Planning a road trip in either end of April or end of August in a multi-state drive.

[abt87]

Hi guys,

This is my first post and I really need some tips and advice on this road trip I am taking in the near future. I'm from Vancouver, BC but I have also lived in Los Angeles for a short period of time. I've driven to LA and back twice so I am used to driving 8-10 hours a day.

Here is my driving itinerary for my next road trip:

Start in Vancouver, BC and drive to Helena, MT and then Billings, MT.
From there, I drive to Cheyenne, WY and then to Denver, CO.
I might drive to Albuquerque, NM but if I don't I'll head over to Boulder, CO and then to Salt Lake City, UT. Then I will head over to Boise, ID and then to Portland, OR and then back home to Vancouver.

What do you guys think of this trip? I've always wanted to visit all the states and on this trip I'll be visiting several states that I have not been to before. I've been to Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona on the west coast but I have not seen these other states. I also don't want to head to Nevada as I will probably go see it when I go to Vegas.

Any tips on where I should go and visit? Anywhere I should avoid? I'm always used to living in a multicultural city like Vancouver and LA so I don't know what it feels like to be in a city where the majority of the population is Caucasian. I don't mean to be ignorant but I just want to be safe.

I'm a 23 year old male college student if that helps in offering some suggestions!

Thanks!

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

I think you can make a great trip with the loop you have created, but my opinion or that of others doesn't really matter. It's what you think that is most important and is what makes the road trip a unique and individual experience.

For that reason I would suggest you look around the forums and other RTA pages to find what it is that appeals to you. When you have done so we will be happy to help fill in the blanks, but there is so much on offer in each State and the fact that we know nothing of your interests or how long you have for the trip make it impossible to make meaningful suggestions.

Helena is pushing too far on day 1 at the beginning of a multi day trip, Missoula should be around the max you should aim for.

I have no reason to believe that you won't be as safe as the next person visiting these areas, but when vulnerable groups [such as lone female travellers] ask about there personal safety concerns we usually advise that they use their common sense and natures 'built in radar' we all have. Basically like at home, if a place or area you wander into [especially after dark] feels wrong it usually is, so just move on until you feel comfortable.

If you are planning on visiting National parks such as Yellowstone, you will find limited access and Lot's of snow with possible Wintry conditions in April and the end of August into September might be better suited.

Enjoy the planning and just ask as and when you have questions.

[Midwest Michael]

You've listed a bunch of cities, all of which are fine all by themselves, but without knowing any reason why you've picked them, we can't offer much insight into if they would be a good choice.

I will agree with Dave, however, and say that Helena is going to be far too far to do in one day. That's going to take at least 13-14 hours, plus additional time to cross the border. Remember in your planning, that online map programs are extremely overoptimistic about what you can do, and don't factor in any stops at all, including the manadatory ones like to refuel.