USA Road Trip R66 etc
Discussion
We have decided that in order to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, and the Mrs 50th birthday, we are going to do a road trip next summer - Route 66 but with a couple of "loops" to take in other "must sees".
We acknowledge to do this justice we will need to be away longer than the normal fortnight holiday - so have perhaps a month in our heads (maybe five weeks). Definitely us two, youngest daughter undecided - especially after I told her that she will not have access to snapchat TikTok while we are driving (and impressing we will be in the car a lot!!). She will be 17 next summer - I am not convinced she will want to come. I have offered we could take a mate if they paid their way - so it could be four of us - or just me & the Mrs.
If the latter, intent is to hire a convertible Mustang or preferably a Camaro or Challenger, just because we can. If more, then we shall look at one of the bigger US SUVs (a Tahoe, Yukon maybe) - regardless - the criteria is it has to be a car we cannot get in the UK (so sort of rules out a Mustang as our neighbour has one!!). Have ruled out RVing just because I foresee hassle in towns and cities.
The route will likely be Chicago to LA rather than the other way round - I have done some test costings for this summer and Chicago to LA seems to be a bit cheaper regarding flights and car hire.
Trouble is - I keep finding things I want to see or do that are not necessarily on Route66. Vegas, PCH, Pikes Peak, Death Valley, Million Dollar Highway, Royal Gorge Bridge, Loneliest Road, Yosemite, Grand Canyon (obviously), Monument Valley, Area 51 (or rather extra Terrestrial Highway), a 72oz steak challenge, and see some fun movie locations - Breaking Bad, in Albuquerque (lunch in Los Pollos Hermanos would be cool) and I see Longmire was filmed in Santa Fe and Las Vegas (the New Mexico one) for instance. I can see a route developing in my head!! However at severe risk of over doing this - so do need some sanity checks hence this thread starter.
Lots to see on YT - and lots of time to plan. I am a detailed planner - I get nervous when things are left to chance. Mrs is more into winging it - see where we end up. Some compromise is needed, but we have started compiling a list of must do, would like to do, and maybe we can do if we get chance! Also have discovered on YT .... road trip videos ... dash cam or GoPro videos of the route - finding these rather captivating. The real time vids can be rather tedious, but those that are speeded up are quite fun. Got me looking at action cameras though. GoPro 11 with screen mount.
It's a shame we don't have a proper classic motor - some real inspiration from Aircooled_Bug's 911 USA road trip thread where the photos of the UK plated 911 in deepest USA are so cool - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Also, RDMcG's threads are great reading: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
So, all being well, this has the makings of a trip of a lifetime. A lot of unknowns - can the Mrs get the time off (she starts a new job next month), will the youngest come along. Also, have a bit of time to get my jabs sorted just in case America play silly buggers - I have neglected to have any boosters!
Will add more as planning develops!
We acknowledge to do this justice we will need to be away longer than the normal fortnight holiday - so have perhaps a month in our heads (maybe five weeks). Definitely us two, youngest daughter undecided - especially after I told her that she will not have access to snapchat TikTok while we are driving (and impressing we will be in the car a lot!!). She will be 17 next summer - I am not convinced she will want to come. I have offered we could take a mate if they paid their way - so it could be four of us - or just me & the Mrs.
If the latter, intent is to hire a convertible Mustang or preferably a Camaro or Challenger, just because we can. If more, then we shall look at one of the bigger US SUVs (a Tahoe, Yukon maybe) - regardless - the criteria is it has to be a car we cannot get in the UK (so sort of rules out a Mustang as our neighbour has one!!). Have ruled out RVing just because I foresee hassle in towns and cities.
The route will likely be Chicago to LA rather than the other way round - I have done some test costings for this summer and Chicago to LA seems to be a bit cheaper regarding flights and car hire.
Trouble is - I keep finding things I want to see or do that are not necessarily on Route66. Vegas, PCH, Pikes Peak, Death Valley, Million Dollar Highway, Royal Gorge Bridge, Loneliest Road, Yosemite, Grand Canyon (obviously), Monument Valley, Area 51 (or rather extra Terrestrial Highway), a 72oz steak challenge, and see some fun movie locations - Breaking Bad, in Albuquerque (lunch in Los Pollos Hermanos would be cool) and I see Longmire was filmed in Santa Fe and Las Vegas (the New Mexico one) for instance. I can see a route developing in my head!! However at severe risk of over doing this - so do need some sanity checks hence this thread starter.
