My husband and I took a cross-country trip last Aug-Sept. We took the northern route, starting in Delaware, across Pa and Ohio, onto to I90. Ran into the WORST toll system in Illinois. Toll booths are in the far right-hand lane, just a quick stop to throw in .25-.50 and speed on. Only problem was we were in the far left-hand lane, going too fast to cross several lanes of traffic. Also, it took us a couple of missed toll booths to realize that, oh crap, we should have been paying a toll. (Their whole system is different than what we have on the East Coast). To get to the point, oh yeah, we got a bill in the mail, eighty some dollars for less than $2.00 of tolls. We will never again spend one penny in Illinois.
We travelled the southern route, mostly I10, home. It was a long, sometimes boring, route. It was interesting to see how much of this country is empty. A lot of it not really inhabitable. When you are accustomed to the green, well-populated East Coast, the West is dramatically different. But we loved every minute of it. So much so that we are planning another trip for this Aug-Sept.
My question is, what is everyone's opinions about the best routes to travel? We don't have the time to travel the more time consuming, but more interesting, state routes. My brother lives in CA and we want to spend some time with him.
Our first stop will be at the Grand Canyon, only spent one night last year, and want to stay a couple of more. We'll continue on to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, brother's in West Point, Ca, Yosemite, and then home to Delaware.
Does anyone have any hints or tips on campgrounds, sites not-to-miss, or anything else?
Thanks for your help. I love reading about everyone's adventures.
Claudia
rclvnv said
04:41 PM Jul 26, 2011
Hi, I'm currently returning to Las Vegas via the Southern route, I-10. As you probably discovered on your return trip, it is hot,hot hot.We went back east in June,via the I-40, to I-81,then into the DC area.We then went to the W. Coast of Fla, and so came back, I-10. We have taken the DC/Vegas trip,back and forth,using the 40/81 route,several times.The road is good in some states,awful in others.Your best routing from the Grand Canyon to Vegas,is I-40 to US 93/95,over the Hoover Dam bypass, into Boulder City,then Vegas. If you wish,I'll be happy to give you a list of the places we stay,as well as my opinion of where the best place to stay in Vegas is, in my opinion,that is.Just send me a pm. Also RV Park Reviews.com is a great resource. Just remember, it is Hot still in Las Vegas,but without the humidity you are used to,in Aug/Sept.The area around the Grand Canyon will be much better. I've just asked the group for advice about going around Phoenix,(or not) because it is so hot on the I-10.We're currently in the Tx Hill Country.
Bill Adams said
05:12 PM Jul 26, 2011
As you learn to travel and love the West, you will find that there are very few toll roads compared to the East!!! The toll booths are always on the right and you will need to get there and pay the toll, but they are so few and far between that it's really pretty easy to deal with. We missed a toll while in the Chicago area due to my lack of attention but there was a sign right after I blew by saying "miss a toll? Go to this website." We went online that night and paid the missed toll. No harm, no foul! To make the trip you are planning you will just pick up the appropriate Internet and get yourself where you need to go. You will find a toll if you want to cross some of the bridges in the CA (Golden Gate comes to mind) and there is a road or two in the LA area which have tolls. Just suck it up as these routes will save you money in fuel compared to any route that you could take to avoid them. Also, do not expect to pay .25 or .50 cents at any of these tolls. The amounts start in the several dollar range and go up from there. So, here is your direct route: Leave DE on I-76W to I-70 W to St. Louis (please stop here!). From there you will follow I-44W to OK City and then follow 40W to Flagstaff, AZ where you will go off the Interstate system to reach the Grand Canyon. You will finish up your tour then and then work your way back to I-40W to Las Vegas. It's then I-15 from Vegas to LA and then I-5 up to the San Francisco area. Getting to West Point, CA will require some off the Interstate drive and I would suggest that you contact the person you are visiting for the route they suggest to get from San Fran to West Point. From there you will work you way back to pick up I-80 in Reno, through SLC, UT (stop here as well). Continue I-80W for many miles until you get back into the Pittsburgh, PA area and are once again able to pick up I-76 to take you home. This is a trip of just over 6300 miles so be sure to allow yourself enough time. You will be passing by some of the greatest sights on the Planet. I hope you don't have to pass them all by without stopping.
Penny and Paul said
11:20 AM Jul 27, 2011
Claudia wrote:
Hi,
My husband and I took a cross-country trip last Aug-Sept. We took the northern route, starting in Delaware, across Pa and Ohio, onto to I90. Ran into the WORST toll system in Illinois. Toll booths are in the far right-hand lane, just a quick stop to throw in .25-.50 and speed on. Only problem was we were in the far left-hand lane, going too fast to cross several lanes of traffic. Also, it took us a couple of missed toll booths to realize that, oh crap, we should have been paying a toll. (Their whole system is different than what we have on the East Coast). To get to the point, oh yeah, we got a bill in the mail, eighty some dollars for less than $2.00 of tolls. We will never again spend one penny in Illinois.
