Hello Everybody ,My wife and I are planning on a crosscountry trip that I will start on May 30th from Maryland to California and would like some ideas on what side roads to take.My main route will be on I 70 from Md. to Utah going through Pa.,Ohio, Indiana, Ill.,Mo.,Kansas,Colorado,Utah,Nevada and the Golden state California. On my way back a more southern route through Arizona ,New Mexico,Texas,Arkansas,Tennesse,North Carolina,Virgina ,and then home. Whew!I am looking for routes that are scenic especially out west where in some states I will be spending two to three days.Maybe I could meet some of my fellow El Camino Central members.Of course Iwill be doing this trip in my 82 Elky which I have gone over thoroughly with a fresh 350 ci crate motor and rebuilt th 350 trans.Any help would be appreciated and maybe see some of you along the way.By the way I have 4 weeks to do this 8)

http://www.route66.com/
http://www.historic66.com/
http://www.national66.com/

Route 66!! But I'm into photography, ghost towns, urban exploration, and Americana... I could spend weeks and weeks along Route 66 all on it's own.

Sounds like a blast. Only suggestion I have would be venturing a little further north and hitting Yellowstone. Then drop southwest through Utah and Nevada to California. But might be a little too far out of the way.

Good luck.

Unless you really, really like looking at corn and flat land, might I suggest a more northerly route across I-80 at least into Wyoming. Side trips could include Mt Rushmore, Devil's tower, the Black hills, and Yellowstone, then drop down to Denver and pick up I-70 for the rest of the trip west. I spent five years in that part of the country and that would be my choice, as a matter of a fact, the wife and I were just talking about doing that as soon as she retires in a little over a year..................Dan

DUDE you've GOT to go see Oregon too! The Eastern part isn't really more than rolling hills from Utah and the Snake river. But if you are in California go north up the Pacific coast highway. You WON'T regret it if you are into ALOT of beutifull country and great smooth highways. Just along the caost in Oregon you can stop and sea Sea lion beach, Devils bowl bay and end up right where Louis and Clark ended their journey in Astoria. If you want to see Portland and Mt Hood, it's only an hour East from there.
It's REALLY beutifull out there. Once my girls grow up and move a away, you can bet I'll be heading back out there with my suped up 80. I love the place and the people.
Good luck on your trip.
Oh, and there is a great Elky group out there too. Contact Doug Hart, region 19 director. Tell him Doug (ElCafreak) said hi. lol
LATER

If your return route takes you through Dallas, give me a shout.

Email me for some numbers.

John 8)
jporman@swbell.net

The scenery from Denver all the way too I15 in Utah is some of the most beautiful in the country. If you don't have to rush through stop often and you will be rewarded 10 fold. My favorite stop is the Coors beer brewery in Golden Co. Needless to say I am a Coors lite drinker. :D Mike

Thanks for the tips and I will take your advice Dan and go through SD.and Wy. on down to Co. and then Utah.Route 66 is definately on the agenda,so thanks again. 8) Wayne

If you have time on your hand, use it.
I went to Cali by plane and drove cross-country all the way home (Canada) with my Elky.
Unfortunatly, I was due back to work (and school) soon, so I had to rush.

While you're there if there's something you want or always wanted to see, DO IT !!!
You never know when you'll be back if ever...

I wish I had had more time to stop at some places...
I guess I'll just have to do it again then... :)

If you plan on going through the Mountians, take some tuning tools. You'll need to adjust the Carb for Hight altitudes to get any decent performance. If you have Fuel Injection then never mind. It automatically compensates for the thinner O2.

Sounds like a really nice drive.

For the Cali route, try to take any coast line hiway/road. perferably around sun set cause the water is prettier with the sun setting and gives you that "california" mood haha