planning a 10K mile trip

Hi everyone,

I'm sort of thinking aloud here and hoping for some feedback. I'm in the initial stages of planning a 60 day road trip for the summer:

FL > Santa Fe NM > Phoenix AZ > Las Vegas NV > Sonoma Mountain CA > Portland OR > Seattle WA > Missoula MT > Boulder CO > Burlington VT > New York NY > Washington DC > Charlottesville VA > Charleston SC > FL

Whew!

Obviously there are some gaps, like in the beginning between FL and NM and also from CO to VT. I'm looking to span those gaps fairly quickly, but any tips on points of interest along the way would be appreciated.

My main concerns are: is it even possible to see all these places (and enjoy them) in just 60 days? Does anyone know of some really great scenic routes to take along any of the legs (i'm trying to avoid major highways)? Any tips for traveling alone?

I'm on a strict budget as well, so I'd love to know of any good hostels and cheap eats. I'll be doing most of touring around each destination on my mountain bike, so I'm also looking for some good (not too difficult) trails.

Another question...will my 4-cylinder Honda Civic handle going up and down mountains easily? I've been debating renting something like a Honda Element, because even though the gas mileage won't be as good, I could camp in it and save some money that way...plus it would hold a lot more gear. Opinions on the Civic vs. Element issue please!

And lastly (sorry this is so long!) I'm debating whether or not to bring along my dog. She's a good traveler and would make for great company, but I'm worried about finding places to stay. Has anyone on here taken their dog on a major road trip like this, and did it hinder your adventure significantly?

Thanks for reading, any advice would be great!!

-annie

Here's a quick welcome to the forum -- you'll probably get quite a bit of help with this in more detail, but here are a few things quickly.

-Don't discount the center sections of your trip such as FL to NM, etc. There is always a wide variety of things to see along the way, and many areas of the USA are under-appreciated by most travelers. Even those areas that may appear "boring" at first glance have their attractions, and these can turn out to unexpectedly be the highlights of your trip.

Sixty days is a great amount of time to be able to explore, you could use more, and you could do it in less. But it will be easy to plan a trip that makes proper use of the 2 months you have, and it will be a great experience, as you may have already guessed.

We have many tips for solo travelers already available for you here, so while you wait for responses, you might use the search function and the roadtrip planning section from the Home page and see what you can find.

Your Civic will do fine on the scenic roads -- you'll likely have no trouble at all, as they are extremely reliable and capable vehicles. Have your mechanic do a quick safety and trip inspection before you go, and be sure to get your routine service work done as you travel.

And by all means, take the pooch! Only a dog truly appreciates the wonders of a roadtrip -- as evidenced by their boundless joy in hanging their ears out the window and sniffing the delights of the passing terrain! The dog will make the trip better!

More to come. Bob

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Originally Posted by sunwater

..I'm debating whether or not to bring along my dog. She's a good traveler and would make for great company, but I'm worried about finding places to stay. Has anyone on here taken their dog on a major road trip like this, and did it hinder your adventure significantly?

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From personal experience, I can attest that a dog can be a fount of roadtripping wisdom. By all means take her! There are more recent guides but this one is a good first step for finding lodging for both of you.

Megan and I wrote an essay about this topic: "Should I take my dog?" It's a frequent question on the Great America RoadTrip Forum. Our answer? If you're able to, by all means, yes! Animals are often far more able to adapt to both the delights and rigors of road trips than people are, and roadtrips with a canine companion are among the most rewarding. to read more, click here.

Mark

Well, of course it's possible to see all these places in 60 days. I did a trip of about 7000 miles in 16 days this summer. Your's is downright leisurely in comparison. (You only have to average about 175 miles a day!) You can spend a fair amount of time at each of your destinations and still have time for sightseeing along the way in between. As Bob suggested, see some of what's in between. There is always something. Especially look for state parks along the way to give your dog (by all means, take her) and yourself some exercise. Also, having one or two stops each day breaks up the trip and makes it infinitely more enjoyable.

As for great scenic routes, I'd start with some of these roads, and then also start looking over your maps. Most road maps today mark scenic roads with dashed lines or some such (check the legend), and besides, almost any road can be scenic if approached with the right attitude. For some general tips on saving money, be sure to check out the Art of the Cheap Road Trip.

