Is February Too restrictive??
My best mate and I are coming over to the States in February, embarking on a little 'roadtrip'. We arrive 15th Feb 2006 and leave on the 23rd, so you can see it's not a mammoth trip!
We are looking at starting in Vegas then heading up to San Fran but looks as if the weather at this time of the year could create havoc??
Our dates aren't really flexible so am looking for any advice. I've driven over in the States before so that's not really a problem and i've done the Rte1 from San Fran to LA many moons ago.
We definately want to see the Grand Canyon and go to some quirky (but friendly) towns off the beaten track!
We don't want to be driving the whole trip, so really looking at setting out late mornings on the drive to allow sight seeing then relax and party in the evening!
Just after suggestions really!
and Laughlin is because???
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Originally Posted by London Calling
Day two
Drive to Death Valley - Take in Death Valley NP, stay the night then head back down to...
Is there some specific reason for going to Laughlin? If not, I would suggest using the Badwater road and go through Shoshone on your way south to Baker. There is a cute museum in Shoshone and there is alot of historical sights just outside of town.
From Baker you can explore the Mojave Desert Preserve and stay overnight in Barstow -- or even go back to Laughlin and Bullhead City (there is no reason to return to Las Vegas on the way).
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Day four
Head on over to Eagle Mountain - want to visit the Joshua Tree National Park (Can you drive through any of the national parks???) Spend some time down there then head over to Yucca Valley for the night
You can drive through just about all of the national parks, with the exception of the ones in Alaska and in the ocean.
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Day six
Up to Santa Barbara, staying the night
San Diego to Santa Barbara is a minium of an eight-hour drive.
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Day seven
Take the coastal route (route 1) to Big Sur, stay the night then finally head to...
The coastal route from Santa Barbara to Big Sur is about a six-hour drive.
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Day eight
San Francisco - staying as close to the coastal road as possible
Big Sur to San Francisco (along the coast) is 4-5 hour drive.
Mark
Those times are not (soley) traffic-dependent
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Originally Posted by Dan K
You know, I am considering a trip to CA next summer (2006). I'm a bit scared, though, by some of the numbers!
The time-controlling factor for those roads is not primarily related to traffic -- they are governed by the roads themselves -- these are not Interstate routes -- they are, for the most part, two-lane, scenic byways where the average (achieveable) speed is about 53 mph -- the only exception is the San Diego to Santa Barbara leg -- which is Interstate (mostly) but runs through one of the busiest traffic corridors in North America.
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I realize SD to Santa Barbara takes you through LA... is there ANY good time to drive there?
If you are going to drive in an urban area, you have to figure it will take some time. But isn't that one of the reasons you go there?
Mark
SD - SB, no way 8 hours is normal
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan K
You know, I am considering a trip to CA next summer (2006). I'm a bit scared, though, by some of the numbers!
consider these from Mark:
eight hours from San Diego to Santa Barbara (216 miles)
That's just extreme pessimism, I lived in San Diego a couple of years ago and several times got to San Francisco in 10 hours on I5 going through LA. If there are abnormal traffic problems in LA you could be there a long time but normal traffic is just hellish, no worse than the M25 for sure. I would allow 5 hours to SB on 101 if you avoid the main rush hour periods (roughly 6am-10am and 3pm to 7pm). Even so ,if at all possible don't go through LA, take a longer route around to the East, much more pleasant though considerably further.
