MilitaryByOwner Housing Blog

Plan Your Epic PCS #RoadTrip!

Written by Mary Ann Eckberg | Tue, Jun 06, 2017 @ 12:06 PM

Leaving Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia for Naval Base San Diego, California, our military family set out on a PCS adventure. Beginning with the busy transit route of I-40, I'm sharing the notes we gathered for sites to see on our cross-country journey. 

If you have a PCS across the U.S. coming up, why not turn it into an epic road trip and see a sight or two along the way? Use the following information to help plan your own side excursions. 

Hang on tight while we take a whirlwind tour from coast to coast. #RoadTrip!

1) Asheville, North Carolina

Nearest Military Installation: Charlotte Air National Guard

Attractions:

The Biltmore Estate

With 250 rooms, this historic mansion and its expansive terrace remain as captivating today as George Vanderbilt’s vision in 1895.

Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Range

Perfect for explorers to stretch their legs, the Buck Spring Trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway leads to the remains of a Vanderbilt hunting lodge and panoramic views from Mount Pisgah.

2) Knoxville, Tennessee

Nearest Military InstallationMcGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base

Attractions:

Ober Gatlinburg

Savor stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains from the soaring heights of a tram ride at this popular amusement park.

Dollywood

Tap you toes to bluegrass tunes as you tour the attractions of this vibrant East Tennessee theme park.

3) Nashville, Tennessee

Nearest Military Installations: 

Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee

Attractions:

The Grand Ole Opry

A true gem in Music City, live performances at this legendary theater have delighted country music fans since 1925.

Country Music Hall of Fame

This museum highlights notable names in country and bluegrass music and hosts community music classes, programs, and events.

4) Memphis, Tennessee

Nearest Military Installations:

Naval Support Activity Mid-South

Tennessee National Guard

Attractions: 

Peabody Hotel

A tradition since the 1930s, watch the famous Peabody Ducks march through this historic hotel.

Graceland

After visiting Sun Studio downtown, music fans can slip on blue suede shoes and tour the 13+ acre estate of Elvis Presley.

5) Little Rock, Arkansas

Nearest Military Installations:

Pine Bluff Arsenal

Camp Robinson

Little Rock Air Force Base

Attractions: 

Hot Springs National Park and Bathhouse Row Historic District

From the stained glass of the ceiling to the spring pump room on the lowest level, the Fordyce Bathhouse tour gives visitors a glimpse of an early 1900s spa resort.

William J. Clinton Presidential Library

With a replica of the White House Cabinet Room, museum goers can have a seat at the conference table and learn presidential facts from touch-screen displays.

As this journey west continues, the route changes from I-40 to I-30 and leads into the Lone Star State.

6) Dallas, Texas

Nearest Military Installation: Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Headquarters

Attraction: The 6th Floor Museum

This downtown Dallas museum celebrates the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy near the location of his death.

7) Fort Worth, Texas

Nearest Military Installation: Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base

Attraction: Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

Follow a herd of longhorns along the rustic brick streets to a dance hall, rodeo arena, mercantiles and saloons.

Now on I-20, the pleasing scents of the yellow roses of Texas lead us further on.

8) Abilene, Texas

Nearest Military Installation: Dyess Air Force Base

Attraction: Frontier Texas! Museum

Travelers can learn a few things about the Wild West while continuing to trek through the Southern Plains.

9) Pecos, Texas

Nearest Military Installation: Goodfellow Air Force Base

Attraction: West of the Pecos Museum

At this restored 19th century hotel and saloon, listen to lore about cowboys, the Old West, and the birthplace of the Texas rodeo.

On the road again, we are now trucking along I-10...

10) El Paso, Texas

Nearest Military Installation: Fort Bliss

Attraction: Scenic Drive and Overlook

No Instagram filter needed when stopping by this picture-perfect viewpoint of El Paso and nearby Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

11) Las Cruces, New Mexico

Nearest Military Installations:

Holloman Air Force Base

White Sands Missile Range

Attraction: White Sands National Monument

White sand. Blue sky. Bright sunshine. Well worth a side trip to see the limitless vista of stunning white gypsum sand dunes.

12) Tucson, Arizona

Nearest Military Installations:

Fort Huachuca

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Attraction: Pima Air and Space Museum

To cover the most ground, hop on a bus to tour the 80+ acres of this “Boneyard” aircraft storage museum.

Now on I-8, our travels continue through the Sonoran Desert.

13) Yuma, Arizona

Nearest Military Installations: 

Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

Yuma Proving Ground

Attraction: Bridge to Nowhere and Tiny Church

If driving through the wide open desert has a weary traveler feeling like they’re going nowhere, this elaborate bridge that leads to nothing will confirm their perception! To refocus their thoughts, a desert nomad can stop in at the 8-foot x 11-foot tiny church nearby.

14) Ocotillo, California

Nearest Military Installation: Naval Air Facility El Centro

Attraction: Desert View Tower

Old school roadside attraction with an observation tower for unobstructed views of the desert landscape of the Imperial Valley.

Sound the trumpets! We've finally arrived at Naval Base San Diego, CA! After dropping anchor at the Navy Gateway Inn, we set out to see the homes from our MilitaryByOwner property search lists. Don't miss the wealth of information on the MilitaryByOwner's website as you plan and prepare for your upcoming military move.

Click below for more fun stops along I-40!