Lots to see on YT - and lots of time to plan. I am a detailed planner - I get nervous when things are left to chance. Mrs is more into winging it - see where we end up. Some compromise is needed, but we have started compiling a list of must do, would like to do, and maybe we can do if we get chance! Also have discovered on YT .... road trip videos ... dash cam or GoPro videos of the route - finding these rather captivating. The real time vids can be rather tedious, but those that are speeded up are quite fun. Got me looking at action cameras though. GoPro 11 with screen mount.
It's a shame we don't have a proper classic motor - some real inspiration from Aircooled_Bug's 911 USA road trip thread where the photos of the UK plated 911 in deepest USA are so cool - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Also, RDMcG's threads are great reading: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14...
So, all being well, this has the makings of a trip of a lifetime. A lot of unknowns - can the Mrs get the time off (she starts a new job next month), will the youngest come along. Also, have a bit of time to get my jabs sorted just in case America play silly buggers - I have neglected to have any boosters!
Will add more as planning develops!
gotoPzero said:
For grand canyon we stayed here
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42505412
Really, really nice people. Its on a real working ranch too.
Some rough coatings based on this summer show hotels in the US can be mentally expensive. Airbnb definitely the answer, and probably get some better quality….. just like that place. https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/42505412
Really, really nice people. Its on a real working ranch too.
Bonus to daughter loves llamas and alpacas!
Thanks for that link. Little nuggets like this will be valuable.
Rollin said:
I'm currently in the US doing some of the things you've mentioned.
I'm on a Harley though so different experience. I did the loneliest road from Moab to Lake Tahoe the other day and would say it's a lot more interesting than the Arizona bit of route 66 that I've done before. I've taken in Zion, Arches NP and Monument Valley on this trip too. Currently in Death Valley with the thermometer at 107F.
My advice would be to avoid the temptation to over plan. Monument Valley is pretty much 'drive through...enjoy the view' whereas it's a travesty to go to Zion and not do some hiking. Stop where you like the look of. I've always chosen small one bar towns to stay in at weekends as that's when the the locals come out and have a laugh.
Thanks. Actually twitching at the thought of minimal planning even though on the face of it the romantic free nature of such sounds fantastic.I'm on a Harley though so different experience. I did the loneliest road from Moab to Lake Tahoe the other day and would say it's a lot more interesting than the Arizona bit of route 66 that I've done before. I've taken in Zion, Arches NP and Monument Valley on this trip too. Currently in Death Valley with the thermometer at 107F.
My advice would be to avoid the temptation to over plan. Monument Valley is pretty much 'drive through...enjoy the view' whereas it's a travesty to go to Zion and not do some hiking. Stop where you like the look of. I've always chosen small one bar towns to stay in at weekends as that's when the the locals come out and have a laugh.
Edited by Rollin on Sunday 30th April 02:14
That’s some work I need to do on myself!
As I said before, I watch loads of the road trip videos on YT…… a few that have done The Loneliest Road look so cool. Will have to share the links I have found.
Monument Valley…. Obvs seeing the Forrest Gump point would be a great photo, and of course sunrise. The View Hotel there will not have prices for 2024 until Xmas, but did find a small bar that did rooms just up the road…….. well 50 miles up the road! San Juan I think.
How are you finding Death Valley?
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!!!
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!!!
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&...
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
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. 
Essarell said:
Spent Saturday afternoon booking the last of the hotels (17) for our C2C, all done and route finalised then watched Shawshank Redemption on Sat night and I noticed that the prison is kind of on our route, diversion added and a couple of extra songs to add to the “official route playlist “
Would you be willing to share the route and hotels please….. just out of interest? Am trying to build my route now.Also, I feel those little detours will be so important when you look back on the trip in a few years time. And playlists……. Absolutely critical!!
Essarell said:
Our route is pretty much determined by the states we have yet to visit, we start in NY and finish in Monterey, the really good way would be heading South towards the Blue Ridge Mountains then across to Nashville (and my favourite bar in the world “Roberts”) after that it would write itself, Memphis, Colorado, Monument Valley, Vegas then Death Valley to San Francisco.
