The fastest, and probably the cheapest way, to get from Chico, California, to Temple in Texas is to fly. This is not necessarily the most pleasant journey. For one thing, it takes seven hours and may include at least one, possibly, two or even more connections. Moving a family of four people, never mind the pets, will cost around $1,500 or even more. Consider making the journey by car using
Mapsco Maps.
Leaving the Bay Area and proceeding by car to somewhere like Houston on the Gulf coast of Texas would take just over a day, providing you drive around the clock and don't make any stops. This is clearly impractical. Take time and enjoy driving through the "extra" states of Arizona and New Mexico.
Taking the southern route, you drive south to Los Angeles and hug the Mexican border as best you can until you touch the border at Ciudad Juarez. From there, cut across the state, passing north of San Antonio, until you reach your destination in Temple, Texas. On the other hand, giving Juarez a wide berth might be a good idea. The city is notorious for female homicides.
The northern route involves turning east when you reach the junction of California with Nevada and Arizona. This way, you are driving through the northern halves of Arizona and New Mexico, a comfortable distance from the Mexican border. Proceed diagonally from the Texas panhandle until you reach your destination in San Antonio, Houston or wherever. Another option is to cross the panhandle then turn south to Dallas.
The estimated driving time does not take into account stops for meals, potty breaks, staying overnight or sightseeing. The decision how many overnight stops to make will depend mostly on how many young children and/or pets will be accompanying you. Remember also to incorporate a minimum of 15-minute rest stops to get out of the car, stretch your legs, get some fresh air and make sure you stay awake. Highways can be hypnotic, especially when the sun is blaring down on the road ahead and in your eyes.
If possible, bring at least one other qualified driver along with you. Apart from being able to keep you company, and awake, they can also take turns driving. This seems like a good place to mention you should make yourself familiar with motoring laws in each state you pass through. For instance, California allows rolling stops at red lights when turning right, others leap at the chance to catch California drivers unaware and make this maneuver illegal.
It is also worth bearing in mind that, especially if this is your first time driving this journey, whichever route you choose, the roads are going to be unfamiliar to you. For this reason, you will undoubtedly want to limit the hours spent driving in darkness. On the other hand, if the weather is hot, you will want to spent most of your driving hours during the cooler period during the days.
Setting out early, before sunrise, means that you have more daylight hours to explore when you do stop for the night. Take photos and make sure you have enough memory space in your camera or cell phone. Be safe. Have fun!