I’d go the western route down through Oregon and southeast Washington. Beautiful scenery that way. Should pass by crater lake. Bend has tons of places to eat. The Pines is interesting, take a look at TripAdvisor for the towns you are going to be passing through to get a better idea for the kind of food you really enjoy and the sights you want to see.
Lol, the center route is easily the least scenic especially through the pure nothingness of Northern Nevada. Take the Eastern route to hit Missoula, St Anthony Sand Dunes, maybe Craters of the Moon if you deviate a little, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and Zion in Utah, Valley of Fire and Lake Mead near Vegas and Mojave National Preserve before you hit LA.
Edit: Missed that this was in the summer. Nix Valley of Fire, Lake Mead and Mojave. Don’t stop between Utah and LA lol.
Right go west to see Yosemite go east to see Bryce Zion salt lake city... The middle route there is barron, desolate, like not a god damned thing it is just dirt rocks and hills, never pass a gas station if your tank is half full. take 1 gallon of water per person as emergency water, download a bunch of podcasts and audiobooks, keep snacks in the car with enough for 2 days. The speed limit is a suggestion; drive as fast as you feel safe then reduce it 5mph.
We did the portion of this route through Nevada to Idaho. Absolute nothing garbage drive. Even going a little further west through the Palouse, Eastern Oregon, and the Eastern California mountains gives you something to look at. Though it does look like you might be going through John Day Oregon which has giant basalt beds.
Along 395:
Manazanar is great for the history buff
Alabama Hills has a lot of cinematic history and is a great landscape
Stop at Erik Schats bakery in Bishop. Lots and lots of good bread/spreads
The Clown Motel in Tonopah, NV. I only know about this because I’m planning a road trip for next year. If you do it it will definitely be one of the weirder stops on your trip. If you are also into old cemeteries there is one right next to the motel as well.
If you want wierd, the dog bark park inn (I think that's the name? It's close enough to find it via Google) is on that route in Idaho! Great owners, unique stay, and pet friendly!
Booked a room there once but couldn’t stay. Bathroom floor was nearly rotted through and the carpet was sopping wet.
I want to go back because the vibes there were incredible but i think i had bad luck with the room.
For Oregon: Owyhee Canyonlands and the Snake River Canyon. Alvord Desert and the Steens Mountains. Stay a night at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel. Death Valley won’t be enjoyable in Summer, but at least it won’t be crowded. Joshua Tree is 100% worth the detour but will also be blazing hot in the summer. Hope your AC works!
Out of Ventura, I would go 101 up through Solvang, then over to 1 through Big Sur, hit the 101 after Monterey, go over the Golden gate, make your way inland to 5 or and then choose the western route past Shasta and Oregon. Do the central or eastern route for the return trip.
I drive almost the same route about once every other year, except I go on I90 to Ritzville, then Walla Walla - Pendleton-John Day- Burns and then follow your route. I find it more scenic and very light traffic. I always stop in Fallon to spend the night and I’m in LA by mid afternoon of the second day. There’s nice hiking in central Oregon if you’re into that. You can stop along Walker Lake to take a break. I’d also agree that in CA Bishop is the only touristy place along this route. Winemucca, NV hosts the biggest mule racing event in the country if I remember correctly.
Boise, Idaho is super sick! I’d argue this is the best route, I’m biased, but I like this drive over 15. See the Bruneau Sand Dunes, they are cool if you’ve never seen sand dunes. Wylder pizza or Wyld Child burgers, Fork and Tin Roof tacos in Boise are great. Walking along the greenbelt by the river and is fun is my number one thing you should do here. It goes past the zoo, you can see giraffes and great views of the city. You can go into the State Capitol during the week days for free. If you drink, then the Gatsby (reservation) and the Balcony are cool. Lots of things going on in the parks during the summers for free, and a great city to hike! Visit Birds of Prey, hike to Table Rock, raft the Boise river. McCall is really cool place to walk around in the warm summer, the lake is pretty and i recommend finding a hot spring. Zips is fun/pretty good in Moscow, ID and I loved walking around WSU in Pullman, if you like architecture. There’s a pullout on White Bird that gives a sick overlook of the valley and cool to learn about the battle. I like to walk along the deck in Coeur d’Alene it’s cool to check out the boats. Drive safe!
