Driving SF to Moab

[cvcruiser]

Hello,
I'm planning a family trip to Moab in April and wondering if anyone has any suggestions on making the trip somewhat easy with young kids.
Also which highway would you prefer to take Hwy 80 or 50? Why?
How long it usually takes?
Places to stop on the way to break up the long hours.
Best Hotel?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[FJ40-GARAGE]

Drove exactly that route about 9 years ago, take the 50 its amazing.

 

[alvarorb]

CV,

I'd go HWY 50.
Then once in UT, I'd take my sweet time and go through Zion National Park. From there north to Natural Bridges National monument. Then to Monticello and finally Moab.

It will take you two good days of driving.


Regards

Alvaro

 

[cvcruiser]

Thanks for the tips...much appreciated!

 

[Chartdog]

We usually take 50 on the way there and 80 home. They are both about the same time wise, two sane days. We usually stop in Ely but I can't say the it has much to offer. We stayed at the Prospector last time and it was "OK". The much smaller towns of Austin and Eureka look cool but they did not seem far enough from home to be a stop over. Maybe from SF they will work for you.

Once in Utah stop for lunch at "Mom's" in Salina. It is on the main rag and you can't miss it.

80 home is boring but after a trip it is nice to just set the cruise and go. Plus "new road" is always good.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

We do this just about every year. Taking 50 to Great Basin NP is fun and a good stop. It is just beyond Ely. If you go on from there, the next set of towns is a LOOOOOG way, especially with kids. If they are old enough, books on tape makes the time fly.

80 is OK as well. Nevada is a beautiful state in a desolate mountainous sort of way. Every town out there has a story if you have enough time to stop and poke around.

 

[Angel?]

While on your trip, consider Bryce, Zion, and Canyonlands - all "must sees" along the way or the way back. If you are a AAA member, consider having them prepare a trip plan known as a "trip tik," a great travel tool (your better half will really appreciate this). A AAA membership is well worth the price just in the travel guides you can take with you that has hotel listings, ratings and prices, hotel discounts via being an AAA member, as well as emergency roadside assistance should life happen.

 

[petescoffee]

Once in Utah stop for lunch at "Mom's" in Salina. It is on the main rag and you can't miss it.

Ditto

 

[alvarorb]

If you come back through I-80. Make sure you go through at Elko during lunch time or dinner time. While in Elko grab some lamb chops at The Star. It's a 100+ year old hotel with an incredible Basque restaurant.

Regards

Alvaro

 

[inthewall]

When in elko the star is definitely the place for lunch or dinner. Best steak anywhere.

 

[alvarorb]

My wife says I've got a GPS in my stomach...

Alvaro

 

[NorCalDoug]

Hello,

I'm planning a family trip to Moab in April and wondering if anyone has any suggestions on making the trip somewhat easy with young kids.
Also which highway would you prefer to take Hwy 80 or 50? Why?
How long it usually takes?
Places to stop on the way to break up the long hours.
Best Hotel?

Thanks,

Chris

Young kids? How’s your patience level?
I did this trip with my wife and kids 3 years ago (the last two years I went solo )

Make sure you have plenty of entertainment for the kids. We had a portable VCR back then, but now each has their own mini portable DVD player. Trust me…if you don’t have (at least) one, get one. It’s well worth the investment on long trips.

My wife also bought a bunch of small gifts – toys, books, crayons/markers, etc. Each item was gift-wrapped. At certain points on the trip (there and back) each child received something new to play with. Not a huge investment – about 10 or 15 bucks worth of stuff from the discount/dollar store, but it kept the kids happy and well entertained.

On our trip out, we took Hwy 50 to Moab, but in retrospect, it wouldn’t have mattered if we took 50 or 80. With young kids, sometimes it’s better to get there than to see a bunch of small towns along the way.

We drove from the Sacramento area and drove to Fallon, NV and spent the night there – a holiday inn express, I think. The second day was spent on the road to Moab. It was a long day, but doable.

On the return trip, we left Moab mid-to-late morning (stopped in the fossil shop just at the city limits to get some fossils for the kids (which they loved)) and traveled north/northwest to Salt Lake City. The Embassy Suites is a nice hotel – if you book early enough, the rate is quite reasonable. Free breakfast in the morning was very nice. Got the kids fed, gear loaded and headed back home.

With kids, it’s easily a 2 day trip each way.

When I drove out solo, it took me 14 hours total time, stopping only for gas (took restroom breaks during gas stops). With kids, plan on about 18 hours total – since the kids will need some time to run off pent up energy….thus requiring longer breaks for lunch, etc.



It’s a great trip with kids.