DENVER TO SAN FRAN (and lots in between)

[gibatron]

We are three males in our early twenties landing in Denver on August 24th and then collecting our rental Dodge Charger and planning to drive 3300 miles in 16 days. I'm not expecting this to be too much to digest in that time period.

The route we have planned will take us from Denver to a night in Moab via Arches N.P.
Then through Bryce Canyon N.P onto Las Vegas
Las Vegas via Hoover Dam then onto Flagstaff (Gutted I didn't plan Havasupai in time)
Flagstaff to Grand Canyon and then continuing on to a night in Phoenix.
Phoenix through Joshua Tree N.P, Barstow and then a nights stay somewhere (maybe Shoshone???)
Shoshone through Death Valley, up to Bodie and then stay a night in Lee Vining
Lee Vining through Tioga Pass, Yosemite, Fresno and a nights stay in Bakersfield
Bakersfield down to Orange County to hook up with some friends.
And then north through Highway One eventually arriving in San Fran to fly home on September 9th.

We have accomodation sorted up to Flagstaff in Hostels. We haven't really found anything further but are just planning to get Motels when we arrive. Camping may be an option but we won't be taking kit with us.

Does anybody out there feel that we are missing out on a part of this route and any general advice for us?

There is only myself and one other who are allocated drivers due to the surcharge under 25s have to pay.

I can't wait for this!

Gibatron

[Mass Tim]

Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!

The average miles per day for 3300 miles is just over 200, about four hours a day which is not bad.

Just some general tips would be to make sure you have plenty of fluids with you. Much of this route is through some very dry country. This is good advice at any time of the year, however.

You and your friends may want to take our compatibility quiz to ensure you have the same idea about what this trip is going to be.

[Gerald Thurman]

Great roadtrip! There's lots to comment on, but I'll limit this posting to just a couple ideas.

At Moab: Don't forget about Canyonlands NP in addition to Arches NP. The two national parks to totally different. Moab is a fun town.

Be sure to get an early start when you do Flagstaff to Phoenix via the Grand Canyon. I'd stay in Tempe if you're new to Phoenix.

If you don't need to do Barstow, then do Phoenix to the Joshua Tree NP to Twentynine Palms. Continue north to I-40 and then continue north through the Mojave National Preserve to Baker for the night. Baker is a dumpy town, but it does have motels. I would recommend making a reservation. Get up early in Baker and do Death Valley.

Be sure to carry lots of drinking water (and food) with you on this roadtrip because Phoenix and Death Valley can get grossly hot.