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Hi,
I am planning a 7 week roadtrip across america.
I want to:
begin in chicago (entire Route 66)
Las Vegas 3 to 4 days
National Parks
grand canyon ofcourse
San Francisco
entire Route 50
niagra falls
and finally new york city
i will be travelling all alone.
Begin: Mid July 2015
my total budget for 7 weeks is 8000$
have a look at the map i created.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...k.k7ajHyeyxMJk
Am i somehow being delusional? or is it doable?
Hi and Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum.
Considering one is able to drive across the continent in 7 easy going days, with seven weeks you could have a nice leisurely trip.
Is this a one way or round trip?
First thing you need to be aware of is that Route 66 was decomissioned decades ago, and whereas there are remnants of it here and there, as a complete route it would be difficult to find. At the Missouri Welcome Centre on I-35 you will probably find the most comprehensive collection of free literature on Route 66. But why stick to a route which really does not go near many of the other great attractions you mention?
You might like to think about going through the Rockies on I-70, possibly the most scenic interstate on the continent, or Rocky Mountain National Park and the Trail Ridge Road if it is open. Into Utah for the many spectacular parks there, the Grand Canyon and Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite, San Francisco, and north to Glacier NP and Yellowstone, taking in the Mt rushmore and Badlands region on the way home.
Of course there is lots more. Take out a good detailed map of the United States and have a good look at what is where and what you would like to visit/explore. When it comes to the finer details many here can help with that.
Budget looks fine. Many would envy you.
BTW your link takes one to a commercial page, not a map.
Lifey
Hi,
The Map should be working now.
Why Route66 and Route50? Just for the sake of the routes.
Route66 and Route 50 are the 2 routes i have always wanted to do and now i want to do both of them in a round trip.
In the map i included the drivable parts of route66 after extensive research.
8000$ is my total budget including EVERYTHING. Air Tickets, Hotels, Food, Car Rental and Gas.
i would begin in chicago. take the mother road to santa monica and then after a few short trips in california i would begin with route50 from west sacramento to maryland.
From maryland to newyork via atlantic coast route.
I would return the car in new york because the public transportation is more than ok in NYC.
thats the plan.
oops double post.. sorry
Air tickets from ???? (You did not mention that. I assumed you live in Chicago. Replies are always more accurate when we have the full picture.)
Why would you start in Chicago and finish on the east coast, thus incurring a possible one way drop fee of maybe many hundreds of dollars?
With flights and car rental you might want to adjust that budget. Think of $100 minimum per day, maybe more. Travelling alone is always more expensive.
Lifey
Sorry. i should have been more precise.
I live in Vienna, Austria, Europe.
The car situation is really confusing me. I don't know how to solve it properly.
I have also planned to visit san francisco and newyork. 2 places where you don't need a car because of good public transportation. so the car would just cost me extra money.
so i thought:
Vienna > Chicago
Car Rental in Chicago
Begin Route66
Finish Route66
drive to San Francisco
Return the Car there
Enjoy San Franciso for 4 days and then Rent another car
Start Route50
Finish in Maryland
Take Atlantic Coast Road to NewYork
Return Car in New York
Enjoy NewYork for a couple of days
NewYork > Vienna
I thought this would be less expensive...
Your plan would have you paying TWO one way fees, which could very well cost much more than keeping the car in SF. In fact I would not be surprised if it ran into a four digit amount.
Maybe do some more research on rental car costs both through the agencies and consolidators, and see what you can come up with. But your present plan looks to be the most expensive way to go.
Lifey
i won't have a problem keeping the same car for 7 weeks if i could find cheap parking space somewhere in san francisco and new york.
New Plan would then be:
Vienna > Chicago
Car Rental in Chicago
Begin Route66
Finish Route66
drive to San Francisco
park the car in a cheap garage or something
Enjoy San Franciso for 4 days
get the car
Start Route50
Finish in Maryland
Take Atlantic Coast Road to NewYork
park the car in a cheap garage or something
Enjoy NewYork for a couple of days
get the car
drive back to chicago
return the car
Chicago > Vienna
i am google searching cheap parking spots in new york and san francisco.
some tips?
As one who does not use rental cars, this is what I have learned over the years from other sources.
