Cross Country: I-40 or I-80?

Corey · #1 04-03-2005, 01:22 PM

I'm driving with my girlfriend from California to Washington, DC. I've read all the threads about what to expect doing this but none addressed which roads to take.

From near Fresno, taking I-80 from Sacramento to Cleveland then cutting down to DC is about the same distance as taking I-40 from Barstow to Tennessee then cutting up to DC.

A couple of things first:
*Ignore weather issues (doing thismemorial day weekend)
*This is NOT a vacation, I really don't care how scenic anything is or places to visit. We are doing this in 3 days (maybe 4).

Does anyone have any experience as what to expect from these specific routes? Tolls? Speed limits? Stupid local cops? Shadiness of roadside hotel areas? Difficulty of drive (she's your typical female driver)?

jesusarenque · #2 04-03-2005, 01:24 PM

The speed limit is 70 in Tennesee. I don't know about Ohio.

ceyoung · #3 04-03-2005, 01:26 PM

US-50 goes directly from sacramento to DC. I know someone that took that, they didnt have any problems.

Corey · #4 04-03-2005, 01:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
US-50 goes directly from sacramento to DC. I know someone that took that, they didnt have any problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for the suggestions, and it is one that I thought of, but US-50 meanders ts way through the country often at lower speed limits than the interstate. Not plan A for time issues. A vacation, maybe. Moving? No chance.

groo · #5 04-03-2005, 01:41 PM

[ QUOTE ]
US-50 meanders ts way through the country

[/ QUOTE ]

"The loneliest highway in America" is scenic, but definately slow moving through Nevada.

Randy_Refeld · #6 04-03-2005, 01:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
US-50 goes directly from sacramento to DC. I know someone that took that, they didnt have any problems.

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to live along US 50, unless this is a vacation I would not do that. I do winder why he excluded I-70; it doesn't go all the way to CA, but perhaps US 50 across NV and then pick up 70 in Utah.

Cubswin · #7 04-03-2005, 01:45 PM

Do not take 50!!! I drove from Cincy to DC via 50 and it took about 3 hrs longer then it would have if i took 70. Plus... do you really want to drive through west virginia???

ceyoung · #8 04-03-2005, 01:48 PM

i didnt know the time difference. my friends are from sacramento, and they enjoyed the novelty of taking one road all the way.

Cubswin · #9 04-03-2005, 01:52 PM

It was quite a nice drive though.... until it started snowing in the mountains of WV. Lots of neat little towns along the way... but it is a two lane road at many points and some stop lights.... blah

fishsauce · #10 04-03-2005, 01:52 PM

I have driven back and forth from the southeast to the west coast three times in the last two years and am getting ready to do it again in about a month. I always pick up I-40 in Memphis and I stay on it all the way to Barstow, then pick up 58 to Bakersfield, then make my way to I-5 to get to the bay area.

I have considered going the I-80 route as well for a change of pace. I spoke with someone from Atlanta who went that route and told me that it was very nice and scenic, but there were times when he thought his Civic wasn't going to make it up the mountains. Because I go to get there and not sightsee along the way, I will keep going 40.

I-40 through Arkansas is ok (lots of truck traffic outside Memphis) but once you get to Oklahoma it is easy driving. OK and TX are flat as pancakes, and NM and AZ get a little hilly in some places but it's not bad at all. My 4-cyl Nissan pickup with a full load doesn't struggle on this trip. The speed limit in NM is 75 on I-40, and I-5 in Cali is an easy drive as well. I recommend this route.