Our route heads much farther North:
Montauk NY, Pittsburgh, Lafayette Indiana, Des Moine Iowa, Minneapolis, Fargo ND, Deadwood SD, Cody WY, Jackson WY (via Yellowstone NP), Boise Idaho, Walla Walla WA, Astoria OR, then follow the coast down to Newport OR, Eureka CA, Napa (to dine at one Thomas Kellers restaurants (Bouchon Bistro) sadly not the French Laundry, for two reasons, 1 it was fully booked and 2 I balked at the price…
Then it’s on to Tiburon (a ferry ride across the Bay from San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf) and finally into the always stunning Monterey for a beer or 3 at the Alvarado St Brewery, a bite to eat at the first Bubba Gumps and a swim in the sea at Carmel beach.
Just over 5000 miles in 2 1/2 weeks, we have a pick up truck booked and hotels are a mix of:
Hampton Inn, Kimpton, C’Mon Inn (cool chain of hotels in the Northern States) and some independently owned hotels.
Stops along the way are the usual mix of cultural and musical, along the lines of:
20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay NY (Billy Joel’s bike shop) Hoboken New Jersey to visit Sinatra Park, Shawshank Prison, Route 66, Joliet Prison (opening scene from Blues Brothers) Iowa 80 truck-stop, the Future birth place of James T Kirk(Riverside IA), Paisley Park (Prince’s legendary recording studio complex), Fargo movie locations……list goes on (and on) but i have a couple of really good guide books: Thousand Places to see before you die and the Lonely Planet USA’s best road trips.
My bold. Wow!! My rough plan, which I am titivating before posting here, I am estimating to be 5k miles and reckon we will take five weeks - I was thinking we were biting too much off but you have given me confidence we are ok - though we will be doing a hell of a lot of sight seeing too. Our route heads much farther North:
Montauk NY, Pittsburgh, Lafayette Indiana, Des Moine Iowa, Minneapolis, Fargo ND, Deadwood SD, Cody WY, Jackson WY (via Yellowstone NP), Boise Idaho, Walla Walla WA, Astoria OR, then follow the coast down to Newport OR, Eureka CA, Napa (to dine at one Thomas Kellers restaurants (Bouchon Bistro) sadly not the French Laundry, for two reasons, 1 it was fully booked and 2 I balked at the price…
Then it’s on to Tiburon (a ferry ride across the Bay from San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf) and finally into the always stunning Monterey for a beer or 3 at the Alvarado St Brewery, a bite to eat at the first Bubba Gumps and a swim in the sea at Carmel beach.
Just over 5000 miles in 2 1/2 weeks, we have a pick up truck booked and hotels are a mix of:
Hampton Inn, Kimpton, C’Mon Inn (cool chain of hotels in the Northern States) and some independently owned hotels.
Stops along the way are the usual mix of cultural and musical, along the lines of:
20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay NY (Billy Joel’s bike shop) Hoboken New Jersey to visit Sinatra Park, Shawshank Prison, Route 66, Joliet Prison (opening scene from Blues Brothers) Iowa 80 truck-stop, the Future birth place of James T Kirk(Riverside IA), Paisley Park (Prince’s legendary recording studio complex), Fargo movie locations……list goes on (and on) but i have a couple of really good guide books: Thousand Places to see before you die and the Lonely Planet USA’s best road trips.
We have Joliet Prison as a stop too - but we were big fans of Prison Break.
Incidentally, a finding Google Maps as a planning tool too restrictive. Will be useful for the nav part, but am finding Bing Maps to be better for the early planning stages.
Have you considered https://roadtrippers.com ? It's a pay/subscribe site but considering paying for the access........ looks quite useful.
Edited by mattyn1 on Tuesday 9th May 23:39
Am so jealous! The trip sounds amazing.
Have this week got my knickers in a bit of a twist regarding cool boxes. Not convinced one would last being through hold luggage so intend to on arrival nip to Walmart and get one. Obvious solution is to use the hotel ice machines but was concerned of actual availability. We def need one as the wife is T1 diabetic, and she has her syringes etc. So was thinking of a plug in one but crikey they seem expensive, what do I do with it at the end, and what if the car does not have a 12v socket in the boot? So now have a couple of those socket adapter things (runs from a 12v and has US socket and USBs). I do overthink stuff!
This eased as I watch tv….. looking in the back ground of scenes at petrol stations and I can see ice machines everywhere. So now decided on getting a simple large normal cool box as we know we will be able to cope.
So am calm now!
Oh, and the San Francisco worries me, and need to look at an alternative stop after Yosemite. Thinking of Napa and then maybe to San Jose, and take in all the bridges, but keep trucking through SF.
