CZamora613

Driving from San Diego to Ohio the week of April 18-23. We would like to drive through Vegas, Utah, and Colorado on I-15 to I-70 the whole way. Wondering if the Spring weather would severely effect our drive while in the mountains?? Also we will be traveling with 2 teenagers and our big dog, what would be some good stopping points to check out all there is to offer?? Thank you.

tomfuller

Dividing your trip into manageable 7 to 8.5 hour segments (assuming Columbus OH final) Using Mapquest gives St. George Utah, Glenwood Springs Colorado, Hays Kansas, Columbia Missouri and a long day to home in Ohio.
I only claim any expertise on Glenwood Springs. There is a tramway which takes you up to the Glenwood Cave tour. There is also the largest hot spring fed swimming pool in the US right next to the Colorado River. If you have interest in history, you can hike up to the cemetery and see Doc Holliday's marker.
My favorite section of I-70 is the Glenwood Canyon east of Glenwood Springs. Unless there is a blizzard (which can happen), you should have no problem maintaining the posted speed limit. Make sure you have good tread and inflation on your tires. 37 hours and 2395 miles SD to Columbus, OH.

boom_boom

On I-70 from Grand Junction to Denver you just never know about the weather in the spring, but blizzards are not common that late in April.
You could stop in Las Vegas rather than St. George. With an early start from San Diego you should have enough time visit Hoover Dam or sensational new bridge across the Colorado River before dark.
If you happen to want some non-freeway time, look at Route 9 from St. George through Zion Nat. Park to Route 89 and connect with 70 from there. You go through really nice country en route. In Utah you could also detour a bit on 191 to make a quick visit to Arches Nat. Park.
In Kansas, Old Fort Hays near Hays and the Eisenhower Presidential Museum and Library in Abilene make for nice stops. St. Louis has the Arch and a lot of traffic.
Can't help much with anything east of KS except the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has a great museum if racing hold an interest for any in the family.

CZamora613

Thank you for all of your information. Looking forward to our trip and definitely going to stop at many of the places you mentioned. Fingers crossed for decent weather!

emalloy

I second the visit to Arches and stop in at Canyonlands too. The route through Zion and up 89 boom-boom suggests would be beautiful, if a bit longer.

Have a great trip.

Lynnaustin

Meramec Caverns might be of interest to you. It is about an hour west of St. Louis. Goggle the name and they have a website.

Gretchen

I think across Kansas you will find dog friendly motels.

Gretchen

I can tell you that you can easily reach "Ohio" from Denver in a day and a half==long first day, which is also easy in the west.

fmpden

Don't know your travel schedule but try to avoid being on I-70 between Vail and Denver on a late summer afternoon and evening. Although it is late in the skiing season, I-70 at that time of day becomes bumper to bumper because of the locals returning to Denver on Sunday evening. Plan accordingly.