I am relocating from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Sacramento, CA and would like to drive there with my brother. Everyone keeps telling me that I'll hate the drive but I think it would be a fun adventure if I pick the right route. I am considering taking I-75 up to I-40 as opposed to I-75 to I-10. I think I would like the I-40 route better. Can anyone give me some advice or comments about this trip? Any suggestions on interesting routes, attraction tips, accomodations, etc. would be so appreciated. I want to take a little extra time so my trip isn't rushed (for instance, I want to see the Grand Canyon and maybe even drive through Vegas). Anyway, any and all advice is welcome! Thanks.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Have an absolute blast! I'm jealous.

Be sure to pick up part of the old Route 66.

If I were doing this trip, I'd find that book of unique road-side motor courts (tee pees, hot dogs, etc) and stop at least a few of them!

If you are doing the GC, be sure to stop for a bit at Petrified Forest and allow an hour or two for Meteor Crater.

How does that song go? Standing on the corner of Winslow, Arizona.....

Hey my sis drove with her boyfriend from FL to Ca and at the end of the drive she called me to say she had met the man she's gonna marry. That was 0ver 15 years ago. Not that you'd marry YOUR passenger.

If you decide to stop in Vegas go from there to Lee Vining and see the east side and Valley of Yosemite or even stop in Mammoth Lakes and include Mono lake and Bodie. Then drive 395 to Tahoe and come to Sacto via Tahoe on 50 or 80. It'll be great to see Sacto as you drop into the valley as opposed to driving through the central valley to reach Sacto.

We've driven between Florida and California about 7 or 8 times now, and I still enjoy it -- IF NOT IN A HURRY.

I agree with I-75 to I-40. From Atlanta, though you can either cut across to Birmingham then up to Memphis, or continue north from Atlanta to Nashville and then to Memphis (a little longer, but Nashville can be fun).
It's hard to make specific suggestions without knowing where you've been before. I'd consider going off into the Ozarks a bit. Sante Fe is a great detour from Albuquerque. From the Grand Canyon, I'd consider going up through Utah to Salt Lake and through Reno and Tahoe to Sacramento. You can hit the Death Valley, Las Vegas, and other California sites later once you live in Sacramento.

How much time are you thinking of spending? Ten days to two weeks would be sensational. I'd consider it five continuous days of actual driving.

I was so excited to get so many responses that quickly. Did I mention the "other passenger" (besides my brother) who will be in the back seat...my Boston Terrior LOL

I have heard that driving straight would take about 5 days. I think I would like to extend it by about 2 to 3 days. I heard that "Red Roof Inn" motels accepts dogs (it would be comical to have to sneak her in...she's a bit large for the suitcase)

I really haven't traveled that much which is why I want to drive as opposed to flying. I haven't been to any of the states in between FL and CA.

I just want to roll down the windows and feel the wind and freedom as I leave one life behind and embark on another

I can't wait!!!!

I thought the comment about "Standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona" was funny because I've been humming that all morning.

I also think of the verse "Coming home to a place I've never been before"...because I will be relocating there to live near my mother and favorite brother (the passenger).

Thanks so much for the responses, they are so fun to read.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

Friends of mine literally circled the US for three months a couple of years ago with their dog. They swore by MOTEL 6, where dogs are always welcome. Not sure about Red Roof Inns.

Wow. You haven't visited any of the states between? I think you need to see if you can squeeze more than just two or three extra days out of this trip.

I could spend extra days if I decide to because fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) I don't have a job waiting for me in SAC! I'm kinda going on a leap of faith! LOLj

I would really consider adding the days if the sites warrant it. I haven't "gotten out much" as you can see...I think I need to spread my winds a bit.

I like the idea of driving up through Nevada as opposed to CA.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth

I-40 is almost as boring as I-10 (unless you're going to visit Santa Fe and/or Grand Canyon). But if you do take I-40, then Patrick's right. You can go through Birmingham and then US78 to Memphis. Save you some miles there.

If you really want to see something, go further north and take I-70 across CO and UT. Then US50 down to Sacramenton.

LaQuintas welcome pets too. The "Suites" are newer than the "Inns"

I-40 is a great drive. We've done it a number of times. Just west of Amarillo is the Cadillac Ranch.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attra...Acadillac.html

You can get off at the exit after you see them and drive back on the side street and walk up to them if you need a stretch.

Just past Albuquerque is Petroglyphs National Monument.

I suggest getting off at the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, taking the park road down to hwy 180 and take 180 to Holbrook & I-40 again.

After you exit the Grand Canyon travel north on Hwy 89 to Page, AZ and you can see Lake Powell. Keep traveling on Hwy 89 to Mt. Carmel Jct., if you had extra time you could even go to Bryce Canyon, if not...then take Hwy 9 though Zion National Park to I-15 and then I-15 to Las Vegas.

You didn't mention when this trip would be. If you decide to drive though Yosemite, make sure that Tioga Pass is open. It's closed now and will open sometime in May or June.

Utahtea

The one thing that I would consider for your drive is time of year. If soon, I10 might be better. And I've done I10 and I40, and enjoyed both, In fact I think I like the southern route alittle more. New Orleans, plantations homes, or Cajun county in Louisiana, hill country in Texas is great - a stop in San Antonio would be fun, or Austin - not too far off the route. And I get such a kick out of the big windmills (do they have a more technical name?) in the desert. Tucson, Phoenix, Palm Springs as you angle north into CA. Either way, there is lots to see. Have a great adventure.

Just want to give you some mileage numbers. It shows that distance-wise, it really doesn't matter if you take I-10, I-40, I-70 or I-80. They are all about the same - between 3,100 and 3,200 miles.

In fact, Mapquest and the excellent new maps.google.com both suggest you take I-80 as the fastest way.

Anyways:

I-10/I-5: ~3,095 miles via Houston
I-75/US78/I-40: ~3,125 via Birmingham, AL, Memphis, OKC
I-75/24/70/US50: ~3,170 via Nashville, Denver, Ely NV
I-75/24/70/29/NE2/80: 3,168 via Nashville, Lincoln, SLC

Personally, I think I-70 has the best scenery, but if you want to see the Grand Canyon and Vegas, then I-40 is the best choice.

Another vote for the I-70/US50 route through Colorado, Utah, and California. To me its big advantage is that the route itself is seriously scenic. You'll see some great vistas withiut having to detour at all.

Thank you for taking the time to research those routes for me! I will look into the I-70 route...

Is it difficult to drive through states with mountaineous terrain?

I will be leaving for this trip this June.

It's standard freeway on I-70. Two lanes each direction. You climb over two passes that are above 10,000ft - at Eisenhower Tunnel and Vail Pass. Nothing difficult at all in the summer, unless you have an old underpowered car, or if you don't like <b>any</b> curve on the road. [I know - some people here in Houston cannot take his/her feet off the brake pedal even for the gentlest curve.]

Actually, I think the steepest road you'll find is in CA, going down the Sierra Nevada into Sacramento. That's 7000ft of almost straight drop.