USA Road Trip R66 etc
Discussion
Voodoo Blue said:
We're planning a similar trip next year. We've done dozens of road trips across the States but never a coast to coast so want to do that with a few side trips. The difference is I'd like to ship my Boxster over and do the trip in that but need to look into the legalities and logistics.
Here….. a few years old but good readhttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Monument Valley is dramatically different at sunset. In my experience rent a house from Gouldings.Dirt cheap and sup clean,fully equipped.
MV is dry as it is in a reserve,but you can bring in your own drinks and food; the houses have all of the kitchen utensils etc. There is no prohibition look or concern if you bring your beer or wine.
If you just drive through during the day it is much less visually dramatic.
MV is dry as it is in a reserve,but you can bring in your own drinks and food; the houses have all of the kitchen utensils etc. There is no prohibition look or concern if you bring your beer or wine.
If you just drive through during the day it is much less visually dramatic.
excellent thread! This is something we're toying with for my 60th in a couple of years - but then there's also:
- Pacific Coast Highway (though I guess that a lot of that could be done from LA and just end in San Fran....)
- New England (and Niagara Falls) in 'the fall' along with seeing some of those lovely bridges before they're all gone
- Natchez Trail
- Pacific Coast Highway (though I guess that a lot of that could be done from LA and just end in San Fran....)
- New England (and Niagara Falls) in 'the fall' along with seeing some of those lovely bridges before they're all gone
- Natchez Trail
RDMcG said:
Monument Valley is dramatically different at sunset. In my experience rent a house from Gouldings.Dirt cheap and sup clean,fully equipped.
Yes, also recommend Gouldings. A bit basic, but what a location. MV is so photogenic and the light and shadows change so much throughout the day that its well worth staying in the parkmattyn1 said:
Voodoo Blue said:
We're planning a similar trip next year. We've done dozens of road trips across the States but never a coast to coast so want to do that with a few side trips. The difference is I'd like to ship my Boxster over and do the trip in that but need to look into the legalities and logistics.
Here….. a few years old but good readhttps://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
mattyn1 said:
This all started with a wish to do coast to coast in a Winnebago…. Probably influenced by De Niro’s in Meet the Fockers!
That city element put me off the huge motor home: we like the cities as well as the countryside, and it just would stress me too much I think. Plus, I like hotels.
So we morphed into the hire car mode. Then, as we started to browse we soon realised how big the place is, so while an ambition exists to do a trip where we see all 48 states, that will have to wait till we retire in about ten years time …… I reckon we will need four to five months.
Route 66 and a “tamer” (one month ish) trip, came to light, to test the water so to speak, but also as it’s something we can do now, while we are still working. Am very conscious we don’t know what will happen in the future, and would hate to be missing out for not grabbing an opportunity!
So summer 24 is a definite go it seems. Daughter has a pal who is interested….. just need to estimate costs etc and that means a larger SUV, which will be quite cool!
Would like to find somewhere where these SUVs are for sale and can actually see how big they are!
Envious of you doing the trips this year!! I hope you keep us informed how it goes!!!
They’re not that big tbh they just have ridiculously high bonnets that make them look menacing. A Tahoe is 5.35m L, 1.93 H and 2.06m W. For reference a new Range Rover is 5.05m L, 1.87m H and 2.05W. So basically a longer Range Rover. Then there’s the suburban which is just a Tahoe with an extra 40cm on the back.That city element put me off the huge motor home: we like the cities as well as the countryside, and it just would stress me too much I think. Plus, I like hotels.
So we morphed into the hire car mode. Then, as we started to browse we soon realised how big the place is, so while an ambition exists to do a trip where we see all 48 states, that will have to wait till we retire in about ten years time …… I reckon we will need four to five months.
Route 66 and a “tamer” (one month ish) trip, came to light, to test the water so to speak, but also as it’s something we can do now, while we are still working. Am very conscious we don’t know what will happen in the future, and would hate to be missing out for not grabbing an opportunity!
So summer 24 is a definite go it seems. Daughter has a pal who is interested….. just need to estimate costs etc and that means a larger SUV, which will be quite cool!
Would like to find somewhere where these SUVs are for sale and can actually see how big they are!
Envious of you doing the trips this year!! I hope you keep us informed how it goes!!!
Truckosaurus said:
Also, the roads are so big and the parking spaces are decently sized, driving a big SUV (I once had a rental Ford Expedition Max which is the same size as the Suburban) is no hassle at all, especially with plenty of power on tap.
Just don’t try to fuel the thing in Cali because it will bankrupt you. Try to make it into AZ.djc206 said:
Just don’t try to fuel the thing in Cali because it will bankrupt you. Try to make it into AZ.
