PCS: California to Virginia via I-40

PCS: California to Virginia via I-40

This one is for all you military folks moving back and forth from San Diego (or Ventura) CA to Norfolk, VA. This guide also works in reverse if you are moving west. The overall route takes Highways 8, 10, 40, 81, and 64. Google says this is the fastest and most fuel efficient route. Each driving day will be approximately ~6 hours. 2,730 miles, 7 days. If you’re into travel hacking try to pick one hotel chain to stick with. I have one Hilton family hotel and one Marriott family hotel for each destination, as well as a La Quinta hotel because they are great for traveling with pets and generally a cheaper option.
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Day 1: San Diego, California to Flagstaff, Arizona

• Distance: Approximately 420 miles, 7.5 hours drive

Stay

Hilton Garden Inn Flagstaff
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Courtyard by Marriott Flagstaff
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Flagstaff
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Eat

Tinderbox Kitchen
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Pizzicletta
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Delhi Palace Cuisine of India
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Do

Petrified Forest National Park
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Lowell Observatory
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Coconino National Forest
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Day 2: Flagstaff, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Distance: Approximately 330 miles, 4.75 hours drive

Stay

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Albuquerque
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Marriott Albuquerque
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Albuquerque West
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Eat

The Grove Cafe & Market
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El Pinto Restaurant
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Sadie's of New Mexico
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Do

Sandia Peak Tramway
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Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
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Old Town Albuquerque
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Day 3: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Distance: Approximately 544 miles, 8 hours drive

Stay

Hilton Garden Inn Oklahoma City Bricktown
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AC Hotel by Marriott Oklahoma City Bricktown
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oklahoma City -Yukon
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Eat

Cattlemen's Steakhouse
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Nic's Grill
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Big Truck Tacos
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Do

Cadillac Ranch
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National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
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Stafford Air & Space Museum
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Day 4: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Little Rock, Arkansas

• Distance: Approximately 339 miles, 5 hours drive

Stay

Hilton Garden Inn Little Rock Downtown
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AC Hotel by Marriott Little Rock Downtown
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Little Rock - West
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Eat

The Pantry Crest
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Brave New Restaurant
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Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill
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Do

William J. Clinton Library and Museum
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Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
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Little Rock River Market
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Day 5: Little Rock, Arkansas to Nashville, Tennessee

• Distance: Approximately 349 miles, 5.25 hours drive

Stay

Hilton Nashville Downtown
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Renaissance Nashville Hotel
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville Airport/Opryland
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Eat

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Cock of the Walk
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Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
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The Farm House
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The Stillery
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Do

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Ryman Auditorium
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Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
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Day 6: Nashville, Tennessee to Asheville, North Carolina

• Distance: Approximately 295 miles, 4.5 hrs

Stay

Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park
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Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel
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Hotel Indigo Asheville Downtown, an IHG Hotel
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Eat

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White Duck Taco Shop
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12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER
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Do

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The North Carolina Arboretum
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Blue Ridge Parkway
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Day 7: Asheville, North Carolina to Norfolk, Virginia

• Distance: Approximately 406 miles, 6.5 hours drive

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
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Virginia Zoo
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Norfolk Tides Baseball Club at Harbor Park Stadium
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LeGrand Kitchen
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Waterside District
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Navy Lodge Norfolk
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a Southern California native, mother of two, military spouse and travel lover currently located in Naples, Italy. I’ve lived and visited many different places and I hope that my travels will help you plan your next great adventure! My guides focus on travel that the whole family can enjoy and feature some of the great places the military has sent us, as well as our own travels. Having lived in many different places, I have local knowledge of a wide variety of places. Two of my favorite recent travels are a month long family trip to Australia and Singapore and a multi-generational Caribbean cruise. I love that some of my kids first core memories will be of our international travels. It is so heart warming to watch them make friends at a foreign playground and having an interaction with a person that doesn’t speak their same language. Now, living in Italy we have many more opportunities for travel, both throughout Europe and locally near Naples, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast. We have enjoyed discovering new foods, exploring language and culture. My youngest has an egg allergy that we manage so food and language intertwine often.
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