cross country from LA to NY: southern or northern route?

[hydra]

hello folks,

i'm taking a cross country trip to move a bunch of audio equipment and instruments. i'll be driving a minivan loaded to the max. main routes would be I80 for the northerly route or I40 for the southernly route.

mainly trying to avoid LEO and bad road conditions. i've driven both routes but from NY to SF awhile ago so i can't remember which one i favored. any input from you guys would be great.

ciao

admins: please move this if it's in the wrong section

[happily everafter]

northern route is a little more scenic, but you'll be travelling into the higher elevations & more twists & turns... southern route is flat, less scenic & i believe the speed limits are higher the southern route. also the northern areas are still getting snow. if you aren't wanting to sightsee & you're just wanting to get there.. i'd go the southern route

[drunkfatguy]

I'd say stick to the southern route until you get past the Rockies, the higher altitudes will reduce the power of your minivan that is loaded down making some of those roads a little Interesting to go up.

[hydra]

thanks for the input drunkfatguy and monster quack!
good points about the snow and hilly terrain. i'll be loaded up with over 1000 lbs of gear.
southern route it is.

cheers

[happily everafter]

you're welcome

[justinrhenry]

i'd choose whatever's fastest so i could spend the least amount of time driving a minivan. 

[muskrat]

On the right "Southerly" route you'll find tons of fun.  Hit the Smokies then into Western TN via a southerly route form Nashville onto the Natchez trace.  Then bounce up and over to Arkansas and hit the Eureka Springs area.  Head south towards Texarkana, TX, and then via Palestine and onto Austin and then Bandera (three sisters 335,336,337).  Head South to Big Bend starting at Alpine and then out through Marfa and into El Paso.  Go towards Almogordo, NM and then off towards Fragstaff or north of Santa Fe, NM, go into the San Juan forest into Purgatory/Durango, CO.  It will be scenic and fun!

[The Bacon Junkie]

I've driven NY to LA at least 4 times now... I think.

Never in reverse, but I always took the southern route.  Time was always of the essence, not sightseeing. I made it in 2 1/2 days on about 6 hours of sleep my first time. 

I don't recommend that...  I've slept in the Denny's parking lot in Flagstaff, AZ all 4 times. 

[hydra]

i'd choose whatever's fastest so i could spend the least amount of time driving a minivan. 

too true!

[hydra]

On the right "Southerly" route you'll find tons of fun.  Hit the Smokies then into Western TN via a southerly route form Nashville onto the Natchez trace.  Then bounce up and over to Arkansas and hit the Eureka Springs area.  Head south towards Texarkana, TX, and then via Palestine and onto Austin and then Bandera (three sisters 335,336,337).  Head South to Big Bend starting at Alpine and then out through Marfa and into El Paso.  Go towards Almogordo, NM and then off towards Fragstaff or north of Santa Fe, NM, go into the San Juan forest into Purgatory/Durango, CO.  It will be scenic and fun!

sounds cool but i just need to get there as fast i can. my schedule is tight to get this gear to a project i'm starting in NYC. but thanks for sharing. 

I've driven NY to LA at least 4 times now... I think.

Never in reverse, but I always took the southern route.  Time was always of the essence, not sightseeing. I made it in 2 1/2 days on about 6 hours of sleep my first time. 

I don't recommend that...  I've slept in the Denny's parking lot in Flagstaff, AZ all 4 times. 

wow 2.5 days and 6 hrs sleep, must have had some illegal substances with you 
i made it in just over 3 days from NY to SF with a co pilot and that wasn't exactly easy either.
thanks for the input.

[The Bacon Junkie]

wow 2.5 days and 6 hrs sleep, must have had some illegal substances with you 
i made it in just over 3 days from NY to SF with a co pilot and that wasn't exactly easy either.
thanks for the input.

No illegal substances...  just lots of coffee and a small cooler filled with my mom's meatballs!     

[hydra]

i just got back yesterday after only 2.5 days! we did 1400 miles the first day with 12 hrs each round.

thanks for the replies and input!