going to be traveling with my girlfriend

[calbert]

I am going to be traveling with my girlfriend from southern California, Inland Empire, to Richmond, Virginia during the second week in August. We have just under a week to get across and we're taking the I-40 route across. We're taking a brand new sedan so we're not too worried about car issues but we are limited to what we can bring since she is moving out there to go to school.

What I am looking for is some useful advice, information, or tips for taking this route or some great destinations along the way. We're both totally up for little kitschy things like the world's largest ball of yarn. The one place we both agree we have to stop at is the Grand Canyon.

Any help would be great! Thanks so much.

[zara12]

I've driven the I-40 route with my boyfriend in about 5 but we had to cover over 300 miles a day, so it was a good 9 hours on the road a day with little time for anything other than food, gas, and rest stop breaks. At the end of the day, we were really tired to do any sightseeing but relaxing. If you're girlfriend drives as well you may be a bit less tired, and up for dinner at least.

If you have less than a week, then the Grand Canyon stop may be your only real "vacation" stop and you may have to make up for it with some extra long driving days..