New York to California - best route

I-80 across Nebraska is a major truck route and I would avoid it if possible.
bumpy

3000 miles and several hundred miles/day is going to take over 10 days to get to CA on I-80 which is what I'd use... trucks and all. Even doing closer to 500 miles/day will take a week. Hope you have more than a month for this trip. I have not found truck on 80 to be a problem.

I just traveled 80 from Colorado to Illinois. I must say it was rather easy. Good trip.
See no reason you should not consider it. Truck traffic was rather moderate.

I 80 to I 81 to I 40 to LA

A good GPS, Mountain Directory West, a bunch of audio tapes and good tires should get you there.
I believe easterners don't understand how BIG the west is. Once past the Mississippi River one is only 1/3 of the way!
Adventure Caravans takes the entire month of September just to tour the Western National Parks. What sights do you plan to see on the way back?
Is there a compelling reason to make this trip in a Class C?

yrusoslo wrote:
I 80 to I 81 to I 40 to LA

I believe the OP said they are going to Oakland, which means I80 all the way in.

I've done the trip a couple of times... Head west on the way there and east on the way back! Enjoy the journey! Having fun along the way is a successful trip.

nystitcher wrote:
Hi all - my husband and I and our 2 dogs will be going to CA soon. We would like to take the most direct and "fastest" route going out and then we'll take longer and see some sites on the way back. Can someone recommend the best route to take? We are starting from Long Island and ending in the Oakland area. We figure on driving a few hundred miles everyday, staying in a campground for the night, etc, We will be in a C class (diesel). Thanks for any tips! Dawn

Ivylog wrote:
3000 miles and several hundred miles/day is going to take over 10 days to get to CA on I-80 which is what I'd use... trucks and all. Even doing closer to 500 miles/day will take a week. Hope you have more than a month for this trip. I have not found truck on 80 to be a problem.

While I hate I-80 and will stay off at all cost - this is the only "FAST" route - "A" to "B" - no matter how you try there is no Shorter /Faster route. Chicago is critical, IMHO try if at all possible to time this so as to avoid rush/hour and construction - we have lost 2-3 hours in this area and will co-ordinate the drive through/by with the late/early, hours to miss the congestion.

You could fly out - but that would mean no fun driving back. I will hope that you have at least 60+ days for this trip. I would suggest that you think about driving more than a few hundred miles a day and push it a little then stop on a couple sites on the way out. Other than Flaming Gorge and SLC there is little to do on 80, must be why most of the trucks take that Route coast to coast.

What are you thinking about on the route back?

I would plan, for the trip back, on the long boring trip out, at least then the dreams will keep your spirits up.

BOL,

Murphsmom wrote:

yrusoslo wrote:
I 80 to I 81 to I 40 to LA

I believe the OP said they are going to Oakland, which means I80 all the way in.

OK, Sorry

gps