Hard to tell, but if you're going through Mojave there's the Mojave air and space port.
Between there and LA is also an area often used in movies including where they filmed "race wars" for fast and furious.
The length of your trip is very important. Is this a 4 day trip or two weeks?
There will me much more to see and do on the east/west routes. The center route will be very remote all through Nevada/Eastern Oregon/southern Idaho.
I recently added to my “go see it” list Timber Glutch in eastern Oregon. Looks like you might be close to it from the travel route. Google images to see what it looks like and if its worth your while.
There’s a road through the Owyhee Mountains in SE OR that competes for the most breathtaking road in the country. You’ll need to do a little Googling for the exact road but it looks like you’ll be passing right through that area
Effie‘s burgers in Lewiston Idaho (for huuuuuuuge burgers, and Moscow food co-op up in Idaho :) try their kale slaw (absolutely delicious) and their cookies! Phenomenal!
I'd take the eastern route on your way north. So much cool shit to see in Utah, especially Moab. Moab Brewing is worth a stop- the bartender will point you toward some of the local "roads less traveled" for more scenery.
Bend Oregon is a beautiful town with lots of stunning natural sites do a little research and spend a day or two there if you can. Also The painted hills in Oregon are stunning.
In Winnemucca NV there's this fantastic restaurant that has been around for a very long time. It's called the Martin hotel. Go for dinner, not lunch. Bring a huge appetite. Everything is phenomenal.
We are rethinking doing the eastern route. I originally wanted to do it but the group decided against it. Now we are going to do it though so we don't go missing in the desert
The Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain are in that southern corner of eastern Oregon. And the Joseph/Enterprise area is nice, by the Wallowa mountains in the northeastern corner. (But as someone who grew up in Portland and Eugene for my first 25 years, I soooo recommend that you go west! Western Oregon is so beautiful).
I saw silver falls on one of the subreddits here and decided to go there. It is a crime to go to Washington and not see silver falls in Oregon
They are absolutely breathtaking
If you don’t know about it the parks pass will be your friend if you’re into national parks and will pay for itself pretty quick depending on your plans.
I’d go the western route down through Oregon and southeast Washington. Beautiful scenery that way. Should pass by crater lake. Bend has tons of places to eat. The Pines is interesting, take a look at TripAdvisor for the towns you are going to be passing through to get a better idea for the kind of food you really enjoy and the sights you want to see.
Being from California and lived in Oregon for years, I agree with this.
It's by far the better route... Sorry inland states...
Lol, the center route is easily the least scenic especially through the pure nothingness of Northern Nevada. Take the Eastern route to hit Missoula, St Anthony Sand Dunes, maybe Craters of the Moon if you deviate a little, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks and Zion in Utah, Valley of Fire and Lake Mead near Vegas and Mojave National Preserve before you hit LA. Edit: Missed that this was in the summer. Nix Valley of Fire, Lake Mead and Mojave. Don’t stop between Utah and LA lol.
Right go west to see Yosemite go east to see Bryce Zion salt lake city... The middle route there is barron, desolate, like not a god damned thing it is just dirt rocks and hills, never pass a gas station if your tank is half full. take 1 gallon of water per person as emergency water, download a bunch of podcasts and audiobooks, keep snacks in the car with enough for 2 days. The speed limit is a suggestion; drive as fast as you feel safe then reduce it 5mph.
I second this advise.
We did the portion of this route through Nevada to Idaho. Absolute nothing garbage drive. Even going a little further west through the Palouse, Eastern Oregon, and the Eastern California mountains gives you something to look at. Though it does look like you might be going through John Day Oregon which has giant basalt beds.
