http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/ This is a discussion forum providing information about road trips in North America en Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:21:11 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/ http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23523-Summer-2010-AL-to-West-Coast-car-camping&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:04:16 GMT I've spent several hours on here the past few nights since I've discovered this site! What a great resource.

My husband and I plan to make a long (4-6 week) road trip from Alabama, our home state, to the West Coast and back next summer after he graduates in May. We plan to mostly camp, since this is something both of us are comfortable with and will make the trip cheaper too. I see there are tons of threads on here that have been/will be helpful to us, and any additional tips or pointers to helpful threads are welcome. We are most interested in seeing the national parks along the way, perhaps traveling the northern route one way and the southern route the other (like going through Grand Canyon on our way out to the coast and through Colorado coming back or vice versa). We love photography/videography and hope to capture as much of the trip as we can on film.

Anybody who, like us, is most interested in the beauty of nature and seeing more natural beauty than big city attractions that has done something similar and can give us suggestions? I'd love to hear of the top national parks we should make sure to see, the most beautiful spots between AL and the West Coast we shouldn't miss, etc.

Oh, and we plan to bring our tandem road bike for scenic rides (any road bikers out there with awesome route suggestions?).

We have over a year to plan, but I want to start early so we can enjoy the planning and make it as memorable as possible. This will likely be the biggest trip we take for years to come, since we'll be doing it after my husband graduates and before he starts his first "real" job, before we have kids, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Kristi ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips kdawnrn http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23523-Summer-2010-AL-to-West-Coast-car-camping http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23522-Tips-amp-should-knows-for-Route-66-LA-gt-GC&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:10:21 GMT Hey all,
Am heading over to your fair country in a couple of months and am road-tripping from LAX to the GC, via Vegas and through Death Valley & Yosemite to San Fran at the beginning of May. Have been reading up on the threads (since that seems a pretty common route :) ) and have gotten some good ideas on things to look out for, so thanks for that. :)

I do have a question concerning the LA-Flagstaff section of the drive. We're trying to take Route 66 as much as possible; I've downloaded the GPS route for it so hopefully won't have too much trouble staying on it, but I'm hoping y'all can give me a some pointers on a couple of things, namely:

- Sections of the Route that I definitely shouldn't miss
- Sections that would be better to avoid/aren't really worth seeing/could take days.

Don't mind taking it slow but am still pretty much counting on getting to the Grand Canyon in the one day.. deosn't seem like that should be too difficult but would welcome all your tips, etc.. :) ]]> Favorite Routes in North America a13a http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23522-Tips-amp-should-knows-for-Route-66-LA-gt-GC http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23521-California-Highway-the-best-time-to-travel&goto=newpost Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:46:37 GMT We are planning a road trip on Hwy 1 from San Deigo to San Francisco in May 2010, and when researching it, we found a post from someone who did that trip and said the traffic was bumper to bumper the whole way. That is really off-putting as this is once in a lifetime thing for us and want to do it... We are planning a road trip on Hwy 1 from San Deigo to San Francisco in May 2010, and when researching it, we found a post from someone who did that trip and said the traffic was bumper to bumper the whole way. That is really off-putting as this is once in a lifetime thing for us and want to do it at the best time. What suggestions do you have? We would really appreciate your advise. Thanks! ]]> Spring RoadTrips 61lorraine http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23521-California-Highway-the-best-time-to-travel http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23520-super-secret-forum&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:30:52 GMT I have over 50 posts and the super secret section for the 50+ members didn't open up for me. I wasn't sure if this opens up automatically and something is amiss. Thanks! ]]> jimzdj36 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23520-super-secret-forum http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23516-San-Diego-to-Vegas-via-Mojave&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:05:14 GMT We are going to Vegas next weekend and would like to stop at Mojave national park. We plan to start early in morning around 4 a.m from San Diego so that we are in Mojave by 12. What is the best route so that we can spend few hours at Mojave before we hit towards LV? Should we take exit at Baker... We are going to Vegas next weekend and would like to stop at Mojave national park. We plan to start early in morning around 4 a.m from San Diego so that we are in Mojave by 12. What is the best route so that we can spend few hours at Mojave before we hit towards LV? Should we take exit at Baker exit at 15 or take 40 via 15 and then enter Mojave? What all can we cover in Mojave in 3 hours? Any other tips? Thanks. ]]> Spring RoadTrips Frances http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23516-San-Diego-to-Vegas-via-Mojave http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23515-New-York-Niagara-East-Lansing-Pittsburgh-Washington-New-York&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:31:38 GMT Hello
I'm planning the following route for begening of May:

