Austin to Grand Canyon...suggestions??

[BostonCowboy]

Hi folks,

I've been surfing this site for the past week, absorbing as much as I can to get ready for my a road trip my wife and I plan to take this summer. Last summer we started in Charleston, SC and went New Orleans, via Nashville and Memphis, and had an amazing time. We did it in a week, but we're still relatively young (33), enjoy scenic drives, and try to plan things out well, so we managed just fine in 8 days. This year we're going on another 8-day trek, this time from Austin to the Grand Canyon, with a final destination being either Phoenix or Las Vegas, depending on everyone's suggestions here. We're New Englanders, but we love country music and southwestern culture and are excited to experience what everyone says is a gorgeous part of the country (then again, isn't it all?)

Our first thought was, Let's go to Austin! I'm a musician and we both enjoy music, so Austin seems like the place to be. But I can't spend a week in Austin. I need to see more than that, hence the road trip...

Here's my basic plan:

Day 1: Fly into Austin.
Day 2: Austin
Day 3: Drive to San Antonio (this will be our 5th anniversary day, btw)
Day 4: SA to El Paso (cross the border? yes? no? suggestions?)
Day 5: El Paso to Tucson/Phoenix area
Day 6: Tucson/Phoenix to Sedona, via Salt River Canyon, Camp Verde, Prescott
Day 7: Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 8: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 9: Fly out of Las Vegas

Alternately, we could go from the GC back down to Phoenix and leave from there, but I'm not one for backtracking. Or over to Albuquerque, but I'd like to do Four Corners and see Utah, southern CO, etc, on another trip when I have more time.

Can we cover Austin in one overnight stay? Should we spend our time elsewhere, even if it's still in Texas?

Also, I'm aware this is just an appetizer of all this area has to offer. But I would love some suggestions, just the same. You all seem to know just what you're talking about!!

God I love road trips :)

[Mark Sedenquist]

I've been surfing this site for the past week, absorbing as much as I can

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum -- Sounds like you are veteran roadtrippers. But, I got tell you, I could easily spend an entire week around (or a couple of months) exploring the region around Austin. But for a quick overview of the musical possibilities -- check out this article by Austin local, Aaron Reed.

Here's my basic plan:

I really think you need to spend at least two full days in Austin...

Day 4: SA to El Paso (cross the border? yes? no? suggestions?)

Do not go into Mexico right now...

Day 5: El Paso to Tucson/Phoenix area
Day 6: Tucson/Phoenix to Sedona, via Salt River Canyon, Camp Verde, Prescott
Day 7: Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 8: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 9: Fly out of Las Vegas

These are really full, full days, yes you can drive that much -- but you'll be kicking yourself that you didn't plan less to take advantage of the light for photography.

Mark

[glc]

If you must go into Mexico, you will need US passports to get back in, and WALK over the border, do not drive. Not a good idea anyway, if you want to go to Mexico, fly into a tourist-oriented place like Acapulco or Cancun. The US border towns just aren't safe these days.

[BostonCowboy]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll take your suggestion and won't venture into Mexico this time around, and I have also decided to add an extra day in northern AZ, in and around the Grand Canyon. This way we can have some time to make our way from Sedona to the GC in time for sunset while being able to enjoy the sights along the way at a more leisurely pace.

So...

Day 1: Fly into Austin.
Day 2: Austin
Day 3: Drive to San Antonio (this will be our 5th anniversary day, btw)
Day 4: SA to El Paso (cross the border? yes? no? suggestions?)
Day 5: El Paso to Tucson/Phoenix area
Day 6: Tucson/Phoenix to Sedona, via Salt River Canyon
Day 7: Sedona, Camp Verde, Prescott area
Day 7: Sedona to Grand Canyon
Day 8: Grand Canyon to Las Vegas
Day 9: Fly out of Las Vegas

Still a ton of driving, and still won't have enough time to see all I want to, but this looks a lot better than a week or so sitting at my desk!

[Mark Sedenquist]

... but this looks a lot better than a week or so sitting at my desk!

Yep, any day spent on the always trumps a day at the office!

Mark