Morning: Depart La Plata early and travel west on I‑70, stopping for coffee in Columbus, OH. Enjoy a quick stroll around the historic **Ohio Statehouse Plaza** before hitting the road again.
Afternoon: Continue through Indiana, pausing in Indianapolis to see the iconic **Monument Circle** and grab lunch at a local steakhouse. The drive through the rolling farmlands of Illinois keeps you on schedule.
Evening: Arrive at your first overnight stop at 1012 Pinehurst Lane, Union, MO**. Unwind with a walk around the nearby **Union City Park** and enjoy dinner at a family‑run diner.
Find HotelsMorning: Leave Union heading west on I‑70, crossing the scenic plains of Kansas. Take a short break at **Kaw River State Park** for photos of the winding river.
Afternoon: Drive through the high plains of Colorado, stopping at **Glenwood Springs** to soak in the historic **Glenwood Hot Springs Pool** (optional). Continue toward the Rocky Mountains.
Evening: Reach Denver and settle into your hotel. Explore **Larimer Square** for dinner, then stroll along the **Denver Riverwalk** to stretch your legs.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Denver via I‑70 west, climbing through the **Mount Evans Scenic Byway** for breathtaking alpine views. Briefly visit the **Summit Lake** viewpoint.
Afternoon: Transition onto I‑80 heading north. Stop in **Grand Junction** for a quick bite and admire the striking red cliffs of **Colorado National Monument** from the highway.
Evening: Arrive in Rock Springs, WY. Relax with a walk around the historic **Rock Springs Downtown** area and enjoy a hearty meal at a local steakhouse.
Find HotelsMorning: Leave Rock Springs on I‑80 west, crossing the **Star Valley** and enjoying the open sagebrush landscape. Take a short detour to the **Fossil Butte National Monument** for a glimpse of ancient fossils.
Afternoon: Continue through the **Great Basin**, stopping at **Ely, NV** for lunch and a visit to the **Nevada Northern Railway Museum**. The drive offers dramatic mountain passes.
Evening: Reach Reno, Nevada. Explore the vibrant **Truckee Riverwalk** and dine at a restaurant in the historic **Midtown** district.
Find HotelsMorning: Depart Reno on I‑80 west, crossing the **Sierra Nevada**. Pause at **Lake Tahoe** for a scenic walk along the shoreline of **Emerald Bay**.
Afternoon: Continue down the mountain pass into California, stopping at **Placerville** to explore the historic **Old Town** and grab a bite.
Evening: Arrive at your new home at **12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento, CA**. Celebrate the move with a stroll through **Capitol Park** and a dinner near **Old Sacramento**.
Find HotelsIf you need to extend the trip, consider adding a full day in Denver to explore the **Red Rocks Amphitheatre** and **Denver Art Museum**, or spend an extra night in Reno to visit the nearby **Virginia City** historic mining town. To shorten the journey, combine Day 2 and Day 3 by driving straight to Rock Springs (≈14 hrs total) and then make a longer final leg from Rock Springs to Sacramento, but be prepared for a longer driving day and consider adding rest stops to stay safe.