Vancouver BC to Georgia

[Justin]

Hi there,

I have to start planning for a big round trip this October and November. I will be leaving the end of September to compete in the American Royal BBQ competition in Kansas City Missouri the beginning of October. I have to be in Lynchburg Tennessee the third week of October to compete in the Jack Daniels competition and then to Douglas Georgia for "the best of the best" in the beginning of November. I have not done this route before and would like to take in everything I can. I am doing it alone and it is a once in a lifetime trip for me. Obviously I want to see much about the bbq culture along the way but every thing else that is worthwhile. I am figuring on 5 - 6 weeks away. Any guidance, advice, things not to miss, please let me know.

Best Regards,
Justin Kyllo

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Without knowing much about your tastes other than barbeque, it's hard to recommend anything other than the most popular attractions on your route. Also, unfortunately, you'll have to be in the east for most of the 5-6 weeks that you've scheduled for this trip, so you really won't have time to stop at too many of the great national parks in the west. Depending on how long each of your competitions lasts, you may not have a lot of time in the east either. You should leave at least 4 days just to get from Vancouver to Kansas City while using I-5 south to Seattle and then I-90/I-82/I-84 to the Salt Lake City area, I-80 to Lincoln, NE and NE-2/I-29 to Kansas City. If you can add a day or two to the drive then you'd have time to see the Great Salt Lake, Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, and some of the landmarks along the Oregon Trail. Between Kansas City and Lynchburg, St. Louis and Mammoth Cave are your best bets, and between Lynchburg and Douglas Stone Mountain is probably worth a visit. The return trip will require a minimum of 5-6 days by the same route, but again if you can add a few days you open up the possibility of retuning by a different route such as I-90 across South Dakota and Wyoming with visits to the Badlands, Devils Tower, Yellowstone and other great natural settings.

AZBuck

[Justin]

Thanks AZBuck,

I have seen the west but not the east so that is good. Mammoth is a definite for sure, glad you brought it up. I toured caves in the Black Hills area a few years back and really enjoyed them. I will look up Stone Mountain and will have to visit St Louis to see the arch.

Thanks,
Justin