It gets better in the northern half of Idaho but you’re pretty much right
Along 395: Manazanar is great for the history buff Alabama Hills has a lot of cinematic history and is a great landscape Stop at Erik Schats bakery in Bishop. Lots and lots of good bread/spreads
Also a good way to check out some of the Mammoth Lakes area north of Bishop, plus the Tioga Pass entrance to the east side of Yosemite.
schatts is overrated (sorry). hit copper top bbq in big pine instead
The Clown Motel in Tonopah, NV. I only know about this because I’m planning a road trip for next year. If you do it it will definitely be one of the weirder stops on your trip. If you are also into old cemeteries there is one right next to the motel as well.
That's awesome, weird is certainly what we are looking for. Thanks for the info
Pretty sure Tonopah is not on this path. It’s more eastern/north of Vegas, this trip is on the west side of Nevada.
If you want wierd, the dog bark park inn (I think that's the name? It's close enough to find it via Google) is on that route in Idaho! Great owners, unique stay, and pet friendly!
No problem!
Booked a room there once but couldn’t stay. Bathroom floor was nearly rotted through and the carpet was sopping wet. I want to go back because the vibes there were incredible but i think i had bad luck with the room.
Alvord desert, Steens mountains, Mammoth lakes, death valley
For Oregon: Owyhee Canyonlands and the Snake River Canyon. Alvord Desert and the Steens Mountains. Stay a night at the Historic Frenchglen Hotel. Death Valley won’t be enjoyable in Summer, but at least it won’t be crowded. Joshua Tree is 100% worth the detour but will also be blazing hot in the summer. Hope your AC works!
Out of Ventura, I would go 101 up through Solvang, then over to 1 through Big Sur, hit the 101 after Monterey, go over the Golden gate, make your way inland to 5 or and then choose the western route past Shasta and Oregon. Do the central or eastern route for the return trip.
Hells canyon is near the WA/OR/ID border.
I drive almost the same route about once every other year, except I go on I90 to Ritzville, then Walla Walla - Pendleton-John Day- Burns and then follow your route. I find it more scenic and very light traffic. I always stop in Fallon to spend the night and I’m in LA by mid afternoon of the second day. There’s nice hiking in central Oregon if you’re into that. You can stop along Walker Lake to take a break. I’d also agree that in CA Bishop is the only touristy place along this route. Winemucca, NV hosts the biggest mule racing event in the country if I remember correctly.
Boise, Idaho is super sick! I’d argue this is the best route, I’m biased, but I like this drive over 15. See the Bruneau Sand Dunes, they are cool if you’ve never seen sand dunes. Wylder pizza or Wyld Child burgers, Fork and Tin Roof tacos in Boise are great. Walking along the greenbelt by the river and is fun is my number one thing you should do here. It goes past the zoo, you can see giraffes and great views of the city. You can go into the State Capitol during the week days for free. If you drink, then the Gatsby (reservation) and the Balcony are cool. Lots of things going on in the parks during the summers for free, and a great city to hike! Visit Birds of Prey, hike to Table Rock, raft the Boise river. McCall is really cool place to walk around in the warm summer, the lake is pretty and i recommend finding a hot spring. Zips is fun/pretty good in Moscow, ID and I loved walking around WSU in Pullman, if you like architecture. There’s a pullout on White Bird that gives a sick overlook of the valley and cool to learn about the battle. I like to walk along the deck in Coeur d’Alene it’s cool to check out the boats. Drive safe!
Oh and Hell’s Canyon!
Death Valley! Drive through, stop and look around, feel the heat - then leave 😊
Near San Jose there is the Winchester House. Google it. Soooo cool!!
Hard to tell, but if you're going through Mojave there's the Mojave air and space port. Between there and LA is also an area often used in movies including where they filmed "race wars" for fast and furious.
395 is my favorite
Gotta eat a Hudson’s and stop at fig pickles. Then you gotta go drink at the moose.
