Blogging to you live from Arizona. We’re going to stop in Tucson for the night and I wanted to solicit feedback on what’s the prettiest drive from there to San Francisco. Until now the plan has been “Get on I-10, go West” but I remember some very specific advice from people on what roads to take and not to take once in California, I just can’t remember what the advice was. I’d like to avoid LA if possible, but other than that I’m open to anything. Any suggestions?
I helped out with a summer trip last year across the country, driving a large Ryder truck to D.C., New York, and back home (Pasadena, Los Angeles area). I hated the I-10 from California and Arizona – it was really dull and I was nodding off quite a bit. Then again, I always get sleepy driving long distances, especially when my rotating passengers weren’t helping me stay away. 😉
Darnit, I wish I had suggestions – sorry Matt. I can’t figure out how to search that kind of question in Google…
The most scenic route to SF from the south is to go up the Pacific Coast Highway (1). It’ll take a long time though, as it follows all the nooks and crannies of the the coast. But the scenery is spectacular, especially the Big Sur area (a bit south of SF).
Have a great trip!
Well it’s a little late now but you could have cut north to avoid Los Angeles. Catching I-40 in Amarillo and cutting straight over will put north of L.A. and allow you to catch 58 North. That’s the way I’ve gone to San Francisco from Houston the last few times I’ve made the trip.
Matt, if you drive from Tucson on I-10 N and take I-17 N from Phoenix you will go through Sedona to Flagstaff, AZ. It might be a bit out of your way but I can personally guarantee a more than beautiful drive. I used to live in Flag when I was younger… would love to go back! Anyway, from Flagstaff you can grab I-40 W to California. FYI, the drive from AZ to CA is pretty boring and bleak on most routes. Sorry… but drive careful and have a great trip!
Get on I-10. Go east until about 50 miles or so before you hit Beaumont.
Yeah, you’re not falling for that, are you. Well, I just had to try.
Close to two years ago I drove from Las Vegas to Yosemite Valley via Death Valley, spent a few days in Yosemite, and from there to San Francisco. However, we didn’t go the smart way – to the west entrance to Yosemite. No, we blindly followed the GPS. It happily took us to the east entrance (Tioga Pass) which, as it happened, was closed at that time in April (it is perhaps already closed as winter approaches). We then drove around the north end of the park (which is unbelievably huge) and around to the west entrance.
It took perhaps 4-6 hours longer than we had intended, and I was 3/4 crazy by the end of it, but it was some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever driven through, being small highways most of the way and only interstate for the last couple hours before SF.
Do with this information what you like. 🙂
How about the one that leads back to Teaxs??? 🙂 Miss you already!!! Love, C
Matt…….SF is beautiful, but it’s a FREAK show………..LA just plain sucks………and there is absolutely nothing to look at in NM or AZ……………….if you must go to SF………..I suggest you fly!
Best route from Phoenix to San Francisco..tuesday before Thanksgiving to avoid LA !!!