Here's a detailed map of the Route 50 in Virginia:

 (Source: US-50)

Start your trip in Virginia, at Arlington. The Route passes for a short distance in Virginia, so there won't be much to do on the highway. You can stop at Chantilly, the site of the Battle of Chantilly during the American Civil war. Visit the Sully Historic Site, a county historical park spanning 120 acres

Chantilly - Sully Plantation (Source: roger4336)

If you're willing to go off the Route, take a diversion and head to Old Town Alexandria, which is 10 miles from Arlington. Market Square in Old Town is believed to be one of the oldest continuously operating marketplace in the United States,and was once the site of the second-largest slave market in the U.S. You'll also get a great view of the Potomac River!

Potomac River (Source: taberandrew)

19 miles from Chantilly is the famous town of Shenendoah. The town is nestled between the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and the Massanutten Ridge in Page County. Shenandoah is 8 miles west of Shenandoah National Park,  which is another place that you can visit. 

Blue Ridge Mountains (Source: JSmith Photo)

Make a stop at Middleburg, a small but interesting town with a tiny  business district packed with antique shops and art galleries. Middleburg is especially famous for its colonial buildings. Visit the Red Fox Inn and Upper Crust Bakery, to savour some local flavors

(Source: andrechinn)

Here's a detailed map of the Route across West Virginia:

 (Source:  US-50)

West Virginia's section of the Route is about 150 miles long and bends across the Allegheny Mountains. This part of West Virginia is mostly rural, until you reach the western part of it where you will hit a fairly nice freeway. You will pass a few towns, that reflect the simple, hard working lives people lead in West Virginia, but most of what you see will be an abundance of nature, populated with beautiful rivers and gorgeous waterfalls which should be perfect for some photography!

West Virginia (Source: dougtone)

A must stop is the Eastern Gateway, which is right at the junction of west Virginia, Virginia and Maryland near the Cheat and Gauley Rivers. You'll be very close to the Monongahela National Forest- a great place to visit for nature lovers!

Lower falls, Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia (Source: ggallice)

Since you love nature, head straight to Cathedral State park. In fact, the route runs right through it!

Cathedral State Park (Source: cm195902)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Ohio:

 (Source:  US-50)

Cross the Ohio river and cross the country to the lovely hills and valleys of Western Ohio.

ohio_008 (Source: jacromer)

Head to Athens (no, not the one in Greece!) Athens is a lazy little town that has established itself around Ohio university, since its establishment in 1809

Ohio State University ~ Old Main (Source: Vasenka)

Your next destination should be Hillsboro, located approximately 60 miles east of Cincinnati and 40 miles west of Chillicothe. It is the biggest and busiest town along the way. Visit the Greek Revival landmark Highland County Courthouse, second-oldest in Ohio.

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Indiana:

(Source:  US-50)

The landscape of Indiana is immensely varied; hilly on the east and flat on the west. Indiana has plenty to offer from interesting limestone quarries, to well preserved Ohio towns. Stop first at Rising Sun, which has the state's biggest riverboat casinos, completely worth a try! Of course, none of the gambling has fazed the historical side of the town. Take a walk around for some great photos, and pop a visit to the Ohio County Historical Museum

Horseshoe Casino and Riverboat (Source: Arete13)

Along the Route 50, you'll hit Bedford, an industrial town nicknamed “Stone City” because it holds some of the largest and most famous limestone quarries in the country. Bedford’s main attraction is Bluesprings Caverns where you can descend into a cave and take an hour-long boat tour along the largest underground river in the United States.

Bedford, USA (Source: RebekahSue)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Illinois:

(Source: US-50)

US-50 runs across over 150 miles of Illinois’ flat farmlands—acres of corn and soybeans as far as your eye can see, with small towns dotting the roadside every 10 miles or so. It's a different set for a photographer and you'll enjoy stopping every now and then to click some lovely pictures.

Farm Land (Source: ilovebutter)

Halfway into Illinois stop at Salem, a historically fascinating city. It is the  birthplace of William Jennings Bryan, Charles W. Bryan, the G. I. Bill of Rights, and Miracle Whip salad dressing. That's some variety for a small town! It has some great places to eat as well. 

(Source: Rob Shenk)

Ever wanted to tell your friends that you've visited an exotic place like Lebanon? Well, now you can. Lebanon, IL that is, and that's not the only reason to stop at this town! Located 20 miles east of the Mississippi River it is an attractive town, with a number of stately, Victorian-era commercial buildings now housing antique shops.

