Southwest Road Trip in April

I am trying to plan a surprise roadtrip for my husband 40th birthday. He has always wanted to go out west for a trip and I am thinking of going when the kids are on Spring Break from school in Virginia.

We have two boys 7&8 years old...both very active and like adventure.
We would arrive a Wed April 1 and would need to fly out on Thurs (17th).

Here are my questions?

1. Given the weather from April 1 to 15 are the following places doable?

- Fly in/out of Las Vegas
- Hit Hoover Dam, Death Valley, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, 4 Corners/New Mexico, Moab, Canyonland National Park, Arches, & Bryce

2. Is this doable in 2 weeks

3. What route would you suggest? How many days/nights do I need in each place. What is the mileage like between each place

4. What excursion should I do at each place to give us a mix of experiences

5. Is there something I am missing on my list or something I should scrap?

6. Would you do the trip in a mini-van and stay in hotels? Or is booking an RV a better idea?

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Originally Posted by vbreb

I am trying to plan a surprise roadtrip for my husband 40th birthday. He has always wanted to go out west for a trip and I am thinking of going when the kids are on Spring Break from school in Virginia.

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Sounds pretty fun to me. Here are some suggestions for planning a great family road trip. Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! And here are some tips for a fly-n-drive roadtrip.

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1. Given the weather from April 1 to 15 are the following places doable?

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You should have no problems with the weather for these locations.

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2. Is this doable in 2 weeks

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Sure, but you might want to cut some of it just to reduce the time in the car.

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6. Would you do the trip in a mini-van and stay in hotels? Or is booking an RV a better idea?

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Unless you have lots of money to burn, I would get a comfortable sedan or SUV and stay in motels.

Mark

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The general loop you're describing is a RoadTrip classic. I'd do Death Valley as a day trip out of Las Vegas and I'd do the rest of the trip in a clockwise direction for the simple reason that this would put you on the canyon side of AZ-64/US-180 as you drive along the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and on the parking lot side of the road as you cross Hoover Dam. Also plan on coming down US-191/US-163 from Arches through Monument Valley. How much time to spend in each place is a very personal choice and will be up to you and your family. Do keep in mind though that while you do have plenty of time for this loop, you don't have all the time in the world and you will have to keep an eye on the calendar to make sure that you have time for some of the later venues in your trip. Each of the national parks will have posted and signed trails and most will have ranger led talks/walks. Check at the visitors center or ranger station when you arrive and see what's available and what appeals to you. Unless you have traveled by RV before and genuinely liked the experience, I'd go with a comfortably sized vehicle and sleep in real beds and take a real shower each night. RVs are not a money saving alternative.

AZBuck

Your two kids might also enjoy the Junior Ranger Program at the national parks -- here is some more info on that.

Mark

Sounds doable.

I've been to Four Corners and Arches and swear by them. To fully see Arches, I'd recommend a good 4 hours minimum (more if you want to hike all the way to Delicate Arch, rather than distant view point).

The road in the park is around 20 miles long or so, and you have to drive back. Just the drive itself would take 90-120 minutes, plus stopping and walking trails.

Not all the arches are visible from the road, so most will require a short walk to them that takes all the time. Also, don't rush from Four Corners to Canyonlands/Arches, as US191 is quite beautiful with many places to pull off and see other rock formations (including a few arches).

I drove US191 in the early morning (after seeing Four Corners at 8am-9am), and saw Arches early afternoon. Really wish I had taken my time to see more of US191 and spent more time on the trails in Arches.

Arches, to me, should be one day by itself.

If you plan on going to Bryce Canyon after Arches and Canyonlands, I-70 west of Green River is quite scenic as it goes over the San Rafael Swell. Then down US89 to the park.

All of southern Utah can be amazing and picturesque, so even the point-to-points can eat up time if you're inclined to stop and marvel the sites like I did when I drove through.

Sykotyk

Hi there, that's a great Roadtrip and Hubby's gonna love it !

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3. What route would you suggest? How many days/nights do I need in each place. What is the mileage like between each place

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Either way around but I would be thinking I-15 through St George and the 9 through Virgin and stop at Zion [or straight to Bryce]. Bryce back to the 89 onto I-70 or Scenic byway 12 to Torrey and Capitol reef N.P. and then to Moab/Arches. On the way to Four corners on the 191 take a detour to Mesa Verde on the 491. Visit 4 corners and take 160towards G/C but you could head north back on 191 and then 163 through Monument valley. Enter the G/C by the East entrance and leave by the South to Sedona /Hoover dam.

That is just an idea to work from, and you will need to balance it to suit your needs and travelling time, but all distances are easily covered. [It might be a bit "busy" with the kids, but there are so many short stops in between.]
A break down would look like this; Vegas 2 nights]> Zion [1 night, arrive lunch time/leave following P.M] >Bryce [1 night]> Arches[2nights, poss 1 in between at Capitol reef]> Mesa Verde [1night]> between M/V and G/C [1 night]> G/C [2nights] >Sedona area [2 nights]>Vegas over the Dam.

If you visit 4 or more main parks it will be cheaper to but the N.P's Annual pass for $80 at the first entrance to the first park you visit.

Thank to all for the feedback. I am trying to understand why clockwise is better than counter clockwise.

Sounds like everyone thinks that hotels are better than RV. I am starting to lean that way.

I am worried I am trying to do too much in 14 days with kids. Especially since I would like to do some excursions, jeep tours, etc.. while on the trip.

What is everyone's thoughts on New Mexico (Santa Fe, etc...) and Durango/Mesa Verde?

All of this info is so helpful.

If there are excursions, hotels, sites that are must sees please let me know.

