Cross‑Country Road Trip: La Plata, MD → Citrus Heights, CA

Day 1: La Plata → Indianapolis (≈10.5 hrs)

Morning: Depart from 6085 Manor Lane, La Plata and head west on I‑70, crossing the Maryland‑Pennsylvania border. Stop briefly at the Sideling Hill Rest Area for fuel and a quick stretch.

Afternoon: Continue through the Appalachian foothills, passing the historic town of Hagerstown. Lunch in Hagerstown before entering Ohio, where you’ll cruise past the Wheeling Bridge crossing the Ohio River.

Evening: Arrive in Indianapolis, IN for dinner and an overnight stay. Total driving time today: about 10.5 hours.

Day 2: Indianapolis → Omaha (≈10.8 hrs)

Morning: Leave Indianapolis early and stay on I‑70 west, crossing the Indiana‑Illinois border. Quick coffee break at the Terre Haute Service Plaza.

Afternoon: Drive across the plains of Illinois and into Iowa, with a scenic pause at the Des Moines River Bridge. Lunch in Des Moines before heading into Nebraska.

Evening: Reach Omaha, NE just before sunset, refuel, and rest. Total driving time today: about 10.8 hours.

Day 3: Omaha → Salt Lake City (≈11 hrs)

Morning: Depart Omaha on I‑80 heading west, crossing the Nebraska‑Wyoming line. Stop at the Scottsbluff Rest Area for a quick stretch.

Afternoon: Cruise through Wyoming’s high desert, passing the iconic Wyoming State Capitol viewpoint. Lunch at a roadside diner near Rawlins, WY.

Evening: Arrive in Salt Lake City, UT for dinner and overnight lodging. Total driving time today: roughly 11 hours.

Day 4: Salt Lake City → Citrus Heights (≈10.5 hrs)

Morning: Exit Salt Lake City on I‑80 west, staying north of Nevada’s desert to avoid Las Vegas. Fuel up at the Elko, NV Service Area.

Afternoon: Continue through the Sierra Nevada foothills, with a brief stop at the Truckee River Bridge for photos. Lunch in Reno, NV (still north of Las Vegas).

Evening: Cross into California and arrive at 12801 Fair Oaks Blvd., Citrus Heights, CA before nightfall. Total driving time today: about 10.5 hours.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Sideling Hill Rest Area – 0.5 hr – $15 (fuel)
• Hagerstown, MD – 1 hr – $20 (meal)
• Terre Haute Service Plaza – 0.5 hr – $12 (fuel)
• Des Moines, IA – 1 hr – $22 (meal)
• Omaha, NE – 1 hr – $30 (hotel & meal)
• Scottsbluff Rest Area – 0.5 hr – $10 (fuel)
• Rawlins, WY – 1 hr – $18 (meal)
• Salt Lake City, UT – 1 hr – $35 (hotel & meal)
• Elko, NV Service Area – 0.5 hr – $14 (fuel)
• Reno, NV – 1 hr – $25 (meal)
• Citrus Heights, CA Destination – 0.5 hr – $0

Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a day to explore the scenic drives of the Rocky Mountains near Salt Lake City or the vineyards of Napa Valley. To shorten the trip, you could increase daily mileage to 12–13 hours, but be sure to schedule additional rest stops to stay safe on the road.