Just do the usual trick of pretending foriegn currency transactions are just in Monopoly Money and don't do any mental calculations on the exchange rates.The same applies when playing the fruit machines in Vegas.
I did this around 10 years ago and I enjoyed it although I wouldn't do it again. The driving gets a bit monotonous across places like Oklahoma and Kansa where there really isn't much to do. Most of the memories are from picking a random local bar in the evening and just chatting to locals. There were a few nights which were completely free as they didn't meet many Brits so everyone wanted to buy you a drink. We were both sports fans so tried to take in a few events as we went across the country including College football, rodeos etc.
Few bits which stick in my head:
The blue hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Nice place to stop off for a swim.
The blue whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Not huge amount to see there but something a bit different.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Pops 66. Loads of different kinds of sodas to try out
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, just outside of Flagstaff.
Few bits which stick in my head:
The blue hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Nice place to stop off for a swim.
The blue whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Not huge amount to see there but something a bit different.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Pops 66. Loads of different kinds of sodas to try out
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, just outside of Flagstaff.
Edited by fiatpower on Sunday 30th April 17:03
Edited by fiatpower on Sunday 30th April 17:05
djc206 said:
They’re not that big tbh they just have ridiculously high bonnets that make them look menacing. A Tahoe is 5.35m L, 1.93 H and 2.06m W. For reference a new Range Rover is 5.05m L, 1.87m H and 2.05W. So basically a longer Range Rover. Then there’s the suburban which is just a Tahoe with an extra 40cm on the back.
Using this site (that was linked in another thread not so long back) https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/land-rove...and compared to mine: https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/cupra-for...
Edited by mattyn1 on Sunday 30th April 23:33
So last summer we did the following road trip over a 6 week period.
Flights from Manchester to Atlanta and pick up the car.
1 night in Chattanooga
2 nights in Nashville
2 nights in Memphis
Then north to Springfield MO, the next day we headed for Tulsa on route 66 we then spent about 2 weeks making our way to Williams. After that we did the Grand Canyon and headed into Utah, we did the National Parks staying at Page, Mohab, Richfield and Kanab. From there we went to Las Vegas for 4 nights.
We then went to LA via Death Valley, 4 nights in LA.
Finally we dropped the car off and got a flight to New York, did 4 nights in NYC and then home.
100% the best thing we have ever done by far, it was amazing.
Flights from Manchester to Atlanta and pick up the car.
1 night in Chattanooga
2 nights in Nashville
2 nights in Memphis
Then north to Springfield MO, the next day we headed for Tulsa on route 66 we then spent about 2 weeks making our way to Williams. After that we did the Grand Canyon and headed into Utah, we did the National Parks staying at Page, Mohab, Richfield and Kanab. From there we went to Las Vegas for 4 nights.
We then went to LA via Death Valley, 4 nights in LA.
Finally we dropped the car off and got a flight to New York, did 4 nights in NYC and then home.
100% the best thing we have ever done by far, it was amazing.
fiatpower said:
I did this around 10 years ago and I enjoyed it although I wouldn't do it again. The driving gets a bit monotonous across places like Oklahoma and Kansa where there really isn't much to do. Most of the memories are from picking a random local bar in the evening and just chatting to locals. There were a few nights which were completely free as they didn't meet many Brits so everyone wanted to buy you a drink. We were both sports fans so tried to take in a few events as we went across the country including College football, rodeos etc.
Few bits which stick in my head:
The blue hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Nice place to stop off for a swim.
The blue whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Not huge amount to see there but something a bit different.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Pops 66. Loads of different kinds of sodas to try out
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, just outside of Flagstaff.
Thanks for these fiatpower. Blue Hole - not read anything about that yet so thanks for the heads up. Few bits which stick in my head:
The blue hole in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Nice place to stop off for a swim.
The blue whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma. Not huge amount to see there but something a bit different.
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City
Pops 66. Loads of different kinds of sodas to try out
Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, just outside of Flagstaff.
The drive for me (and the mrs) is as much part of the experience (we hope) as is the destinations and the sights - which is something daughter is yet to appreciate I think.
RDMcG said:
Fascinating place and great phots RDMcG. 
mattyn1 said:
Using this site (that was linked in another thread not so long back) https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/land-rove...
and compared to mine: https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/cupra-for...
That’s a brilliant site, thanks.and compared to mine: https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/cupra-for...
Edited by mattyn1 on Sunday 30th April 23:33
See what I mean about that bonnet line? Not designed for pedestrian safety clearly.
its particularly useful when one is in a mundane Teams meeting! Just apply more care than I did when I was asked to share a window.... !!Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff