United States of America Travel Forum

Hello,
I have posted a few threads about the road trip I am planning for August, and have appreciated the help so far. I now have a tentative itinerary written out for about 3/4s of the trip, and would love any advice or suggestions you may have. Hours listed are estimated driving hours, and days marked with *** are routes I could especially use suggestions on.


Day 1: Norton, MA to NYC - 4 hours
Day 2: NYC to Philly - 2 hours
Day 3: Philly to Washington - 3 hours
Day 4: Washington to (somewhere around Charlotte, NC) - 5 hours ***
Day 5: Charlotte area to Acworth, GA (visiting family) - 5.5 hours
Day 6: Acworth, GA to Mobile/Montgomery area - 4 hours ***
Day 7: Mobile/Montgomery area to New Orleans - 4 hours
Day 8: New Orleans to Houston - 5.5 hours
Day 9-10: Houston to El Paso - 10.5 hours ***
Day 11-12: El Paso to Flagstaff - 8 hours ***
Tucson, Pheonix, Sedona route, or Albuquerque, Painted Desert route?
Day 13-14: Grand Canyon - 5 hours (?) Google maps shows that I would have to drive a circle around the canyon from Flagstaff to enter the park. I might adjust my route if this is true.
Day 15: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas / Lake Mead - 5-6 hours
Day 16-17: Las Vegas to Los Angeles - 4-6 hours (depending on traffic)
Day 18-19: Los Angeles to San Francisco - 6-7 hours
I have given myself 4 days in California, and will most likely include Yosemite, and another national park as well as the trip up the coast.
Day 20: San Francisco to Lake Tahoe/Reno - 4 hours
Day 21: Reno to Salt Lake City - 7 hours
Should I save time and head through Idaho straight to Yellowstone, or is Salt Lake City worth seeing?
Day 22-23: Salt Lake City to Yellowstone - 6 hours
I'd like to get a taste of the Rockies, but Colorado seems to be out of the way. Any ideas?
Day 24-25: Yellowstone to Badlands, SD - 10 hours
Still working on the return trip...

I am hoping to return to Norton, MA around day 30, although I will plan to stay 35 days to adjust for delays and extra stays in the most enjoyable places. Thanks for reading this far, and any suggestions, comments, related stories, etc. are appreciated!

Hi - are you only spending 1/2 to 1 day in each place?? 1 Day for NYC, Washington, DC, etc?

While admiring your ambition, I'm exhausted just reading this thing. Are you sure you want to spend so little time in so many places?

He's going to be spending alot of time in his car!!

Note about the Grand Canyon: In you're planning on visiting the South Rim, you drive north from Flagstaff
on 89 to Cameron, and then west on 64 to enter by the East Entrance, or 180 to Tusayan to enter from the South Entrance. There's really no "circle" per say - unless it's the North Rim you're planning on visiting?

You aren't allowing any time to do any sightseeing. Looks like maybe a 1/2 day in each place. If that's what you want, fine, but it will be just a drive-past and through trip.

I understand what you are saying... it might be quick. I think some of the most important aspects of our trip will be the adventure of seeing so many places (especially so many scenic national parks), and finally getting to California where we will spend 4 days. I like the idea of crossing so many landscapes in a month, and will be breaking up the drives with attractions along the way. If we find it to be too much we can always adjust as we go. Thanks for your input, and we will definitely consider allowing for more quality time in each place.

About 12 years ago the Wife and I went across the southern USA from Florida to California (I-10) We spent 2 1/2 months and saw quite a bit, but did not cover the area you say you will. I guess you will be able to write a story about the interstate highways system, and what you saw alongside those highways. You certainly won't have time to see anything else.

No doubt you are young and want to see it all.... now. I don't see the concept of driving by so many worthwhile stopping spots as being exciting. Do you have to make a return trip by road? Fly & hire vehicle to see the top places is an option. Or fly one way/ drive one way. I endorse the opinions of the above posters....recall being National-Parked-Out doing a fraction of what you plan during a 3 week Western States trip: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/a56e4/#TL

Well, I could probably comment on several of your segments, but will confine comments to two.
It's up to you which route you take from El Paso. If you take I-40 through Albuquerque and wanted to see the Painted Desert in eastern arizona you might be aware that the Desert is at the entrance to the Petrified Forest. Also along that route before you get to Flagstaff there is Meteor Crater just off the south side of the road.
Alternatively, if you take the southern route you will see some nice scenery. The saguaro cactus will only be seen on this route as it is pretty well exclusive to southern Arizona.
You could also make a short detour to Tombstone if you wanted. Anyhow, I-17 is a pretty drive, but try to avoid driving north out of Phoenix on Fridays and Saturdays or evening rush hours when everyone else is leaving town.
Secondly, re the Grand Canyon, you can drive north from Flag and enter the Park from the east entrance then head south from the other end to Williams. This would be on I-40 on your way to Vegas.
Now, I don't know what your preferences are, but I can tell you my opinion is there's more to see in San Francisco than LA.
The one sight I WOULD NOT MISS is the Grand Canyon if I were you.
Your plan overall may be a bit ambitious, but I wish you good luck and buon viaggio!
-- razorbacker

You are very ambitious...
I would just comment on Salt Lake City, dont need much time there.
I had fond memories of swimming in the Lake as a kid, now it's just
smelly and gross. Unless you want to see the Tabernacle, not much to see
in SLC. We took HWY 89 ( scenic) to Jackson Hole and then the South entrance of Yellowstone, very pretty drive. Took 5 hours to Jackson from SLC.
The Tetons are jaw dropping ( have to drive the 40 mile Grand Teton Loop)
then you can drive north up the Western edge of Yellowstone to see the geo thermal stuff. :)
Happy Travels.

Sorry forgot to add that it takes about 5 hours to drive from the south rim of the Grand Canyon... thru the painted desert.. past Lees Ferry... to the North rim. View is very similar altho much more peaceful and remote. Dont bother going to the North Rim though unless you are spending the night, it is really out of your way ~ and as I said, pretty much the same view. Steep climb from
Lee's Ferry , where the rafts "put in", to the North Rim. Dont get behind a slow RV!! :)
Oh, and stop at some of the Native American Stands you see roadside/Painted desert. Beautiful and reasonable jewelry and pottery. The poverty is alittle shocking.

Let me just enumerate on the area I know you are going to and not spending enough time. You said 10 hours between Yellowstone and the Badlands. Sure, but when driving in the park and getting to the park through the Tetons, it is often a 45 mph speed limit. You don't want to go faster through that area, as you might hit something standing in the road. Then it is bad to back cars with someone having to stop to pet the buffalo causing an emergency and slowing traffic to a halt. You won't get through it in 10 hours. Just to drive in and see Old Faithful you can count on several hours.

Oh, one more tip on your Day 18-19 drive from LA to SF: It takes a good bit longer than I-5 but I would STRONGLY advise you take the time to drive the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1. It is one of the most marvelous drives you will ever experience. Have plenty of film. Part of what takes so long is you HAVE to stop over and over to admire the great views and photograph the scenic coastline.
Do yourself a favor!!!
And though it's somewhat pricey I HIGHLY recommend stopping for a leisurely meal at Rocky Point Restaurant, 10 miles south of Carmel. You'll never eat in a more beautiful setting! It is WELL worth the price!
Buon viaggio, razorbacker

I totally forgot to mention: if you come up the northern route along I-40 to Flagstaff you might want to arrange your schedule for an overnight stop at Route 66's famous, kitschy Wigwam Motel. It's a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience and only $48 for one queen or $54 for 2 queens. I suggest reservations. www.galerie-kokopelli.com/wigwam/index.html.
And just a few miles further along is the Eagles' famous "standing on the corner in Winslow, Arizona" with a local park dedicated to the song and a large wall mural.
Once again, Happy Travels Rex