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Southwest to Great Lakes Cross-Country Route

A classic American road trip from the Arizona desert to the Michigan lakeshore, featuring Route 66 highlights, historic river towns, and Midwestern charm with optimized overnight stays in peaceful suburban anchors.

5days
14stops
3562km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Bernalillo · Edmond · St. Charles · Zionsville — start in Surprise, end in Midland.

DAY01

Surprise → Bernalillo

783 km · 7h 40m driving · long drive · Overnight in Bernalillo
  1. 09:00
    Surprise City Hall· start
  2. 354 km · 3h 48m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Petrified Forest National Park
  4. 429 km · 3h 52m
  5. 15:00
    Bernalillo· overnight
DAY02

Cadillac Ranch → Edmond

895 km · 8h 5m driving · long drive · Overnight in Edmond Downtown
  1. 09:00
    Cadillac Ranch· start
  2. 468 km · 4h 11m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Oklahoma City National Memorial
  4. 428 km · 3h 54m
  5. 15:00
    Edmond Downtown· overnight
DAY03

Fantastic Caverns → Historic Main Street St. Char…

808 km · 7h 31m driving · long drive · Overnight in Historic Main Street St. Charles
  1. 09:00
    Fantastic Caverns· start
  2. 455 km · 4h 12m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Gateway Arch National Park
  4. 353 km · 3h 19m
  5. 15:00
    Historic Main Street St. Charles· overnight
DAY04

Indianapolis Motor Speedway M… → Zionsville

411 km · 3h 56m driving · Overnight in Zionsville Main Street
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum· start
  2. 411 km · 3h 56m
  3. 12:00
    Zionsville Main Street· overnight
DAY05

The Henry Ford Museum → Midland

665 km · 6h 23m driving · long drive
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ The Henry Ford Museum· start
  2. 448 km · 4h 21m
  3. 12:00
    Dow Gardens
  4. 218 km · 2h 2m
  5. 15:00
    Midland City Center
Booking timeline
Book these before you go
  1. Day 1Stay in Bernalillo · Night 1
  2. Day 2Stay in Edmond · Night 2
  3. Day 3Stay in St. Charles · Night 3
  4. Day 4Stay in Zionsville · Night 4
Heads Up
  • Day 1: 7h 40m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 2: 8h 27m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 3: 7h 58m driving — plan rest stops
  • Day 5: 6h 28m driving — plan rest stops
  • This route covers significant mileage; ensure your vehicle is serviced for long-distance highway driving.
  • Check local weather when crossing the Ozarks and the Midwest, as conditions can change rapidly.
  • Verify seasonal hours for museums and national park visitor centers before arrival.