Monument Valley to Moab to Flagstaff and Beyond

Hi,
After living 6 years in US i am moving to UK. I am planning to do a farewell america road trip across US with my wife for 1 month from San Francisco to New York. I am looking for suggestions on making this trip a memorable one without breaking my back. My route is as follows
San Jose,CA - Yosemite National Park(2 days), then onto Tonopah, NV , take the Extraterrestrial Highway to Zion national park, do a grand circle tour of canyons in utah (10 days) , finish off in Grand Canyon, from then take the route 66 between flagstaff,az to Albuquerue NM (2 days), visit the White Sands National Monument, head eastward to texas, drive up north to Kansas city via oklahoma, Kansas City to St Louis, either the Appalachian trail road through West Virginia , stop enroute in Washington.. ( this final part of the trip is not finalized).
Following are my questions.

1. I don't have *any* camping gear (i was planning on doing 1/2 camping , 1/2 motel) however given that i would only use the gear for one month i am not sure if its worth the cost buying the gear and using it for the trip than spend the money staying in motels.

2. I have a Honda Civic Sedan, and i just ain't sure how i am going to put my stuff 4,6 suitcases and i don't have a luggage rack, any opinions on http://www.piggypack.com/website/car...ers_intro.html.

3. I don't have much experience in camping and was wondering if it would be too hot in utah,arizona for camping.

4. If i stay in motels is there anyway i can still cook on the road perhaps carry a used coleman stove ?

5. any suggestions on the trip route welcome.

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

San Jose,CA - Yosemite National Park(2 days), then onto Tonopah, NV , take the Extraterrestrial Highway to Zion national park, do a grand circle tour of canyons in utah (10 days) , finish off in Grand Canyon, from then take the route 66 between flagstaff,az to Albuquerue NM (2 days), visit the White Sands National Monument, head eastward to texas, drive up north to Kansas city via oklahoma, Kansas City to St Louis, either the Appalachian trail road through West Virginia , stop enroute in Washington.

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Time period seems reasonable -- when do you plan to leave?

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2. I have a Honda Civic Sedan, and i just ain't sure how i am going to put my stuff 4,6 suitcases and i don't have a luggage rack,

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The lead article on RTA, to be published in two weeks is from an expert in the field of roof-top car packs.

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4. If i stay in motels is there anyway i can still cook on the road perhaps carry a used coleman stove ?

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Um, you aren't planning on cooking in motel rooms are you?

Mark

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

1. I don't have *any* camping gear (i was planning on doing 1/2 camping , 1/2 motel) however given that i would only use the gear for one month i am not sure if its worth the cost buying the gear and using it for the trip than spend the money staying in motels.

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One option would be just to pick up some very cheap camping gear at a discount store. You could pick up a sleeping bag, tent, and a couple of accessories for for about the same prices as a night at a motel. The stuff might not hold up as well long term, but since you are only using it for one trip, it should be good enough.

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2. I have a Honda Civic Sedan, and i just ain't sure how i am going to put my stuff 4,6 suitcases and i don't have a luggage rack

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I can't imagine that between the trunk and the back seats you wouldn't have enough room inside the car. Actually, put it this way, if you can't fit it all inside your car, how are you going to fit it on an airplane later?

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3. I don't have much experience in camping and was wondering if it would be too hot in utah,arizona for camping.

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I've yet to come across an example of it being too hot for camping, but I suppose it depends upon how much you value air conditioning. I've had cases where its gotten so cold I wish I hadn't camped (or had better gear), but since it cools off at night, I've never had a problem with heat. That said, I always budget to spend at least a night or two in a motel during a camping trip for those nights where the weather looks less than ideal.

If you go to a major discount store, you would spend, at the most, about $100 for what you need. Probably much less. It will quickly pay for itself. Donate it to a Salvation Army, Goodwill, homeless shelter, or some similar place when it's time to get on the plane.

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to ship most of those boxes home before you go on your trip?

yep i am shipping a lot of stuff by mail too, but there is no way i can mail my suitcases i am going to have 4 suitcases each 70 Pounds + 2 carry on luggage. + since the shipping is my USPS parcel service it going to take forever.

thanks
rahul dighe.