Just as it is always cheaper to drop off a car from the place where it was rented, so it is also often cheaper to fly into and out of the same airport. How flexible are you? Have you compared the prices of car rental + air fares into and out of NYC or San Francisco or Chicago, or for that matter any other city with an international airport along your routes.
Then also try different days of the week. Sometimes that can make a difference.
As for keeping a car in the cities, in NYC it is much cheaper to find long term parking in NJ and taking the train into the city. Just as it is cheaper to rent in Newark than in NY. In SF there is long term parking a ways out of the downtown area.
I am not surprised you are confused, there are so many variables available. Only research will find the one that suits your budget best.
Lifey
There is page on RTA dedicated to Route 66 here and this site in particular is a good one with 'turn by turn' maps in each State. I agree that one rental would most likely be the most cost effective, perhaps spending a couple of day in New York at either end of your trip. In SF there are a few Hotels that offer free parking a little way from the centre. One such area is around Lombard and Gough which is not far from Fishermans Wharf and the Cable cars into the City. One that offers reasonable value [for San Fran anyway] is the Buena Vista Motor Inn.
Personally speaking I think you will be dissapointed with the west rim after having seen the 'real thing' in the south rim NP area. It's nowhere near as spectacular and is not part of the NP system, it is more expensive and you are not allowed to take cameras on the Skywalk. Instead you could visit Monument Valley and I would also consider spending a few days travelling into southern Utah and Bryce canyon and Zion NP's. On the way back you should also consider visiting Arches and Canyonlands NP's near Moab just off I70/US50 and when you get to Montrose CO on US 50 take a couple of days to drive the spectacular 'San Juan Skyway'. This would take you through the wonderful mountain towns of Ouray and Silverton on the 'Million dollar Highway' to Durango. You would then drive towards Cortez and Mesa Verde NP before heading up to Dolores and to Telluride before driving to Ridgeway and back to Montrose. SPECTACULAR !!
One other thing, if you really wanted to drive route 66 'proper' then you really are missing an iconic section from Kingman through Needles to Santa Monica. You could track back from Vegas and then from Santa Monica spend a couple of days driving the spectacular coast highway around Big Sur to SF and then head inland to the mountains, either heading to Sequoia first or having the option to just visit the giant Sequoias at Maripose Grove in Yosemite. From Yosemite you would have the option of driving over the amazing Tioga Pass to Mono Lake and north to Lake Tahoe.
Hi Southwest Dave,
Ok this is a lot of good Information i have to digest.
a little confused now though...
You named so many cool things. i just looked them up.
But the monument valley for example is right in the middle of route66 and route50. when should i do that?
if i would drive the route66 to the end i would have a problem getting to death valley because i don't have that much time. it is going to be a lot of back and forth thing.
one thing that i now know is that i will be starting in new york because all the flights to chicago and elsewhere are more expensive.
so the first few days in new york WITHOUT a car
then via train to chicago
few days in chicago WITHOUT a car
rent a car in chicago
the roadtrip begins
now its all about planning the correct route for the roadtrip.
i will look into when to do what.
These are exactly the reasons why I'm not at all a fan of building a roadtrip around highway numbers, especially when you're talking about a trip that's your first chance to see so much of what America has to offer. A roadtrip is about getting to do and see what you want to do, and if you limit that down to a strip of road that happened to be assigned a specific number decades ago, you can really miss out on a lot of things you'd enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by GST
If you're planning to drive coast to coast and back, it may be cheaper and easier to rent the car when you're ready to leave NY. While Chicago is a place you don't need a car, you'd avoid the one way fee, which could save you a lot of money.
Hi Michael,
Your Post made me think. it seems to be a damn good point.
Route66 is legendary but all the other things are just not worth missing.
Route 50 doesn't seem to be a Problem, it's just the Route 66.
Hmm... the planning and research continues.
Thanks for all your help though. this is a great community.
I was suggesting you do that instead of the Skywalk, so basically while visiting the South rim of the Grand canyon. Many of the suggestions I made are taking you on detours from the two route numbers you wish to follow but I feel you have plenty of time to do so.Quote:
But the monument valley for example is right in the middle of route66 and route50. when should i do that?