One other general piece of advice. You don't have to plan this trip to death, but it would probably be helpful to start with a general idea of where you'll be stopping and for how long, and how you'll be getting from place to place. Otherwise, you might get so enamored of one area that you spend too much time there and end up having to rush through the rest of the trip. How will you know whether you're behind schedule if you don't have at least a rough schedule?


AZBuck

As far as Scenic Routes... I have to recommend this for your Seattle to Missoula route: Take US 2 over Stevens Pass between Seattle and Wenatchee, and be sure to stop at the Alps Candy Shoppe in Tumwater Canyon (about 5 miles east of the turn-off to Lake Wenatchee, known locally as Coles Corner). It's one of the most scenic highways (In my opinion) between Seattle and Spokane without going through Yakima. US 2 is part of the famous Cascade Loop, and is designated as the Stevens Pass Greenway. While you are on the West side of Stevens Pass, be sure to watch out for a little hideaway called Deception Falls. It's barely signed, but it is a hidden treat that few realize is there. After the town of Index, keep an eye out for a brown sign that will read "Deception Falls, Left 1/4 Mile", and you'll want to slow down there. The parking lot is feet from the highway and the falls actually run under the highway, so its not a long drive into the hills. As far as good eats, I can personally recommend Tom, Dick & Harry's in Monitor. They make some pretty good food, but it can be pricey compared to your national chains. If you venture INTO Wenatchee, some other good places to eat. EZs Burgers on your right at the second stoplight upon crossing the North Wenatchee Bridge (cross is Maiden Lane). Dusty's In-and-Out on your left at the fourth stop light from the bridge (cross is Maple, Dusty's is about 500' prior.) The Windmill next to Dusty's is also a a great place, but it's one of those hard-to-get-into steakhouses... best steaks in North Central Washington.
From Wenatchee, I recommend taking WA 28 to Quincy, then south to I-90 at George. From there, take I-90 east towards spokane. There is a GREAT restuaunt in Ritzville, on the west side of town, but I forget the name and exact location of it (I visited it only once, but it was great food).

As far as motels, in the rural areas up in the northwest, Motel 6 and your Super 8 motels are good and cheap. Also, campgrounds in this area are fairly inexpensive, so watch for US Forest Service campgrounds along US 2 and state parks in other areas of Washington and Idaho. You can get a free map from the Washington State Dept of Transportation by visiting http://wsdot.wa.gov

And about mountain biking... I can gurantee you will be salvating when you enter Chelan County. Some good trails/places to ride- the entire town of Leavenworth, Cashmere is a good area to ride, and the Apple Capital Loop Trail will let you have some great views of the Wenatchee Valley and the Columbia River once you reach Wenatchee. The trail runs along both sides of the river, and crosses the river along US 2/97 at Olds Station and again towards the south end of Wenatchee. You can find trailhead parking at Walla Walla Point Park by following the highway into Wenatchee (it turns into Wenatchee Avenue). You will pass EZ's burgers as mentioned above, and take a left at the third stoplight (Hardy, I belive). Follow Hady over the railroad tracks (there are signs pointing the way) about 1/2 mile (at the curve the street turns into Miller. Look for a sign pointing the way to Lowes Home Improvement and take a Left. Walla Walla Point Park is on the left (and if your pooch gets ill or injured while in this area, just down the road from Walla Walla Point Park is Cascade Veterinary Clinic, and they are THE BEST in the area. I personally can recommend Dr. Womack and Dr. Keppler, as they are the ONLY ones to see my cats up in the Wenatchee area... I thought I'd mention them just in case, ya know.

The Civic should have no problem with the climbs... as Stevens Pass is easily tackled in a Chevy Metro! Just please, run with your lamps on... safety is everything.

And... I don't think I can think of anything else.
-Brad

Thanks for all the great tips and links...I'll be sure to check it all out. I am having a lot of fun just planning this trip, I can't wait to actually hit the road! I'm glad to see that everyone thinks I should take my dog along, I really didn't want to leave her behind. Some people think I'm crazy for wanting to take her, so I'm happy for your support.