Have this week got my knickers in a bit of a twist regarding cool boxes. Not convinced one would last being through hold luggage so intend to on arrival nip to Walmart and get one. Obvious solution is to use the hotel ice machines but was concerned of actual availability. We def need one as the wife is T1 diabetic, and she has her syringes etc. So was thinking of a plug in one but crikey they seem expensive, what do I do with it at the end, and what if the car does not have a 12v socket in the boot? So now have a couple of those socket adapter things (runs from a 12v and has US socket and USBs). I do overthink stuff!
This eased as I watch tv….. looking in the back ground of scenes at petrol stations and I can see ice machines everywhere. So now decided on getting a simple large normal cool box as we know we will be able to cope.
So am calm now!
Oh, and the San Francisco worries me, and need to look at an alternative stop after Yosemite. Thinking of Napa and then maybe to San Jose, and take in all the bridges, but keep trucking through SF.
Edited by mattyn1 on Saturday 20th May 13:13
Because I am looking at summer 2024, I have based costings on this summer - so really hoping these come down somewhat. It appears it will just be me and the mrs now - daughter said at the weekend she does not want to go - which I am not surprised at to be honest. I would not want five weeks in the car with my parents when I was 17!!
But as follows:
Planning a five week jaunt - in Jul/Aug 24.
Flights Heathrow-Chicago, Los Angeles-Heathrow (economy) £1400. (Mrs has never flown Business so might plump for this and will see prices when they come available).
Car Hire (Mustang or preferably a Camaro) £2500-£3000.
Fuel. Approx £1300 for the estimated 5-6k miles. No idea how accurate this is but I used this to guide: https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/USA/gasoline_pr...
Accom £3600 (approx £100 per night - motels etc).
Food: Tricky but probably over egging this at £100 per day each. So £7000. There is method in this madness......
Contingency Budget: £40 each per day (probably on an empty CC and is strictly just in case). so approx £3000.
Then adding some sight seeing etc - Grand Canyon helicopter trip (£500), Universal Studios - although maybe not as the kids aint coming (£300), want to go to Royal Gorge in Co (really expensive at £200) and do some stuff there, plus some others that will still add up (think Yosemite, Hollywood, the Parks Pass, Pikes Peak, Alcatraz, Monument Valley, going up Willis Tower, and of course a couple of airport lounges (will definitely need one coming home as we will look for a night flight back so will need somewhere to shower etc).
there will be other stuff to pay for to see/do. That's where my over budget for food comes in.
Not much change out of £20k. ish BUT with a hope unless it goes wrong I will bring home (not spend) £2-3K.
So all being well, broadly £17k.
But as follows:
Planning a five week jaunt - in Jul/Aug 24.
Flights Heathrow-Chicago, Los Angeles-Heathrow (economy) £1400. (Mrs has never flown Business so might plump for this and will see prices when they come available).
Car Hire (Mustang or preferably a Camaro) £2500-£3000.
Fuel. Approx £1300 for the estimated 5-6k miles. No idea how accurate this is but I used this to guide: https://www.globalpetrolprices.com/USA/gasoline_pr...
Accom £3600 (approx £100 per night - motels etc).
Food: Tricky but probably over egging this at £100 per day each. So £7000. There is method in this madness......
Contingency Budget: £40 each per day (probably on an empty CC and is strictly just in case). so approx £3000.
Then adding some sight seeing etc - Grand Canyon helicopter trip (£500), Universal Studios - although maybe not as the kids aint coming (£300), want to go to Royal Gorge in Co (really expensive at £200) and do some stuff there, plus some others that will still add up (think Yosemite, Hollywood, the Parks Pass, Pikes Peak, Alcatraz, Monument Valley, going up Willis Tower, and of course a couple of airport lounges (will definitely need one coming home as we will look for a night flight back so will need somewhere to shower etc).
there will be other stuff to pay for to see/do. That's where my over budget for food comes in.
Not much change out of £20k. ish BUT with a hope unless it goes wrong I will bring home (not spend) £2-3K.
So all being well, broadly £17k.
I said before I was a detailed planner - just need to have that broad outline in my head what we are doing when. Mrs is keener to wing it!
After Monument Valley, if I can get to Holbrook, we can stay in the wigwam hotel and do Petrified Forest scenic drive before we hit the GC. Really depends on how long we spend at MV.
