Road Trip Suggestions

[757guy]

I'm driving my son's truck from Minneapolis to Las Vegas next week and would like some suggestions as to what would be some worthwhile side treks on the way. I will be traveling alone, so I can do pretty much anything I want on this trip!!

My route will be I-35 to Des Moines, then I-80 to Denver, I-70 to I-15 into Las Vegas. I plan to drive to North Platte on Day 1, Grand Junction, CO on day 2, then on to Las Vegas on Day 3. I will then spend 4 days with my son before flying home. (My son is in the Air Force and was recently transferred to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas.)

I was thinking of stopping to see Zion National Park, Arches National Park (more out of the way though), and North Platte, NE for the BNSF Railroad tour (big event next weekend with several Steam Engines being on display and running.)

Any more ideas worth considering?

(Of course the truck has a fresh oil fill, new air filter, rotated tires, new brakes all around, new plugs, wires, coolant and a fresh coat of wax. GPS, Satellite Radio, and cooler with ice and water/snacks to make sure I survive too.)

I cannot wait!

757 Guy

 

[The_Jeff]

Check http://bedbugregistry.com/ before you book a room.

 

[kasedian]

Once you get west of Lincoln, you can set the cruise, and take about a 4 hour nap. Oh, and don't forget to wake up when you cross underneath the 'arch' at Kearney. What a joke!

 

[JavierG]

If you can, check out Monument Valley in southern Utah.

 

[MNgopher]

Sure you've got the right railroad? North Platte is just a bit of a Union Pacific town, home to the Bailey Yard. Definitely worth a visit if you are into trains.

Otherwise, on day one, just plan on getting into the North Platte. (I'm from the Cities and went to Colorado State in Fort Collins - I know the run well!). Not much from here to there. Beware that the I-680/I-29 interchange was more or less trashed in the Missouri River floods this summer, so plan on just taking I-80 straight through. Playing roller coaster with the semi trucks in western Iowa isn't the most fun either.

I-70 through Glenwood Canyon is interesting if you are into road design. Some hiking and things to do there.

Zion isn't a bad detour on the way to Vegas. The miles just get old after a while, though I have good memories of trips from College to Vegas (little things for a car guy like your car rolling the odometer over 100,000 in a blizzard over Vail Pass, etc...)

 

[Hallmark]

Unfortunately, half of your driving distance (Minneapolis to Denver) is more interesting if done during tornado season when there's something exciting to see. The balance of the trip, including Zion and Hoover Dam, is worth visiting and the bright lights of 'Vegas are astounding, especially if you've never been there before. Between Denver & 'Vegas, it would help immensely if you were well versed in geology and stopped once in awhile to ponder the 240 million years of earth alteration that is visible all about you. Maybe a T. Rex awaits your discovery.

 

[JHZR2]

If you have time, take the US highway system, which IME is more ineresting and scenic.

 

[dparm]

Old Route 66.

 

[Cristobal]

You suggested Zion and that is well worth it. There is a spectacular road tunnel in Zion that goes along a cliff edge. Eccentric people claim that it is one of the the best places in the USA to lay on the horn and hear echoes, and it is over a half mile long as I recall.

The Spring Mountains near Las Vegas are a gorgeous high altitude area, up in the pine forest at over 6,000 feet elevation.

Try the Mojave Reserve over across the line in California. The weather in the Reserve is rather hot though.

You might want to make your Las Vegas trip go through Ely, Nevada. The Jail House Casino there has some pretty good dinners and they are cheap as well. Also near Ely is the Great Basin National Park, where you drive from the hot desert to high altitude pine forest in a half hour or so. Last time I was there, there was NO entrance fee!

 

[Radman]

Why don't you just fly?

 

[757guy]

Originally Posted By: Radman
Why don't you just fly?


Radman,

I am delivering my son's truck to him in Las Vegas because he was previously stationed where he could not have it with him.
(Hint: at another sandy location!)

As an airline pilot, I have had layovers in Las Vegas many, many times over 25 years of flying. I have also flown over Utah and Colorado hundreds of times and would often look down at a particular area and want to see it up close. Now's my chance!

And yes, I'll be flying home. (I thought of towing my motorcycle out and driving that home, but I don't have that much time and I'd rather spend what time I have with my son.)

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Drew99GT]

In Colorado, if you wanted to get off the beaten path a bit but still make good time, go around the Eisenhower tunnel and up over Loveland pass. It's maybe an hour long detour, but you'll get well above timberline and see some stunning views; you'll also get to drive through the area around Dillon Reservoir.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Even if you don't go to Arches, the detour to Moab is definitely worth it. Take the Utah 128 exit from I-70. That will take you into Moab the scenic way, along the Colorado River. You would spend a few hours getting in and out of Arches if you drove the park loop and maybe took a few short hikes to the arches. A major highway, US 191 I think, loops west back to the interstate.