Does anyone have a road atlas they recommend above and beyond all others? Or are they pretty much the same, as long as I stick to a big name like Rand Mcnally?

Thanks Brad for your detailed info on the Seattle > Missoula leg, I've printed it out and will take it with me...and thanks for the vet info, let's hope I won't need it though!

As for the pace of the trip, The destination points I mentioned are all places where I have family or friends, so I'm hoping to spend a few days in each place. That's why I need to span the gaps between points quickly, but I don't want to miss out on the good stuff in between...I'm planning on stopping every 3 hours and wherever I happen to be, I want to get out and explore.

Also, does anyone have a tried-and-true road trip essentials kit? You know, things that might not seem obvious to take along, but that some of you have learned through experience came in handy? I've got a first aid kit and a compass...

Thanks everyone!

-annie

You should be able to do your trip in 60 days. However, I'd make a very loose itinerary. If you have tons of fun someplace and want to stay there, you may have to skip another area. That's not a bad thing. That just means you can do it on another roadtrip right?

So, my advice is to take your Civic....it will do fine....and enjoy and be spontaneous! You have enough time to do that.

As for the dog...I have a bit of a different take on this. My dog can't stand heat at all. So I never take her with me when I'm going someplace hot. I like to visit museums and other places where dogs aren't allowed. Heat in the car can kill a dog rather quickly. Cracking the windows isn't enough. If it's warm and I have her with me, I'll put the windshield covers up (one for the windshield and one each for the side windows), roll down the windows several inches, and turn on a small, battery-powered fan to help keep her cool. And then do my errand lickety-split so she's not in the car more than 15-20 minutes. Even then, I get a bit nervous about her. And I'm only talking warm, not hot. I wouldn't dare do that in the heat that you'll find through much of the South and the Mid-west.

The other matter you need to consider is what types of areas you will be mountain-biking in. Are dogs allowed in those areas? If not, what will you do with the dog when you're enjoying the outdoors? Some areas do have day kennels. But what if they don't? Or what if they are full?

Gosh....I love my dog's companionship. She's one of my best friends. However, I know that there are way too many things I like to do that would not be fun for my dog when I roadtrip so she stays home with family. Of course, we take her with us on camping trips...gosh, she loves doing that and we love sharing it with her. But a road trip is a whole other situation.

Anyway, I'm not saying you shouldn't take your dog. I'm just saying that you really need to consider your activities and what you will do with her when you're doing those activities before you make a decision. There are some good books and websites out there with hints on how to handle these types of situations. You might want to do some research before you make a decision.

I use Rand McNally maps mostly, and I have a LARGE collection of maps. If you have an AAA membership, their TripTiks provide some good info about areas along your route, small handheld maps (easy for taking a quick glance), and they also have interchanges marked if they have Gas Food and/or Lodging (with G, F, and L, icons). I used one on my last trip, and I enjoyed it. The only con to these is that you have to have a set route.

But I mainly recommend RM's Road Atlas, either Deluxe or Basic.
-Brad

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Originally Posted by sunwater

Does anyone have a road atlas they recommend above and beyond all others? Or are they pretty much the same, as long as I stick to a big name like Rand Mcnally?

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Like Brad, we have lots of maps here in the RTA office. I keep five within a foot or two of my desk. Our time-tested top recommendations are found on the Maps page.

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Also, does anyone have a tried-and-true road trip essentials kit? You know, things that might not seem obvious to take along, but that some of you have learned through experience came in handy? I've got a first aid kit and a compass...

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Here is what we recommend for winter travel and here are some examples of what many of us carry, 365 days a year. Scroll down on the previous link and look at the posts by Cascadia-Brad and others about essential gear for the car.

Annie, you may have noticed that your request(s) have elicited numerous responses. I think that's because the questions you raise are germane to most road trips, so everyone has an opinion, but the answers are a matter of personal preference, so everyone has a different opinion. How can I travel cheaply? How much can I see in the time I have available? Take the pet or not? What I hope you take from the replies is a sense of what your range of options are so that you can then make some informed decisions.

