Can anyone suggest the best route from Chicago to LA? How long a drive is it? What has been readers' experiences driving it, with possible suggestions for places to stay overnight in? Thanks.

Should take you 3 long days of driving or 4 regular days. Do the math it's about 2000 miles.

I have taken I-80 to I-15 to I-10 which takes you through cow country (Iowa, Neb) then the plains of Wyoming, then mountains near SLC and southern Utah, and of course Las Vegas.

You could divert to ? through Colorado and pick up I-15 again, but I haven't done that.

I would avoid the southern route (I-40) in the summer.

It takes 3 days. 3 long days of driving. I've made this trip a couple of times. It's best if you have at least a couple of drivers to switch off with. The more, the better.

I-80 was actually the best route I've taken. There is a route that takes you far north - into the Dakotas and Montana - but I'm not that familiar with it. I-80 is the flattest, fastest way, even if it is one of the most boring.

As far as places to stay, you are pretty limited once you leave Chicago. If you take the I-80, you could stay in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then in Salt Lake. You can shoot straight through from Salt Lake to LA, but it will be a long drive and you would do well to leave early. Otherwise, you could stay in Las Vegas and add another day. It really depends on how quickly you want to get from point A to point B. All the times I've went, it was for family stuff and we needed to get back to the Wisconsin area as quickly as possible.

I have an uncle who has made this drive in 48 hours, but that was driving around the clock, stopping only for gas and food.

If you are going in summer, avoid the southern routes. Hot in the southwest, bad humidity in the midwest, and the most boring scenery ever.

Thank you for your help. Is there a lot of mountain driving? I know, I should look at a map, but my son will be driving a medium sized trailer hitched to his Pontiac Grand Am, which is a 6 cylinder car. Just hope it will not be too dangerous.

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I wouldn't recommend the Vegas to LA drive with a trailer. It's VERY hot in the summertime, the 15 is under construction right now, it is mountainous and I have never driven it without seeing 6 or 7 cars on the side of the road steaming.