Need help planning a road trip out west?
by admin on Thursday, July 7th, 2011 | 3 Comments
So my boyfriend and I are thinking about taking a road trip from Wisconsin to the western USA at the end of August, and we need some advice on where to go. We’re both pretty energetic individuals that love camping and hiking, and we’re really interested in seeing the classic national park sights and geological features like the Grand Canyon, Old Faithful, or the Mesas. However, my conception of distances between some of these places is pretty poor and I’d like some help planing an itinerary from others who have actually been there before. Thanks.
You are talking some big differences. Grand Canyon would be the southern route across the USA through Arizona. Old Faithful would be Yellowstone which you would take I90 across the USA. You should get out a road atlas for the USA and study it and decide what places are more important.
First off, a one week itinerary is too short, so if that’s the amount of time you have, go to ONE destination, and forget about wandering around. (It’s 2+ days drive from Wisconson, and 2+ days back. It would leave you 3ish days to enjoy 1 spot.)
2 weeks is still kind of short for a wandering road trip of the kind that would take you from Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon. It IS doable, but it would take some long driving days, and not give you a ton of time to explore.
So. From Wisconson. It’s a FULL days drive across South Dakota and Wyoming … not to mention Minnesota. Plan on a day and a half to drive to Yellowstone. 3 days is cutting it short in Yellowstone, because there is so much to do and see, but after 5 days, you’d be bored unless you are planning on back country trips or lots of fishing. Think 3 full days in Yellowstone. (4 nights) and then a day or two in the Tetons/Jackson Hole.
From there, it’s a good 10 hours to Arches or Zion’s national Park. (Different sides of Utah. Pick one on the way down and one on the way back up.) Say Arches first. Arches is small so 1 full day (2 nights) is plenty of time there. You are at 9 nights already.
If you are down in that part of the country, stop by Lake Powell. It’s just beautiful. Unless you are going to rent a boat for the day, though, just stop for the night. From Lake Powell, you could go east to Four Corners, Mesa Verde, and a few other spots. Or you could go West to the Grand Canyon. It’s another full day drive to the Grand Canyon (passing through Monument valley on the way). Stay overnight at the Grand Canyon. If you want to trek to the bottom, you need to arrange permits, and camping equipment. (It’s a day down, and a day back up.) So that’s another day and 2 nights. (Running total 13 nights).
From the Grand Canyon, head north to Zion’s Ntl Park. (One of the most beautiful places on earth.) If you want to get out and do some real hiking, there are some great spots. 2 days (3 nights if you want to hike).
After Zion’s, you can drive to Bryce Canyon or Cedar breaks for some spectacular views. (Add another night.) And then you’d pretty much just be driving home. Total travel time would be about 3 weeks.
Hope that helps!
Ok, try these two:
http://www.mygola.com/things-to-do-at-zion-national-park/q3899
The second one goes in the opposite direction (West to east) but you’ll find some interesting things along the way.
http://www.mygola.com/road-trip-from-los-angeles-to-west-des-moines/q4426
You can ask your own question about the itinerary on the site too.