Stop between San Jose and SLC
 

We’re planning to make a road trip on I-80 from the Bay Area to SLC. I want to drive straight through but my wife wants to break it down to 2 segments with a sleepover. Any decent place around midway point? We stayed at a Travelodge in Elko that last time we went to Jackson Hole, and it was a rather non-pleasant experience. Can we find a better place?

Thanks

If you thought Elko was non-pleasant, I'd drive straight through. There isn't any place better.

^^^ this ;)

I like to drive, but that's a heck of a long trip in one go! Not mid-way, but if it were me, I'd stop the night in Reno or Tahoe.

Reno and Tahoe are great but really don't help for this because they still leave an 8 or 9 hour drive to SLC depending one which.

The actual midway point would be Winnemucca and since you already know all there is to know about Elko, why not just make it easy on yourselves and stop there - both the Gold Country Inn and Candlewood Suites are actually very nice. BYW -- why would you pick the Travelodge? There are some really decent properties in ELKO.

Winnemucca. And have some Basque American food at the Martin Hotel.

Thanks Patty
Thanks Surfergirl.

Thanks Jani. Agreed that Reno is only 1/3 of the way, I make that in 3.5 hours. Not a valid stop base.
We chose the Travelodge because they accepted our Golden Retriever. This trip we don’t plan on bringing him. So our choices open up.

Thanks Michelle. Based on your and Jani’s input, we will look into Winnemucca.

The TownePlace Suites in Elko is also fine. Did you dislike Elko or the Travelodge? Next time I'll probably try the newer Holiday Inn Express.

I like Elko better than Winnemucca but Winnemucca does divide the drive more evenly and I've stayed there when I needed to head north on 95 the next day. The Candlewood Suites is fine but getting a little bit worn.

The Amtrak California Zephyr leaves Winnemucca (WNN) at 7:08PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It arrives in SLC about 3:30AM. There is a 24 hour Denny's in SLC and the taxis are waiting at the SLC train station at that hour. If you don't get a sleeper (roomette), you each have an assigned window seat in coach. Parking is free at the WNN station. I parked there for 10 days on a trip past Chicago.

I think you’re right, Elko was OK, the Travelodge was horrific. Because we traveled with Fido, they put us in a room next to the rear exit, and let me tell you, there were A LOT of shady business going on throughout the night by the back door. Also the staff and guests showed no respect for COVID health advisory. The town was OK, we walked the dog by the community college and neighborhood school, there was a lot of local pride. 👍

I know the Gold Country Inn in Winnemucca allows dogs -- Not sure about the Candewood Suites, but I think they do since some others in the chain do allow pets and if they're allowed anywhere for sure rural Nevada would be the place. Heck - I think even the Holiday Inn Express is pet friendly. My guess is more properties allow dogs than don't.

The Amtrak California Zephyr leaves Winnemucca (WNN) at 7:08PM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It arrives in SLC about 3:30AM. There is a 24 hour Denny's in SLC and the taxis are waiting at the SLC train station at that hour. If you don't get a sleeper (roomette), you each have an assigned window seat in coach. Parking is free at the WNN station. I parked there for 10 days on a trip past Chicago.
FYI: Amtrak does allow small dogs and cats up to 20 lb. including the carrier on trips up to 7 hours. Train #6 (California Zephyr) is in Elko about 9:30PM Tu,Th,Sa.
Where do you stay in SLC with a dog?

A couple of years ago, we did a day trip from Tahoe to the Martin Hotel for lunch. I had a wonderful lamb shank. Yummy. We also took in the little museum in town. Very nice.

Both good spots to say for a night in my opinion. I'd lean towards Reno myself since you can do some gambling if you're into that. One night is probably not enough to do much, but it can be a fun way to spend a couple hours and it's a very doable drive in one day that will allow you to split the drive to SLC into two fairly equal parts without draining yourself on the road.

" that will allow you to split the drive to SLC into two fairly equal parts without draining yourself on the road."

Not quite sure how you calculated that but (discounting traffic/construction/wrecks/unforeseeables) SJ to Reno is about a 4 hour drive, Reno to SLC is about 7 hours -- either of which could take substantially longer.

A few years ago I sent my wife off on the California Zephyr and then I checked in to the Model T hotel/ casino in Winnemucca. The room was fine and they had a good breakfast in the morning just off the casino floor. They open at 5AM and close about 11PM 7 days a week. The Model T is a reference to the Ford dealership that the building was originally. The Martin Hotel usually has some good Basque food. Winnemucca has a large Pilot gas station to fill up.

So many references for Basque food at the Martin hotel. What specifically is the Basque food dish that they typically serve there?

There isn't a specific "the" Basque dish. Their website displays the entire menu -- with the Basque lunch and dinner entrees listed separately from other (American/Italian/etc) options. https://themartinhotel.com/menu

Thank you janisj for posting the new menu. The Basques of the American west are known for being sheepherders. Many of their meat dishes are lamb. The Martin Hotel is along Railroad Street less than a half mile from the Amtrak shelter.

Thanks to all. Great advice. Appreciate you all for taking time to give me your thoughts.