I was thinking 40 through OK and Albuquerque last time we spoke about this EP9, but given that it was snowing in Tucson (on the 10!) yesterday, and there is a fuckton of snow on the 40 now, I am changing my mind and going with Big Leon on this one. Get south as soon as you can, get to the 10, and go west young man. However, that route would make Vegas pretty far out of the way. 80 to the 15 in Salt Lake leaves you driving some really boring cold road, but you do get through vegas, so ????

Not much help, I know. . . . just don't take the 40, that latest storm dumped on Northern NM/AZ.

Ship your electronics if you can't secure them beyond their being in the back seat of the car. Or bring them into the motel room when you do stop. That won't help when you stop to eat/bathroom though. From where you are, driving south to Atlanta and taking I20 into Tx to I10 will help with the weather but even I10 shuts down in Eastern AZ from snow occasionally and the added miles/gas/expenses etc. make it a very expensive route. I40 is probably clear but OK has the ice storm recovery going on. Just take chains, be careful and go one of the Northern routes (I80 or I40). Be willing to slow down/shut down if you hit inclement weather and have a safe trip.

Your tolls estimates are low if you go the northern route I80. WalMart will often have a grocery store inside where fresh produce will be available. I think you will need more motel money. You can't run your car to mitigate the cold when you sleep without incurring big increases in your fuel expenses but I think staying warm when you sleep in the car will have a greater effect on your sleeping than that other stuff you mention.

Watch out for the commies in the hills.