It's just a case of what you want to do. If you really want to drive route 66 and say you have done it from end to end, there is a 'price to pay'. I must say that I am in the 'other camp' where I would prefer to go where I want to go and not have a route number decide for me, it's whether or not you want to complete it and if the answer is no, then maybe looking at possible alternative routes is a better option. Another example is that you could complete route 66, head up to SF, through Yosemite and Death valley to Vegas and then head north to Zion and Bryce and I70/US50 from there. At the end of the day there are thousands of options on such a trip and it's for you to decide what will work best for your trip and we will give you all the help we can, so you can achieve your goal.Quote:
if i would drive the route66 to the end i would have a problem getting to death valley because i don't have that much time. it is going to be a lot of back and forth thing.
Enjoy the planning, it's a fun part of the adventure !!
Hi,
I'm not an experienced road tripper like the others (only doing my first trip this May), but I would like to add a couple of things, which I have learned from my own planning.
The idea to drive both roads is a great, romantic one (I had similar ideas), but as others have said Route 66 is mainly covered by Interstate highway now, and following it all the way would probably just take you through places and cities that you wouldn't otherwise want to visit - therefore better to plan your trip according to things and places you want to see instead. This would also allow you to see more of the National Parks.
The whole of the US-50 I would actually personally like to do one day, with detours of course. But again, if you're going to do it, don't be fixed on the road number - rather plan according to the things you want to see along the way (even if they might be 200 miles off the US-50). We plan to follow this road for a few days, and then for the rest of our time, different routes.
Mainly though, I would like to caution you on the cost front. While $8000 sounds like a lot, if that includes (like you said) flights and car rental, it does sound a little low. Our car rental (with one-way fee - avoid this, if you can!) for an 18-day rental is around $1500 - your 6-7 week rental will probably be more (make sure you always keep clicking till the end to get the 'real' price and not the 'advertised' one). Add to that your flights ( around $1000?), and your daily budget will look significantly less healthy.
Bear in mind that your 'few' days in NYC, Chicago, Vegas, SF, etc. will not be particularly cheap, accommodation wise. And if you plan to stay at/near the National Parks, you will not find many budget motels there either. Also, in any major city along the way, the cheapest lodgings you see quoted online are always miles from the actual city centre - so if you want to stay downtown, prepare to pay more again.
I don't want to discourage you - I think it sounds like an amazing trip - just be aware of the costs when planning it. Our upcoming trip has already almost doubled in price from our initial estimates...
All the best!
Thanks for your input Subman.
Money is ofcourse a huge factor.
The Flight from Vienna to NewYork is about 800$
and the 6 week Rental 'advertised' price ranges from 1500$ (small car) to 1830$ (SUV)
i am also active on historic66 forum where some people claim that it is possible to follow the historic route the most of the time. the route 66 in my map is based on their suggestions.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?m...k.k7ajHyeyxMJk
but even if the historic route 66 is possible to drive, it is still becoming a problem for me because of all the other cool attractions i would miss as my time and budget are limited.
i guess i will have to ditch the route66 after new mexico and carry on with monument valley from there on. i do want to do the complete route 50 though because most of the cool attractions can be done if i leave the route66 in new mexico and head towards san francisco doing all the attractions on my way.
i still have a lot of planning ahead of me.
my goal is to prepare a complete google map of my roadtrip, convert it into a format my gps software would understand so that i can just follow it.
I would strongly recommend you buy paper maps or an atlas as they will assist you during the planning process and are an absolute must have when travelling. Do not rely solely on electronics as you can miss lots of cool things and more importantly people have landed in serious trouble and even death by blindly following a GPS.
I also thought about that.
There are a few books, i have already planned to buy.
Road Trip USA by Jamie Jensen (7th Edition will be out in 2 Months)
EZ66 - Route66 Guide
Coast to Coast by Wulf Berg. (Book about Route 50)
do you have some suggestions on good maps or atlas for such a roadtrip?
i have just updated my google maps. route66 stops for me in Gallup, NM
From there on i will be doing the following:
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon, South Rim
Las Vegas
Death Valley
Sequoia
Yosemite
San Francisco
and then Route50
Bryce will then be done as a off-trip from Route50
is this acceptable?
It seems to me you are planning a trip exactly backwards - the traditional method is to pick the places you want to see and then see which roads take you there!
