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2022 Road-trip - Los Angeles, California to Dallas, Texas - 1,500 miles ; Barely Survived! Thunderstorms.

Epic Road Trip: Los Angeles to Dallas

Overview

I recently embarked on a thrilling 3-day, 2-night road trip from Los Angeles, California, to Dallas, Texas, covering approximately 1,500 miles. The route choice was a mix between I-10/20 and I-40; ultimately, I went with I-10 to Phoenix, then cut over to I-40 through Albuquerque.

Important Reminder: Always check the weather! I ran into storm clouds over New Mexico and Texas, resulting in some harrowing moments on the road.

Day 1: Los Angeles to Phoenix (400 miles)

  • 11 am: Hit the road heading towards Palm Springs.
  • 1 pm: Lunch at Felipe’s (delicious tacos!) and enjoyed some sights of the dinosaur attractions.
  • 3 pm: Quick stop at Joshua Tree for the iconic desert views.
  • 6 pm: Arrived in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • 6 pm: Dinner at Nogales or Lupita’s Sonoran Hot Dogs (a must-try!).

Day 2: Phoenix to Amarillo (705 miles) 🌧

  • 7 am: Breakfast to fuel up for the long day ahead.
  • 9 am: Scenic drive through Payson, AZ—mountains and beautiful landscapes!
  • Noon: Joined I-40 / Route 66 and took in the stunning Painted Mountains.
  • 2 pm: Stopped in Albuquerque, NM.
  • 2 pm: Lunch at Frontier Restaurant (great Mexican food!).
  • 5 pm: Hit by rain in Santa Rosa, NM; I had to stop due to poor visibility.
  • 7 pm: After waiting 2 hours for the rain to calm down, I headed towards Amarillo.
  • 11 pm: Arrived in Amarillo, TX—no hotel, but I made it!

Day 3: Amarillo to Dallas (365 miles)

  • 2 am: Faced heavy rain on 287; I decided to pull over in Memphis, TX, for some much-needed sleep.
  • 5:30 am: Hit the road again for Dallas.
  • 9 am: Arrived in Dallas.

Packing List

To prepare for hot summer months and potential rain, I packed accordingly.

Bags & Clothes 💼

  • Adidas Backpack
  • Jansport Fannypack
  • 4 Uniqlo T-Shirts (Black)
  • 4 Adidas White Socks
  • 4 Underwear
  • Jeans & Nike Gym Shorts
  • Khaki Shorts
  • Northface Rain Jacket
  • Adidas Track Jacket
  • Gap Crew Neck Sweater
  • Nike Shoes
  • Baseball Cap

Tech & Tools 📱

  • iPhone 11 & Samsung A32 (backup)
  • AirPods Pro
  • Anker Battery Pack (10k mAh)
  • 3 Power Cables
  • Charging Blocks (Car & Home)
  • Flashlight
  • Swiss Army Knife
  • Bic Lighter
  • Casio G-Shock 5600
  • Fleece Blanket (Rollup)
  • Car Kit
  • Laptop (for work)
  • Pens & Notepad
  • Toiletry Kit

Food & Water 🍱

  • 48 Bottles of Water (2 cases)
  • Chips (16 pack)
  • Food Bars (18 pack)
  • Trail Mix (12 pack)
  • Beef Jerky (8 oz)

Miscellaneous 🗺

  • Printout of map and directions
  • Schedule for daily calls (3x/day)
  • $400 cash ($20 x 10, $100 x 2)
  • Credit Cards & Apple Pay

Closing Thoughts

The blanket and rain jacket proved to be lifesavers when I ended up camping out in my car for a few hours due to the storm. Always be prepared for unexpected situations!

Despite the challenges, I look forward to visiting Amarillo someday. This trip taught me a lot about planning and being adaptable on the road.


Picture Book Highlights

  • Cabazon, CA - The iconic Dinos.



Palm Springs, CA - A refreshing pit stop.

Felipe’s - One of the best Mexican meals I’ve had!






Phoenix, AZ - Moreno’s for some great fried delights.
 



Albuquerque, NM - Frontier Restaurant served delicious tacos—Taco Bell could take notes!



Memphis, TX - 🌧

Souvenirs from an epic 1,500-mile journey!
 


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