(Source: Adamwithoutanyhands)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Missouri:

 (Source: US-50)

Visit Jefferson City. Ok, it's not really a city. It's a small town, that strangely sleepy! A must see is the neoclassical state capitol,  modeled on the U.S. Capitol. It is the central landmark, and rises above the river at the heart of town.

Fountain by Jefferson City Capital (Source: Dakota Kingfisher)

Make a stop over at Independence, the hometown of U.S President Harry Truman. The city-run National Frontier Trails Center is one of the best museums dedicated to America’s pioneers

Independence Missouri Vistors' Center (Source: TheManfromUtah)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Kansas:

 (Source: US-50)

It's a pretty long stretch across Kansas, covering close to 500 miles just in one state. Plenty to see , plenty to do!

Kansas Sunrise (Source: Roy Montgomery)

A must stop on the Route 50 is the Tallgrass Prarie National Reserve. Few roaring waterfalls or towering cliffs to take your breath away and make you pull out the camera characterise this place.

Buffalo on the Kansas Prairie (Source: Lauren Wellicome)

Take a little trip to heaven and visit the Garden of Eden, one of the country’s oldest and oddest folk-art environments. Located in the tiny town of Lucas, Kansas it is a front-yard forest of Biblical scenes —Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, —created out of concrete from around 1910 to 1930 by one Samuel Dinsmoor.

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Colorado:

 (Source: US-50)

Driving on the US-50 in Colorado takes you through almost every landscape North America has to offer. From the the alpine meadows, river canyons, and snow-covered peaks of the southern Rockies fading away into the flat,  prairies that stretch east across the middle of the country to the geological wonderland of the Colorado River plateau, which endlessly heads west into Utah, Colorado will give you the experience of a lifetime!

(Source: Ken Lund)

Pike's Peak and Manitou Springs is the first place I'd recommend you stop. One of the highest points you can drive to in the continental United States, Pike’s Peak has been a road trip destination since 1901 when the first car made its way to the  summit.

 (Source: cassandracox)

Another must see in Colorado is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  Some of the  oldest rocks on planet earth form the walls of 2,000-foot-deep Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the deepest and most impressive canyon in the state. The river cutting through the canyon falls faster than any other in North America.

 (Source: gudi&cris)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Utah:

 (Source:US-50)

For most  your trip across Utah, the I-70 freeway has replaced Route 50, but since you have time, take a couple of detours you’ll be rewarded with some of the most fabulous scenery in the world.

 (Source: indigoprime)

Visit the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, both breathtakingly beautiful and , an arid wilderness of high plateaus and deep canyons.

Arches National Park (Source: MoabAdventurer)

Take a detour to Salt Lake City, an hour north of Springville. Founded by Mormons in 1847, Salt Lake City is quaint, and unusual enough to merit a detour. Most of what the sights to see have to do with the Mormons, better known as the Church of Latter-day Saints, who have their worldwide headquarters at the Temple Square

 (Source: Casey Serin)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in Nevada:

 (Source:US-50)

US-50 crosses more than 400 miles of Nevada’s countryside, climbing up over a dozen distinct mountain ranges while passing through four mining towns and the capital, Carson City.

(Source: Tumbleweed:-))

Ten miles east of Fallon, the extraordinary grouping of petroglyphs at Grimes Point is not to be missed. Just 100 yards north of US-50, a self-guided trail leads past hundreds of images etched into the lichen-covered, brown boulders.

Grimes Point Petroglyph Trail (Source: Ken Lund)

Stop at the Nevada Beach and Zephyr Cove, where you can take a cruise across the lake.Midway along the lake’s eastern shore, US-50 turns sharply and climbs up and over Spooner Summit, all the way giving great views of the lake below. At the summit, take a hike on the Tahoe Ridge Trail

Nevada Beach (Source: chris runoff)

Here's a detailed map of the Route in California:

(Source: California)

The last state in the Route 50 path, California , at this juncture , will be much of a relief to reach after all that travel. But let that not bring you down! Head for your last leg of sightseeing!

California redwoods (Source: phault)

One of the biggest and deepest  lakes in the country, and at 6,220 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is a beautiful sight from every angle.To get away from it all, head along Hwy-89 around the west side of the lake to the magnificent state parks around Emerald Bay

south lake tahoe (Source: tylerserif)

Your final destination has been reached. Welcome to Sacramento! Sacramento is not what most would expect of the capital of the Golden State. Green and suburban, with only the state capitol and a few modern towers rising over fine Victorian houses Sacramento is a relatively quiet city!

Sacramento , California, USA - 2000 - Patrick Nouhailler © (Source: Patrick Nouhailler)