Its certainly doable with the time you have and it only needs to be acceptable to you. ;-)
If you look in the green tool bar above you will see the Maps link where you can look at Atlases and maps or you can often order them from your local book store. Randy McNally atlases are popular or you can get detailed state by state maps.
Hello everybody,
You Guys are the experts. Please help me planning the following trip:
My Starting Point will be Flagstaff near Northern Arizona University, around 1st week of August and i would like to do the following:
Grand Canyon: just the South Rim, not the Skywalk
Monument Valley
Bryce
Zion
Las Vegas (3 full Days)
Hoover Dam
Death Valley
Sequoia & Kings (just for General Sherman - largest tree in the World)
Yosemite
Mono Lake
All this i will be doing in a rental midsize suv and i just want to see the most important things in all the above attractions.
Is all of this possible in 7 Days? 3 Days for Vegas and 4 Days for the Parks...
If Yes, in what order should i visit all of these attractions.
Am I being delusional with just 4 days for all the nature attractions? If Yes, how long is the absolute minimum?
Thanks
Yeah, I'm sorry, but your plan isn't close to possible. Seeing all of these places, and just driving through Vegas would be tough in 7 days, giving up 3 of those days to spend in Vegas makes it just a non-starter. You'd almost need 4 full days on the road just to cover the miles, if all you did was stop to take picture of the park entry signs.
Are you not planning on doing your larger trip anymore?
I'll say this, pretty much all of the National Parks you're looking at really deserve a full day of your time, and it's tough to even see them at all in less than a half day. Sequoia, for example, will take you a few hours just to drive into the park, take a picture of Gen. Sherman, and drive back out.
Just to cover the miles on the shortest possible route - GC, MV, Bryce, Zion, Vegas (do Hoover Dam as a daytrip), Death Valley, Mono Lake (assuming Tioga Pass is open, you didn't say when you're traveling), Yosemite, and Sequoia - is 1500 miles, pretty much all on 2 lane roads. That's 3 hard days of driving by itself, and doesn't include any drive time from Sequoia onto your final destination, be it San Francisco, LA, Vegas, or back to Flagstaff.
So, when you take all the destinations you've listed, plus spending a few days in Vegas, I think you need at least 2 weeks for a quick trip. If you can't do that, then you'll have to start making some big, big cuts.
Yes, with four days all you would be doing is driving straight through those parks, if you wanted to cover all of them. You would barely have time to get out of your vehicle to take a photo. Best you choose just a few of them. Some of those parks, such as Yosemite, it would take a couple of days to explore, and then you would not see all of it.
With four days, you could do a nice loop through the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce and Zion, and even that would be rushed.
Lifey
Thanx for your reply Michael.
I am very well going on my larger trip. The Problem is that now even 47 days of total seem to be not enough to do it all :(
This is how i am only left with 7 days for the above mentioned attractions:
Starting mid July in
New York - 5 Days
Niagara Falls USA and Canada - 2 Days
Chicago - 4 Days
Route 66 from Chicago to Flagstaff - 12 Days
above mentioned attractions - 7 days (i hoped atleast)
San Francisco - 5 Days
Route 50 all the way back to Chicago - 12 Days
This sums up the trip to 47 days.
I decided just to ask smaller questions about smaller parts of the trip rather than flooding the same Thread with completely different questions about one huge trip.
no need to confuse the readers or get even more confused myself...
i hope you understand my dilemma.
how would you guys plan such a trip in 47 days?
See, this is the exact reason why we have a policy of 1 thread per trip - and why I've now merged the two threads together.
You can't plan segments of a trip like this in a vacuum. When you say you only have 7 days for a trip (that really requires about 14), but in reality, you've got 7 weeks there's a lot more that can be talked about.
For example, you can get from Chicago to Flagstaff in 4 easy days, so maybe you do that trip in less than 12 and have more time for the SW portion of your trip.
Or, if you're taking US-50 back, the National Parks of Utah you've listed are a relatively short detour and could possibly be used in the 12 days you've got planned for that section.
You've got 2 full weeks planned between NYC, Chicago and SF - you could trim a few days off those cities and be in a much better shape to see the unique natural wonders you can't see anywhere else.
But ultimately, no matter how you look at things, you're either going to have to take some time from other sections of your trip, or cut something out to visit all these great places.
