Travel through the central plains

[Firepath]

My daughter and I are travelling from central Florida home to Idaho this summer. We plan to go up the East coast, stopping at possibly Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach, then head west to Tennessee where we'll stop in Seiverville, then Nashville (staying Wyndham at both). On the other end, we are stopping in northern Utah (Worldmark Wolfcreek). Can any experienced cross-country travelers recommend a safe path between the Nashville and Utah, with maybe some interesting things to see along the way? We don't want to drive more than 6-8 hours a day and definately want to avoid any desolate or unsafe areas. Thank you.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

We have done an eastward-bound, cross-country trip from Glacier NP mostly along I-90 and then from Iowa east on I-80 to Detroit and home to Toronto. Lots of famous places to see on that route: Yellowstone NP, the Bear Tooth Pass, Custer Battlefield NHS, Devil's Tower National Monument, Wind Cave NP, Mount Rushmore NP, Crazy Horse Monument and the Badlands of South Dakota. And of course, lots of amazing and changing geography as you cross the continent from the Rockies to the Great Lakes.

But I suspect that route is too far north for your purposes, since your intended path will more closely follow I-70 and/or I-80.

 

[Passepartout]

Having driven back and forth across the country hundreds of times (by big truck, not car), you're probably going to be relegated to the Interstates. Since you specifically mention Tennessee, I-40 will be the primary route, that far anyway. Then around Memphis, turn N. on I-55 up to St Louis and pick up I-70 and follow it through to the Denver area. Then it's decision time, your call whether to take I-25 up to Wyoming and into Utah on I-80 or stick with I-70 across the Rockies and then use 2 lane (good) highways through the red rocks of Utah.

If you are thinking of just 6-8 hours day of driving, consider putting a hotel app on your phone. Wyndham is associated with a large network as is Choice Hotels. That way when you are a few hours from your daily stopping point, your hotel app will allow you to book the next night's lodging without stopping, and both offer loyalty discounts.

Happy Travels!

Jim