Fastest Cross‑Country Road Trip: LaPlata, MD ➜ Fair Oaks, CA (with Overnight in Union, MO)

Day 1: LaPlata, MD → Union, MO (Overnight)

Morning: Depart from LaPlata, MD and join I‑70 West, cruising through the scenic Pennsylvania hills before reaching the bustling junction at Cincinnati, OH. Expect smooth traffic and a quick coffee stop at a highway rest area.

Afternoon: Continue on I‑70 West, then transition to I‑64 West toward St. Louis, MO, covering roughly 10 hours of driving total. Stop for lunch in Columbus, OH and stretch your legs at the historic Ohio State University campus viewpoint.

Evening: Arrive in Union, MO and check into the comfortable Hampton Inn & Suites Union located at 1012 Pinehurst Lane. Enjoy a relaxed dinner at the nearby Blue Spoon Café before settling in for the night.

Day 2: Union, MO → Fair Oaks, CA

Morning: After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, head west on I‑44 toward Springfield, MO, then merge onto I‑40 West. Pass through the iconic Ozark National Scenic Byway for breathtaking mountain views.

Afternoon: Stay on I‑40 West through Oklahoma and Texas, then swing south on I‑15 West at Barstow, CA, deliberately bypassing Las Vegas, NV by staying south of the city on I‑15. Stop for a quick refuel and snack in Kingman, AZ.

Evening: Arrive at 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Fair Oaks, CA just before dusk. Unload, settle into your accommodation, and perhaps enjoy a sunset stroll around the nearby Lake Clementine.

Time and Cost Estimates

• LaPlata, MD Departure – 0.5 hr – $0
• Rest stop & coffee (Cincinnati, OH) – 0.5 hr – $8
• Lunch in Columbus, OH – 1 hr – $15
• Hotel (Hampton Inn & Suites Union) – 1 night – $120
• Dinner at Blue Spoon Café – 1.5 hr – $25
• Breakfast at hotel – 1 hr – $12
• Fuel (approx. 1,300 miles) – 10 hr – $190
• Snacks & refuel in Kingman, AZ – 0.5 hr – $10
• Parking & entry fees (Lake Clementine) – 1 hr – $5
• Miscellaneous tolls – 0.5 hr – $30
• Total Estimated Cost – – $395

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a detour to the historic Route 66 museums in Tulsa and Albuquerque, which will add a day but enrich the experience. To shorten the trip, you could skip the overnight stop and drive straight to California, though this would require a very early start and potentially more fatigue; ensure you plan for additional fuel stops and driver swaps.