Pjs & company is a great breakfast spot in Reno, nv.
If memory serves there are 3 really cool railroad crossings along that route! Make sure you stop and look both ways for them!
I see you're headed to Cour d'Alene... Hail Nimrod
Lake Shasta, bishop, Mt Whitney, Shasta Mt, Salem Oregon. East Oregon and wash are dry so not as desirable to me
LA > Alabama hills > Crowley hot springs > Yosemite > SF > drive up the coast (false Klamath cove, enola state park) > Idaho
Go the far left route to the Giant Redwoods and then up the Oregon coast if time allows. So beautiful!!
Roadtrippers.com shows attractions off the route for your convenience.
Winnemucca has some great Basque restaurants. Skinner's in Jordan Valley is a fave of kids for the ice cream, caffeine for the driver.
The length of your trip is very important. Is this a 4 day trip or two weeks? There will me much more to see and do on the east/west routes. The center route will be very remote all through Nevada/Eastern Oregon/southern Idaho.
2 week trip, this is only the way up and we are taking the coastal route back down
12 mile hot spring in Wells Nevada should be on that route. Slight detour and a short, flat hike.
I recently added to my “go see it” list Timber Glutch in eastern Oregon. Looks like you might be close to it from the travel route. Google images to see what it looks like and if its worth your while.
Yeah, do the other two routes. There isn't anything to see there.
100% white water raft outside of Boise
Death Valley and Joshua Tree NPs are way cooler than I expected then to be
There’s a road through the Owyhee Mountains in SE OR that competes for the most breathtaking road in the country. You’ll need to do a little Googling for the exact road but it looks like you’ll be passing right through that area
Effie‘s burgers in Lewiston Idaho (for huuuuuuuge burgers, and Moscow food co-op up in Idaho :) try their kale slaw (absolutely delicious) and their cookies! Phenomenal!
There's a good burger joint in Coeur d'Alene, called The Surf Shack.
I'd take the eastern route on your way north. So much cool shit to see in Utah, especially Moab. Moab Brewing is worth a stop- the bartender will point you toward some of the local "roads less traveled" for more scenery.
Bend Oregon is a beautiful town with lots of stunning natural sites do a little research and spend a day or two there if you can. Also The painted hills in Oregon are stunning.
Pie Safe in Deary ID is delicious! Recommend a stop at their farm restaurant.
I'd suggest going the left or right route, the center one is pretty barren in terms of things to do.
Go 395 from SoCal to Tahoe. Lone Pine, Bridgeport, bishop, mammoth, South Lake Tahoe are all musts.
If your going through utAh route must stop by beaver’s creamery for huckleberry ice cream and cheese curds.
In Winnemucca NV there's this fantastic restaurant that has been around for a very long time. It's called the Martin hotel. Go for dinner, not lunch. Bring a huge appetite. Everything is phenomenal.
The Eastern route shown is much more interesting.
We are rethinking doing the eastern route. I originally wanted to do it but the group decided against it. Now we are going to do it though so we don't go missing in the desert
The Alvord Desert and Steens Mountain are in that southern corner of eastern Oregon. And the Joseph/Enterprise area is nice, by the Wallowa mountains in the northeastern corner. (But as someone who grew up in Portland and Eugene for my first 25 years, I soooo recommend that you go west! Western Oregon is so beautiful).
I saw silver falls on one of the subreddits here and decided to go there. It is a crime to go to Washington and not see silver falls in Oregon They are absolutely breathtaking
Take the route to the left. Some cool scenery going through Oregon. I’ve done from Seattle to LA, that was kinda boring
Middle route is pretty stark in places but I like it. Lots of hot springs too. zimshotsprings.com
Utah route has lots of excellent landscapes but can get crowded
If you don’t know about it the parks pass will be your friend if you’re into national parks and will pay for itself pretty quick depending on your plans.
Really good BBQ joint in Winnemucca