Do you have the paper maps or a road atlas you were advised to get?
Speaking just for myself, I would take at least one day from each city, and devote it to the parks. Once you've seen a couple of cities they all start to look the same, but the natural wonders of the west are unique. You will never see them anywhere else. When you get to the west, you may well regret having spent so much time in the concrete jungles.Quote:
how would you guys plan such a trip in 47 days?
You can drive from Chicago to Flagstaff in a much more efficient way than trying to follow a route which really no longer exists. Not only that, but you will end up seeing a lot more spectacular country. Check out the route from Chicago to Denver on I-80 to I-76 and then I-70 - the most scenic interstate in the country - to UT. You will then already be in the midst of the parks, and would be able to include Arches, Canyonlands and much more.
Rather than take 12 days, it would take about a third of the time.... freeing up at least 8 more days to spend in the parks.
From San Francisco to Chicago will not take you anywhere near 12 days, even if you follow part of US50, which does not go all the way to Chicago. That could free up even more time to spend in the south west.
Lifey
I think part of the problem here is that the vastness of the United States is difficult for Europeans to grasp. When you say "four easy days from Chicago to Flagstaff" that means at least 8 hours each day of just driving, and longer if you hit construction or rush-hour traffic. If you want to spend time stopping to sightsee and sit in restaurants for meals, you need to add those hours which then become another day or two or three.
If I were you, I would fly into either San Francisco or New York and then go across, not back and forth.
Burgh
With 7 weeks you can have a really relaxed trip seeing the places you want and by doing a loop, you just need to tweak things so that you are not rushing in places and taking to long in others. To visit a number of places a loop often works out better than zig zagging up and down the country and best of all, you won't have a one way drop off fee on your rental. I too would chop time from the city, but even with allowing 8 days each way you would add 8 sight seeing days to your trip, plus you could be building in the attractions while heading east to west and west to east saving even more time. For example you can see MV and GC on the way to SF (as well as other attractions along the way) and then afterwards head to Yosemite, Mono Lake, Death valley, LV, Zion, Bryce and possibly Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands on the way east, as well as attractions in Colorado. You would have the option of visiting Vegas and Yosemite on route to SF if you wanted to pick up US50 earlier.
Just to refresh, I have read your whole plan again, along with all the changes. I am glad Michael merged them.
Your plan is full of routes cities and parks. I think you need to decide which is your top priority, what exactly is it you want to get out of this trip. If it is the two routes, then drop some time in the cities, and do only those parks near the routes. (As one who has Jamie Jensen's book, I would suggest you not blindly follow it. He lists many attractions which may not necessarily be to your taste, on the other hand you may pass spots where you would rather spend time. Best design your own trip.)
If the priority is cities, then pick up your preferred routes when convenient, and skip the rest and visit which ever parks fit in time wise. And if the parks are top priority then adjust the other two to visit as many of the parks for as long as you can.
But you can't necessarily do it all, as I am sure you are beginning to see. However, as in previous posts, you have quite a lot of time swinging, which could be moved.
I would also suggest that you forget about the train to Chicago. Look at renting a car in Newark NJ. From what I have heard on the road from other visitors, it is cheaper to rent from Newark. Since you won't need a car in NY, you can pick it up and drop it off on your way out of and back into the city. There is a train between the two cities.
This comment worries me more than a little. Be sure to travel with good paper maps, which on the road should be your primary navigational tool. Don't be tempted to rely solely on technology. Some have done so at their peril. By all means use a gps as a back up, but make sure you choose the roads, not the gps. Make sure you have those maps, and that you know how to read them.Quote:
my goal is to prepare a complete google map of my roadtrip, convert it into a format my gps software would understand so that i can just follow it.
Lifey
Thank You so much for your input!
I am having a very difficult time planning this trip. Glad you guys are helping me.
From New York to Niagara and then from Niagara to Chicago i will be booking flights. They are not very time consuming and also not soo expensive. i checked. they are affordable. definitly cheaper then renting a car already in new york or newark and keeping it for one extra week.
After i am done with chicago sightseeing, i will rent the car and then begin with route66.
i planned 12 days because of all the road has to offer. i now have the ez66 guide and other route66 books. they show pretty nice attractions to visit...
the only cuts i can make are from the 2 routes. i don't really want to cut time from the cities.
