Traveling to Central IL from Central Valley CA

I-80 across Iowa has some of the roughest road I been on with the exception of I-10 through Louisiana You might try US 34 from Colorado east. Some 4 lane but a lot of interesting small museums and historical sites.

You should have no issues with your DP and I-80 it sounds like. I-80 is a popular route for trucks and some RVers don't like that but I find running with the big rigs not a problem-probably more confident around these professional drivers than many in their automobiles. Your post mentions that you are headed to Central IL and I would think I-80 would be the most practical from a distance issue but, I don't mind traveling the Great Plains either. We just returned from the Springfield and Champaign area on our way back from Lake Huron and we used I-74, US 36, I-29 and then I-80. Perhaps your destination will determine which way is best? I-90 may add more miles than you want to do. We are headed west on I-80 in a few days-perhaps we'll cross paths.

What exactly is your concern ?

Have you considered I-90 ??

There has to be a more interesting way to get there than I-80. That part of Nevada is pretty bleak. Southern Wyoming is pretty dull and never-ending (unless you really love meth and fireworks). Note that I love Wyoming and I'm even wearing my University of Wyoming polo shirt today, but that path along the south is pretty miserable from Evanston all the way until you get to Laramie. It's incredibly long too. It doesn't look that long on the map, but Evanston to Laramie is about the same as L.A. to San Jose. That part of Nebraska isn't very stimulating either.

There are so many routes across the US with more to offer.

North to 1-5 then I-80 all the way.