So I will be driving from Youngstown to San Diego in mid August. Haven't decided which route to take, the northern or southern. I want to take the southern but we will see what my mom and brother want to do since they are coming with me. We are going to make some stops along the way since I get 9 days to get there. What are some good places to stop and see?

Do not drive through Kansas. Whatever you do. Civilization went there to die.

I-70 through Denver and the Colorado Mountains is much more scenic - and you go through Las Vegas dropping down I-15 into San Diego. You --do- have to cross Kansas, though.

The drive on I-40 through Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle is just as boring as Kansas - and the southernmost route via Memphis and Dallas involves crossing freaking ARKANSAS. oO

i dont think there is a way to go where you dont go through the no man's land of the central states. once you cross the mississippi there isnt much.

Sturgis ?

Yellowstone Nat. Park
http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk119/g8trgr8t/YellowstoneJune2010/

LOVED driving through the western half of South Dakota, especially in the evening