2013 Lap around the USA

[john.waters]

Hi all, its back on my mind again and want to start planning a little bit.
Just a looking for some views on the trip we are planning.

Last yeat we had 42 days campervan hire that worked out at about $100 per day for the camper + fuel + RV parks or campgrounds. We also spent about 10 nights in motels and a few days with friends where the camper wasnt being used. So all up it was expensive per day.

Just wondering would it be cheaper to hire a car big enough for my 6'6'' body plus our gear and stay in motels or guesthouses. Last trip we done 16 national Parks and many state parks. Not looking to do as may next trip.

Any advice would be welcomed.
John

[glc]

Yes, a car and motels would probably wind up cheaper, especially if you rent a relatively fuel-efficient sedan.

[john.waters]

Thanks glc. i thought if I saved on a car we could stay longer. We had a Chevvy van with a V6 engine last time so a smaller car or van would be more economical.
I looked at quotes on line but not sure if they include insurances.

[tonderisin]

Look into Groom TX if you'll be on 40 easy, can be quick and definately something to see

[john.waters]

Well Being the 4th of July here in OZ i think its time to rekindle this trip plan.Its just over a year since we got back and hopefully in one years time we will be in Calgary for the Stampede.Just depending on our plans on places to visit. We would like to visit a few of the national parks in Canada before coming back into Glacier National Park.
We would like to avoind the crowds like last year so we might have to be flexible with dated.
Putting our viseo as together from last year has got me planning again.

One question I would like to ask is, is it possible to come back int the USA from Canada via Going to the Sun road and into Glacier NP. Just not sure as to what time of year the roads are open.


John

[Lifemagician]

It is possible to cross the border within the NP. Not sure if this road links direct to the GTTS road. Be aware, that crossing is restricted hours - not sure exactly, but probably 8am to 11pm (like some others I have used.).

You should be at the stampede this year, their great anniversary! It is all I heard when I was there last month. The statue honouring the occasion sounds spectacular. It was unveiled a day after I left.

It's hard to avoid crowds in the great NPs of the north, which all have such a short season.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

The GTTSR can open any time from early June and is totally weather dependant. [It sometimes needs re-plowing after the opening date] I think the latest it has opened in recorded history was on July 13th in 2011. I would say the odds are in your favour if you arriving after July 4th, but not a certainty by any means.

[john.waters]

Thanks Dave and Lifey. I would love to have been ther now but I havent finished editing the last trip.
We are off to tonga next month for 2 weeks in the sun.
Our trip next year is still in the planning stage.Im thinking od going into Canada fro Port Angeles on the ferry then spending a few weeks there before coming down into Glacier NP and and remaining in the USA from then on. I have a list of places to visit in South Dakota etc. I wont go into the list just yet, just wanted to make sure we can get bact to Glacier OK.

We look like hiring a little van again, my wife loved it and enjoyed the freedom we had stoppind where we wanted too. So Im all for having a happy wife on the trip. We are country people and love the bush and camping so we will be looking at that type of a trip.

Once I get someting else together Ill post a bit of a mud map and get a few ideas on what else to look at.
John

[Wroberson]

Motels can be cheaper than tent camping. It depends on the quality of the motel. I've always thought about driving a loop around the USA, but have never gotten around to it.

One option is the Alaskan Highway. You can catch it near Baniff Park. From Chicago, it's an 84 hour drive straight through. Or, a week at 12 hours of driving per day.

Just a thought.

Have fun!

[john.waters]

For the trip we done in 2011 I had it planned down to the day.We stuck to until Utah where we had to be on my wifes birthday for a booked balloon flight.After that we gained and lost a day as we pleased.
I think with 2013 we will have a starting and finishing point and a few places we must see and hit the road.If we make it to all then good, if not we will go back and finish it another day.
We will save Canada for another trip as well.