Area 51 after DV also is of concern - seems a lot for not much, but on the list as it seems a cool place to go, and I want to do the Loneliest Road, and Area 51 seems to link it together.
Seriously considering curtailing San Francisco based on the stories on that thread, and maybe just driving through and doing the bridges. Contemplating Yosemite to Napa Valley, to San Jose instead of the two nights in SF.
And I know - August - going to be a tadge warm. As its just me & the Mrs (for now until others change their minds) we are thinking convertible - but the heat is going to be a factor so sensible me is wondering whether we do a smaller SUV. Unsure just yet. Need to investigate the car rental piece a little more.
| Day | What | Miles | Sights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heathrow Airport Hotel | - | - |
| 2 | Fly to Chicago | - | - |
| 3 | Chicago | - | Willis Tower, Deep Dish Pizza, Navy Pier |
| 4 | Chicago-Springfield Il | 200 | R66, Joliet Prison, |
| 5 | Springfield-St Louis | 120 | Gateway Arch |
| 6 | St Louis-Springfield Mo | 215 | R66 |
| 7 | Springfield-Oklahoma City | 293 | R66, OK Memorial |
| 8 | Oklahoma City-Amarillo | 257 | R66, 72oz Steak Challenge |
| 9 | Amarillo-Albuquerque | 387 | R66 |
| 10 | Albuquerque | - | Rest day, Breaking Bad locations |
| 11 | Albuquerque-Canon City | 374 | Las Vegas NM Longmire Locations, |
| 12 | Canon City-Colorado Springs | 50 | Skyline Drive, Royal Gorge Park |
| 13 | Colorado Springs | 50 | Up/down Pikes Peak |
| 14 | Colorado Springs-Glenwood Springs | 200 | Independence Pass, Aspen, GW Caverns |
| 15 | Glenwood Springs-Durango | 300 | Million Dollar Highway |
| 16 | Durango-Monument Valley | 170 | Four Corners Monument, Forrest Gump Point, Monument Valley Sunset |
| 17 | Monument Valley-Gallup | 190 | Monument Valley Sunrise, Scenic drive |
| 18 | Gallup-Grand Canyon | 240 | GC Helicopter Tour, Sunset |
| 19 | Grand Canyon | - | Rest day, GC West Shuttles |
| 20 | Grand Canyon-Bryce Canyon | 317 | GC East Scenic drive, Navajo Bridge |
| 21 | Bryce Canyon-Las Vegas | 267 | Bryce scenic drive, Zion NP, Vegas Strip dusk drive |
| 22 | Las Vegas | - | erm – Vegas!! |
| 23 | Las Vegas-Barstow | 320 | Hoover Dam, R66 |
| 24 | Barstow-Death Valley | 153 | R66, DV Sunset, |
| 25 | Death Valley | - | DV Sunrise, DV Stuff |
| 26 | Death Valley-Alamo | 286 | Extra Terrestrial Highway, Area 51 |
| 27 | Alamo-Ely | 192 | Loneliest Road in USA, US Railroad Museum |
| 28 | Ely-Reno | 320 | Loneliest Road in USA |
| 29 | Reno-Yosemite | 250 | South Lake Tahoe, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass |
| 30 | Yosemite | - | Yosemite Stuff, Yosemite Sunset dinner train |
| 31 | Yosemite | - | more Yosemite stuff |
| 32 | Yosemite-San Francisco | 184 | Golden Gate Bridge |
| 33 | San Francisco | - | Alcatraz |
| 34 | San Francisco-San Simeon | 288 | PCH, Big Sur |
| 35 | San Simeon-Los Angeles | 250 | PCH, Santa Barb, Sunset Ranch (Hollywood sign) |
| 36 | Los Angeles | - | Universal Studios |
| 37 | Los Angeles-Santa Monica Pier-LAX | 40 | H’wood Blvd, Rodeo drive, Pier, Venice Beach, LAX, Ditch Car, Shower, home! |
After Monument Valley, if I can get to Holbrook, we can stay in the wigwam hotel and do Petrified Forest scenic drive before we hit the GC. Really depends on how long we spend at MV.
Area 51 after DV also is of concern - seems a lot for not much, but on the list as it seems a cool place to go, and I want to do the Loneliest Road, and Area 51 seems to link it together.
Seriously considering curtailing San Francisco based on the stories on that thread, and maybe just driving through and doing the bridges. Contemplating Yosemite to Napa Valley, to San Jose instead of the two nights in SF.
