Forum Discussion

jonmad's avatar
jonmad
Explorer
Nov 15, 2014

East to West?

We would like to plan a trip from Pennsylvania to Arizona with many stops along the way. Not sure witch routes are best. Any opinions would be helpful. Thanks...

18 Replies

  • We left on 8-28 and did the northern route (basically I-90) out to Washington State. Had a couple frosty mornings in Montana the first week of Sept. Don't leave too late in the fall if you go at that time. MT. Rushmore was nice to see along with Crazy Horse Memorial. BUT, if your destination is AZ then going up there is a LONG WAY away. It all depends on how much time you have on hand. We were gone 2 months and I feel we didn't get to stay at some places we would have liked to stay longer at. Don't cut yourself short on time at any place you want to explore and enjoy. We did the southern route (I-40) back home to TN. Standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon is an awesome thing. AZ has ALOT to explore and we are going to go back there possibly next August. Pick a place to go and stay long enough to see things. Don't just be driving all the time.
  • In the Spring start south and work your way north. In the Fall start north and work your way south. The two trips we went to NM and AZ we left home first week of May. Still very hot in southern NM at Roswell - 105 degrees.

    When we go to Yellowstone & Grand Teton, we try to get there by the beginning of June to beat the crowds.

    Also, 3 weeks isn't a lot of time to do a lot of sightseeing and make a southern to northern loop (or vice versa). To make driving that much distance worthwhile, we go for more like 8 weeks. It's a long drive across the country.
  • We are planning for spring or fall of 2015. Hoping to take three weeks or so. Don't even know what all is out that way but Mt. Rushmore would be something I would like to see as well as the canyons of course.... Maybe a northern trip with a more southerly trip back. Maybe a National Park or two as well. Looking for some ideas. Thanks for the responses.....
  • I see that you are just east of Harrisburg, PA. From here in NJ we have used the PA Turnpike to I70 to St. Louis then I44 to Oklahoma City then I40 to Arizona. We have used this route twice in May. In the winter, I would go south to warmer temperatures before heading west.

    As already mentioned, more info on timing and planned stops would help us help you.
  • We need some more information. What time of year? What are you hoping to see?

    How much time do you have?

    Any of the interstates are about the same getting across the midwest so it really depends what you want to stop for along the way.

    Is Arizona the only state you're planning on really siteseeing? Would you consider any of Utah or Colorado for some of your stay?

    Let us know.
  • This time of year, I'd head south on I-95 all the way to Jacksonville, FL. Then West on I-10 to Tucson, to avoid possible snow and/or ice.