Scenic Road Trip from Monee, IL to Los Angeles, CA with Sunrise to Sunset Driving Schedule

Day 1: Start Drive

Monee, IL to St. Louis, MO on June 1, 2025

5:15am

Early Start

Begin your drive just before sunrise to maximize daylight driving. Full tank ensures starting without refueling.
USD0, 0h30m

8:00am

Fuel and Rest Break - Effingham, IL

Stop at Effingham to refuel and grab some breakfast. Recommended: Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee and light breakfast options. Open from 5am to 10pm.
USD15, 0h30m

12:00pm

Lunch in St. Louis, MO

Enjoy lunch at Pappy’s Smokehouse, known for award-winning ribs and barbecue. Open from 11am to 8pm.
USD20, 1h0m

2:30pm

Stretch and Quick Sightseeing

Visit the Gateway Arch riverfront area for a quick scenic break and photo opportunity. Grounds open all day; Arch rides close at 5pm.
USD10, 1h0m

4:00pm

Drive to Overnight Stop

Depart St. Louis heading west towards a comfortable overnight stop in Rolla, MO; approximately 1.5 hours driving.
USD0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner and Overnight

Dine at the Steel Plant Grill in Rolla, serving hearty American fare. Open until 8pm. Rest and recharge overnight.
USD18, 1h0m
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Day 2: Midwest to Plains

Rolla, MO to Tulsa, OK on June 2, 2025

5:15am

Early Resume

Depart Rolla shortly after sunrise to continue westward towards Tulsa, OK.
USD0, 0h15m

8:00am

Breakfast and Fuel Stop - Springfield, MO

Grab breakfast at Gaile’s Breakfast Cafe, offering classic American breakfast with open hours from 6:30am to 2pm. Fill up the tank if needed.
USD15, 0h45m

12:00pm

Lunch in Tulsa, OK

Eat at Burn Co BBQ, known for slow-smoked meats and sauces. Open 11am to 9pm.
USD20, 1h0m

2:30pm

Fuel and Rest Break

Stop at a convenient fuel station in Tulsa or just past city limits to refuel and rest.
USD35, 0h30m

3:00pm

Drive to Overnight

Drive towards your overnight stop in Oklahoma City; approximately 1 hour 45 mins away.
USD0, 1h45m

5:00pm

Dinner and Overnight in Oklahoma City

Dine at Vast for rooftop views and fine dining; open until 9pm.
USD30, 1h0m
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Day 3: Crossing Texas

Oklahoma City, OK to Amarillo, TX on June 3, 2025

5:15am

Early Departure

Leave Oklahoma City early, heading into the Texas panhandle.
USD0, 0h15m

8:30am

Breakfast and Fuel - Childress, TX

Stop for breakfast at Gill’s Drive Inn, a popular local diner with classic breakfast menu, open from 6am to 2pm.
USD15, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch in Amarillo, TX

Eat at Tyler’s Barbeque, a local favorite. Open from 11am to 8pm.
USD20, 1h0m

2:30pm

Fuel and Rest Stop

Refuel and take a short rest at Amarillo's fuel stations before continuing west.
USD40, 0h30m

3:00pm

Drive to Overnight Stop

Drive a short distance west towards Vega, TX for overnight rest.
USD0, 0h45m

4:00pm

Dinner and Overnight

Dinner at a local Vega restaurant such as Vega Barbecue; open until 8pm.
USD20, 1h0m
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Day 4: Into the Southwest

Vega, TX to Albuquerque, NM on June 4, 2025

5:15am

Departure

Early departure from Vega into New Mexico.
USD0, 0h15m

8:30am

Breakfast and Fuel - Tucumcari, NM

Breakfast at Del’s Restaurant, a classic Route 66 diner open from 6am to 2pm, plus refuel before continuing.
USD15, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch in Santa Rosa, NM

Enjoy New Mexican dishes at Kix on 66, open 11am-8pm
USD20, 1h0m

2:30pm

Fuel and Rest - Santa Fe, NM

Refuel and power walk around the city center to stretch legs. Fuel station open 24 hours.
USD40, 0h45m

3:15pm

Drive to Albuquerque

Complete the drive to Albuquerque, approx 1 hour 15 minutes.
USD0, 1h15m

5:00pm

Dinner and Overnight Stop in Albuquerque

Dine at Sadie's of New Mexico for authentic New Mexican cuisine. Open until 9pm.
USD25, 1h0m
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Day 5: Desert Drive

Albuquerque, NM to Flagstaff, AZ on June 5, 2025

5:15am

Sunrise Departure

Early start through New Mexico into Arizona.
USD0, 0h15m

8:30am

Breakfast and Fuel - Holbrook, AZ

Stop at Early Bird Caffe for breakfast open 6am-2pm, and refuel your Prius.
USD15, 0h45m

12:30pm

Lunch in Flagstaff, AZ

Enjoy lunch at Diablo Burger, known for their locally sourced burgers. Open 11am-8pm.
USD20, 1h0m

2:30pm

Rest and Fuel Break

Refuel and rest in Flagstaff before the final leg west.
USD40, 0h30m

3:00pm

Explore Flagstaff Briefly

Take a quick walk downtown or visit Heritage Square, open all day, for fresh air and photos.
USD0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Drive to Overnight Stop

Drive towards Kingman, AZ for an overnight stay approximately 1.5 hours away.
USD0, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner and Overnight in Kingman

Dinner at Mr. D'z Route 66 Diner, open until 9pm for classic American diner food.
USD20, 1h0m
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Day 6: Final Leg

Kingman, AZ to Los Angeles, CA on June 6, 2025

5:15am

Departure for Last Day

Head out early for the last stretch toward Los Angeles.
USD0, 0h15m

8:30am

Breakfast and Fuel - Barstow, CA

Stop at Peg's Cafe for breakfast, open 6am-2pm. Refuel here to finish trip into LA.
USD15, 0h45m

12:30pm

Arrival in Los Angeles

Arrive in Los Angeles by early afternoon, meeting your 1pm target comfortably with adjustments for traffic.
USD0, 0h0m
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