And I know - August - going to be a tadge warm. As its just me & the Mrs (for now until others change their minds) we are thinking convertible - but the heat is going to be a factor so sensible me is wondering whether we do a smaller SUV. Unsure just yet. Need to investigate the car rental piece a little more.
Essarell said:
Nicely done, San Fran can be rough, we had gun shots late at night outside our hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf which in all honesty is a tourist trap, having said that we’ll be there in a week or so, staying in Tiburon and use the Ferry (Sausalito is also a good option) you’ll do the other SF stuff in the car, Lombard St and Coit Tower. Napa and Monterey make good alternatives to SF.
Re the Grand Canyon is go for the North Rim instead, you’ll be that way anyway if your doing Monument Valley etc, views are far better (the North Rim is a 1000ft higher and it gets a lot less visitors.
Tracking through Oklahoma Id recommend staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, they have live music and dancing at Track 5 and its proper cowboy country. The memorial to the Oklahoma Bombing is incredibly well done, truly poignant and very moving.
St Louis also has the Budweiser Brewery which is worth a stop.
I’m not a big eater so there’s no way I could do the Big Texan Strak challenge but it’s a great place to visit.
Likewise the Breaking Bad locations, Walt’s House has cones outside and we’ve used the car wash which was hilarious.
Good points to consider re alternatives to SF, thank you. Re the Grand Canyon is go for the North Rim instead, you’ll be that way anyway if your doing Monument Valley etc, views are far better (the North Rim is a 1000ft higher and it gets a lot less visitors.
Tracking through Oklahoma Id recommend staying at the Hard Rock Hotel, they have live music and dancing at Track 5 and its proper cowboy country. The memorial to the Oklahoma Bombing is incredibly well done, truly poignant and very moving.
St Louis also has the Budweiser Brewery which is worth a stop.
I’m not a big eater so there’s no way I could do the Big Texan Strak challenge but it’s a great place to visit.
Likewise the Breaking Bad locations, Walt’s House has cones outside and we’ve used the car wash which was hilarious.
Was aware of your comments about North Rim of GC - need to have a think about that - we want to do the helicopter ride, and we want to do as much of R66 as possible - wonder if I could come in from Williams, and do the helicopter tour, then next day do the eastward scenic drive to North rim. mmmmm........
djc206 said:
Looks like an awesome itinerary. I would probably look to spend a whole day at Zion rather than trying to do both that and Bryce in the same day. It’s worth hiking up angels landing for the view of the valley, stunning, you do need permits now I believe.
In Albuquerque I can recommend the El Vado motel, pretty cool restoration they’ve done.
Yeah thanks - you are not the first to suggest that about Zion/Bryce. Need to work out the detail but if I do the North rim as Essarell suggests, I could do Zion after North rim. Been recommended a scenic drive between Bryce and Zion so need to look at how much of that I can do as I head to Vegas.In Albuquerque I can recommend the El Vado motel, pretty cool restoration they’ve done.
Not convinced the Mrs will be able to do Angels Landing - she is mega scared of heights and looking tonight on YT - but it looks mega!
Essarell said:
Re the Grand Canyon is go for the North Rim instead, you’ll be that way anyway if your doing Monument Valley etc, views are far better (the North Rim is a 1000ft higher and it gets a lot less visitors.
Have had a quick look at this while in a rather dull Teams meeting this morning. Can't seem to find a helicopter tour from North Rim, so broad plan:Day 17: Monument Valley sunrise, then scenic drive, and head to Holbrook via as much of R66 as possible and stay in the Wigwam motel (Mrs is very keen to do this).
Day 18: Head up to Grand Canyon South Rim and get the helicopter tour from Tusayan/GC Village in the early afternoon. Then do South Rim for sunset (maybe the shuttle). Stay in Tusayan.
Day 19: Do GC Eastward scenic drive but head to Page to see Antelope Canyon (or at the very least, Horseshoe bend, back along to Navajo Bridge and head to possibly Jacob Lake overnight, or even North Rim Lodge if it is open.
Day 20: Explore GC North Rim, same accommodation overnight.
Day 21: Early start, Drive to Zion NP, Angels Landing, and take in as much of the scenic drive as poss. Still arrive Vegas after sunset.
Day 22: As per the plan above.
Have to say the anecdotes of crowds at South rim did bother me, so this advice and a broad plan (i know it needs fettling) sits quite nicely. Thank you!!
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