Interstate 80 connects two major US cities—San Francisco and Teaneck, New Jersey, right outside New York City—making it a popular and well-traveled route. Though its endpoints are two of the country's coolest destinations, you should not zoom through the middle.
Along the way, you'll pass through Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Des Moines, and more. You'll travel across states like Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, which are all loaded with offbeat and interesting attractions. Here are some of the coolest things to see and do along I-80.
In 1962, a mysterious fire tore through an abandoned strip mine, causing a chain reaction when it broke through a rock pit, setting the rest of the town’s coal mines alight. Despite the tireless efforts of firefighters, the town of Centralia was unable to quell the flames, and the underground has been a furnace ever since. The town of Centralia is now abandoned, and it makes for an eerie adventure. Steam rises from cracks in the graffitied roadway, telephone poles stand barren, and empty buildings add to the ominous vibes of this modern-day ghost town.
Your next stop along I-80 is Pennsylvania. McConnell's Mill State Park features a deep scenic gorge, massive boulders, and winding drives, but the highlight is the gristmill and the covered bridge crossing the creek at the bottom. The hiking and rock climbing here are outstanding, and you can even hunt, fish, and whitewater raft here, if you're looking for a more thrilling adventure.
I-80 also passes near a unique national park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an underrated gem of the NPS. Encompassing forests, stony gulches, waterfalls, an old canal, quaint towns, historic farmsteads, and fields of wildflowers, it's a picture-perfect setting for hiking, picnicking, and taking a scenic train ride.
Ohio at last! Welcome to Marblehead Lighthouse, the oldest operating lighthouse on the U.S. side of the Great Lakes. Opened in 1822, it still guides ships to safety to this day. Located in Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, you can tour the historic lighthouse during the summer and go into the keeper's cottage, which has been turned into a museum dedicated to the maritime and natural history in the area. Plus, the lighthouse is photogenic and the views of Lake Erie are hard to beat.
Indiana also has unexpectedly cool things to see. Even if you aren't an RVer, a stop at the RV and Motorhome Hall of Fame is a must. Their collection of drool-worthy vintage RVs is sure to enchant. If the display inspires you to sell all of your worldly possessions to hit the road in an RV, there's a lot of info on restoring retro motorhomes here as well.
I-80 passes around Chicago. Just east of the city, in Gary, is the humble house where Michael Jackson and his siblings grew up. You can't go inside, but the community has maintained the building and yard, and you're more than welcome to stop by and take pictures.
I-80 passes through the quaint town of Joliet next. The gorgeous Joliet Prison has a unique claim to fame: It was featured in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. Put on your suits, fedoras, and Ray Bans for an epic photo op. Take a guided or self-guided tour to learn more.
You'll find plenty of great parks in Illinois. The hiking trails at Starved Rock State Park take you past waterfalls, through twisting gulches, into mossy canyons, and around shaded forests. Get more time to bask in the beauty of this natural wonder by camping in the park or booking a room at the onsite lodge.
If you keep heading along I-80 from Des Moines, it won't be long until you reach Illinois. A great location along the river in a neighborhood filled with antique homes adds to the atmosphere of Lagomarcino's Confectionary in Moline. They serve up sandwiches, but the ice cream and candy are the main attractions here. Order a soda, malt, or one of their decadent sundaes, and enjoy it in one of the old-fashioned booths. Don't forget to stock up on turtles and other chocolates for the road ahead.
There's plenty to see and do in Iowa's capital, Des Moines. Go back in time at Living History Farms, go for some thrills at Adventureland Park, or check out what's on display at the Des Moines Art Center. Or, if you're just making a quick pit stop here, take a ride on the Heritage Carousel, grab a bite to eat at Drake Diner, or snap some pics at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
The Des Lux Hotel and The Hampton Suites in Downtown are great hotels in Des Moines.
One of the more offbeat and lesser-known attractions along I-80 is the Monument to the First Train Robbery in the West. The year was 1873, and Jesse James and his gang of bandits had the idea to move a section of track to derail a train and use the diversion to make off with some of the cargo. The monument features a wheel with a plaque, as well as the section of track that the group shifted to derail the locomotive.
Omaha is the next big city you'll pass through while on I-80. Explore the Heartland Park of America or the Lewis and Clark Landing, check out the Durham Museum, housed in a 1931 train station, or visit the renowned Henry Doorly Zoo. And, while you're in cattle country, be sure to grab a steak. The Drover Restaurant and Lounge has been an Omaha institution for over 30 years.
There are plenty of great hotels in Omaha. The Magnolia and Hotel Deco are luxurious options.
Seward is home to the World's Largest Time Capsule. It's a 20-foot by 8-foot by 6-foot concrete vault filled with 5,000 objects from the town's history, all donated by its citizens. Rumor has it that there's even a car inside. It was dedicated in 1975 and is set to be open in 2025, but in the meantime, you can check out the memorial and ponder what might be within.
Kearney's Classic Car Collection is an ever-growing display of vintage cars from across history. Even if you don't know much about automobiles, you can appreciate the details and aesthetic of these retro beauties.
The Heartland Military Museum has a huge collection of military vehicles that is incredibly impressive, with helicopters, jeeps, tanks, and more—some of which you can climb inside.. You'll also find displays of weapons, uniforms, and equipment.
Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard manages 10,000 rail road cars every single day on its 2,850 acre spread. The Golden Spike Tower's observation decks provide the best views of the world's largest train yard. Tour the visitor center to learn about the crucial role railroads played in American history.
I-80 makes its way into Nebraska next, where you'll find even more natural beauty and interesting history. From Apache Indians to the Oregon Trail, Ash Hollow State Historical site is loaded with fascinating stories from the past. It's not hard to see why Native Americans chose to settle here, as it has caves for shelter and abundant wildlife. The park's Windlass Hill was notoriously difficult for emigrants on the Oregon/California Trail.
Located on Wyoming's F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Heritage Museum is a fascinating look into the science and history of ICBMs and the 90th Missile Wing, which operates Minuteman-III missiles across the west. It's all housed in a turn-of-the-century building at the oldest continuously active military installation within the Air Force.
Another interesting historic stop along I-80 is the Wyoming Territorial Prison Museum. Built in 1872, it saw many famous outlaws—including Butch Cassidy—pass through its doors. Walk into the cells, see pictures of old convicts, and learn what life was like for outlaws who weren't able to escape arrest.
There's no bad time of year to road trip along I-80. Snow might make traveling a little tougher in the winter, closing some attractions and slowing down your drive, but there are enough big cities along the way and other travelers on the highway, ensuring something will always be open.