AK to FL...best route?
 

Ok, so we want to drive from AK to FL. We want to make a stop in Spokane and Las Vegas to visit relatives. I've been thinking about taking the ferry from AK to WA and then driving the rest of the way. I've been thinking we could take the southern route through AZ, NM, TX, etc. Is there anything bad I should know about this route?

Southern route through AZ/NM/TX would probably be I-10 right? Good road, easy driving, not bad scenery. Not much construction either if I remember right. I'll be taking that when I move out to Phoenix in July. MapQuest actually has pretty good directions usually. The "quickest" way from Vegas according to my map program though, would be going across I-40 and then I-75 down.

I-40 sounds good. And then we might cut down through Mississippi on I-55 to I-10. Geez...I'm not used to so many choices for routes!

Do you have some time? Have you seen the Grand Canyon? Bryce? Zion? Canyonlands? There is some great scenery with minimum driving all thru there if you haven't been there before.

That's the other thing we need to figure out. Tons of stuff to see!

You may want to take 1-40 all the way to 75. You are about an hour away from the Great Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. It will be a little cooler than the I-10 route also. That drive through Texas sure seems like a long one.

the other problem with your route is,you won't be going through the U.P.....[laugh] ....

The first couple of order(s) of the day is to determine what season of the year; how much time you have to spend on the trip; what you would like to see; and if you're towing anything - that may factor into the decision.

I'd start with a mapbook and create a list of possible sightseeing stops; prioritize them and then start figuring out what route would best serve your needs/wants.

I've driven on many of the cross country slabs, and they all have their +/-'s as far as scenery goes.

Sounds like a fun trip.

I-40 to 55,65,or 75 to I-20. I-20 to I-75 on down. I-10 is full of real slow people.
Drove back from Orlando a while back and saved 5 hrs. Only difference is I headed north on hwy 78 out of Birmingham to Memphis.
When you get to Little Rock, give me a ring. Beer will be iced down.
Have a safe trip.

Shortround out