Morning: Depart La Plata and head west on I-70, cruising through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and the scenic Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Expect a smooth drive with occasional coffee stops.
Afternoon: Continue across Ohio, passing the bustling city of Columbus before reaching the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis for a quick photo opportunity. Drive onward through the Missouri River Valley toward Union.
Evening: Arrive at your overnight address, 1012 Pinehurst Lane, Union, MO. Settle in, enjoy a local dinner—perhaps some famous Kansas City BBQ—and rest for the next leg.
Find HotelsMorning: Leave Union and follow I-70 westward across Kansas, admiring the expansive prairie landscape. Briefly detour to the Rocky Mountain National Park vista for a breathtaking alpine view (quick stop, no hike).
Afternoon: Drive through Colorado, Utah, and into Nevada while deliberately staying north of Las Vegas. Take a scenic break at Great Basin National Park and later enjoy the shoreline of Lake Tahoe before crossing into California.
Evening: Arrive at 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA. Unwind with a stroll through the Fair Oaks Historic District and settle into your accommodation.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, consider adding a night in Colorado to explore Denver or a day in the Sierra Nevada for hiking. To shorten the trip, skip the scenic detours at Rocky Mountain and Great Basin, focusing solely on the most direct I-70/I-15 corridor to reach Sacramento faster.