I am going to be moving from Syracuse, NY to San Diego, CA. I plan on
leaving either November 11th or 12th, 2004, and would like to arrive
by Nov. 20th. I would like to have some kind of travel plans laid out
so that I can take full advantage of a cross country trip. The only
city I would like to stop in along the way is Chicago, IL. to stay
with a friend. Otherwise, I have no specific path across the country I
would like to take, just one that is fun and has food and budget
hotels along the way. Basically, I want to take a scenic path, and see
as many sites as I can see, without going too far out of the way (e.g.
traveling 150 miles north just to see some monument, etc). If there is
a much better path to take that involves not going through Chicago,
that is ok too, but going through Chicago would be nice.
I will be traveling alone, so can you give me an effective travel plan
for Syracuse to San Diego that gives me as interesting a path as
possible? I'm only going to get to do this once, so seeing sites along
the way (that I otherwise may never see) would be great. I am not
towing anything, and have a car with plenty of power, so mountains,
etc. are not a problem. Thanks! |
Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
01 Nov 2004 11:59 PST
Hello,
I'm working out a route for you that includes Chicago. I've traveled
back and forth across the country a number of times, and will be happy
to help point you to to places to see, things to do and experience. It
would help greatly to know what you consider to be fun, whether it be
party-type activities (nightclubs, music, dancing), roadside
attractions, museums, natural wonders, monuments, history, or a mix of
them all. There's no lack of activities and places to choose from,
plus several very interesting routes.
---larre
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Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
02 Nov 2004 09:26 PST
Well I'll be driving by myself, so I'd prefer things more along the
lines of roadside attractions, natural wonders, and monuments. I dont
really need any activities or night life, just stuff that would put my
camera to good use. I pretty much plan on just eating and sleeping at
night, so I can be well rested for the next day's drive. Not much
other than that...except for as I mentioned before, some budget hotels
(<$100/night) and places to grab some food. Thanks.
|
Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
08 Nov 2004 12:24 PST
I'm just posting this because I leave for my trip on the 10th, in 2
days, and I still haven't received an answer after a week. I know a
good answer requires time, but if I don't have it by 6am on the 10th
then it will essentially be useless to me because I'll have left
already and will have no internet access. Is there any way I can get
an ETA on this answer? Thanks.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
08 Nov 2004 14:53 PST
I'll do my very best. I'm researching the portion between Syracuse and
Chicago, which I am less familiar. Let me at least point you to a
previous answer that has covered some of the same (Midwest to
California) territory.
Driving Chicago to Los Angeles
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=338818
---l
|
Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
08 Nov 2004 19:35 PST
Actually, don't worry about Syracuse to Chicago...I decided today that
I'm going to go that part just I-90 the whole way in one day, so it's
more Chicago to San Diego that I'm concerned about. Thanks.
|
Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
09 Nov 2004 14:14 PST
Just to clarify, is the link you gave me the official answer to my
question? I'm not sure if I should be waiting for something else or
not, but since the other guy only paid $40 for his answer, I feel like
I should be expecting something a bit more specific in terms of the
travel path (eg, take highway X until you get to point Y, then hop on
Z until..., etc. If that's asking too much for what I paid, let me
know. I just don't know what I'm supposed to be getting here for my
amount. Thanks.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
09 Nov 2004 15:57 PST
No, the link was not an official answer, and you have not been charged
for one. It's just a free bonus, especially since it doesn't cover the
full distance. Askers are not charged for either Clarifications or
Comments.
I had considered routing you across on I-80, but with major weather
heading eastward, seems like a better idea to use the southern route
I-40 from Chicago through Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and
Arizona on your way to California. Most of the sites mentioned in the
linked Answer above would then be applicable. You can choose to
continue all the way into LA and south to San Diego over Coast
Highway, or choose to head south eas early as Flagstaff, AZ, or Palm
Springs, Corona/Riverside, or Orange County.
All along Interstate 40 and it's Route 66 byways, you'll find discount
hotels/motels within your price range. Plan -not- to stay overnight in
Gallup, NM unless you enjoy the sound of moving trains. On my last
trip I chose Mariott Courtyards all across country, with a Courtyard
Club offer of stay 2 nights, get one free -- which averaged out to
$55/night, hardly more than the discount chains.
---l
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Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
09 Nov 2004 19:04 PST
Thanks for the clarification on that, I think I'd rather take the southern route
with I-40 for weather purposes, and I'd like to make it as far south
as the grand canyon to see that (the Grand Canyon is near Flagstaff,
right?) before cutting over to San Diego if possible.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
09 Nov 2004 23:29 PST
That's correct, from Flagstaff, via I-40W you can decide whether to
detour just a bit north to Las Vegas, or continue west into California
toward the Los Angeles area. I-17 will take you south from Flagstaff
to Phoenix or Tucson. You can cross the desert to Southern California
from either city. Both routes are considered pretty desolate.
San Diego's only a 2 hour drive from LA. You'll probably have the
chance to explore after you've settled in. From I-40W, the easiest
route would probably be to I-15, then south all the way to San Diego.
---l
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Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
10 Nov 2004 18:49 PST
Once I get to the Grand Canyon, I dont think there's anything else
around there I want to see, so I'd just like to get from there over to
Southern Californa...I have no preference as to whether to go directly
west from there, then south, or go south to Phoenix then
west...whatever might have the least traffic. I'm in Chicago right now
and leaving for the rest of the trip tomorrow, so if you can get back
to me by later morning tomorrow (Thursday) it would help me out,
otherwise I'm just going to have to wing it from the road atlas. i
dont know when i'll have internet access again after tomorrow late
morning. Thanks.
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Clarification of Question by
billfan69-ga
on
10 Nov 2004 19:14 PST
Also, I wanted to make sure that I can go on Rt. 66 for a while as
well...I know Rt 66 probably wont be on my 2004 Road atlas, but you
mention I-40 "and its Rt 66 byways"...since i'm not familiar with this
trip, is this the same path? The historic Rt 66, according to that
link you gave me, has a lot of god things along it, but it looks like
I-40 may be the same road? I'm not sure.
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Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
10 Nov 2004 20:14 PST
From Flagstaff, travel south on I-17, to Phoenix. In Phoenix, take the
I-10 West toward Los Angeles, approximately 30 miles, to Arizona SR-85
(Exit 112). Take SR-85 (to Yuma/San Diego), approximately 35 miles,
merging onto I-8. Follow I-8 all the way to San Diego, passing through
Yuma, and Mexicali. Not much commerical on these routes between
Phoenix and San Diego, though gas, food and lodging are represented.
I'm a fan of Anza Borrego State Park -- distant cousin of mine, a
professional artist, lives nearby, painting desert wildflowers.
I hope you have a safe journey, and enjoy California.
Regards,
---larre
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Request for Question Clarification by
larre-ga
on
10 Nov 2004 20:22 PST
Route 66 and I-40 share the same territory. You'll find official signs
on I-40 saying "Historic Route 66", plus many billboard proclaiming
local portions. If you have confidence in your sense of direction, you
can wander back and forth without too much concern about losing the
way. Route 66 always heads back to I-40, well marked almost
everywhere. It's a kick, stoplights and all. As much as I love the
internet, it might be worthwhile to purchase a Route 66 Map or
Guidebook (start looking at gas or restaurant stops in Springfield,
Illinois) to mark your switchoff point for "don't miss" portions.
---l
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