Driving a U-Haul x-country next month... my kid is moving to MAINE!
I live in the sierras, CA...and it's gonna be a long haul.
Never been ANYWHERE or traveled the US, so I'm kinda stoked. Since i have a kid in Albuquerque, and the one that's moving has a BF in NC the first leg of the trip will be to go down to Vegas, hang a right and go across on I-40. I wanna see the AZ crater, OK city memorial, drive by Graceland.
Then Up the coast, stopping in Roanoke, SALEM (witch, pirate museum, lighthouses), then up to Bangor.
Anyone got any suggestions? Also open to advice for long trips. Each day across the map is gonna be at least 8 hours driving (oh, I'm aching already!) but the East Coast should be easy since it's "smaller" than the huge CA coast... does that make sense?
= new reply since forum marked as read
No epi pens, it just isn't good for you, hon.
Do the clam chowder, it is almost as satisfying.
Everything is on a pretty small scale -- the northern 60% or so of the state is served by private logging roads only. Population outside of Portland is pretty thin. Come in on I-95 and don't get off on side roads without a good local map (your first purchase when you arrive, BTW). Gas is HIGHER the farther north you go on 95; fuel up sooner rather than later. It may not be so bad now as it used to be; my first drive up there was a real shocker.
I spent a year in the Lewiston/Auburn (or "greater L/A metropolitan complex"
area. It was livable, not great, and has grown a lot since. If you're from "the Sierras" (not sure exactly what that implies) maybe you're used to low population density. As Mr. Clemens said, "those who like this sort of thing will find that this is the sort of thing they like". It's not for everyone.
I wish I could suggest things to see along the route, but the things I'd personally like to see are all farther north. (Ashfall, New Braska and Sternberg Museum in KS). You could deviate off I-40 a bit to pass through Liberal, KS, and have your photo taken with your most surprised "how did they know?" expression on your face. 
I'd be interested in the Sam Noble Museum just to the south of OC (more fossils) but you seem to have more history/people-oriented interests. Keep in mind that much of OK east of OC is tribal land. Keep on eye out for signs by the roadside that might be of interest to you.
Not to wish bad luck on you, but such a long trip is sure to find a dollop or two. Make some contingency plans for "what to do if we're stuck in ____ for an extra day or two" while the weather clears, truck is repaired/replaced etc. If everything is in U-Haul's hands, "spend the day resting" is a good contingency plan, and maybe your best if your hotel lacks Wi-Fi or you can't use the Internet for some other reason.
Sure hope you know to take breaks or switch drivers every few hours. Even a 5 minute break every couple of hours does wonders to refresh. If you stop for three meals a day and bathroom breaks you don't really need to add more than one or two extra rest stops, and it pays off big-league in terms of keeping in good health and a good disposition. I've done plenty of 10 to 12-hr trips that way, including weekend commutes between WV and MA, and moves all around the USA (including GA to ME).
Remember that rental trucks are underpowered, slow to accelerate, and governed to keep under the speed limits, so overestimate your travel times to be safe. And this Summer especially, before you drive that truck off the lot, RUN THE A/C until it is comfortable. If it can't do it, demand another truck. The High Plains in high Summer is "the anvil of the Sun". Carry plenty of water in ice coolers, just in case.
Of course you'll check Google Maps or similar before you go, but have a good printed map book just in case you find yourself forced to work without power, coms, etc. at any point along the way. My family spent so much time traveling in my youth that a lot of this stuff is second nature to me, so there's a lot more I could think of, but some of it is outdated and probably irrelevant nowadays.
As a former professional driver/CDL instructor, everything from limousines to semis, I hate to rain on your parade but I fear your enthusiasm may be problematic the whole way. It is really impractical and very expensive to take such a journey in a large vehicle set up. There are many things you should consider, including simplifying the trip and plan a more extended trip in some other vehicle at some other time that will not be so cumbersome for all the tourist sites you plan to visit. Seriously.
How big is this vehicle? What mileage does it get? Where are your fuel stops so you won't get caught by surprise?
There's a lot to plan for and to consider. It's not like you'll be in your neighborhood when you leave it and things are very different from what you may have seen through photos and other media. Be prepared for the unexpected.
Driving a large rental to all those places may prove to be the biggest nightmare you could imagine. Many won't have parking for your vehicle, once you get east of the Mississippi, the roads get narrower and you'll need to be aware of this at all intersections.
Watch your mirrors! Check the oil, tires and all fluids at every fill up.
The tolls will be costly.
But I really think that planning an extended road trip in a rented moving truck is not the best idea for many reasons including driving through a national park to sight see in a Uhaul. As a former NPS Ranger, I'll tell you that the experience will be less than desired trying to enjoy a park while trying to find a place to pull over to view something cool.
Many of the places you want to see are in cities, no matter the size, and those are not very welcoming to trucks any bigger than a pick up truck.
Then there is the condition of the vehicle you rent. Inspect EVERYTHING! Lights, gauges, brakes, steering... I'm serious, the last couple rentals I used were death traps so do yourself a favor and inspect it well and get insurance. Unless what you rent is a passenger van size that you can park anywhere a pick up truck can park, I'd rethink the routing of this trip. Even if it is a van-sized unit, do inspect everything carefully and note everything on the inspection form for your protection, don't accept a vehicle that needs any repairs (can you tell I don't trust rental outfits?).
I do hope you have a safe and pleasant journey, just be mindful of your safety and ability to handle the challenges of a truck on a long trip.
Routing; most large cities have an outer loop (on the interstate it will be the three digit numbered routes, like going around Boston would be Rte 128 or I495 which by pass the downtown areas.
Just some thoughts for someone who has never been far from California. I once had a trainee driver who lived in LA, when I took him to the east coast, his voice went up an octave when he saw how crazy it is to drive a semi there.
But I was gonna take a detour and go see Niagra Falls before going home
I'm excited to see the fall colors too... we dont get the reds and oranges in the Seirras...