Driving from CA to CT...Please suggest places to stop on 80

[smperry]

Roughly, this route:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,78.222656&z=4

Landmarks, diners, hotels, and any points of interest are appreciated!

Thanks.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You will pass by an A&W restaurant in Pennsylvania near Ohio. They're so hard to find nowadays that it's worth stopping there for a float Lots of great stuff in Cleveland not far from 80 (the Rock Hall, West Side Market if you want to see a huge old-world marketplace and have a great brat, etc.).

[bassybill]

Wow, that's one heck of a drive. A whole lot of empty you'll be going through, for sure.

How long are you planning on taking to do it?

[DeluxeRed]

While near Chicago, you might visit Chicago Music Exchange, as well as other great emporiums there, and Sweetwater is in Ft. Wayne, IN, near your path.

And of course in the Chicago area, you might stumble on some great live music. I can't suggest a particular venus, but I'm sure other folks can.

[kcamsdog1387]

Summer of 07 I drove DC to LA and I took 80 most of the way. The Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte, NE was one of Buffalo Bill's Houses. Pretty cool to break up the scenery and see some actual Buffalo. There's a dirt oval track on the way there from the highway. If you have a chance to stop in Salt Lake City there is a rest stop before 80 heads into the mountains and it is just beautiful to look back and take in the whole basin. Iowa 80 is a must stop, its the largest truck stop in the world. I'd stop in Omaha and get some steaks. Cedar Point in Sandusky,OH is a good place to spend a day, but I dunno if its in your itinerary to do so. That's all I can think of at the moment.

[MJ5150]

Check FoodNetwork.com and see where Guy and Rachel have been along that route. Probably more so Guy.

Man Vs. Food may have hit a spot or two along the way as well.

Pitstop at Geno's East or Malnati's in Chicago for some of the best pizza in the world.

When you are in Pennsylvania, make sure you stop in a Sheetz a few times. Truly a unique American experience and all the food is pretty good. You'll be passing pretty close by State College, so you could always pop in and have a meal at Baby's Diner.

-Mike

[Pilgrim]

If you're an outdoors type, Cabela's is at Sidney, NE and is huge. Worth a stop-and-shop. That and Scout's Rest may be it in NE...it's pretty much "lash the wheel and snooze" country.

In Wyoming, you'll find a lot of cool rock formations along the road, many of them shaped by wind and elements into neat shapes. One thing NO ONE is likely to mention - between Evanston and Rock Springs, WY you will pass Fort Bridger, which is a tiny town AND at the same exit is the fort established by mountain main Jim Bridger around 1850. Stop and visit the fort - it's very interesting if you like Western history.

[smperry]

Thanks everyone! Since I'm driving solo and my family's in CT, I'm not going to do any day long excursions to places like Chicago and Cleveland. I should have said that in the OP.

Originally Posted by bassybill

Wow, that's one heck of a drive. A whole lot of empty you'll be going through, for sure.

How long are you planning on taking to do it?

It's not set in stone, but I'm thinking five days. I went the other direction 11 years ago when moving out to California, but my wife and I took our time on a southern route and stopped at Grand Canyon, Arches, etc. This time, I'll try to be a bit quicker (especially with my double bass and two electric basses) but don't want to be miserable either - thus the quickest route, but the interest in rest stops.

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

You will pass by an A&W restaurant in Pennsylvania near Ohio. They're so hard to find nowadays that it's worth stopping there for a float Lots of great stuff in Cleveland not far from 80 (the Rock Hall, West Side Market if you want to see a huge old-world marketplace and have a great brat, etc.).

Definitely will try to stop at the A&W. Good call.

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

While near Chicago, you might visit Chicago Music Exchange, as well as other great emporiums there, and Sweetwater is in Ft. Wayne, IN, near your path.

And of course in the Chicago area, you might stumble on some great live music. I can't suggest a particular venus, but I'm sure other folks can.

Thanks! I just bought a bass which will probably reach CT before me, so I shouldn't do any serious shopping...but a little window shopping wouldn't hurt. Catching live music is always good.

