Road Trip 2015 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chilcutt · #1 08-21-2015, 10:12 AM

My wife and I are going to the states this October.
Driving from L.A. to Detroit (visit Father).
She want to see Vegas..and the Grand Canyon.
Need you guys to share ideas for interesting routes to follow.
I will avoid going through the Rockies, and would like to avoid the flat, straight highways that take me through non-interesting places like Iowa-Nebraska.

Input Please:

P.C. · #2 08-21-2015, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

My wife and I are going to the states this October.
Driving from L.A. to Detroit (visit Father).
She want to see Vegas..and the Grand Canyon.
Need you guys to share ideas for interesting routes to follow.
I will avoid going through the Rockies, and would like to avoid the flat, straight highways that take me through non-interesting places like Iowa-Nebraska.

Input Please:

elchivito · #3 08-21-2015, 11:54 AM

From the Canyon drop south to Sedona and the Red Rocks, then back up to Flagstaff and head east on 40 (Rt.66) to Santa Fe. Or take 89a from Flagstaff and cross Navajo/Hopi lands to the Four Corners and drop south through Taos and on to Santa Fe. Gorgeous country. It's the Rockies Lite. High elevations but not too taxing on the driving. Chama, Abiquiu, lots to see.
From there you're on your own. I have an imaginary line that runs roughly north-south through the state of NM along the Rio Grande, east of which there be beasties.

ILUVMILS · #4 08-21-2015, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

jcyuhn · #5 08-21-2015, 12:53 PM

PC got it right. There's no way to avoid flat-boring on that drive. Your choice is between flat-boring farmland (I-70 or I-80) or flat-boring desert-ranch land (I-40).

I would suggest avoiding I-80 if only because it takes you into the Chicago metro area and you will encounter more traffic (and likely delays) than is pleasant.

If on I-40 you can drop down from Amarillo to see Palo Duro Canyon. It's kind of a mini-grand canyon. Probably you can tell your wife it's the real thing and she won't know the difference.

I would not be afraid to head north from Vegas/Grand Canyon and pick up I-70 through the Rockies. It's a reasonably nice drive, and the weather in October should not be too bad. Just keep an eye on the forecast. If you stay on I-70 across flat/boring you can see the arch in St. Louis. Then on to Indy (speedway) where you change to I-69. Take in the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg museum in (surprise!) Auburn, IN. Then up to I-94 for your final run into Detroit.

What part of the Detroit area are we talking here?

cmac2012 · #6 08-21-2015, 01:09 PM

After the Grand Canyon I'd head over to Hiway 160 and up to Durango, stopping at the Mesa Verde Nat. Park to check out the cliff dwellings. Durango has a narrow gauge rail steam engine tour up to Silverton. Would be a way to see the Rockies w/o having to drive though the tough parts.

MTI · #7 08-21-2015, 01:40 PM

Give the odd numbered hwys a try. Everybody seems to love the west-east, but south-north roads are worth a look.

chilcutt · #8 08-21-2015, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.C.

I know...but..you have to remember where I have been living for the last 5 1/2 yrs.
To travel any distance in a vehicle requires much patience. And the journey takes 4-5 times longer than it should because you are surrounded by 2 million other humans in cars, taxis,bus who are all trying to do the same thing you are.

Let's just say ..I need to do this road trip in order to restore my sanity...get re-focused.

chilcutt · #9 08-21-2015, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

PC got it right. There's no way to avoid flat-boring on that drive. Your choice is between flat-boring farmland (I-70 or I-80) or flat-boring desert-ranch land (I-40).

I would suggest avoiding I-80 if only because it takes you into the Chicago metro area and you will encounter more traffic (and likely delays) than is pleasant.

If on I-40 you can drop down from Amarillo to see Palo Duro Canyon. It's kind of a mini-grand canyon. Probably you can tell your wife it's the real thing and she won't know the difference.

I would not be afraid to head north from Vegas/Grand Canyon and pick up I-70 through the Rockies. It's a reasonably nice drive, and the weather in October should not be too bad. Just keep an eye on the forecast. If you stay on I-70 across flat/boring you can see the arch in St. Louis. Then on to Indy (speedway) where you change to I-69. Take in the Auburn-Cord-Dusenberg museum in (surprise!) Auburn, IN. Then up to I-94 for your final run into Detroit.

What part of the Detroit area are we talking here?

Livonia-Almont
Yes I have no desire to cruise through Chi-Town. Will try to pick up I-75 somewhere..head north, and that would include driving through Indy.

kerry · #10 08-21-2015, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

From the Canyon drop south to Sedona and the Red Rocks, then back up to Flagstaff and head east on 40 (Rt.66) to Santa Fe. Or take 89a from Flagstaff and cross Navajo/Hopi lands to the Four Corners and drop south through Taos and on to Santa Fe. Gorgeous country. It's the Rockies Lite. High elevations but not too taxing on the driving. Chama, Abiquiu, lots to see.
From there you're on your own. I have an imaginary line that runs roughly north-south through the state of NM along the Rio Grande, east of which there be beasties.

X2 on this route. I always drive the 2 lane highways across the great plains nowadays. If you continue east on Elchivito's route you can visit Capalin Volcano and Alibates Flint Quarry before heading thru the Great Plains. Stay at the Golden Hotel in Oneill, Nebraska and visit Ashfall State Site (historic park?) just a short distance away. Stay off I-40, I-70 and I-80. Continue NE from O'neill and take the ferry across Lake Michigan to avoid Chicago.

chilcutt · #11 08-22-2015, 01:16 AM

^I am likeing how this route sounds as well.
We will be renting a motor coach, and just wandering slowly, I want her to see as much beutifull country as possible.

kerry · #12 08-22-2015, 10:51 AM

If that's the case, O'Neill has free camping in the town park, ( http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/nebraska/oneill) as do a fair number of small towns on the Great Plains. If you head north from the Alibates Flint Quarry on 287(?) you can camp just outside of Picture Canyon which is west off 287 on a dirt road. It's one of the strangest places on the plains.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Canyon_%28Colorado%29

Just north of that is the Sand Creek Massacre Historic Site.

http://www.nps.gov/sand/index.htm

You could also hit Ft. Union National Monument which is east of Santa Fe

Fort Union National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

And just east of the Capulin Volcano is the site of discovery of Folsom Points although I don't think there's any visitor information there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folsom_point

chilcutt · #13 08-22-2015, 11:44 AM

This is a boat load of information.
Thanks kerry.

Wodnek · #14 08-22-2015, 12:22 PM

Covered bridges in Parke county indiana. near the intersection of US Hwy 36 and 41 are awesome.

House on the Rock in Spring Green Wi is awesome to see.

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids Mi is worth it to see.

On a Tuesday or Wednesday, the midwest's largest outdoor flea Market in ShipShewana Indiana is cool to go to if that's your thing. It's an Amish community, so expect to see alot of hand crafted stuff.

Dow Gardens in Midland, Mi.

These are some of the best attractions that the midwest has to offer, None of these have becoe the tourist traps that Wisconsin Dells or Gatlinberg Tennessee have become.

kerry · #15 08-22-2015, 01:11 PM

I assume this was on your list from the start.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_Center_of_America