How does 8 days per route sound?
That gives me 12 Days for the Parks.
I will be having the Rand McNally Large Scale Atlas for Navigation but i still would like to have google maps as a backup. that is why i am still working on the kml file. And i promise it is just a backup.
This is the important part about a roadtrip. It has to go where you want to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by GST
I think your plan will work, especially if you visit some of the NPs when driving your chosen routes. I would still leave some flexibily for last minute change of mind.
The large scale is a bit bulky and heavy, but it is much easier to read. What I do with my Rand McNally to make it a souvenir of my trip, each night I sit down and hilight each and every road on which I travelled. It is great when you later look back over your trip, or when sharing with others. When I look through mine it is almost as if I am driving those roads again.Quote:
I will be having the Rand McNally Large Scale Atlas for Navigation but i still would like to have google maps as a backup. that is why i am still working on the kml file. And i promise it is just a backup.
Have a great trip.
Lifey
I won't be driving the entire Routes. It is just not possible to do if i want to see the NPsQuote:
This is the important part about a roadtrip. It has to go where you want to go.
I think your plan will work, especially if you visit some of the NPs when driving your chosen routes.
The Plan is:
driving Route 66 from Chicago to Flagstaff. Ditching the Rest of Route66 for the sake of the NPs.
driving the Route 50 from Sacramento to St.Louis. From St.Louis to Chicago via smaller parts of Great River Road and Oregon Trail.
I have a booklet called 24 Places you must see on Route66 from the National Historic Route 66 Federation.
I guess will just focus on the first 17 of these most important attractions being:
1. Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant, Chicago
2. Pontiac, Illinois Murals
3. Cozy Dog Drive In, Springfield, IL
4. Ariston Cafe, Litchfield, IL
5. Henry’s Rabbit Ranch, Staunton, IL
6. Old Chain Of Rocks Bridge
7. Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, St. Louis, MO
8. Munger Moss Motel
9. Afton Station
10. POPS, Arcadia, OK
11. Oklahoma Route 66 Museum
12. U-Drop Inn, Shamrock, TX
13. Big Texan Steak Ranch, Amarillo, TX
14. Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM
15. Santa Fe 66
16. El Rancho Hotel, Gallup, NM
17. La Posada Hotel, Winslow, AZ
and then continue with the NPs.
I guess these 17 attractions are doable in 8 days.
what do you guys think?
You can still follow parts of route 66 after Flagstaff, there is Williams, Seligman and King man that can all be seen after the Grand canyon.
So if I am correct you have 31 days for the road trip out and back from Chicago including the National parks ? [not including 5 days in SF] Here is a rough sketch of what your trip could then look like.
Out.
Day 1. Chicago to Springfield IL.
Day 2 Springfield to St Louis.
Day 3. St Louis to Arcadia. [[Tulsa ?]
Day 4. to Oklahoma.
Day 5. Oklahoma to Amarillo.
Day 6 Amarillo to Albuquerque.
Day 7 Albu to Winslow.
Day 8. Winslow to Monument Valley.
Day 9 and 10. Grand canyon. [to Flagstaff]
Day11 Flagstaff to Williams/Seligman and Kingman.
Day 12 Kingman to Las Vegas via Hoover Dam.
Day 13 Las Vegas.
Day 14 Las Vegas to Bishop via Death valley.
Day 15 and 16 Yosemite.
Day 17 San Fran [5 days]
Back.
Day 18 SF to Lake Tahoe
Day 19 Lake Tahoe to Ely or Baker. [Great basin NP]
Day 20 Great Basin to Zion NP.
Day 21 Zion.
Day 22 Zion to Bryce canyon
Day 23 Bryce canyon to Capital Reef NP. [UT scenic 12]
Day 24 CR [Torrey] to Moab UT
Day 25 Arches and Canyonlands. [Moab UT]
Day 26 Moab to Durango CO [Mesa Verde NP?]
Day 27 Durango to Montrose. Million dollar Highway. [Silverton and Ouray on way]
Day 28 Montrose to Canon City. [Black canyon, Currecanti Nat res, Monarch pass, Royal Gorge bridge]
Day 29 Canon City to Dodge City.
Day 30 Dodge City to Kansas City.
