Chicago to LA - What to see?

[Rich_AR]

I'm thinking of doing a 3-4 week trip to the USA catch up with a few friends whilst I'm here.

I'm planning to ride a motorbike from Chicago to LA, and I like to drop by San Fran, Las Vegas. But what else would you recommend to see on the way?

[5potTurbo]

A chiropractor.

It's a monumental drive, let alone motorbike ride - even for very experienced bikers.
Look at the potential stops on the route, and see what you think you'd be comfortable riding each day.

[Matt..]

I did Chicago to LA as part of my coast to coast trip last year. Do you have any ideas on what kind of thing you'd like to do? outdoors? cities? sports? etc... also, what time of year? and do you have times you need to be certain places?

The distances are big out there, so you would be wise to plan it on Google maps and get timings. I was driving and the max i did was Chicago to Sioux Falls, this was over 600miles, and about 9hrs. I can't see that kind of distance being much fun on a bike!

I am very much an outdoors person, and for me it's about the big vistas and open spaces, and the photography i can do.

My route from Chicago was as follows:
- Chicago
- Sioux Falls
- Badlands NP/Mt Rushmore/Custer SP
- Rocky Mountain NP
- Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak
- Great Sand Dunes NP
- Black Canyon NP
- Ouray/Million Dollar Highway
- Mesa Verde NP
- Moab/Arches NP/Canyonlands NP/Dead Horse Point SP
- Monument Valley
- Page/Antelope Canyon
- Grand Canyon NP
- Laguna Beach/LA/Joshua Tree NP

Some of these parks have great roads, which will probably be of interest to you. I can help with that if you want pointers.

I would suggest the most useful next steep is to give the idea of what you're really looking to do, then it's easier for us to make suggestions.

http://vimeo.com/68943841 <- This is a video of my trip
https://www.flickr.com/photos/matthoulb/collection... <- photos

[Highway Star]

That's one serious ride!

If you are doing it in August, go to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines - it's the largest state fair in the US - things don't get much more American either.

[thehawk]

You are basically doing what Route 66 is (or was), so I'd look at some of the routes and things people have done on that.

[bad company]

Read this thread - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=18&...

Mrs BC and I did '66' last year. It was a fantastic drive but in a car, over 5 weeks with 2 drivers. Having said we did come off route a few times to visit such places as Monument Valley, Grand Canyon and the old London Bridge.

Have a great time.

[scottri]

I did this trip last year, followed route 66 and then detoured off to see Grand Caynon, Death Valley, Vegas and Yosemite national park. Then we went over to San Fran and down the coast to LA.

Chicago was great city - watched a Whitesox game while there and it was good fun (I have no previous interest in baseball). Gino's East for a deep pan pizza.

Gateway arch in St Louis was worth a visit http://www.gatewayarch.com/ We also did the Budweiser factory tour which was ok if you don't take your beer tasting too seriously!

If you like a steak then a visit to http://bigtexan.com/ is good.

Yosemite was a highlight for me. Amazing scenery but book accommodation in advance if you plan to stay the night.

Crater was also good http://www.meteorcrater.com/Visitors-Center-Overvi... although expensive.

We did this over about 19 days in a Dodge Challenger with 3 of us driving taking it in turns. Its a massive trip and to be honest it was pushing the limits of an enjoyable about of time in the car v's seeing things. It would have been quicker had we not followed route 66 - but seeing some of the places you pass through is great i.e the ghost towns but i thought some of the places were a waste of a detour (Twin arrows - WTF?!).

Edited by scottri on Tuesday 22 April 12:25

Edited by scottri on Tuesday 22 April 12:26

[bad company]

If you stay in St Louis try to visit the bar at the Hilton hotel when the 'Cardinals' are playing. You can look right down into the ground and enjoy the rounders baseball.