Chicago to St. George, Utah and return via St. Louis 5/9/11 to 5/22/11.

[veebee]

We have a family reunion in St. George, Utah (May 13, 14 and 15) and want to make a road trip that will let us see the beauty of this country. The plan is to leave Chicago on May 9th and return via St. Louis on May 22nd. Any and all suggestions are welcome. We did a road trip last fall to the Black Hills and thanks to the forum had a really enjoyable trip.

[Lifemagician]

You don't have a great deal of time to play with, but you could make a scenic and enjoyable trip if you check out a good map of CO and UT. Checking out some of the scenic routes in CO and maybe ending with the Million Dollar Highway from Ouray to Durango. Then take 160 to 163 in UT, which will take you through MV to 89, then through Kanab to St George. Even if you do not have time to stop and explore MV, 163 will give you a good view of what you are missing.

On the way back you could check out Zion NP and Bryce NP on your way to I-70; Arches NP in eastern UT; and then continue along I-70 to St Louis.

Have a save trip. I look forward to reading your road trip report in our RoadTrip Field Report forum.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

With 4 days to get out there and 3 of those days being dedicated to driving I would consider keeping along I 70 going out and wander a little coming home. I 70 through CO and UT is very scenic and you could select your over nights near to places that appeal to you and have a little time for sight seeing. Colorado NM, Arches/Canyonlands are just off Interstate and you may have time to stop at Zion on the way, if not on the way back.

With a week to get home you have many options, you could head down to the Grand canyon and Monument valley and 'cut' a route through the middle of Colorado via Monument valley, Mesa Verde, up the 'Million dollar Highway' [US550] to US 50 and Black canyon, Currecanti rec area and over Monarch pass towards Colorado Springs [Garden of the Gods, Cave of the winds] and on to St Louis. There are many more options, Pagosa Springs and the Sand dunes NP a little further South or down to I 40.

Have a look around and when you have some dots on the map we can help to 'fine tune' your plan, enjoy !

[glc]

It's a 3 day drive from Chicago to St. George via Interstates, so you only have 1 extra day to play with.

Your first 2 overnights should be Grand Island NE and Grand Junction CO. What I'd probably do on the 3rd day is get off I-70 at UT-24, take that to Hanksville and Capitol Reef. Then take UT-12 to Bryce Canyon, then US-89 to UT-9 and go through Zion. The Bryce Canyon area would be your best bet for the 3rd overnight - there's an America's Best Value in Tropic, a Best Western and a resort (both expensive) at Bryce, and a few motels in Panguitch.

I would see the stuff Lifey mentions on the way from St. George to St. Louis, because it looks like you have more time to play with. Go through Monument Valley and take the Million Dollar Highway, then US-50 to Kansas, then US-400 all the way to Missouri to pick up I-44.

[veebee]

Thanks for all the advice. Here is our tentative schedule; Day 1 (Monday May 9th) We will be going to Grand Island, Ne. and hopefully there will still be cranes to see (we chase eagles all winter). Day 2 (Tuesday May 10th), we plan to drive to Grand Junction (Colorado wine country?). Day 3 (Wednesday May 11th), I like the idea of driving into Utah and getting off the interstate and seeing the Arches, Canyonland, and then back to I-70 to Route 24 to Hankesville and Route 12 and ??. Day 4 (Thursday May 12th), we plan on driving to Las Vegas as we now have tickets to the "Beatles" show at the Mirage. Day 5, (Friday May 13th) what is there to see on the way to St. George, we need to be in St. George in the late afternoon/early evening) Days 6 and 7 (saturday and Sunday) we will be visiting with family in St. George (although Zion is very nearby). Day 8, (Monday May 16th) we will be driving to the South Rim of the GC and staying overnight. Day 9, (Tuesday May 17th) we really want to drive old Route 66 from Williams to Kingman and see the Painted Desert and ??. We are looking forward to the Million Dollar Highway on our drive through Colorado on our way to St. Louis by Saturday May 21st. I really appreciate your suggestions. I know we are missing alot and have no idea of where to stay and eat.
Thanks for all your help.

[glc]

If you are going to go through Arches and Canyonlands, you probably won't be able to make it all the way to Bryce that night. Your only options in between are Moab, Green River, and Torrey. If you need to make it to LV the next day, that rushes you even more. It's every bit of 5 hours from Bryce to LV via 89, 14, and I-15. Torrey to Bryce is a 3 hour drive on 12, Moab to Torrey via 191, I-70, and 24 is just over 3 hours.

[pmteet]

There is a lot to see and do in St. Louis a lot of it is Free. Tour the Brewery this is free plus you get two free cups of beer at the end and a snack. The museum under the Arch is Free going up is not but it is well worth it. Our zoo and art museum are both great. Just be careful at the Art Museum there is a lot of construction going on so there may be delays. Grant’s Farm is also free. Many of the free places still require you to pay to park. The Jewel Box in nice as is Shaw’s Garden.
While you’re here you should try some local foods. Gooey butter cake (Gooey Louie’s is the best), Ted Drew’s frozen custard, Imo’s Pizz (you’ll love it or hate it) It is made with a local cheese called Provel YUMMY, also Toasted Ravioli (I think the best is at the Original Crusoe’s at 3152 Osceola). You can also to the pizza there they use the same cheese. SO good!!!
have fun

Also if you have time go see Elephant Rock State Park
http://mostateparks.com/park/elephant-rocks-state-park

[RoadDog]

I'm usually not a big fan of interstates, but that I-70 from Denver going west is just one jaw-dropping vista after another.