Maryland to Grand Canyon & Maybe More (April 2011)

[DCSB]

Hi:
First, so glad to have found this form and site. My husband and I live in Maryland and were hoping to take a road trip to the Grand Canyon next spring for our second anniversary. We will probably have two weeks to take this trip, which will total about 17 days. I've read in other threads that it's recommended a person add 20% to the stated travel time, so, I am estimating 48 hours of driving. However, we may have to add more driving time because we will not be switching drivers at all, I can't drive.

I don't have an itinerary at all yet, because both Google and Mapquest vary as far as the route, after merging onto 1-70 W.

Google recommends: going through a bit of PA, Columbus, OH, Indianapolis, IN, and Tulsa, OK.

Mapquest recommends: Charleston, WV, Frankfort, KY, Louisville, KY, Springfield, MO, and Oklahoma City, OK.

After this both sites are similar in their recommendations. (Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff.) I'm not sure of which to choose, or if there is a completely different option to consider. We are not in any great hurry to get to the Canyon and I wouldn't mind a few photo ops along the way. I've been to Indianapolis and Louisville, as well as passed through Columbus, Springfield, and a bit of Oklahoma, but my memory is a little foggy. I was thinking of investigating the major cities along the way and just choosing the route that seemed more to our liking. However, if there is a better way, I'm open to hearing about it.

I don't know how long we will be at the Grand Canyon, but any other recommendations for other things to see or short day trips, if we had time once we arrive, are also appreciated. I apologize for being vague, and thanks in advance for whatever is offered.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

A drive like this should be measured in day's not hours, unfortunately computers don't need to eat or sleep. It is a 4 day trip each way but that wouldn't allow time for sight seeing, but you certainly have time to wander a little.

Different mapping programs may well vary but it still isn't the only routes available and indeed you shouldn't feel that you have to stick to any given route, they are there as a guide only.

I would look around the forums and road trip planning pages and study a good map and see what it is that might appeal to you and get some dots on the map. Choose a different route each way so that you experience more new things. If you headed out on a more Southerly route along I 40 you could pick your way back to I 70 through parts of Southern Utah and Colorado where there are lots of scenic drives and National parks such as, Zion Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Rocky mountains to name just a few.

When you have researched a little we can help to join the dots, but don't limit yourself to a suggested route from a mapping program that is designed to get you from A to B as quickly as possible.

[C-USA]

You're right -- YOU should control the route - don't have a map program tell you where to go! Map programs don't know your interests. Suggest you broaden your thoughts beyond the cities along the way -- there are so many other interesting places along the way. Some thoughts:

Have you checked the temperatures for Grand Canyon in April? - it can be chilly from below freezing in the am to 50s in the pm. Check wunderground and go to Grand Canyon and then down a couple of screens click seasonal averages -- you'll see the day by day average hi 'n lo so you can pretty well anticipate what it will be when you are there.

For an idea of a few places to see in this area check this site Places like pueblos, cliff dwellings of earlier civilizations, and petroglyphs and more...Enjoy your vacation.

[DCSB]

Thanks so much for the information. By 48 hours, I did mean of driving time, and figured that would be a minimum of 4 days. I think we'll do some more research on this trip, and maybe save it for another time when we are more seasoned in road tripping. It won't be long before we both get 4 weeks vacation rather than 2. Thanks again.