PCS: California to Virginia via I-20
PCS: California to Virginia via I-20
Objects In Motion
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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, 20, 85, 58, and 264. Google says this is the fastest and most fuel efficient route. Each driving day will be approximately ~6 hours. 2,703 miles, 8 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. If you’re down for longer drives and want to arrive more quickly you can skip Sweetwater and/or Raleigh.
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Day 1 | San Diego, CA to Tuscon, AZ
6:15 hour drive
Stops Along the Way:
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When you Arrive:
San Xavier del Bac Mission
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Saguaro National Park
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ANELLO
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Tumerico
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La Chingada Cocina Mexicana
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Hotel:
Tucson Marriott University Park
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DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson- Reid Park
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Day 2 | Tuscon, AZ to El Paso, TX
4:50 hour drive
On the Way:
Enjoy the desert scenery. If you’re up for a detour check out Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
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When You Arrive:
Track One
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Landry's Seafood House
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Whataburger
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Hotel:
Marriott El Paso
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La Quinta Inn by Wyndham El Paso Cielo Vista
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Embassy Suites by Hilton El Paso
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Day 3 | El Paso to Sweetwater, TX
6:02 hour drive
On the Way:
Odessa Meteor Crater
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Museum of the Southwest
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When you arrive:
Skeet's Texas Grill
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Mama's Kitchen
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El Papagayo Burritos
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Hotels:
Not too many hotel options in Sweetwater. No Marriott Or Hilton options
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sweetwater East
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Day 4 | Sweetwater to Dallas, TX
3:15 hour drive
On the Way:
Lots of cows and oil refineries, Texas is a big freaking state.
When you Arrive:
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In-N-Out Burger
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Make sure to get either your first In and Out burger or your last, depending on the direction you’re going.
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A Taste of Way's & Catering
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Soul Circles Pizza Kitchen
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Hotels:
Navy Lodge Fort Worth
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Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Duncanville
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Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Arlington South
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dallas Arlington South
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Day 5 | Dallas, TX to Jackson, MS
6 hour drive
On the Way:
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Sugar Lou's Southern Creole Cuisine
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Grey Oaks Plantation
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When you Arrive:
Walker's Drive In
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Saltine Restaurant
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Corban's-Too New Orleans Restaurant
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Hotels:
Hilton Garden Inn Jackson Pearl
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Courtyard by Marriott Jackson Airport/Pearl
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jackson Airport
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Day 6 | Jackson, MS to Atlanta, GA
5.5 hour drive
On the Way:
Weidmann's
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They do a great lunch. We used to come here for brunch all the time when we lived in Meridian.
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Slavery & Civil War Museum
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National Voting Rights Museum and Institute
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When you Arrive:
Houston's
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Grindhouse Killer Burgers
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Baba`s Kitchen
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Hotels:
Hotel recommendations are a little outside of Atlanta to avoid paying extra for parking. Check their website before counting on that.
Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta Executive Park/Emory
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Atlanta North Druid Hills - Emory Area
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Midtown - Buckhead
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Day 7 | Atlanta, GA to Raleigh, NC
6 hour drive
On the Way:
LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta
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When you Arrive:
Marbles Kids Museum
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Back then Bar and Grill
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Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
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Danny's Bar-B-Que
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Sassafras All Children's Playground
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Hotels:
Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Cary Crossroads
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Homewood Suites by Hilton Raleigh Cary I-40
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Raleigh Cary
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Day 8 | Raleigh, NC to Norfolk, VA
3 hour drive
On the Way:
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
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When you Arrive:
Nauticus
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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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TASTE
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Waterside District
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Hotels:
Navy Lodge Norfolk
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Norfolk Waterside Marriott
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Objects In Motion
Available for hire
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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