I haven't done a lot of touring of New Mexico to give an idea. But, I think 14 days is doable. Just be prepared to 'cut' things from your trip if you decide to take more time.

Keep your plans fluid enough that you're not held to a specific mileage to drive in a particular day, etc.

Sykotyk

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Sounds like everyone thinks that hotels are better than RV. I am starting to lean that way.

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It really is a "lifestyle" choice, and certainly a dearer one than a car and Motels. I love travelling by R.V but if it's something you are not familiar with or don't have a passion to do I would stick to the car. It might be too much of a surprise if it's the first time, Lol!

If you want a more relaxed pace you could cut out Arches and from Bryce canyon drop down through Page to the Grand canyon [and possibly M/V]. This would give you lots of "down time" for walking and exploring the parks.

Who knows the best travel agent to work with to put together airfare, different hotels, auto rental for our Southwest roadtrip.

I want to begin to book something today.

Thx

we are going on a road trip (15 days) making the following stops. It is 4 of us. Me, my husband and 2 boys (ages 8 & 6)

Arrive Albuquerque at 8pm on Friday 4/3 , Canyon de Chelle, Petrified Forest/Painted Desert, Volcano Crater, Flagstaff, Williams, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Navajo National Monument, Four Corners, Mesa Verde, Durango, Taos, Santa Fe, back to Albuquerque to flyout on Sunday 4/19 at 7am

1. What on this route should we consider dropping?

2. What places are worth staying overnight?

3. What excursions/tours are must sees in each spot.

3. Which are just pass thru areas

4. I am trying to figure out which night we will be in each spot so I can book hotels. I feel overwhelmed...any help is great.

Hello and welcome back.

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1. What on this route should we consider dropping?

2. What places are worth staying overnight?

3. Which are just pass thru areas

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I know it can be over whelming when trip planning, especially as it's a surprise for your husband, but there are no right or wrong answers. All I can say is the area you are passing through is wonderful and what appeals to you and your interests [and hubby's] the most are the things that count. You have to consider how long you want to spend on the road each day to find places to stop. In the West it's hard to think of "just a pass through place", enjoy every moment.

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What excursions/tours are must sees in each spot.

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I prefer to find my own way around in my own time and all the parks have booklets and info on what to see and do and you will be able to see what others see. [unless you opt for a helicopter flight over the Grand canyon] If you want to you can go on Ranger led tours that are informative. You might fancy the train ride out of Durango which I have heard is fantastic.

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I am trying to figure out which night we will be in each spot so I can book hotels

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We don't do trip planning as everyones tastes are different but we do try and help so you can get the best from yours. This is just to help you to work from and it will be "busy" if you want to see everything listed but it's possible.

Abluquerque [1 night] Canyon De Chelley/I-40 [1 night] If you fancy a night in a Wig Wam you could stop in Holbrook. Flagstaff/Sedona [1 night] Drive around Red rock country [89]and then to Williams or direct to G/C. [2 nights] Through Page to Zion and Bryce [2 nights] to Arches/Canyonlands [2 nights poss stopping on the way.] Mesa Verde/ Four corners/ Durango [2 nights] Taos/ Santa fe [2-3 nights] Back to Albu.
Do some more researching and let us know when you have more questions. Try not to worry and enjoy the planning, you will have a great time!

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

You might fancy the train ride out of Durango which I have heard is fantastic.

...........Williams or direct to G/C. [2 nights] Through Page to Zion and Bryce [2 nights] ..................

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If either of you are train buffs, and especially steam train buffs, then you will find the Durango Silverton Railway a joy. It is a full day to go up and down. I recommend you take the train both ways. The bus ride back, not only is an extra charge, it also does not give any opportunity for photos or sightseeing. The train is slow enough to take photos all the way.

And if you are considering driving from the Grand Canyon to Zion / Bryce, via Page, why not take make a stop in Kanab, and spend a day at the North Rim. You will find it so different from the south, not anywhere near as commercialised and nowhere near as busy.

Lifey who did both in May 2007

The North Rim will probably not be open yet in April. Even if the road is open, there are no visitor services till mid-May.

My husband/I and two boys (ages 8 & 6) and doing a loop using Albuquerque as our start and end. We arrive late on a Friday in early April...and travel for over two weeks (14 days)....leaving to go home early Sunday morning.

I am struggling with a couple of things. Any advice would be great

My route is
Albuquerque, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Volcano Crater, Sedona, Grand Canyon South Rim, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Navajo National Monument/Canyon de Chelle; Mesa Verde, Durango, Taos, Santa Fe, back to Albuquerque

1. Can I do all of this in the 14 days of travel? If not, what is just not worth the visit

2. I am trying to tentatively book hotels? Do I need to have hotels booked in early April because of Spring Break travelers, or can we just find hotels as we need them?

3. If I need hotels, I am stuggling with where I will be each day to book a hotel, any advice

4. Do I need to book excursions ahead of time? Like, jeep tour thru Sedona or Chuckwagon dinner or Jetboat thru Canyonlands? If so what excursions are must do's. I limited to only picking a few since they seem to be very pricey when you are buying tickets for 4 people.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Thx

Moderators note] I have merged your threads together. It is not unusual for plans to change along the way and we like to keep posts about the same trip together to avoid confusion, thank you

Thx for advice on days in each area. I put an new post out there with my more detailed route and more specific questions.

Any more help is great.

I would like to go by the seat of my pants and book stuff along the way, but when you have kids in tow I was worried we might have hard time booking rooms. Is Springbreak season very busy?

Is it less expensive to book early...or book rooms at last minute in that area?