What are the required stops when driving across the middle states?

July 12, 2005 7:22 AM

UltimateRoadTripFilter. In 2 weeks, I'm driving across the country from Harrisburg, PA to Newport Beach, CA. My best friend is coming along and he's never seen anything west of Ohio. We've got 7 full days to complete the trip. What's not to miss?

I've got the trip (mentally) broken into a few legs...

- Harrisburg to Chicago (12 hours, 1 day of driving)
- Chicago to Denver (17 hours, 2 days of driving)
- Denver to Las Vegas (15 hours, 2 days)
- Las Vegas to Orange County (5 hours)

We're 24 and 25, if it matters. And not allergic to fun/adventure. :) Thanks!

posted by paulychamp to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)

See if you can hit Prarie Dog Town in Oakley, Kansas. It's an absolute mockery of any responsible zoo or animal exhibit. Highly recommended.
posted by klangklangston at 7:52 AM on July 12, 2005

I can definitely recommend that you add stops in the Southwest to your itinerary. Santa Fe (5 hours south of Denver), Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon (9 hours west of Santa Fe) are not to be missed, especially if this is someone's first time out west.

The eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, just west of Death Valley in California, is also amazing.
posted by nyterrant at 7:55 AM on July 12, 2005

Another reason to detour through Kansas is because the World's Second Largest Ball of Twine lives in Cawker City.
posted by bondcliff at 7:57 AM on July 12, 2005

Take a detour off the Interstate 70 after Denver and head south on 191 through Arches National Park, around Canyonlands National Park. Head back north on 95 to Goblin Valley State Park, head west on 12 through Capitol Reef National Park. Continue through the Escalante/Grand Staircase region to Bryce Canyon National Park, then head south to Zion National Park. Hop back on the Interstate near St. George, Utah. In all reality, you should spend a lot more time than you have in this area, but even driving through it will be amazing.
posted by Staggering Jack at 8:19 AM on July 12, 2005

This guy seems to have a good map of the area in my last post.
posted by Staggering Jack at 8:21 AM on July 12, 2005

I'd second changing youd Denver --> Las Vegas leg so you can sweep down by Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam. Definitely the most fascinating part of the trip I experienced when I road tripped from California to Texas.
posted by FearTormento at 9:02 AM on July 12, 2005

Well you just have to visit the worlds largest struck stop on your way past my place! If only to say you did... I mean, they just completed some renovations and all but... yeah. Not very impressive, I apologize.
posted by prostyle at 9:06 AM on July 12, 2005

I'll second the drive Staggering Jack mentions.

US 163 in northwest Arizona through Monument Valley is also classic.
posted by driveler at 9:34 AM on July 12, 2005

Another vote for Staggering Jack.The drive thru Zion from the east is awesome.Vegas to LA ,include Death Valley, it is beautiful any time of year.
posted by hortense at 10:25 AM on July 12, 2005

Here is what I would do: Take 285 southwest out of Denver. You'll travel through spectacular mountains. Spend the night in SW Colo; maybe Cortez. Next day just head straight south til you hit I40. You can see the Grand Canyon on your way to Las Vegas.
posted by 6550 at 10:31 AM on July 12, 2005

Another vote for Zion, also see the rest of the southwest! Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, cliff dwellings in Arizona, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Joshua Tree NM. Probably too much to see in two days, but it's worth the trip.
posted by slimslowslider at 11:09 AM on July 12, 2005

Does anyone know if they still let you go inside Hoover Dam? You know, what with the "security concerns" and all? I looked around, but most of the sites mentioning it seemed old. If you can, you should go. It's amazing inside.
posted by slimslowslider at 11:16 AM on July 12, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for all the great suggestions! There's definitely too much to see in 7 days, but I've got to work on Monday. :)
posted by paulychamp at 5:46 PM on July 12, 2005