Originally Posted by kcamsdog1387

Summer of 07 I drove DC to LA and I took 80 most of the way. The Scout's Rest Ranch in North Platte, NE was one of Buffalo Bill's Houses. Pretty cool to break up the scenery and see some actual Buffalo. There's a dirt oval track on the way there from the highway. If you have a chance to stop in Salt Lake City there is a rest stop before 80 heads into the mountains and it is just beautiful to look back and take in the whole basin. Iowa 80 is a must stop, its the largest truck stop in the world. I'd stop in Omaha and get some steaks. Cedar Point in Sandusky,OH is a good place to spend a day, but I dunno if its in your itinerary to do so. That's all I can think of at the moment.

This is super helpful! I don't know much about Nebraska or Iowa places. I've done some similar sightseeing in South Dakota and I dug it...would be great to see some buffalo!

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Check FoodNetwork.com and see where Guy and Rachel have been along that route. Probably more so Guy.

Man Vs. Food may have hit a spot or two along the way as well.

Pitstop at Geno's East or Malnati's in Chicago for some of the best pizza in the world.

When you are in Pennsylvania, make sure you stop in a Sheetz a few times. Truly a unique American experience and all the food is pretty good. You'll be passing pretty close by State College, so you could always pop in and have a meal at Baby's Diner.

-Mike

Thanks Mike. I'll look into Man v. Food. Deepdish is always a good idea (even though my all-time fave is NYC/New Haven).

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

If you're an outdoors type, Cabela's is at Sidney, NE and is huge. Worth a stop-and-shop. That and Scout's Rest may be it in NE...it's pretty much "lash the wheel and snooze" country.

In Wyoming, you'll find a lot of cool rock formations along the road, many of them shaped by wind and elements into neat shapes. One thing NO ONE is likely to mention - between Evanston and Rock Springs, WY you will pass Fort Bridger, which is a tiny town AND at the same exit is the fort established by mountain main Jim Bridger around 1850. Stop and visit the fort - it's very interesting if you like Western history.

I've been to Cabela's in South Dakota...what a scene! I may just stop there. Cool, someplace to stop in WY! That sounds good...I like that stuff.

Thanks again and keep the suggestions coming! I'm leaving in two days and haven't done any research (I know, I should have posted earlier) so this is very helpful.

M

[tycobb73]

any airport you can find.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

any airport you can find.

Anyways, have an enjoyable and safe trip! I'd love to do that journey myself, but maybe take a bit more time over it.

[Phalex]

Truckee is a cool little town. Donner lake makes for some very nice pictures. (Personally, I'd add a detour of a few hours and drive around lake Tahoe if you haven't seen it.) At the very least take a little detour and take the Rose Mountain Hwy up to Reno. That is one scenic drive!

Other than that, Geno's in Chicago is a great option for lunch or dinner. It doesn't take you too far out of the way, and you haven't had deep dish pizza unless you've had Geno's. It would be worthwhile if you happen to be hungry when you get to Chicago.

You might swing by Hershey PA and pick up some stuff for the family at the Hershey Chocolate factory. At the very least you could tell people that you were on that highway. (And a case of Straub beer while you're in PA couldn't hurt.)

Oh! And blue crab! As you approach the Atlantic coast, Maryland crab gets more and more abundant. That is a must do in my book!

If you're feeling adventurous, order "Scrapple" with your breakfast when you see it on the menu. It's pretty good stuff as long as you don't ask too many questions!

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

Just a little off to the north of your route:

www.burningman.com

[HeavyDuty]

Do you like steak? There's a great grill-your-own place in Princeton, IL about a half mile off I-80 - it's called Prime Quarter.

http://primequarter.com/

[smperry]

I'm vegetarian.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by smperry

I'm vegetarian.

There's corn in Iowa.

[cmlax21]

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

You will pass by an A&W restaurant in Pennsylvania near Ohio. They're so hard to find nowadays that it's worth stopping there for a float .

Theres lots around me but ive never been in one.
But you should stop in the burgh and get a primantis samich and go to the strip district its great theres some good eats there too

[HeavyDuty]

Originally Posted by smperry

I'm vegetarian.

Well, scratch that then!

[Atoz]

Porter's Discount Liquor and Fireworks in Evanston, WY, if you're into that kind of thing.

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Atoz

Porter's Discount Liquor and Fireworks in Evanston, WY, if you're into that kind of thing.

Wait just a minute!! Cheap liquor and fireworks??? Do they have discount cigarettes too??

The redneck in me thinks this would be a fine destination!!

[smperry]

Originally Posted by Atoz

Porter's Discount Liquor and Fireworks in Evanston, WY, if you're into that kind of thing.

Liquor, sure. Thx.