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Cross-Country Transit: Huntington Beach to Southern Illinois

A focused 4-day transcontinental drive from the Pacific coast to the heart of Illinois. This efficient corridor route follows the historic I-40 and I-44, balancing long-distance transit with iconic American West landmarks.

4days
10stops
2332km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Flagstaff · Santa Rosa · Tulsa — start in Huntington Beach, end in Creal Springs.

DAY01

5851 Snead Dr → Lowell Observatory

832 km · 8h 7m driving · long drive · Overnight in Lowell Observatory
  1. 09:00
    5851 Snead Dr· start
  2. 356 km · 3h 30m
  3. 12:00
    Kelso Depot
  4. 476 km · 4h 37m
  5. 15:00
    ⭐ Lowell Observatory· overnight
DAY02

Petrified Forest National Park → Blue Hole

179 km · 1h 46m driving · long drive · Overnight in Blue Hole
  1. 09:00
    Petrified Forest National Park· start
  2. 179 km · 1h 46m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Blue Hole· overnight
DAY03

Cadillac Ranch → Center of the Universe

686 km · 6h 15m driving · long drive · Overnight in Center of the Universe
  1. 09:00
    Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 259 km · 2h 21m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma City National Memorial
  4. 428 km · 3h 54m
  5. 15:00
    Center of the Universe· overnight
DAY04

Gateway Arch → 349 Circle Dr

635 km · 5h 45m driving · long drive
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch· start
  2. 635 km · 5h 45m
  3. 12:00
    349 Circle Dr
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Stay in Flagstaff, AZ · Night 1
  2. Stay in Santa Rosa, NM · Night 2
  3. Stay in Tulsa, OK · Night 3
Heads Up
  • Day 1: 8h 7m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 2: 7h 4m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 3: 7h 50m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 4: 7h 52m driving — plan rest stops
  • Check weather for high-elevation passes around Flagstaff, especially in early spring.
  • Ensure the vehicle is fully serviced; cell service can be spotty in Mojave and New Mexico desert stretches.
  • Pre-book lodging in smaller towns like Santa Rosa to ensure availability during peak travel dates.