Bay Area, CA to Moab, UT

Me and my family are making our first trip to Moab in mid April. For those that have made the trip, what is the best route to take and where could we camp around half way? Should we take 80 or 50? I have two little kids, so I'd like to break up the drive into two days and camp somewhere roughly in the middle. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

 

Check out Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. About half way to Moab along US50. You might even want to squeeze in a side-trip to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park if you stop there and your kids like dinosaurs.

You don't have to show them this:

 

Screw the kids--I like dinosaurs! Thanks for the suggestion. I'm hoping to make it a bit further on the first leg out, but that would be a great option in the way back.

 

50 will be shorter but there isn't shit along the way. If you want to make a stop for a night, I'd do 80

 

Anywhere you can recommend? I drove across most of 80 one time heading out to Grand Tetons. Wasn't a whole lot going on on that stretch either.

 

Great Basin National Park is a farther East along 50 if you are still looking to camp. MJ is right about 50. Nothing there for 250 miles from Ely to Fallon. Love it!

 

Honestly idk. I took 50 to Moab last summer and it sucked. If it wasnt for the caravan I was in, it would have sucked even more balls.

Are you planning on camping or stay in a hotel for that night?

 

I plan on camping. Might do a motel in Ely, but I'd rather camp. It looks like it's mostly BLM land (and nothing else) out there so I should be able to pull off just about anywhere. But if there is a good spot with some amenities that someone knows about I'd like to hear about it.

 

So I looked up the weather and it will be down to 20 degrees Saturday night. I'm not equipped to camp with the kids in that kind of weather so we are likely going to get a motel in Ely that night. Anyone have any suggestions on a motel?

 

I stayed at the motel 6 in ELY a couple of years ago. It was actually pretty clean. no complaints

if you take 50, stop here for a burger. DELICIOUS

edit: I don't think the pic is working. its called cold springs station

 

2,336 miles and got back last night. Went out 50 and back 80. I'd do it again that way too. 50 is more interesting but a bit more taxing with all the passes. At the end of a long trip, you just want to get home, so 80 is a bit quicker and easier.

Thanks for everyone's help! I'll do up a trip report once I get all the pics together. Here's a teaser.

 

EDIT: Oops. Just realized I'm posting a reply to original question and you're now posting up what you actually did.

Oh well - my two cents on the thread anyway:
50 is a more beautful and scenic route IMO.

But not for nothing is it called "Loneliest highway in America."

That could work out in your favor if you want to camp.

If you want lots of Interstate infrastructure: gas stations, hotels, food stops, etc... stick to 80.

If you want a route with character, take 50.

 

awesome pic btw.

 

Done that trip a bunch of times....usually take 50 going out and stop at Delta Utah for the night and then on to Moab. On the second day you can take a short side loop and check out Capitol Reef, it is worth the extra few miles. Then we usually take 80 home as the best chance for a motel is Fallon or Carson City (if you take 50) so you might as well go home....this trip we went out 80 and spent the night in the motor home at the Bonneville Salt Flats Rest Stop....came home on 50. I still like 50 much more than 80...80 is boring and sucks! At least 50 is interesting.

 

Here's the trip report:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/sizzles-moab-report.856454/