Day 31 back to Chicago
This gives you all your time in the City's and some breath taking National parks and scenic drives. Of course this is just a quick and rough guide to what is possible and will hopefully give you something to work with and then adjust as needed to suit your own personal goals.
wow Dave!
Your Suggestion looks totally amazing.
But there is one thing i REALLY want to do on the Route 50 and that is the Pony Express Survival Challenge. After Completion you get this Certificate. I MUST have this.
Your suggestion is still mind-blowing and i will definitely give it a closer look.
Damn! This Forum is AMAZING! i am so glad i found you guys.
I can't quite figure out what you have to do to complete that challenge (which does look pretty neat) but how long do you think you'll need for that section of the trip?
The idea Dave laid out would give you a full day to make the trip across Nevada. If Lake Tahoe isn't a priority, you could get started on US-50 the day you leave SF, and look to spend the night in Fallon. Dave's plan also gives a full day to get from Great Basin to Zion, so could likely use half of that day to continue your exploration around eastern Nevada.
This is the Survival Guide. You have to get stamps on the back of this Guide. As soon as you have completed all the stamps which need to be collected in the 5 largest towns on the Pony Express Trail (Fernley, Fallon, Austin, Eureka and Ely) you can validate it and then you get the Certificate signed by the Governer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Midwest Michael
I just HAVE to do this!
I am currently doing research on how long people needed to complete the challenge. I will let you guys know as i soon as i know more. But as a guess i would say a whole day as it is a 287-mile stretch from Fernley, Nevada to Baker, Nevada.
Dave's Plan is now the base of my planning. I will try to fit pony express and seqouia into his plan. I already had Lake Tahoe planned as a part of my Route 50 driving. So yes, it always was a priority.
You could leave Lake Tahoe and get to Fallon via Reno and Fernley and then continue to Ely the following day. That would add a day so you would need to alter something down the track, or leave SF after lunch half a day early and wake at Lake Tahoe. You could find that night by driving from Bryce canyon to Moab in one day and just stop to break the journey and have lunch at Capitol Reef NP.
In a similar fashion you could speed up a little on the way out to fit Sequoia NP into the equation, but you could also see the Giant Sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove, Yosemite.
Hi Dave,
Thanks again for your input. Sounds a bit complicated. Time to open up some maps and have a closer look.
General Sherman is somehow high priority to me. It is the worlds largest tree and that is the reason why i want to see it.
Tioga Pass and Mono Lake would be nice too.
There is way tooo much to see and really difficult to decide what to ditch and what not.
Mesa Verde NP for example doesn't really seem to be so interesting. I could ditch that for something more exciting.
How about this?
Leave LV via NV-160 to Pahrump, take the "locals route" to DV, leave via CA-190 to US-395, spending the night in Bishop. Take that to Lee Vining, checking out Mono Lake, and enter Yosemite via Tioga Pass (CA-120). Leave Yosemite via CA-41 to Fresno and enter Sequoia on CA-180. Leave Sequoia to the south on CA-198 through Visalia to I-5 and deadhead it to SF. You could spend the night in Visalia, from there to SF is less than 4 hours.
Then leaving SF, take I-80 to Sacramento and US-50 to Tahoe. That's less than a 4 hour drive and will leave you the rest of the day to do the drive all the way around the lake - spend the night in South Lake Tahoe. Then you can take US-50 from Tahoe to Ely. It's about 6 hours from Tahoe to Ely, an easy day's drive and Ely has a good selection of lodging. Have dinner in Ely at the Cellblock - it's a steakhouse in the back of the Jailhouse Casino and you actually eat in an old jail cell. The Main Motel is a decent little restored 50's style roadside motel that used to be a Best Western.
Hi glc,
Thanks for your input!
I checked your suggestion in google maps and i liked it a lot.
I guess this is where i could do the Pony Express challenge and then stick to Dave's Plan.Quote:
spend the night in South Lake Tahoe. Then you can take US-50 from Tahoe to Ely. It's about 6 hours from Tahoe to Ely, an easy day's drive and Ely has a good selection of lodging
I know Google Maps is not the way to go but it is extremely helpful while planning. I will ofcourse focus on Paper Maps as soon as most of the Planning is done which is soo not the case yet.