CA to MO, best route?

[jenneen]

We are driving from So Cal to Eureka, MO in just a few weeks. This is a one-way trip since we are relocating to MO. We are driving our new Thor Hurricane gas powered RV. What is the best route to take? Northern route through CO or southern through Texas? Any tips are appreciated!
LEAVING from Palm Desert...

[sdbounderdiesel]

You might consider I-10 east to Quartzsite and then Arizona 95 north to I-40. Then on I-40 east through Kingman and into Flagstaff. We made a similar trip that way 2 years ago pulling an enclosed car trailer and I don't recall any unreasonable grades or tough driving challenges. Have a good trip!

[2gypsies1]

LVJ58 wrote:
You might want to bring up google maps on your computer and get directions by typing in your starting point then your destination. It usually gives a couple of alternate routes.

Just a suggestion.

Best of luck and have a safe Journey....:)

Try this. It will give you the miles via a couple choices. If you're in a hurry, do the fastest to just get there. Hope you enjoy your new home!

[mountainsam]

You have so many possible routes, it all depends on what you would like to see. I have traveled over all these routes in the last 45 years many times. I still have trouble picking the route I want to go. With a brand new motor home I would have to pick 70 though Utah and Denver if you are comfortable with a few long downgrades with fast moving heavy traffic. 10 & 20 in Texas is boring, boring, boring. And previously Kayteg1 mentioned Big Texan is a highlight of 40. Forget 80, long way to no where.

[RedRocket204]

Busskipper wrote:

jenneen wrote:
We are driving from So Cal to Eureka, MO in just a few weeks. This is a one-way trip since we are relocating to MO. We are driving our new Thor Hurricane gas powered RV. What is the best route to take? Northern route through CO or southern through Texas? Any tips are appreciated!

If I were taking the trip I'd take I-15 to St George - jump off drive through Zion and Bryce up Rt 12 to Capital Reef stopping at as many Utah State Parks that are on the Route (escalante -kodachrome - goblins - just to name drop a few) Then down to Moab and out Rt 128 along the Colorado River (Arches - Canyonlands - Dead Horse Point) - then into Colorado Colorado National Monument down to Ouray (Black Canyon - Marble - Maroon Bells) Gunnison to Salida to Buena Vista and Leadville (K's - Quincy's - Independence Pass - Arkansas River - Turquoise Lake - Collegiates) Then out I-70 to Exit 244 Rt6 through Golden then on to Missouri.

Easy enough - and BEAUTIFUL - I mean to go from Cali to Missouri and miss all that is "Just Not Right"

No doubt about it that is the "Best Route" - now if you wanted to add a few months we could make the "Best" "Better".

BOL,

I may be biased... but skipping this area of the country when you have the potential to see it should be considered a crime. Busskipper is right. And to the mention of I70 being challenging... define challenging? It really is not that bad during summer months but sure is a beautiful drive in the areas of UT and CO. Busskipper threw out some great suggestions but if time is important, you could pick a couple things off of Busskipper list or just stick to I70 and still see some great land.

[jplante4]

No one mentioned this so I'll throw it in. I-40 to Albuquerque, then I-25 to Colo. Springs, US24 to pick up I-70. The pass at the NW/CO border isn't too bad unless you're trying to do it in a snow storm in April in a rental car trying to make a conference in Phoenix...

You can drive through the Petrified Forest on the way. If you're not in a hurry and hate interstates, take US50 out of Pueblo.

[Bill_Satellite]

Been there, done that. Didn't find the Big Texan to be any more special than any other Steakhouse anywhere. Certainly not worth going out of your way for or even stopping early for. If, by chance, you end up in town the food is good but not memorable. I have to plans to try to eat a 42 ounce steak and all the fixings but it you want to stop by in hopes that there might be someone giving that a try, go for it!

[CWDoc115]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Than in Amarillo you do have BIG TEXAN

DITTO!!! Big Texan is not hype, but one of the best steakhouses that I have eaten in! Also there are 2 great campgrounds near Amarillo.

[JumboJet]

Jim & Betty wrote:
Palm desert to Phoenix via I-10 north on 17 to Flagstaff then east on I-40 to OKC to I-44 to Eureka.

From I-10 to I-40 there may be a shorter route up to Holbrook AZ through Payson but I am not familiar with that road

JimR

I am familiar with that road. Beautiful drive. Winding road with lots of hills until you get closer to Holbrook.

[Bill_Satellite]

The most direct route would be I-10 to I-17N to Flagstaff and then I-40 and I-44 all the way home. However, if you want to avoid the long climb to Flagstaff you can add about 100 miles to the trip and continue on I-10 to the Las Cruces area and take I-25 to Albuquerque.
If you are planning a sightseeing trip there are many things to do along the way but there are also longer versions of the same trip that will have interesting stops along the way. It's just a matter of adding time and mileage to see things you might be interested in.
As mentioned above, I highly recommend Google Maps to plan your trip. If you are concerned about elevation changes then you can plan the trip in Google Earth. Once you have the trip laid out you can right click on the route and select "elevation map" to view the elevation changes along the way.

[Community Alumni]

Palm desert to Phoenix via I-10 north on 17 to Flagstaff then east on I-40 to OKC to I-44 to Eureka.

From I-10 to I-40 there may be a shorter route up to Holbrook AZ through Payson but I am not familiar with that road

JimR

[Crespro]

In a dozen trips, we have traveled I-10, I-40, I-70, I-80 and I-94.

Easiest route -- I-40 to OKC and then I-44.

Most scenic -- I-15 to Utah and then I-70. This is a much more challenging route through Colorado, but it is pretty.

Wide open country -- I-15 to SLC, then to Wyoming and I-80 east.

Happy travels!

[Busskipper]

jenneen wrote:
We are driving from So Cal to Eureka, MO in just a few weeks. This is a one-way trip since we are relocating to MO. We are driving our new Thor Hurricane gas powered RV. What is the best route to take? Northern route through CO or southern through Texas? Any tips are appreciated!

If I were taking the trip I'd take I-15 to St George - jump off drive through Zion and Bryce up Rt 12 to Capital Reef stopping at as many Utah State Parks that are on the Route (escalante -kodachrome - goblins - just to name drop a few) Then down to Moab and out Rt 128 along the Colorado River (Arches - Canyonlands - Dead Horse Point) - then into Colorado Colorado National Monument down to Ouray (Black Canyon - Marble - Maroon Bells) Gunnison to Salida to Buena Vista and Leadville (K's - Quincy's - Independence Pass - Arkansas River - Turquoise Lake - Collegiates) Then out I-70 to Exit 244 Rt6 through Golden then on to Missouri.

Easy enough - and BEAUTIFUL - I mean to go from Cali to Missouri and miss all that is "Just Not Right"

No doubt about it that is the "Best Route" - now if you wanted to add a few months we could make the "Best" "Better".

BOL,

[LVJ58]

You might want to bring up google maps on your computer and get directions by typing in your starting point then your destination. It usually gives a couple of alternate routes.

Just a suggestion.

Best of luck and have a safe Journey....:)

[jenneen]

Leaving from Palm Desert.