...
Best government money can buy
Terry and Jo said
05:31 PM Jul 27, 2011
In reference to I-44 in Oklahoma, it is a toll road (two different ones actually) beginning at the Oklahoma/Missouri state line until you get to the east side of Oklahoma City. If I remember correctly, there will be no toll roads on I-40. There will be some roughness in the roads in Oklahoma, with one 5-10 mile stretch on the west side of Oklahoma City being the worst.
Terry
Delaine and Lindy said
10:20 AM Jul 28, 2011
Terry is correct about the stretch West of Okla. is ruff to say the least. We have decided to go back accross I-70 when we leave Taos New Mexico on 8 Sept. There is a plus for us we met some awesome people who live in Alma Kansas. Last year we came accross I-70 but went back accross I-40 but then we were riding on Air, Freightliner M2. No there isn't any tolls on I-40. We do very little travel on the Northern part of America, we do most of our travels in the South or West of the Big River. Happy Trails..
Hi,
My husband and I took a cross-country trip last Aug-Sept. We took the northern route, starting in Delaware, across Pa and Ohio, onto to I90. Ran into the WORST toll system in Illinois. Toll booths are in the far right-hand lane, just a quick stop to throw in .25-.50 and speed on. Only problem was we were in the far left-hand lane, going too fast to cross several lanes of traffic. Also, it took us a couple of missed toll booths to realize that, oh crap, we should have been paying a toll. (Their whole system is different than what we have on the East Coast). To get to the point, oh yeah, we got a bill in the mail, eighty some dollars for less than $2.00 of tolls. We will never again spend one penny in Illinois.
We travelled the southern route, mostly I10, home. It was a long, sometimes boring, route. It was interesting to see how much of this country is empty. A lot of it not really inhabitable. When you are accustomed to the green, well-populated East Coast, the West is dramatically different. But we loved every minute of it. So much so that we are planning another trip for this Aug-Sept.
My question is, what is everyone's opinions about the best routes to travel? We don't have the time to travel the more time consuming, but more interesting, state routes. My brother lives in CA and we want to spend some time with him.
Our first stop will be at the Grand Canyon, only spent one night last year, and want to stay a couple of more. We'll continue on to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, brother's in West Point, Ca, Yosemite, and then home to Delaware.
Does anyone have any hints or tips on campgrounds, sites not-to-miss, or anything else?
Thanks for your help. I love reading about everyone's adventures.
Claudia
Hi, I'm currently returning to Las Vegas via the Southern route, I-10. As you probably discovered on your return trip, it is hot,hot hot.We went back east in June,via the I-40, to I-81,then into the DC area.We then went to the W. Coast of Fla, and so came back, I-10. We have taken the DC/Vegas trip,back and forth,using the 40/81 route,several times.The road is good in some states,awful in others.Your best routing from the Grand Canyon to Vegas,is I-40 to US 93/95,over the Hoover Dam bypass, into Boulder City,then Vegas. If you wish,I'll be happy to give you a list of the places we stay,as well as my opinion of where the best place to stay in Vegas is, in my opinion,that is.Just send me a pm. Also RV Park Reviews.com is a great resource. Just remember, it is Hot still in Las Vegas,but without the humidity you are used to,in Aug/Sept.The area around the Grand Canyon will be much better. I've just asked the group for advice about going around Phoenix,(or not) because it is so hot on the I-10.We're currently in the Tx Hill Country.
So, here is your direct route:
Leave DE on I-76W to I-70 W to St. Louis (please stop here!). From there you will follow I-44W to OK City and then follow 40W to Flagstaff, AZ where you will go off the Interstate system to reach the Grand Canyon. You will finish up your tour then and then work your way back to I-40W to Las Vegas. It's then I-15 from Vegas to LA and then I-5 up to the San Francisco area. Getting to West Point, CA will require some off the Interstate drive and I would suggest that you contact the person you are visiting for the route they suggest to get from San Fran to West Point. From there you will work you way back to pick up I-80 in Reno, through SLC, UT (stop here as well). Continue I-80W for many miles until you get back into the Pittsburgh, PA area and are once again able to pick up I-76 to take you home. This is a trip of just over 6300 miles so be sure to allow yourself enough time. You will be passing by some of the greatest sights on the Planet. I hope you don't have to pass them all by without stopping.
Best government money can buy
In reference to I-44 in Oklahoma, it is a toll road (two different ones actually) beginning at the Oklahoma/Missouri state line until you get to the east side of Oklahoma City. If I remember correctly, there will be no toll roads on I-40. There will be some roughness in the roads in Oklahoma, with one 5-10 mile stretch on the west side of Oklahoma City being the worst.
Terry