Day 1: New York - Niagara Falls
Day 2: Visit at Niagara Falls, then going towards East Lansing (via Cleveland and Toledo). We'll sleep in a hotel or motel on the road.
Day 3: Arriving in East Lansing, and stay ther for 8 days
Day 12: East Lansing - Pittsburgh
Day 13: Pittsburgh - Washington DC
Day 14: Washington - New York

Please tell me if it is achievable, and tell me about MUST SEE places on the road and maybe some cheap places to sleep.

I'm from Romania and I'll be with my family. We don't have time for museums, only sightseeings.
Maybe something on Erie lake, because i like boats.

Any other advice will be appreciated.

Thank you! ]]> Spring RoadTrips mihai http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23515-New-York-Niagara-East-Lansing-Pittsburgh-Washington-New-York http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23514-Spring-road-trip-hopes-come-ride-with-me&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:04:32 GMT I am planning a ride from the Northwest down the coast to the southern border then east to Texas and up to chase some tornadoes in Oklahoma. I'm planning a start in late April to early May. Sooo, I will be ridding from San Diego to Phoenix about day 6 through 9. 94 looks great east through the mountains from the coast. I see on Google maps a green strip that runs basically from Yuma to Phoenix. it just looks like the way to stay off 8. Well I will be looking for people to ride with along the way. My trip home will be Santa Fe, four corners, Hy 50 across Nevada to Reno then back through central Oregon home. Start and end dates are open. The goals are to meet people and ride the road. Here's to a great ride! ]]> Share the Gas cearlie http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23514-Spring-road-trip-hopes-come-ride-with-me http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23513-phoenix-to-san-diego-ideas-appreciated!!&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:18:08 GMT hi everyone!
i'm new here! we are planing a road trip from phoenix to san diego area, then back. we'd so appreciate any tips and ideas!!
these are some of the things we love, if that helps--
natural beauty, nice hiking trials, interesting little towns, yummy food, wild flowers, something unique near mexican border, ...
we have 4-6 days and are open to detuors!
thanks in advance and happy spring!
bliss ]]> Spring RoadTrips bliss2010 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23513-phoenix-to-san-diego-ideas-appreciated!! http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23512-Columbus-to-LA-(Route-66)&goto=newpost Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:07 GMT Hey!

I've been enthralled by Route 66 for about a year now. This upcoming summer I am looking to drive along Route 66 with a few friends. I am 17, going into college next year so this will probably be the last time I can spend time with these friends, so we want to do something meaningful. And well, traveling Route 66 seemed to be the best plan...so basically I was wondering if anyone has done something like this before and if you did this after high school...

Any advice on convincing the parents?


TIA! ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Parthew http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23512-Columbus-to-LA-(Route-66) http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23510-Spring-Sports-Tour&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:22:57 GMT I'm planning a post university graduation 10 day road trip with my brother to the New England in early May to take in as many minor league sports games as possible. The only definite destination in Manchester, NH to watch a baseball game. Any suggestions on other great sports towns in NE to catch a game in May? ]]> Spring RoadTrips stu http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23510-Spring-Sports-Tour http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23509-New-to-Forum!-Planning-Vegas-to-Vancouver-Roadtrip!!&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:38:29 GMT Hi! My name is Rhonda and my husband and are in the beginning stages of planning our roadtrip for this September. This site looks like an excellent resource. :) With a 4 week sabbatical from his job and the option to pretty much go anywhere in the world (within our budget), we looked for what... Hi! My name is Rhonda and my husband and are in the beginning stages of planning our roadtrip for this September. This site looks like an excellent resource. :)

With a 4 week sabbatical from his job and the option to pretty much go anywhere in the world (within our budget), we looked for what would be the best value vs. length vs. awesomeness we could find in a vacation. After listening to all our friends saying "you have to go to Europe" we briefly looked into it and then changed our minds when we realized it would cost $1500-2k just to GET there this summer. In my opinion this is probably the only time in our lives (until retirement and empty-nesting) that we could potentially take a LONG vacation since we don't have kids yet. So that's what we're doing. :)

In August 2007 we drove from San Francisco to San Diego on Highway 1 for a week and had an AMAZING time. There is no better feeling than driving the coast with the top down and music playing, going at your own pace and having the freedom to stop and see whatever you want.

