What's the best route from Indiana to California?

Question

I'm moving to the Bay Area outside of San Francisco, CA the first week of November and will be driving cross country from Indiana. I do have friends just outside of Kansas City on the Kansas side and was planning to spend the first night with them, unless someone has better ideas. The three major choices I seem to have are the main highways of 80 through Nebraska and Wyoming, 70 through Kansas and Colorado, or 40 through New Mexico and Arizona. 80 appears to be the quickest route, just go thru Salt Lake City and head on to San Francisco. 70 is nice, and gives a beautiful view of the mountains, but you still have to head north and pick up 80. 40 is longer route, but might be best for this time of year.

My major concern is the weather, and driving thru the mountains. I've been told that there is likely already snow up in the mountains, and 80 will require going thru Donner Pass, which can still be a difficult route once the snow has hit.

Any suggestions? I'm leaving on November 1st and hope to be in the Bay area by the 5th.

Answer 1

The best route is I-80 through Wyoming and Nebraska. I believe that it will be quicker since there is not a direct route from Denver to Salt Lake City via I-70. Plus on I-80, you will not get slowed by rush hour traffic in St Louis, Kansas City or Denver like on the I-70 route. Also, you will want go through Reno / Donner Pass on I-80 anyway.



The weather is still fairly good in the bay area and in the Sierra this time of the year. However, the weather can turn around 01-Nov. Fronts can come through producing snow in the Sierra, however it is more likely to happen in December than in November. Realistically, I think the chances of snowstorm happening the same day that you go over Donner Pass is about one in ten or one in twelve. That said, you have a couple of alternatives if you get hit by a storm. First, you could spend an extra day in Reno and wait for the storm to pass. Caltrans will plow the **** out of it and it will be back to business as usual in day a day or two. Second, you can buy chains and go over the pass. Caltrans strictly enforces a chains or four wheel drive cars restrictions with snowstorms. I think it is because most Californians can't drive in the snow. Only rarely with monster storms do they shut down I-80.



Anyway, good luck on your move to the bay area.



Pauly

Answer 2

80 is a nice road but 70 has a little more to look at. Depends on how much time you have. I have been all three ways and they all have vast expanses of nothing. 70 is the most scenic I think.\



Whatever you do, Do not take greyhound...

Answer 3

Go by way of Australia

Answer 4

WHY DONT YOU JUST DO A MAPQUEST?