Driving from Chicago to Los Angeles - Which route is better?

[hops&dreams]

My BIL is driving my parents from Chicago to LA. (Parents are moving to my sister's, and they have to get there somehow). My dad has Parkinsons and Alzheimers. At this point, he's not okayed for air travel, as my dad is in and out of confused states, has sudden mood swings, can get combative, and has sudden-onset claustrophobia. The joke right now in our family is that we can stop and pull a car over, but we can't pull a plane over.

Anyway.... My sister had planned for them to go across Iowa and Nebraska, through Denver, Vegas, and into LA. Now, she said she's worried about precipitation, so she's suggesting they go across Missouri, Oklahoma, through Amarillo, Albuquerque, across Arizona and into LA. She thinks the new route will be easier with elevation, precipitation, temperature changes (my dad doesn't do tolerate cold well.) I think the new route will be very desert-y, and Death Valley-y.

Opinions? Desert or mountains?

And in case this helps at all, they are driving a Civic that's in good shape and new tires.

 

[LBIJim]

The "new route" is actually the replacement for the old legendary Route 66. I'd definitely take that one.

Did you ever hear the song Get Your Kicks On Route 66?

Either route will eventually turn desert-y. And both routes will be mountain-y for long distances.

 

[cabanafrau]

I suspect the more southerly route may be preferable, but I have no experience with either one.

Merely to suggest something I suspect may be challenging, not to nitpick, but will your BIL have any assistance? Particularly if claustrophobia is an issue I might suggest having your BIL fly into Chicago, rent a minivan one way for the trip, or possibly rent it in CA, drive it to Chicago & return it in CA. It would be quite an undertaking for one person to drive the entire time, in such a small vehicle, and have to care for two elderly passengers, at least one of whom has some challenges, cross time zones and climates, etc. Simply food for thought, not trying to be critical.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

I'd take the Southern route, personally. They will still have to deal with elevation changes in New Mexico and Arizona, but not as much as going through Colorado. They should be aware that it can be miles between stops on that route, though. It's not unusual to go 40 miles between gas stations or rest stops, so they should plan accordingly. Also, there are a couple of toll roads through OK, so they'll need cash for those.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

There are long stretches of "nothing" on either route. Don't run out of gas.

I'd take the Route 66 version like LBIJim mentioned - just like the Griswolds.

 

[jdb in AZ]

How is the air conditioning in the car? I wouldn't try to cross the Arizona desert without great A/C.

 

[hops&dreams]

I suspect the more southerly route may be preferable, but I have no experience with either one.

Merely to suggest something I suspect may be challenging, not to nitpick, but will your BIL have any assistance? Particularly if claustrophobia is an issue I might suggest having your BIL fly into Chicago, rent a minivan one way for the trip, or possibly rent it in CA, drive it to Chicago & return it in CA. It would be quite an undertaking for one person to drive the entire time, in such a small vehicle, and have to care for two elderly passengers, at least one of whom has some challenges, cross time zones and climates, etc. Simply food for thought, not trying to be critical.

My parents, as odd as it may sound given their predicament, are rather young. My mom is 67 and my dad is just 65. They are taking the civic, because it is their car and it needs to get out to California. My dad's Alzheimer's is Early-Onset... he was only 62 when diagnosed and has progressed rather rapidly. He does well in the car (I also have a civic, and he's spend long, traffic-y drives with me when we've had to go downtown to specialists), and doesn't mind drives - he actually sleeps better in the car than he does in bed. My mom is in fine health, it's just her personality that drives BIL batty - ha! She'll be the caregiver on the trip, as she always is. BIL is just there to handle the getting them from here to there. Thanks though - if my BIL wasn't so comfortable with them, it would be a concern, but out of all the people, my dad remembers his sons-in-law the most. More often than his own daughters, and granddaughters, he remembers our husbands. My sister and I laugh about it because, like so many things Alzheimer's related, if we didn't laugh, we'd cry.

The car is in great shape. It's a 2009, but has less than 40,000 miles on it. I just took it in myself for new tires and wipers, and had everything looked over - belts, brakes, trans, etc. AC is charged and COLD! I made sure my mom packed a blanket for my dad (they keep their condo in the 80's - it's like the tropics in there!) and DD made them some awesome travel pillows for the trip.

I'll have to tell my dad about the Route 66 stuff. If he's in a lucid moment, he'll get a kick that it'll be the route they're taking. He always wanted to travel the US. They did Europe first, and figured they'd do the US later... guess he'll get to see quite a bit now.

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

ETA: I warned BIL to keep gas in the tank!

 

[cabanafrau]

My parents, as odd as it may sound given their predicament, are rather young. My mom is 67 and my dad is just 65. They are taking the civic, because it is their car and it needs to get out to California. My dad's Alzheimer's is Early-Onset... he was only 62 when diagnosed and has progressed rather rapidly. He does well in the car (I also have a civic, and he's spend long, traffic-y drives with me when we've had to go downtown to specialists), and doesn't mind drives - he actually sleeps better in the car than he does in bed. My mom is in fine health, it's just her personality that drives BIL batty - ha! She'll be the caregiver on the trip, as she always is. BIL is just there to handle the getting them from here to there. Thanks though - if my BIL wasn't so comfortable with them, it would be a concern, but out of all the people, my dad remembers his sons-in-law the most. More often than his own daughters, and granddaughters, he remembers our husbands. My sister and I laugh about it because, like so many things Alzheimer's related, if we didn't laugh, we'd cry.

The car is in great shape. It's a 2009, but has less than 40,000 miles on it. I just took it in myself for new tires and wipers, and had everything looked over - belts, brakes, trans, etc. AC is charged and COLD! I made sure my mom packed a blanket for my dad (they keep their condo in the 80's - it's like the tropics in there!) and DD made them some awesome travel pillows for the trip.

I'll have to tell my dad about the Route 66 stuff. If he's in a lucid moment, he'll get a kick that it'll be the route they're taking. He always wanted to travel the US. They did Europe first, and figured they'd do the US later... guess he'll get to see quite a bit now.

Thank you all for your helpful advice!

ETA: I warned BIL to keep gas in the tank!

Alzheimer's does leave us with lots of questions, that's for sure. So hard on the families. I wasn't questioning at all your plan put your parents in an unreliable car, simply the combo of long trip, small vehicle, claustrophobia, special needs. I hope the move will be a good and helpful change for your parents, and your whole family. Would be great if your dad winds up enjoying taking in the scenery.