My mother is coming to the USA for the first time in January 2000. She asked me to plan a car trip from Key West/FL to Santa Barbara/CA. She has time to spend on this trip and she really wants to see the country instead of flying over it. I need all the help I can get planning this trip! Which cities on our route can't be missed? Is it a good idea to travel following the coast line? Any help and travel tips will be greatly appreciated.
Helma

Suggestions:

Everglades Nat Park, New Orleans, San Antonio, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Sante Fe, Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon (absolute MUST-SEE, your mother will NEVER forgive you if you skip this), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara. I know Orlando is along the way, but I've never been there, so I can't honestly recommend it. Many US visitors consider it a must see.

Unless you have a LOT of time, travel along the interstates; they're faster and safer.

January is a low point of US tourism outside of Florida and the Gulf Coast, so you should have very little trouble finding places to stay.

Be prepared for possible bad weather between San Antonio and Las Vegas; watch the Weather Channel often.

This sounds absolutely wonderful. Paul's suggestions sound great -- I would especially insist on New Orleans, San Antonio (and I would add Austin too), and Grand Canyon.
One caution -- the drive west from San Antonio involves a very long, straight, fairly desolate road. I drove this once by myself a few years ago, from San Antonio to El Paso, in one day. I think it took me about 12 hours. While I found it beautiful, it was fairly monotonous -- there are few bends in the road or hills or anything but the hypnotic yellow lines on the road, and at one point I decided to time how long it took until I saw another car, and it was about an hour an 15 minutes. Unfortunately the car I saw was a police car behind a mesquite bush, and he promptly stopped me for speeding and I got a major fine. The urge to speed on this road is almost irresistable since there's no one else around and nothing to break up the monotony. But don't do it. I would bring along lots of books on tape and music to help pass the time.

Seing as you are traveling in January, there is only one route to take. I have driven it many times from Ft. Lauderdale to California. You travel north in Florida up through Orlando, Gainesville to I-10. I would use the turnpike in Florida if you don't mind the toll. You then travel west on I-10 all the way from Florida to Los Angeles, CA. This will take you through all of the southern states. You will travel through Houston ( not much there ), San Antonio ( good place to stop for the night ), El Paso, Phoenix to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles you pick up 101 north to Santa Barbara. You will bypass New Orleans ( I-10 goes through Baton Rouge ) but it is just a short side trip to visit New Orleans. Same goes for Biloxi Miss.

Las Vegas is certainly worthwhile visiting. You take 215 north from I-10 at San Bernandino which joins up with I-15 to Las Vegas. This is a very boring drive but Las Vegas is spectacular. It will take about 3-4 hours each way to drive from I-10 to Las Vegas. The Grand Canyon is a wonderous sight but it is out of the way and the weather can be pretty nasty in January.

I recommend visiting New Orleans ( very short distance off of I-10 ), San Antonio ( en route ), and Phoenix.

Thanks a lot everybody!
Travel is a lot more fun when well planned.