Cross‑Country Road Trip: La Plata, MD ➜ 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Irvine, CA

Day 1: La Plata, MD → Union, MO

Morning: Depart La Plata early and cruise west on I‑70, passing through Columbus, Ohio where you can stretch your legs at the Scioto Mile.

Afternoon: Continue toward St. Louis, taking a quick photo stop at the iconic Gateway Arch before re‑entering I‑70 westbound.

Evening: Arrive at the overnight address 1012 Pinehurst Lane, Union, MO and settle in for a restful night.

Day 2: Union, MO → Albuquerque, NM

Morning: Leave Union and merge onto I‑44 heading toward Oklahoma, enjoying the rolling plains of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Afternoon: Cross the Oklahoma‑Texas border on I‑40, making a brief stop in Amarillo, Texas to view the famous Cadillac Ranch.

Evening: Drive into the high desert and reach Albuquerque, New Mexico, where you’ll spend the night at a centrally located hotel.

Day 3: Albuquerque, NM → Barstow, CA

Morning: Explore a slice of Old Town Albuquerque before heading back onto I‑40 west, passing the volcanic landscape of Petroglyph National Monument.

Afternoon: Stay on I‑40 through Arizona, stopping briefly at Flagstaff, AZ for a coffee break and a view of the historic downtown.

Evening: Cross into California and arrive in Barstow, CA, where you’ll stay overnight near the historic Route 66 corridor.

Day 4: Barstow, CA → 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Irvine, CA

Morning: Depart Barstow on I‑15 south, then transition onto I‑10 west toward the Los Angeles basin.

Afternoon: Merge onto I‑5 north, cruising through the sprawling Orange County suburbs with a quick stop at Irvine Spectrum Center for lunch.

Evening: Arrive at your final destination, 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd, Irvine, CA, and check into your accommodation.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Gateway Arch (St. Louis, MO) – 0.5 hr – $15 admission
• Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, TX) – 0.3 hr – Free
• Old Town Albuquerque (NM) – 1 hr – $10 parking
• Flagstaff Downtown (AZ) – 0.5 hr – $5 coffee
• Hotel stay – Union, MO – 1 night – $120
• Hotel stay – Albuquerque, NM – 1 night – $130
• Hotel stay – Barstow, CA – 1 night – $115
• Fuel (≈2,600 mi) – 40 hr total driving – ≈$300
• Meals (4 days) – 3 meals/day – ≈$200
• Parking & Miscellaneous – $30
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,100

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day in Albuquerque to explore the Sandia Peak Tramway or a night in San Diego before heading to Irvine. To shorten the trip, you could increase daily drive time to 12 hours and skip the overnight stop in Barstow, reaching Irvine by the third night. Either way, keep an eye on traffic around major metro areas and plan fuel stops early to avoid long lines.