San Francisco to Scottsdale
 

Hello everyone!

My husband, myself, and our 4-month old daughter are planning a short road trip (4-5 days) from San Francisco to Phoenix. We plan on flying into San Francisco on March 18 and would like to arrive in Phoenix by March 22 or 23.

I would like to spend no more then 4 hours/day driving since our little girl will need frequent breaks. Can anyone recommend an itinerary that would allow my husband and I to enjoy some interesting cities/locations but is also baby friendly?

Thank you in advance!

I know babies are all different, but I think it's a "thing" that they love the movement of riding in a car. I hit the road with my infant son when he was 2 weeks old with my musician husband, planes & cars, and in particular remembering on a trip from Montreal to Vancouver & back, pretty much driving straight through & he was happy as a clam, awake & asleep. I'd understand perfectly if it was you who needed to take it somewhat slow.

What sort of things/places do you find "interesting"?

" . . . We plan on flying into San Francisco on March 18 and would like to arrive in Phoenix by March 22 or 23.
I would like to spend no more then 4 hours/day driving since our little girl will need frequent breaks. "

If those are your criteria it there are really only 2 practical routes. Down I-5 and east on I-10. This will not be scenic.

For scenery - SFO to Monterey then 101 to Santa Barbara, 210 across the LA basin and I-10 across the desert. Part of this will be scenic.

Either will take about 15-ish hours car time when accounting for traffic, so averaging 4 hrs per day for your 4 or 4.5 days.

SF to Los Banos via Gilroy (for a whiff of garlic) I-5, overnight in Los Banos . Nearby are the Merced NWR for sandhill cranes (or the Tule Elk at the Los Banos NWR which also has some trails).

I-5 to Hwy 178 which follows the Kern River, to stay at Kernville at the top of Lake Isabella. (or Mountain Mesa where we stay at the funky in a good way Lakeview Motel ).

Kernville to Mountain Mesa, continue on Hwy 178 to Ridgecrest, then to some where between Yucca Valley and 29 Palms.

29 Palms, cut down through Joshua Tree National Park to Chiriaco Summit, and from there out on I-10 to Phoenix

Each leg is about 4 hours, I think you'll find the scenery more interesting than janisj does.

I LOVE I-5 and enjoy the sweeping views of the Valley. So beautiful right now with the almond trees in bloom ;). But for this trip with your baby, heading down 101 will offer more sightseeing opportunities along the way.

☺️
 

Thank you all for the suggestions!