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Originally Posted by Judy

If you go to a major discount store, you would spend, at the most, about $100 for what you need. Probably much less. It will quickly pay for itself. Donate it to a Salvation Army, Goodwill, homeless shelter, or some similar place when it's time to get on the plane.

Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to ship most of those boxes home before you go on your trip?

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Hi,
i plan to leave 1st of August !. I will wait for the article i hope it has something that talks about roof top car packs without the racks. well i just like home cooked meals i just can't see myself eating in restaurants all 3 meals every day for 30 days, but i guess unless i plan to burn down the motel it wouldn't be such a good idea :(

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Originally Posted by Editor

Time period seems reasonable -- when do you plan to leave?The lead article on RTA, to be published in two weeks is from an expert in the field of roof-top car packs. Um, you aren't planning on cooking in motel rooms are you?

Mark

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well international airlines normally allow 2 70pounds suitcases + 1 carry on + a laptop bag , since its going to be me and my its going to 4 - 70 pound suitcases 2 carry ons and everything else . so its definetly some challenge. i could put stuff on the back seat but i am just worried it could get stolen that way :(

most of the time i see myself camping is during the Grand Circle tour - where it seems the temperature would be in the 90's during august atleast during the day.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

One option would be just to pick up some very cheap camping gear at a discount store. You could pick up a sleeping bag, tent, and a couple of accessories for for about the same prices as a night at a motel. The stuff might not hold up as well long term, but since you are only using it for one trip, it should be good enough.



I can't imagine that between the trunk and the back seats you wouldn't have enough room inside the car. Actually, put it this way, if you can't fit it all inside your car, how are you going to fit it on an airplane later?



I've yet to come across an example of it being too hot for camping, but I suppose it depends upon how much you value air conditioning. I've had cases where its gotten so cold I wish I hadn't camped (or had better gear), but since it cools off at night, I've never had a problem with heat. That said, I always budget to spend at least a night or two in a motel during a camping trip for those nights where the weather looks less than ideal.

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well international airlines normally allow 2 70pounds suitcases + 1 carry on + a laptop bag , since its going to be me and my its going to 4 - 70 pound suitcases 2 carry ons and everything else . so its definetly some challenge. i could put stuff on the back seat but i am just worried it could get stolen that way :(

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I understand the concern about having things stolen if left in plain view, but I think having any sort of cargo hold on the roof of your car is going to make you a much bigger target. Anyone who sees your car will be able to identify you as a traveler with lots of stuff, as opposed to just people who would be walking up and looking in your windows.

Also, have you checked with your airline about how much that extra baggage will cost you? Airlines recently have been raising extra baggage fees and lowering baggage weight limits. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see an airline charge an extra $100 per bag or more for your extra luggage. You might actually find shipping to work out cheaper than that.

rsdighe,
For a home cooked meal, maybe a rice cooker will help. I am a vegetarian and have the same issue of not being able to eat out every meal of everyday.
My rice cooker comes with me wherever I go. Most of the hotels do not mind, if you can keep it clean.
I generally buy some ready to eat dishes at my local store. Its cooked food that is vacuum packed. I generally warm it on top of the rice cooker.
Good to go. Hearty meal!

About your plan of camping, it is going to be amazing!
However, you cannot camp all day and so,remember, camping gear is going to take some space in your car.
So, plan accordingly.
IMPO, u camp or stay in motels, so much luggage in the car is not going to make your trip very peaceful. Atleast, I wouldn't feel so.
If there is any other option, I'd go ahead with that.

good luck, though!
cool

It seems to me that you need to balance the issue of carrying all the luggage in the car to save a few bucks on shipping charges vs. what impact carrying all that will have on your trip. Personally, even if it cost me more money, I'd ship most of it so I could enjoy my roadtrip without any extra clutter. I would think that the money spent on a cartop carrier to haul all those suitcases around the country would be better spent on shipping to the UK.

And, remember, a cartop carrier will impact how a car drives. You will definitely notice it's there on windy days and on twisty roads. For me, that would detract from the fun of the drive itself. It will also make you get less miles per gallon so your fuel costs will increase.

thats a subtle but clever point, it would not quite make a difference for someone who is out there to steal to either break the window or cut open the pack at the top.
rahul

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

thats a subtle but clever point, it would not quite make a difference for someone who is out there to steal to either break the window or cut open the pack at the top.
rahul

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If so, I'm confused. I'm totally opposed to those cartop carriers for that reason. And also because of the wind-drag and the way they change how your car handles on the road, particularly in windy weather and on curves. Add to that, decrease of gas mileage.

I really think you're better off, no matter how you look at it, to ship your stuff to your final destination in the UK before you even get in the car to go on your last roadtrip here for awhile.

If I was to use a roof-top carrier, I would only consider a hard-top style as they are less bulky, with a more air-stream style that won't create as much drag, and can be locked for safety of your belongings. While they can hold camping gear, sporting goods, etc. they clearly aren't designed to hold all those suitcases.

'nuff said.

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

2. I have a Honda Civic Sedan, and i just ain't sure how i am going to put my stuff 4,6 suitcases and i don't have a luggage rack

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David Schaefer is the guy who created the first Piggyback carrier and he has written a great article about choosing a car top carrier -- featured this week!

Mark

Hi,
as a part of my road trip i would be travling from moab to grand canyon, since i have heard that it would be good to be in monument valley at sunset i am wondering if there are any places or cities closeby to monument valley like kayenta,AZ where i can get accomodations for cheap. i would be going on road to grand canyon and prefer to find some city on the way midway between monument and flagstaff or anyplace where i would find a decent accomodation , any help would be useful , i tried googling to no awail

thanks
rahul

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

as a part of my road trip i would be travling from moab to grand canyon, since i have heard that it would be good to be in monument valley at sunset

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Personally, I prefer the morning light to sunset, but it is gorgeous at any time. There is lodging at Kayenta and Tuba City, but cheap lodging -- in the prime-time summer travel season -- I am not sure about -- however, if you use "kayenta" as the search word on this Forum -- you will find lots of information about places our roadtrip advisors and fellow roadtrippers have used.

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i would be going on road to grand canyon and prefer to find some city on the way midway between monument and flagstaff

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Why are you going all the way to Flagstaff on the way to the Grand Canyon? That is way out of your way! From US-89 take AZ-64 to the South Rim...

Mark

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Originally Posted by Editor

Personally, I prefer the morning light to sunset, but it is gorgeous at any time. There is lodging at Kayenta and Tuba City, but cheap lodging -- in the prime-time summer travel season -- I am not sure about -- however, if you use "kayenta" as the search word on this Forum -- you will find lots of information about places our roadtrip advisors and fellow roadtrippers have used. Why are you going all the way to Flagstaff on the way to the Grand Canyon? That is way out of your way! From US-89 take AZ-64 to the South Rim...

Mark

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oh i am going to take the route directly to south rim i just said flagstaff so its just easier to explain.

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Originally Posted by rsdighe

Hi,
as a part of my road trip i would be travling from moab to grand canyon, since i have heard that it would be good to be in monument valley at sunset i am wondering if there are any places or cities closeby to monument valley like kayenta,AZ where i can get accomodations for cheap. i would be going on road to grand canyon and prefer to find some city on the way midway between monument and flagstaff or anyplace where i would find a decent accomodation , any help would be useful , i tried googling to no awail

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I was looking at a trip to monument valley for last year, and looked at some lower cost options to stay. The cheapest are the Mitten View campground at the Monument Valley Visitors Center (around $20 a night). But while it supposedly has water, it looks like pretty bare bones and its on a first-come, no-reservations basis. There's also a KOA campground at Goulding, about 4 miles away which has been described as more amenities, but that's as much as I know. The Goulding motel is the closest, but not cheap.

You might also look at Mexican Hat, about 20 miles to the north, which seems to have inexpensive hotels.