Cross Country Middle Earth Style - Washington DC to Los Angeles

If you are into the great outdoors with a splash of American history, then this is the trip for you! This route will take you across Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and the Virginias, through a number of excellent national parks like Shenandoah, Zion, Arches and Rocky Mountains and interesting heartland towns like St Louis, Kansas City and Lexington.

Highlights

Shenandoah National Park, Appalachian Trail, Lexington, St Louis, Kansas City, Denver, Boulder, Rocky Mountains NP, Winter Park, Vail, Glenwood Springs, Arches NP, Moab, Canyonlands, NP. Zion NP, Bryce NP, Las Vegas, Outlet shopping, Los Angeles

Suggested Route

Starting Point: Washington DC

Ending Point: Los Angeles

Time Frame: 14-21+days (including time in Washington DC and Los Angeles)

From Washington DC, head west on I-66 to I-81 South. From I-81, there are roads into Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. Afterwards, soutth on I-85/I-65 passing through Montgomery and Mobile, Alabama. From Mobile, your on the I-10 all the way to LA, except for short detours for hot spots and must see locations. From Mobile, you can stop in Biloxi on your way to New Orleans, where a few days is a must. From here, you skirt the southern portion of Louisiana before arriving in Texas, yee ha! This route takes in the widest part, and cross-section of Texas through places like Houston, Austin and San Antonio to El Paso. Before hitting El Paso, you can take a detour on State Highway 285 and pass through Carlsbad Caverns State Park and Roswell, both in New Mexico. Once back on I-10, you'll pass through the major citiesof Arizona, Tucson and Phoenix, before crossing into Southern California! Make sure you visit Joshua Tree National Park and maybe check out Palm Springs before you arrive in Los Angeles.