Route with the least mountains

Try this: Flattest Route

I-10 for certain. You may recall from school the Gadsden Purchase, it was made to allow a mostly mountain free route for trains. I-10 is on that land which is the southern part of AZ and some of NM.

I-10. If you can't make that then you might want to reconsider the trip.

I-10, but it's a pretty deep swing South. Save many miles and go I-10 to I-20 to I-65. Not that much more hilly than staying on I-10 all the way to I-65. There are some hills around Birmingham, but you gotta do those either way going to Nashville.

Or I-10 to I-20 to I-30 to I-40 to Nashville.

What are you driving? You really shouldn't have any issues as millions have driving the interstates in all kinds of vehicles. Even I-10 from Los Angeles will have some 'hills'. For sure you will also have 'hills' in the eastern states. You just can't avoid them.

scottsnider wrote:
Friends, I will be making a trip in June from So Cal near LA to first Nashville TN then on to Pittsburgh PA. Out of the LA area what would be the least amount of mountains or steep climbs for me going east? Should I take the 10 or the 40? I welcome all suggestions.

I-10 to I-40 to I-65 to I-64
Or I-10 to Dallas then 30 to 40

Google says "Maximum grade for Interstate highways is determined by a design table based on terrain and design speeds, with up to 6% generally allowed in mountainous areas and hilly urban areas with exceptions for up to 7% grades on mountainous roads with speed limits below 60 mph (95 km/h)."

6%-7% grades doesn't seem like much but what they don't say is how long these grades may end up being... Of course the Interstates will have truck lanes to use in these mountain areas...

I always use I40 when I can as I love the mountain views and the snow... I10 running along the border has some people traffic especially at night around the rest stops and pull outs areas. One somewhat recent I10 trip had a border patrol road check setup which was alittle scary for us with dudes with hands on guns asking questions... You also have to watch your roaming setting along the border on I10 associated with your cell phones - might get some strange charges on your phone bill...

I will take my beating using I40 over I10 any day haha...

Roy Ken

Get copies of Mountain Directory West and MD East to help in your planning.

BB_TX wrote:
Or I-10 to I-20 to I-30 to I-40 to Nashville.

This would be my pick.
Bill