Southwest to Great Lakes Cross-Country Journey
A relaxed 7-day transcontinental journey from the Arizona desert to the heart of the Midwest. This route balances iconic Southwestern landscapes with Texas history and the rolling hills of the Ozarks, ensuring manageable daily driving times.
- Old Mesilla Village
- White Sands National Park
- Amarillo Downtown
- Fort Worth Stockyards
- Texarkana Post Office and Federal Building
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Fort Wayne Visitor Center
From the Valley of the Sun to the Mesilla Valley
Surprise City Hall
Surprise City Hall, Surprise, Arizona, US
Old Mesilla Village
Old Mesilla Village, Las Cruces, New Mexico, US
White Sands and the High Plains
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park, Alamogordo, New Mexico, US
Roswell Historic District
Roswell Historic District, Roswell, New Mexico, US
Crossing the Texas Panhandle
Cadillac Ranch
Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, Texas, US
Amarillo Downtown
Amarillo Downtown, Amarillo, Texas, US
Deep in the Heart of North Texas
Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Stockyards, Fort Worth, Texas, US
Sundance Square
Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, US
Piney Woods and the State Line
Tyler Rose Garden
Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler, Texas, US
Texarkana Post Office and Federal Building
Texarkana Post Office and Federal Building, Texarkana, Arkansas, US
Ozark Foothills and Route 66 Heritage
Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, Missouri, US
Forest Park
Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, US
The Final Stretch to Fort Wayne
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, Speedway, Indiana, US
Fort Wayne Visitor Center
Fort Wayne Visitor Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
- Check White Sands National Park website for missile range closure schedules before visiting.
- Expect significant temperature shifts between the Arizona desert and the humid Great Lakes region.
- Book accommodations in advance for smaller towns like Texarkana and Rolla.
- Day 1: 6h 7m driving — plan rest stops