I'm in the beginning stages of planning our trip but here is our tentative route for the Ultimate Roadtrip 2010:

-Fly from ATL to Vegas. Stay 2-3 nights. (I've never been, husband has. I'm not a gambler so I think I'd be perfectly fine with 2 nights.)

-Pick up convertible, drive to Hoover Dam, then head south a bit and drive stretch of Old Route 66. For some reason I'm obsessed with seeing Amboy and some of the old deserted towns and driving literally in the middle of nowhere. I don't think the husband understands this desire but is open to it. :)

-Head north and hit Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks. Still deciding how many nights and where to stay.

-At some point (probably after Yosemite?) cut over and hit the coast. Ideally this would be at/slightly above San Fransisco. My goals in this area are to see Point Reyes and maybe spend an afternoon and one night in wine country. Last time we did Sonoma/some of the smaller wine regions around there and loved it.

-Drive up California coast, stopping maybe in Mendocino, Eureka, Redwood Forest, etc. Open to suggestions.

-Drive up Oregon coast, stopping at cool sights, probably cut in to Portland since I hear the Washington coast isn't as scenic to drive since the highway doesn't hug the coast like it does in California & Oregon.

-Drive up to Seattle, turn in car. Spend 2 nights in Seattle.

-Take Amtrak train into Vancouver. Spend 2 nights in Vancouver.

-Board Norwegian cruise ship in Vancouver. We found an amazing deal for a 5 night cruise. Stops in Astoria and San Fran and ends in L.A.

-Fly L.A. to ATL

-Recover from what will surely be an awesome vacation.

Since the only firm dates we are working with are the dates for the cruise, I'm planning our itinerary backwards. I've gone ahead and booked our bed & breakfasts (we're going to try to only stay in them...since it gives a unique experience to each town) in Vancouver and Seattle. We know there are bound to be a couple of long driving days, but we're hoping to evenly-ish space out our overnights so it's not completely overwhelming. We think we'll have a little more than 2 weeks from the time we fly into Vegas to the morning our cruise leaves in Vancouver, making the whole trip slightly more than 3 weeks.

We'd like to drive the scenic coast as much as possible, but am willing to journey inland if a site warrants it. I'm doing research but am open to any suggestions for must stops and sites. We're in our late 20's, but like history, quaint towns, weird sites, and good beer (which I hear Oregon has its fair share). :)

I'm sure I've written the longest first post in the history of the internets so I'll end it here.

Happy planning! :) ]]> GirlFriday http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23509-New-to-Forum!-Planning-Vegas-to-Vancouver-Roadtrip!! http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23508-West-USA-Road-Trip&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:13:07 GMT Hello! My boyfriend and I are planning a road trip for 24 days between 24 April and 18 May. Our plan looks like this: 1. Flying to San Francisco, 1 night 2. San Francisco - South Lake Tahoe, 1 night 3. South Lake Tahoe - Lone Pine (we stop at Bodie, Mono Lake), 1 night 4. Lone Pine - Las... Hello!

My boyfriend and I are planning a road trip for 24 days between 24 April and 18 May. Our plan looks like this:

1. Flying to San Francisco, 1 night
2. San Francisco - South Lake Tahoe, 1 night
3. South Lake Tahoe - Lone Pine (we stop at Bodie, Mono Lake), 1 night
4. Lone Pine - Las Vegas (through Death Valley) 2 nights
5. Las Vegas – Zion Park, 1 night
6. Zion – Page, 1 night
7. Page (Antelope Canyon) – Kayenta, 1 night
8. Kayenta – Chinle (Through Monument Valley), 1 night
9. Chinle (Canyon De Chelly) – Show Low, 1 night
10. Show Low – Tucson, 1 night
11. Tucson (Saguaro National Park)– Phoenix, 2 nights
12. Phoenix – Cameron, 1 night
13. Cameron – Williams (Through Grand Canyon ), 1 night
14. Williams – Twentinine palms, 1 night
15. Twentinine palms (Joshua National Park) – San Diego, 2 nights
16. San Diego –Los Angeles, 2 nights
17. LA - Sequoia park, 1 night in Fresno
18. Fresno – Yosemite - San Francisco, 3 nights

Do you guys have any suggestions or comments about this trip? Do we need to pay attention on anything on that route?

