I reccomend stopping at the Big Texan in amarillo just for the hell of it. Which is why I went... its a traumatic yet fun experience of all things texan shoved into one building.

I'm keeping a list of recommendations. EL

Older son just came back from a wedding in Las vegas, and he reports that everything (except the airfare there and back) was VERY expensive. Don't linger!

We aren't going through Las Vegas. The first night is Kingman, AZ (on my route) and the second is Albuquerque. Don't worry, there will be More Maps. EL

I love long-distance driving and I've done it often alone back and forth between Milwaukee and Baltimore. Wish I could share the driving chores!

But, and I know you've explained it before, why are you not "allowed" to pack clothes yet you can pack your power? I understand the need for the latter, but almost a week without a change of clothes? To quote yourself, gack.

Her theory is I can wear her clothes, thereby saving space. However, only I have the headphones. EL

Hope you're not taking the car I jump-started a couple months ago ...

Elizabeth, methinks "good luck, and safe journey" is in order. Looking at that route, there's the odd chance we'll never see your sweet self again if the girl-chick plucks your VERY last nerve and you are forced to "eliminate her with extreme prejudice" (got that from a spy novel, don'tcha know). Seriously though, have a safe trip.

My mother and father flew to LA over the summer to help me drive the car back to Maryland. Take the time and stop at some cool places. We had cats and it was summer so we weren't able to. Also, we took 70 from Utah all the way to Baltimore. Not a very scenic drive - I have heard more fun things about the southern route. And I didn't let my mom pack anything more than a small bag either.

I feel better now. I'm not the only one. Good advice; I'm kind of interested in the Painted Desert, the Petrified Forest, my birthplace (Oklahoma City), and Oxford, Miss. EL

Ohh MI-5 really cranks up the action in seasons 4 and 5 finally. I like the show a lot. Check out how many inaccuracies about America you can find on episode 4. As I recall they mention the Secretary of Trade (no such post). They also have a lot point that involves the Secetary of State being promoted to U.N. Ambassador. Oops, that would be a demotion. Still good stuff. They must be watching a lot of 24.

I'm still getting over my shock at how they handled (or didn't handle) the fabulous end of Season 4 at the beginning of Season 5. I won't say any more in case someone hasn't seen it yet who wants to. EL

This is pretty much the route we did going to Lake Powell...except we veered off after Alb. NM... and we went east to west. It's amazing that TN and VA are two of the longest days when you're only in one state! Oh, we did it in five days. We had a rule that the passenger picks the tunes. And we switched drivers every two hours, when you want/need a break anyway. Drive/pee/drive/eat/drive/pee/drive/eat

That's a very good idea. (The switching.) I guess it depends on whether you think it's worse to drive or be driven as to how you decide the radio. Anyway, it's not the tunes I'm worried about, it's Dr. Phil on Oprah. EL

Elizabeth, bon voyage! Best of luck for good food, pleasant weather, and no mishaps.

I won't say thanks after every good wish, but I appreciate them all. EL

That's because I'm going to the wedding of a close friend's daughter in Buenos Aires at Christmastime -- if I can bring myself to ransom my first born for the plane ticket, but that's a story for another post.

It might be easier to bring yourself to do after the trip. ;-)
But seriously, have a safe and fun trip!!

You know, I didn't say that myself only because I have to live with her for the next week, and I'm not sure how many blog jokes she can take. She no longer lets me take photos of her fridge. :-) EL

Speaking of blog jokes, remember, we expect pictures of the packing done (or not done). And don't worry about DevilChild's frig. Superfund monies are in the pipeline from EPA.

In Albuquerque, check out the Artichoke Cafe on Central if you have a chance.

And if you're looking to stretch your legs, and want to see a pueblo, check out Acoma (Sky City) west of Abq...

Sorry, my name got deleted. I'll own up to being Anonymous. (Quick post.)

Agree 100% on Acoma pueble, although it's pretty far off I-40. It's stunning, but you have to pay to get a photo permit, but it's worth every penny!

I'm reminded of the caller to Click and Clack who asked what vehicle to rent to drive the Trans-Canada Highway with his father and sister.

Their answer? "The biggest vehicle you can rent. A Winnebago. And, keep a diary. You'll need it for the trial."

(I'm jealous, actually. Sounds like fun.)

Best local food I had in Albuquerque: Duran Central Pharmacy at Old Town. I am learning to trust Frommer's (not Fodor's! Frommer's) recommendations, even if they lead me to get made fun of for... years... after I ate at Roy's in Hawaii.

What are its specialties? EL

The Three Mantras to consider as you and DevilChild traverse the continent. Repeat aloud as needed:

1. I love technology when it works.
2. Elastic is our friend.
3. The only reason to have children is to have grandchildren.

If you stop in Albuquerque you MUST go to Sadies for the most authentic New Mexican food you will find. Different from Tex-Mex in subtle but important ways and muy delicioso. Order the carne adovada and enjoy the sopapillas. Mucho gusto!!

EL -- the Frommer's online description of Duran Central Pharmacy in Albuquerque can be found here.

It sounds great. Thanks. EL

I didn't see anything in your packing list to play those DVDs and CDs on.

Gailor's trusty laptop plays both, and the car (if she'll let me) plays CDs.

the car (if she'll let me) plays CDs

Somehow, I can't imagine playing beginning Spanish language CDs in the car without the other occupant staging a mutiny.

Maybe you're right. OK, I'll leave the CDs at home. EL

I had a sample platter at Duran's, which had some combination of tamales, enchilladas, tacos and beans... and whichever one of those items involved a thick, corn-cakey-kinda wrap was my favorite. I was afraid to ask which was which and look like the lamest tourist ever. I seem to recall them having milkshakes as well... after all, it is a lunch counter.

