Coast to Coast - what route?
Aug 1st 2009, 10:56 am
#1
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Coast to Coast - what route?
Ok so just wondering if anyone has done this and if so what route is easy to drive, scenic etc.
We have to go from east (Hampton Roads) to west (Pasadena) and obviously want to make it a pleasant trip too. We don't necessarily have to go in a straight line, but as Michaels employer will be paying mileage and overnights, we can't deviate too far off or add too many extra miles over and above what is necessary.
Any suggestions? Thanks in anticipa ...............................tion!
Mandy
We have to go from east (Hampton Roads) to west (Pasadena) and obviously want to make it a pleasant trip too. We don't necessarily have to go in a straight line, but as Michaels employer will be paying mileage and overnights, we can't deviate too far off or add too many extra miles over and above what is necessary.
Any suggestions? Thanks in anticipa ...............................tion!
Mandy
Aug 1st 2009, 12:46 pm
#2
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
On a side note, can you download scenic routes for sat navs?
Aug 1st 2009, 1:00 pm
#3
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I understand that there is a Northern route and a Southern route. What time of the year will you be doing the journey?
Aug 1st 2009, 2:44 pm
#4
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
It'll be last week of Sept and 1st of October.
Aug 1st 2009, 2:45 pm
#5
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
Stuff the sat navs etc 
I have driven across the country quite a few times. Try I-20 for the best southern route down into Texas, then join I-10 across to California for a mixture of climates and scenery. You could use I-40 across for a slightly more norther route that will eventually take you very high up near Flagstaff AZ and you could do a small diversion to take you up to the Hover dam, then back down to laughlin far better than Las Vegas. You could head up and join I-80 across the mid west which with eventually have you dropping down into Salt Lake City, from there I-15 down to Vegas and make what ever route you want from there.
If you really have no limit to route .... head north to I-80 and join I-90 across the north of the country to Seatle then down I-5 along the Pacific coast through Portland........ This is the most spectacular drive I ever saw.
I have driven across the country quite a few times. Try I-20 for the best southern route down into Texas, then join I-10 across to California for a mixture of climates and scenery. You could use I-40 across for a slightly more norther route that will eventually take you very high up near Flagstaff AZ and you could do a small diversion to take you up to the Hover dam, then back down to laughlin far better than Las Vegas. You could head up and join I-80 across the mid west which with eventually have you dropping down into Salt Lake City, from there I-15 down to Vegas and make what ever route you want from there.
If you really have no limit to route .... head north to I-80 and join I-90 across the north of the country to Seatle then down I-5 along the Pacific coast through Portland........ This is the most spectacular drive I ever saw.
Aug 1st 2009, 5:01 pm
#6
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
Stuff the sat navs etc
I have driven across the country quite a few times. Try I-20 for the best southern route down into Texas, then join I-10 across to California for a mixture of climates and scenery. You could use I-40 across for a slightly more norther route that will eventually take you very high up near Flagstaff AZ and you could do a small diversion to take you up to the Hover dam, then back down to laughlin far better than Las Vegas. You could head up and join I-80 across the mid west which with eventually have you dropping down into Salt Lake City, from there I-15 down to Vegas and make what ever route you want from there.
If you really have no limit to route .... head north to I-80 and join I-90 across the north of the country to Seatle then down I-5 along the Pacific coast through Portland........ This is the most spectacular drive I ever saw.
I have driven across the country quite a few times. Try I-20 for the best southern route down into Texas, then join I-10 across to California for a mixture of climates and scenery. You could use I-40 across for a slightly more norther route that will eventually take you very high up near Flagstaff AZ and you could do a small diversion to take you up to the Hover dam, then back down to laughlin far better than Las Vegas. You could head up and join I-80 across the mid west which with eventually have you dropping down into Salt Lake City, from there I-15 down to Vegas and make what ever route you want from there.
If you really have no limit to route .... head north to I-80 and join I-90 across the north of the country to Seatle then down I-5 along the Pacific coast through Portland........ This is the most spectacular drive I ever saw.
Rene
Aug 1st 2009, 7:36 pm
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I think we had a thread on this a few months ago. Keyword was roadtrip
Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, was the traditional 'roadtrip' route across the US, but it's now more of a 'slow trip' across the country and there are times when you really want to be driving about 70+ just to get from point a to b.
I'd probably look at a Southern route, hitting some of the Southern spots (like New Orleans), across Texas and then maybe up into the mountains of Colorado and through Vegas on my way to the West Coast.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
Route 66, from Chicago to Santa Monica, was the traditional 'roadtrip' route across the US, but it's now more of a 'slow trip' across the country and there are times when you really want to be driving about 70+ just to get from point a to b.
I'd probably look at a Southern route, hitting some of the Southern spots (like New Orleans), across Texas and then maybe up into the mountains of Colorado and through Vegas on my way to the West Coast.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=roadtrip
Aug 1st 2009, 8:28 pm
#9
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I went from CA to NY with this tour company years ago: http://www.greentortoise.com/budget....l#crosscountry. We did the southern route and it covered lots of fabulous sights. Their trips might give you some ideas.
Aug 2nd 2009, 2:00 am
#10
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I'd go the southern route, nicer and more to do/see but only my opinion, others may preger more nothern routes.
Aug 2nd 2009, 2:15 am
#11
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I'd be paying attention to the weather and remembering that in the mountains you could run into snow............
Aug 2nd 2009, 12:01 pm
#12
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
Good point Cindy, I was thinking go south with the weather. I'll take a look at some of those links too.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far folks.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far folks.
Aug 3rd 2009, 1:45 pm
#13
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
(EDIT: just noticed that you are mentioning snow so I presume it is not a summer trip - this route is not recommended then!)
I've done Indiana to Colorado a couple of times.
You could do similar. Get to Indianapolis and then just stay on the I70 all the way to Utah.
You'll go thru St Louis (go up to the top of the Arch if you haven't done so before) and then you'll drive through the roving hills and greenery of Missouri until you hit Kansas.
Then a complete change of scenery. You have miles and miles and miles of flat corn fields to look at as you go across Kansas. Some people will scream 'don't do that' but I actually really enjoy it. It's just so different from any drive you'll get back in the UK.
You then hit the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for another complete change.
Through Utah and then down to Vegas on the I15. Carry on along the I15 to Los Angeles...
It's not a classic way of doing the East-to-West trip but an enjoyable one none-the-less.
Which ever way you go - enjoy!
I've done Indiana to Colorado a couple of times.
You could do similar. Get to Indianapolis and then just stay on the I70 all the way to Utah.
You'll go thru St Louis (go up to the top of the Arch if you haven't done so before) and then you'll drive through the roving hills and greenery of Missouri until you hit Kansas.
Then a complete change of scenery. You have miles and miles and miles of flat corn fields to look at as you go across Kansas. Some people will scream 'don't do that' but I actually really enjoy it. It's just so different from any drive you'll get back in the UK.
You then hit the Rocky Mountains of Colorado for another complete change.
Through Utah and then down to Vegas on the I15. Carry on along the I15 to Los Angeles...
It's not a classic way of doing the East-to-West trip but an enjoyable one none-the-less.
Which ever way you go - enjoy!
Last edited by TimberHut; Aug 3rd 2009 at 1:47 pm.
Aug 3rd 2009, 8:30 pm
#15
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Re: Coast to Coast - what route?
I'm going to have to confess and say that reading MandyNi's questions about which route to take when going coast to coast is making me sooo jealous because that is my dream road trip. Sadly I'm not in a position to be able to advise MandyNi as to which route to take. All I can say is enjoy the trip and yes I am very jealous 
