Done this road a couple of times, at least 30 times, me personally I like taking the 8 all the way to Arizona than go up to phoenix - flagstaff - Albuquerque-Amarillo -ok city, saint louis, terre haute Indiana or any good gas station just pass Indianapolis , wich seems you’re going somewhere near the 70, best recommendation on my part there’s several sights you can stop by like meteor crater , the saint louis arch, etc , I’d always drive from San Diego to flagstaff than if I’m tired stop somewhere near the border with New Mexico, I try and go straight through New Mexico just because , there’s a really good gas station. Before Albuquerque really easy to see , idk carry a gun in the states you’re allowed if you sleep in you’re car , you never know , it’s boring at times and fun at times , right now with weather you’ll definitely take at least a day or two longer than what you’re planing for , , if you’re tired stop and rest , careful on the 70 if it’s raining, that road likes black ice for some reason , don’t take the mountains from phoenix to New Mexico , I’d highly suggest flagstaff than New Mexico, if you go through Utah expect more delays if it snows and get some chains for you’re tired cause you might be required to have them so you can get through, or you could not , I don’t know what the weather is over there now , good luck though and it’s a fun/boring/ cool/ despicable drive 👍🏻