Planning cross country Road Trip?

Planning a cross country road trip, coast to coast, in the near future for fun and to visit family. Pushing to get to our destination but on way back will stop in a few major "tourist" areas, but main point is to visit family. The actual questions are: 1 - any areas like the New Mexico desert where Verizon Wireless doesn't really have coverage stretch on for many hours (route 40) where it would be advisable to buy a disposable phone for local emergencies? 2 - any known speed traps? Not that I speed but I have heard that some places ticket for a few miles above and since I use cruise control I want to make sure it's accurate. Route 40 will be the main route out west, coming back will hit Oklahoma City with more time to see memorial and then St. Louis. Any advice? I have spoken with people who have done this, said it's tiring but a beautiful drive and also suggested we detour around Flagstaff rather than stopping there since elevation is 7000 feet and there can be snow. How accurate is weather forecast and how long are delays if we do get inclimate weather? I realize this is scattered, you should be inside my brain right now with all the details so any advice is appreciated on road trippin east coast to west coat.....Thanks!