - Lincoln - Denver
Day 4 - Denver - Salt Lake City
Day 5 - Salt Lake City - Las Vegas
Day 6 - Las Vegas - San Diego

This only has you in a hotel 2 nights, the rest of the nights with friends/family. If you can't spare 6 days, let's look at alternates.

[Southwest Dave]

One more question: (sorry). to go from Farmington Hills, MI to Denver, CO. Would I need 2 or 3 driving days?

Two days would be pushing it but it would be possible to perhaps split it into approx 2 x 10/11 hour days and finish off with a 3 hour or so drive on the third day.