Interstate 15 is one of the major Interstate Highways in the western United States, starting in San Diego and going all the way to Alberta, Canada. A few notable states I-15 passes through include California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and Montana. I-15 will also take you through some major (and majorly awesome) cities like San Diego, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Butte. Built to connect America's "Inland Empire" with San Diego County, located along the Mexican Border, I-15 helps fuel tourism from California to Vegas and connects Idaho Falls and Great Falls. There's loads to do along this 1700+ mile route, so here are a few highlights.
The California Route 66 Museum in Victorville is part museum, part gift shop, and even though it's small, it's a great look at the most iconic road trip in American history! Located in the former location of a popular Route 66 restaurant, the Red Rooster Cafe, the exhibits here are fun and ooze vintage Americana.
Next up is Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande. The size and attention to detail at this folk art roadside stop is incredible, and it's a great place to stretch your legs. The work of one man, Elmer Long, the whole thing is made entirely of disposed of garbage and junk...but as they say, "One man's trash is another man's upcycled folk art wonderland."
Calico Ghost Town in Yermo is a historic site that's been turned into a full-blown tourist attraction. The formerly abandoned mining town has a museum, gold panning, a mine tour, gift shops, restaurants, and even a campground, in case you really want to immerse yourself in Wild West vibes not too far off I-15.
Snap a picture of the country's weirdest road sign as you cruise past Zzyzx Road. Then tell your driving buddies all about the town's crazy history: it was founded as a fake hot spring resort (heated by boilers, and not natural springs) by a crackpot "doctor"... and that's just the beginning of the weird story!
Snacks can make or break a road trip, so stock up on fuel at Alien Fresh Jerky, a totally offbeat jerky shop. The kooky UFO theme and the delicious flavors (like lemon peppered beef and honey chipotle, among others) are quirky and absolutely delicious.
A trip along I-15 just wouldn't be complete without visiting Zion National Park. There are almost countless reasons to make the journey out to this incredible National Park. The Subway hike, Angels Landing trail, the Weeping Rock, and tons of other hikes and features can be found inside this one-of-a-kind park.
Road trip stops don't always have to be parks and museums, and the Mona Rope Swings in Mona, UT are a tiny bit of old-school fun that provide hours of entertainment, relaxation and refreshment. Two swings allow the brave to launch themselves into the Burriston Ponds in Mona, just south of Provo.
What's a road trip without weird, offbeat, massive pieces of roadside art?! I-15's best is in Blackfoot ID. Head to Main Street to see the Idaho Potato Museum and Gifts. If nothing else, you should take a picture with the giant potato out front, but the museum is definitely worth a visit. You'll likely be shocked at how much the museum is able to do with potatoes... there are way more exhibits than you might expect!
The best time of year to road trip along I-15: Since I-15 passes through so many states, it's difficult to predict the weather through all the states at any given time of year. Especially in Montana, road conditions change frequently, though road closures are particularly rare. Winter can get quite snowy, but summers are high tourist season, so prices will be higher for lodging. Likewise, Utah is an incredibly popular road trip destination during summer and early fall, particularly around Zion National Park. From San Diego to Vegas, Sunday is the busiest travel day of the week, so plan accordingly.