Forum Discussion

GlennB's avatar
GlennB
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013

Duluth to San Diego, need route?

I had earlier posted a request for a route from Duluth, Minn. to San Diego that avoided interstate highways. I wanted to take a more leisurely route.
Things have now changed and we would like to get to San Diego as soon as possible. We're not in a big rush, but we don't plan to do sightseeing, either.
We will leave Duluth area on or around September 24 and we tow a 5th-wheel.
Considering the time of year and flooding in Colorado and perhaps elsewhere, what route (s)
do you suggest.
(Note: I still wish to avoid congested areas when possible.)
Thanks,
Glenn
  • With San Diego as the destination, I can't imagine entering California anywhere north of Las Vegas. So a storm further north in California wouldn't make much difference.
  • I didn't pay close attention to the weather report this morning, but I did hear talk of a potential storm on the way later this week in California. It's a little early in the year for any significant snow in the mountains here, but it's possible. I'd go take the southern route anyway just to be safe.
  • Just off the top my head (without looking it up on a map), I'd suggest I35 to the Twin Cities, I94/90 to Montana, I15 to Calif. Or US2 west to I29 and then south.

    I80 would also be a good choice heading west to Utah.

    I don't think I70 is closed, so you could take that west, but it has more mountains (west of Denver).

    Or south to I40 and across to Calif.

    Especially at this time of the year, all of these freeway routes will be equally good. I doubt if times differ all that much. You basically need to west and south. The only diagonal that will save much distance is I15.
  • I just looked at my atlas and in 30 seconds I had a route I would take. I-35S to I-40W to I-17S to I-8W. But that is the way I plan a trip. Happy trails.
  • You could also go to www.maps.yahoo.com and read what it suggests and get that Mountain Directory West ASAP.