In that spirit, I'd like to address one of the other decisions you're going to have to make - how much time to spend getting from Florida to Santa Fe. You'll face a similar decision on the Boulder to Burlington leg. You've got some competing goals here. You want to 'span those gaps fairly quickly', but you're also 'trying to avoid major highways' and you 'don't want to miss out on the good stuff in between'. So let's look at two possible ways to get from Florida to Santa Fe. Since I don't know where in Florida you'll be starting from, I'll start from Mobile, AL since you almost have to go through there.

The most efficient route between those two is basically: I-10, I-49, I-20, US-287, I-40, US-285. Now that's about 1280 miles and would take about 21 and a half hours of behind-the-wheel time to drive. Your numbers may vary, but you could certainly do it comfortably in 3 days. That would be the 'span the gaps quickly' route. On the other hand, let me lay out a possible alternate route that's about 1415 miles long and would take a little less than 30 hours to drive. This could be comfortably done in 4 days and still allow for some stops along the way. From Mobile, you'd take US-98 to Hattiesbug, MS, then US-49 and I-20 to Vicksburg, MS. From here take US-80 and US-65 to Pine Bluff, AR, and US-270 to Hot Springs NP. Continue on US-270, US-71 and US-59 to Mena, AR where you'd pick up the Talimena Scenic Drive, AR-88 and OK-1 to McAlester, OK. Back on US-270 to Oklahoma City then I-40 to Clinton, OK where you strike out cross country again on OK-73, OK-34 and OK-33 through Black Kettle National Grassland. Continue westward via OK-33, TX-33 and US-60 to Pampa, TX, TX-152 to Dumas, TX, US-87 to Clayton, NM, and finish off with the Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway (US-64, NM-453, US-56, I-25) into Santa Fe. This would be the 'avoid major highways' and take 'some really great scenic routes' choice.

So the choice is yours, and you can certainly find routes other than the two I've outlined, but I would also note - in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin - that "guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days". If you spend three days in each of your 13 stated destinations, you will be able to do them justice and still use up only 39 of your 60 days, leaving 21 days for the road trip portion. That would allow you some time to explore the roads less travelled along the way.

AZBuck.

Again, thanks to all for responding, you really are giving me a lot of ideas and material to work with!

Judy, thank you for your take on the canine companion question...I have the same concerns that you do. I've learned from experience to find places to eat and parks that are pet friendly. My big question is whether two months on the road, in a new place every few nights, will be too stressful for a dog that is very much mired in routine. And I was a little concerned about being able to feel totally carefree and spontaneous when I have her to take care of. Judging from the responses I've gotten there are definitely pros and cons to taking her..so I will continue to think it over. If i don't take her, my other question is, what to do with her! I've heard of doggy "camp"...basically a glorified boarding kennel, but has anyone ever left their animal for TWO MONTHS in a place like that? She is a high energy dog and none of my friends or nearby family have a yard or the time to really give to her, so I just don't know what to do. Any creative ideas would be helpful.

Thanks to AZBuck for the alternate route to Santa Fe! That is very good information and most likely what I will do. When I said that I wanted to "span the gaps quickly" I just meant that I couldn't spend a whole day or half a day at parks or museums, but spending a little extra time on the road in order to drive a more scenic route, that I will definitely do!

And Brad, I got the Rand McNally atlas and I've already zeroxed the maps and begun highliting different routes. I wish I could drop everything and start the journey today!

-Annie

As a dog lover, I'll focus on this issue....

I have never had the luxury of a 60-day trip. 12-14 days is the longest I've ever been able to get away. And we have lots of family in the area who can take care of our dog while we're gone so boarding isn't an issue. And the family who care for her when we're gone know her, she knows them, and they have dogs that she enjoys playing with. Evenso, after 2 days she greets us as if we have been away for years. I can't imagine how she would act after a 60-day separation.

All dogs love routine but, even more than that, dogs love being with their parents (I refuse to be called an owner). Dogs are so attached to those they love that I think they suffer more from a long separation than they would from loss of routine.

I really think if I was going away for so long and didn't have family that she knew and was comfortable with to stay with, I would find a way to take her with me and make it work. However, this is going to mean some compromises on your part. That's not a bad thing. It just means your trip will be different than if you were traveling alone. I also think you will enjoy your trip more if you're not worrying about your dog's well-being when you'r on the road.

