Driving East to New Jersey from Portland, Oregon

[erinmarut]

Hello All...This is my first time on your site and I love it! Such a wealth of information...

Here is my situation. In July I will be driving one way to NJ from OR with my mom and my dog. I want to make the most of this trip as I don't forsee myself driving cross country again in the near future. Hiking will be very limited, but I do want to see as much as I can.

One thought I had was to drive north to the San Juan Islands in WA then plan my trip from there. I have been to the San Juans before, so it isn't a must see on my list (although they are amazing). It also adds about 2 days to the trip by the time you add ferries into the picture.

My other thought was taking the Canadian route east and seeing lots of pretty country that way or going through the northern states and visiting lots of national parks.

Any suggestions on must see sites or suggested routes. I have about 8 to 9 days to play with.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

With only 8-9 days to work with, I don't think I would go as far north as Canada. Planning for 10 hour days, the trip will take 5 solid days on the shortest route. Adding a detour that far out of the way, plus with the lack of freeways in Western Canada, it would be farther away than I would recommend.

I think sticking to a route out to Yellowstone, and then follows I-90 east, via Black Hills and the Badlands would really be your best bet. Its fairly direct, so it will allow you to have either shorter driving days, or spend more time in some of those areas - each which you could easily spend a day or more in.

[erinmarut]

Thanks...the time frame is an issue. I'm going to research some of your suggestions now. Thanks again!

[Syv]

I agree not enough time to go up to British Columbia & across Canada.Travel to Grand Tetons & Yellowstone. Take the Bear Tooth Highway & Chief Joseph Highway to Cody WY.If time, go to the Buffalo Bill Cody Historical Center in Cody. You need a day there!South Dakota -go through Lead & Deadwood (go to the cemetery!)Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mammoth Site, Custer State Park (buffalo!) -- these 4 can be done in one day as they are very close together - check the open/closed times of each - Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse are open late & lit up in evenings.Badlands SD,Wall Drug (on the Interstate near entrance to Badlands)Drive across the plains past Chicago**Enter Ontario Canada at Sarnia (bring proper identification documents)Go to Toronto, Ontario - capital city of Ontario & Canada's largest city. Lots to see & do here. See the Rogers Centre (formerly called Skydome). Go up the world's tallest tower - C.N. Tower.Drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls, Ontario. See the falls. Lots to see & do on the Canadian side of the falls & better views. Drive east from the falls about two miles to see the whirlpool & cable car. Drive west from the falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake if interested in unique shopping, pretty touristy town.Enter back into the States.If never been & time, go to Washington DC (unless you can see that another time being in New Jersey?). Could spend a week here just seeing all the "free admission" places. Walk the mall taking photos - go to the National Cemetery - if only time for one or two - go to the Air & Space museum and the Natural History museum.