Northern loop: NJ to Seattle and back Summer 2012
I have been meaning to do this trip for awhile. It isn't my first road trip (I have done a few week long trips) but it is the longest.
Anyway a very general itinerary
Day 1: stop somewhere in western PA
Day 2: stop somewhere in Indiana
Day 3: Hit the Shedds Aq for a couple of hours sleep somewhere outside des moines
Day 4: Making some time switch off driving until we get to maybe the Buffalo Gap (there are three of us 10 hours wont be that bad)
Day 5: Visit Mt. Rushmore act touristy; drive to someplace between Billings and Livingston MT
Day 6: Get up real early head to Yellowstone.
Day 7-8: Yellowstone for two nights. Stay somewhere outside Twin falls ID
Day 9: Stay somewhere outside Reno
Day 10: Arrive Redwood NP. Stay two nights.
Day 12:Longish drive to in laws house in portland.
Day 13: Get up early go to Seattle. One night in hostel.
Day 14:Go to Vancouver. Spend the night.
Day 15-18: LONG drive to Thunder Bay ( I am not sure if there is anything cool to do besides enjoy the prairie for a few hours and then hustle through). Should get there early enough to visit the amethyst mine.
Day 19-20: Head to Toronto stay for one night.
Day 21-22: Go home.
Any advice about the long part on the trans canada hwy? Any must see places? I know camping can be more money in Canada but do they have the equivalent of BLM places you can stop for free? I know this is the road trip America forum but I thought I would ask.
Oh, it says on the NPS website that they keep some tent sites open for walk up campers at the more secluded all summer. Does anyone know how likely it is to actually get one of these sites?
Also, my car is getting kind of old, 2005 Saturn Vue with 125,000 mi on it. I will get it checked out before I head out but anyone think the car is just too old?
Thanks.
Problems and Opportunities
For the most part, your driving days are well paced and should leave you some time to do more than just cruise down the Interstates looking at traffic. But there are a couple of spots where you are taking on more than is pleasant, if not more than is safe. The most glaring example is Des Moines to Buffalo Gap. That's 700 miles, and it's 10 hours only in the fantasy world of computer programs. Add in stops for fuel, food and bathroom breaks, as well as just a couple of sanity breaks to stretch and turn off the brain for a few minutes, and you're looking at nearly 13 hours in the real world.
Similarly Vancouver to Thunder Bay is just under 1900 miles. That's a full 3½-4 days in the real world. As others have pointed out, the Trans-Canada Highway is not freeway for the most part, but rather good two-lane blacktop. But in the western portions through the Cascades and Rockies, it is simply good quality mountain road, with grades, twists and turns, small towns, and generally low speed limits. You will be passing through some world quality scenery and national parks, such as Mount Revelstoke, Glacier, Kootenay and Banff. It would be a shame not to have any time to get out of the car and appreciate then with at least a few hikes. See if you can't add a day here. Calgary, Medicine Ha, Moose Jaw Winnipeg are also worth some time beyond stopping for a quick meal. And if mines intrigue you, take a look at Sudbury.
AZBuck