The "corn-cakey kinda thing" is the tamale.

And yes, you need to remember to unwrap it from the corn husk first; if not, you would definitely incite giggles from the other patrons...

Blue corn enchiladas with chicken, smothered in green chiles...definitely the thing I miss the most about New Mexico!

When in Oxford, Mississippi, try and visit the City Grocery. I've never been, but I've heard really good things, and I would be interested in your take.

Oxford and Clarksdale, Mississippi are both on my lists of places to visit.

Please do not watch the DVD while you're driving; a genius in our family figured out how to reflect it onto the windshield. Yeh, really. Also, those little liquor bottles are a lifesaver. Taste better than Listerine and are food friendly. They can help take the edge off the 3000 mile trip and they fit in your charger carrier's neat compartments. Above all, enjoy the opportunity to be together.

We did the drive from Baltimore to Phoenix, AZ this summer and enjoyed tallying up the number of Cracker Barrel vs. Bob's Big Boy restaurants along the way. It was neck and neck up until about the Mississippi river, but then CB pulled ahead. I'm sorry I can't provide you with any good restaurant recs in Kingman, but try the Southwest chowhound.com board.

Good idea. Although realistically I can only imagine at what hour we'll actually get to Kingman and in what shape after the take off. EL

When you talk to your daughter before leaving, tell her to put a couple of one liter water bottles in her freezer. Let them stay there until you leave on the drive back. That way, as they thaw out, you will have cold water to sip most of the day. If you stay at hotels with refrigerators in the rooms, you can repeat each night. I used to do this for cross-country flights before they stopped letting you bring bottled anything through security.

My favorite on-board breakfast is a couple of French rolls and butter. Croissants are good, but they are softer and can get squished in your carry-on.

I also carry the tiny bottles of Tabasco sauce. they'll make the blandest pay-as-you-go airline food almost edible.

Remember - you WILL enjoy the trip!

These are good tips. I had already planned to stop by Stone Mill Bakery for a baguette Friday morning, which I guess I'll freeze overnight. My plane leaves at 6:40 a.m. Saturday, so no preflight shopping for me. EL

My Uncle Tom used to have his longtime girlfriend hold a tiny television in her lap so he could watch the football game as he drove hundreds of miles back home after a family get-together in California. (Do I need to add that he died in a one-car accident?)

I carry empty water bottles through security when flying, then fill them when I get through (usually in front of the TSA folks). They haven't cared yet.

Oh yeah -- the best places for bathroom breaks along the way -- hotels! Usually very clean and they don't seem to mind or even notice people walking in and out of the lobby.

Wow, you were born in Oklahoma City too? I feel honored to share a birthplace with you!

One other suggestion, we found the best places for bathroom breaks along the way are hotels. Usually very clean and they don't seem to mind or even notice people walking in and out of the lobby.

Lissa mentioned "I carry empty water bottles through security when flying, then fill them when I get through (usually in front of the TSA folks). They haven't cared yet."

Thanks! I actually asked the TSA about that last year and was told it was at the discretion of the TSA Inspector on duty. Glad to hear some of them are (relatively) nice about such things.

Wait times for airport security lines are available at the TSA website, http://www.tsa.gov under "Air Travel," "For Travelers," "Wait Times." You choose the state then the airport.

For BWI, between 6 and 7 a.m. on Saturday, the average and max times are:

Pier A: 4 min 5 min
Pier B: 4 min 6 min
Pier C: 4 min 8 min
Pier D: 5 min 7 min
Pier E: 4 min 6 min

TSA says these are from data collected between Feb 27, 2008 and Mar 26, 2008, for TSA Security Checkpoints only, so there's no guarantee three days from now, and they do not include parking, checking in with your airline, and other such activities.

Thanks. I always check in online the day before anyway and, of course, Don't Do Luggage. But the water bottle puzzles me. I often take an empty water bottle through, and it never occurred to me anyone would care. I mean, it's empty. So far they haven't. EL

(A) Why, oh why, must I find out about major trip changes - like bringing chargers - on the blog? I hope you're planning on swallowing the chargers, because there is no extra space in the car.

(B) Hal, I will let her play the Spanish language cds. After Italy, where the Italians were begging her to just speak English to them, I learned my lesson.

We have found on our meanderings that Cracker Barrel which is semingly at every other interchange is a great pit stop. Everythings clean and if you need a quick bite, its all there ( and their breakfasts aren't too bad!)

My favourite places to find public toilets are hospitals and public libraries. Both usually have signs giving directions to them.

I've also been known to stop at police and fire stations. Sometimes they are gracious, sometimes they aren't.

Gailor: Why, oh why would you think your beloved mother wouldn't consult with the Sandbox first?

As for the chargers, those can be conveniently stored below the front seat if the glove comparment is already claimed. Give the woman who gave you life some slack! And buy her dinner, too!

I pray that you ladies have a very safe - and fun - drive across the country.

In Albuquerque, some of the best (and cheapest) local food you can get is at either of the two Los Cuates restaurants (they're across the street from each other) on Lomas Blvd in Northeast, not far from US 40. And if you have time for breakfast, try the Route 66 Diner on Central Avenue, which gets you on the hallowed ground of the historic highway.

Most of the shops in Old Town will probably be closed by the time you hit town and you won't have room for even an additional trinket in the car but if you feel like stretching your legs walking around the historic district, try La Placita for dinner.

This road trip comes in three colors.

Well, unfortunately the routes do. Hi! EL