jillc1

Call us crazy- but we are setting out on a road trip in the near future from the Philly area to Co. Does anyone have any suggestions for the best route to take? Most scenic? I have never driving thru the Smokey's or VA for that matter. Thats one option. This is still in the contemplation stages- it may actually be cheaper to fly given the cost of gas lately!

jillc1

topper

mrt

Probably I-80 until you get near Denver. Once near Denver, where it will first become pretty you can take I 70 or different state roads for even better views. Formexample, I 70 takes you to Glenwood Springs and then you take a state road and cut south east back to Aspen or you can take the road over Independence Pass (closed in winter) for prettier views. Veil is located next to I 70 so you will end up there without a problem.

ronkala

There is nothing crazy about it, it's the best way to see the country. Depending on where you are leaving from in PA, you would take I-80 west to I-25 south to CO or the PA Tpke to I-70 into CO. Check your route at freetrip.com , it will also give a list of hotels along the way. For a change of scenery you might want to go out one way and return the other.

julie_Colorado

I've done this drive many times - and yes, you are crazy. It's a bit tough to make this one scenic. And if the intent is to save money, I'be surprised if you do. My advice, fly. This part of the country looks just as good at 30,000 feet.

JeanG

I agree with julie_Colorado. I've driven I-80 from NYC to Cheyenne, and then I-25 to Denver. It's not scenic.

jillc1

Thanks- I paid 2.06/ gallon for the cheapest gas last week. All in all, I think I can fly cheaper than drive.

mrt

By the time you get half-way through Nebraska you will blow your brains out. Death is more appealing.

Linda0515

This drive isn't really ugly--if you want an ugly drive, try the Jersey Turnpike--it's just somewhat monotonous...you can go hundreds of miles without seeing much new in the terrain. But if you like seeing open vistas--I love the feeling of openness--it can be a nice drive. The key is to do a little research and plan stops at spots you'll find interesting. If you go via Pa turnpike to I-80, you might see the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, see the sand dunes in Indiana, maybe see Chicago, see the Amana Colonies & Herbert Hoover's birthplace in Iowa, and see Boot Hill and Boy's Town in Nebraska. If you go via I-70, you'll have a similar array of interesting options (I'd detour to Springfield IL and Hannibal MO, for example). Definitely plan to stop in small towns and eat in a local diner instead of a chain fast food place to soak up local "culture." You'll find midwestern people are the nicest in the world and you'll get a whole new sense of--and appreciation for--these "fly-over states."