Thanks a lot! Nice greetings from Slovenia!

Katja ]]> Spring RoadTrips Katika http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23508-West-USA-Road-Trip http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23505-Trip-Planner&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:46:48 GMT I'm trying to plan a trip across America but there are no sites except KOA and Motel 6 which has trip planners. This means I can put in a beginning and ending address and they will give me all the campgrounds or motels alone the way. Does anyone know of a site like this for just campgrounds or how would one plan a trip across America without spending a full day looking at all the campsite which don't have all the info you want like KOA such as price. ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips lostsoul62 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23505-Trip-Planner http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23504-Chicago-to-Glacier-NP-Yellowstone-Arches-and-home&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 06:27:03 GMT This trip will be my third road trip with my boyfriend. The first was to New England and the second was in the Southwest. This next trip is a 16 day trip and just over 5,000 miles. We are thinking Day 1 and 2 we are leaving Chicago around 4pm and heading for Billings, MT. Along the way we are... This trip will be my third road trip with my boyfriend. The first was to New England and the second was in the Southwest. This next trip is a 16 day trip and just over 5,000 miles. We are thinking Day 1 and 2 we are leaving Chicago around 4pm and heading for Billings, MT. Along the way we are planning on seeing the Badlands, Wall Drug, the Black Hills Scenic Byway, Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower. This is a long day of driving but we know we can do it because on our last trip we drove straight through from Chicago to Albuquerque. Day 3 we will be driving to Kalispell, MT hopefully stopping at a ghost town and Flathead Lake. Days 4 and 5 will be spent in camping in Glacier NP. Day 6 will be a drive along US-89 arriving close to Yellowstone. Days 7 and 8 will be spent exploring Yellowstone, we will also be camping here. On Day 9 we depart for to Salt Lake City, UT stopping to enjoy some scenic overlooks in Grand Teton along the way. On Day 10 we will continue on to Moab, UT. On our last road trip we got a flat tire in Arches NP so we did not get to do everything in this area we wanted to since our car was in the shop getting two new tires, quite the bummer. We want to do hike to Delicate Arch as well as do the Fiery Furnace tour. Day 11 we will stay in the Moab area, going to Dead Horse Point SP for a portion of the day. Day 12 we head for Durango, CO. On this day we will see Monument Valley, 4 corners, Mesa Verde NP, and Canyon of the Ancients NM. Day 13 we are going to Great Sand Dunes NP, Garden of the Gods, and Cave of the Winds. We are also deciding if we want to drive up Pike's Peak or take the train. Day 14 and 15 are driving home. This leaves one extra day to add into the trip. Any suggestions on where it should go? We were thinking in Colorado. Any must off the beaten path must sees? Trail suggestions? Restaurants? Tours? Also, we were considering bringing our dog Ivy, a 10 lb toy fox terrier, but are currently thinking it might be best to leave her at home because we arent sure about what to do with her when we want to go hiking. Would it be best to rent a car for this trip or to use our own new car? Our budget for this trip is $4000. We are planning on leaving the third week in July. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips chcbears2403 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23504-Chicago-to-Glacier-NP-Yellowstone-Arches-and-home http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23502-4-day-roadtrip-rushed-planning.-Need-help!-)&goto=newpost Tue, 16 Mar 2010 03:19:05 GMT Girlfriend and i are looking to get away for four days (wednesday-saturday) and are interested in traveling either towards the south or west towards chicago from new york city. We have very few needs in terms of this trip and are just looking for something new exciting and adventurous. we are 19... Girlfriend and i are looking to get away for four days (wednesday-saturday) and are interested in traveling either towards the south or west towards chicago from new york city. We have very few needs in terms of this trip and are just looking for something new exciting and adventurous. we are 19 and this is our spring break. it is very last minute but have lots of faith in this site to help us out. :)

we are open to ANY suggestions!


Thanks so much!

J/S ]]> Spring RoadTrips moloko99 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?23502-4-day-roadtrip-rushed-planning.-Need-help!-)