So, some things you can do are:
* study books and websites about traveling with dogs so you get a good feel for the resources out there
* investigate day kennels available in areas where you want to mountain bike (and she can't run along side of you) and where you want to do other activities where she can't tag along
* make sure your dog travels well....dogs that don't do roadtrips much sometimes have motion problems when in the car for a long time. My dog loves it but I know of others who have dogs who get sick. Make sure your dog enjoys shorter trips closer to home before taking her on a longer trip
* face the fact that you will likely cover less miles on a day with a dog as you stop so she can do her duty, stretch her legs, etc. Of course, stretching your own legs is a good thing so this isn't a bad way to remind us to get out of the car on a regular basis
* make sure your dog is well-trained enough to be in crowds and the excitement of travel without become a risk to herself or others, including the ability to follow basic commands
* make sure your dog has had all vaccinations and that you carry such documentation with you
* make sure you dog is well-marked with identification tags, including a number where you can be contacted (possibly your cellphone number AND the phone number of a trusted family/friend at home)
* it might be a good idea to invest in a chip as well
* learn some basic dog 1st aid, i.e. looking for chiggers after you've been in heavy grass, etc. and invest in a 1st aid kit with specific items for dog-related injuries

You may not be able to travel as far, or do as many things on your trip with your dog with you. But your dog will also add to your enjoyment. I really wish my dog could take the heat better...she has a very heavy coat...as she IS tons of fun to travel with. I'm sure whatever concessions you have to make to make the trip fun for the both of you will be worth it if you choose that course.

Oh, and if you are going to popular, touristy areas that have dog kennels available, you may need to make reservations for her to stay there well ahead of time.
*

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Originally Posted by sunwater

...Judging from the responses I've gotten there are definitely pros and cons to taking her..so I will continue to think it over. If i don't take her, my other question is, what to do with her! I've heard of doggy "camp"...basically a glorified boarding kennel, but has anyone ever left their animal for TWO MONTHS in a place like that?

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Annie,

One more view on this subject. Having had a number of canine companions over the last five decades or so, I am not really convinced that dogs really "miss" their human companions when they are not there. Dogs have the admirable capabilty to "live in the moment" {Love the one you are with} and they also have the ability to go into "neutral" when their human buddies are not about. This is not to suggest that they don't portray their obvious glee when the "missing" human comes home again.

I think it is possible that the human would miss their companionship more over the two months.

Mark

Any veterinarians in the house? Any pet psychics? This is such a difficult decision! I'm sure that when i think about the two month separation and worry about how it will affect my dog, i'm probably projecting my own emotions on to the situation. I'm going to consult with my vet this week and get her professional opinion and go from there. I have quite a bit of time before i hit the road to try and find the best possible place to leave her...and if i can't find someplace that i'm comfortable with, then she's coming along with me. she and i took a short road trip to the beach this weekend and we both had the best time, so i know it's possible to bring her, if not ideal. i'll let you know what the vet says! thanks!

Although AZBuck mentioned the America's Byways web site be sure to request their free US Scenic Highways map. It may help you decide which roads to take between stops.

As to your Seattle to Missoula portion of the trip, you won't go wrong taking either the north or south part of the "loop" although I loved going across WA20 to US2 in MT & down US93 or MT83 to Missoula on a trip last Spring (we went the other direction & drove up MT200 which let us stop at the National Bison Range a little west of Missoula.) I would also find a way to take the "Going to the Sun" highway through Glacier National Park, providing you will hit the park after the road opens in mid June. One of the most beautiful roads in the US!

When in NY, try to see some of the Adirondacks - maybe taking the ferry across Lake Champlain and NY3, 30 & 28. If you need to make up time, you can catch interstate 87 at Diamond Point.

Have a great trip!

While I totally agree that dogs live "in the moment", I have also known of a couple of dogs who have had major personality changes when separated from their owners for long periods of time, even though they were being cared for by good dog people who they were already familiar with. One lost his sunny disposition and became mopey. The other became quite aggressive. Both returned to normal TO AN EXTENT upon their owner's return...although, in both cases, the dogs still had after-effects and were never quite themselves again.

Of course, I've also known many other dogs who have not been effected at all so those affected dogs are more rare.

I don't think it's a cut-and-dried issue.