Amos, are you planning to dawdle on the way cross-country? Will you be part of an entourage of vehicles with people and canine and stuff? Trailers? How long do you think it will take to drive from San Diego to Fort Worth? Hwy 8 runs into 10 and in Texas that runs into 20. That is the most direct route to my location (I live about 3 blocks south of I-20; no difficulty finding me once you get here.) The drive from here to Tucson is a very long day, or a reasonable drive to Van Horn, then the rest of the way to Tucson is only a few hours. You'll have to figure out how long from SD to Tucson, and if you want to visit any attractions on the way. I would suggest a meal in New Mexico in La Mesilla at La Posta (just south of Las Cruces). Van Horn, TX, has a kind of oddball place called Chuy's (not related to any chain by the same name). There is a McAlister's deli in Midland, TX, about the only place I would recommend there. Lots of good food here in the Metroplex so you may want to plan a day or two for museums and restaurants.