Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Chicago, Illinois to Folsom, California

Chicago, Illinois, and Folsom, California may be over 2,000 miles apart, but the road between them is filled with incredible sights and experiences. A road trip on Interstate 80 takes you through 11 states, several mountain ranges, and across the Great Plains. Along the way, there are many destinations to stop and explore.

The halfway point of this trip is Laramie, Wyoming, a small city that has everything from cattle ranches to museums and some great cuisine. The downtown area of Laramie is a National Historic District that has survived since the city was founded in the 1860s.

Top Five Things to do on a Road Trip from Chicago, Illinois to Folsom, California

1. Visit the National World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri

The National World War I Museum in Kansas City is dedicated to the history and memory of the First World War. Visitors take a journey through time from the outbreak of war in 1914 to the conclusion in 1918. The museum features artifacts like letters, diaries, uniforms, and equipment, along with immersive exhibitions that allow visitors to experience the war from soldiers' perspectives.

Interesting Fact: The tower of the National World War I Museum has a glass bridge that visitors can walk across offering a stunning view of Kansas City.

2. Explore the Badlands National Park in Western South Dakota

The Badlands National Park is a unique destination, with a landscape that seems to belong on another planet. The stunning rock formations are the result of millions of years of erosion, creating pink, red, and orange-colored spires and mesas that make you feel like you are wandering through a dream. The park also protects native bison herds, pronghorns, and bighorn sheep.

Interesting Fact: The Badlands may seem desolate now, but they were once home to rhinoceroses, sabre-toothed cats, and camels!

3. Visit Salt Lake City and See the Great Salt Lake

Utah's capital city is a vibrant metropolis with plenty of sights to see and things to do. But the real show-stopper is the nearby Great Salt Lake, which is one of the country's largest saltwater lakes. The lake is several times saltier than the ocean, making it impossible to sink; so, visitors can take the opportunity to float effortlessly on the water's surface.

Interesting Fact: The Great Salt Lake is the largest remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville, held in place by a causeway of salt tens of miles long.

4. Explore the Beauty of Lake Tahoe

As you near the end of this journey, you arrive at Lake Tahoe, a large alpine lake on the California/Nevada border. Visitors come here to enjoy a range of outdoor activities, from fishing and camping to skiing in the winter months. The lake is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering many scenic hiking trails.

Interesting Fact: At a depth of 1,645 feet, Lake Tahoe is the second-deepest lake in the United States.

5. Tour the Napa Valley Wineries

The last stop on this road trip is the Napa Valley, California's famous wine region. Here, visitors can explore the wineries, taste the world-famous wines, and learn about the wine-making process from the experts. With over four hundred wineries to discover, Napa Valley's wine region is a must-visit destination.

Interesting Fact: The art of wine-making has been passed down through generations of Napa Valley families since the first winery opened in 1861.

Driving approximately 2,270 miles across the United States, this road trip takes around forty hours. But the journey is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, full of sites, sounds, and tastes, that is well worth taking the time to enjoy.