Scared First Time Road Tripper!

[dawnv]

OK...so here's my question..Going from Phx to GC to Las Vegas to LA back to Phx, how much time do you think I need in each place to really enjoy the trip. i am open to suggestions. We are flying to Phx on June 1 and going to spend 2 nights then leave the following morning for Northern AZ by way of Sedona. We have 2 weeks flying back out of Phx on June 15 or 16. As I said before we are renting an RV but don't plan on sleeping in it at this point, but that could change, so we need affordable sleeping also. What do you think?

[glc]

You are going to need a pretty big RV to legally seat 7 while in motion - I think you would be much better off with a full size van or SUV if you aren't going to sleep in it.

Grand Canyon? One day, dawn to dusk, is enough. Closest affordable sleeping is in Williams or Flagstaff.

[Mike and Mandy]

Such electronics aren't banned in our family car, but their use is extremely limited

On long trips we were allowed to watch a movie/listen to the radio but if we got too quiet and were not talking (specifically when the radio was on), it got turned off. This forced us to talk. We hated it then but over the years learned to value and enjoy it. I do the samething with my siblings and will do so with my children if the day comes.

[dawnv]

OK, I have made some revisions to my original plans and I am hoping to get some feedback. I don't have much time so I need to make some decisions and find places to stay. I can't tell you guys how excited I am about this trip! Unfortunately with my oldest son graduating this year, my middle son with middle child syndrome, my 9 year old daughter who is like the energizer bunny along with all of life's other demands I have trouble getting the time to research everything and when I do it's hard for my brain to absorb all the information needed to put this together...lol I know I sound like a basket case, but that's only on the inside. On the outside I look like I've got it all together..haha

So here's what I have so far and I would love suggestions and feedback. I need places to stay also. Anyplace interesting and affordable. I want this to memorable.

June 1 fly from Atlanta to LA arriving around 3pm. Rent a car and stay until 6/4 or 6/5. We have family there but would like some suggestions about what to see and do. I think the kids expect to see a movie star walking down the street. Also don't know where to stay. Even somewhere close by outside LA would be fine

June 4 or 5 I am renting an RV even though some people have suggested against it this is part of the trip we are really excited about. My parents are going with us and my dad is looking forward to driving us around. That's why we are flying into LA so we can drive around there first with a car and then rent the RV when we are heading out of town. Anyway we will be heading to Las Vegas.

Stay in Vegas for 3 or 4 nights. I don't gamble (well, maybe I will, I haven't been there as an adult) but I would like to see a show or two. Also any suggestions on an affordable place to stay would be great. It's possible some of us might sleep in the RV during this trip but for now I am not making that part of my plan. I can always change that later.

From there we will head toward the Grand Canyon, although many have suggested Bryce Canyon and Zion. I have also seen mentions of Death Valley and Tioga Pass. Would love to hear what route you guys suggest and how many nights at each. I'm sure all of these places are unique. Also what about Hoover Dam? Is that worth a stop? Well, let me tell you where else I definitely want to go.

Next leg will be to Sedona and any neat places in that area. As you can tell I am losing track of my time frame. Would like to spend the night there somewhere..any suggestions. Also, for the kids if there are any ghost towns or mining towns on the route that would be neat.

Then we head for Phoenix to spend 1 or 2 nights so I can show my kids where I grew up and I can see how much things have changed.

Then we will head back to LA so we can return the RV. If there is anything interesting between Phoenix and LA I would love to know about it.

All total we are planning a 2 week trip. How does this sound? Thanks for your help!

[Southwest Dave]

Stay in Vegas for 3 or 4 nights. I don't gamble (well, maybe I will, I haven't been there as an adult) but I would like to see a show or two. Also any suggestions on an affordable place to stay would be great. It's possible some of us might sleep in the RV during this trip but for now I am not making that part of my plan. I can always change that later.

As with most lodgings, you will only get limited recommendations here as there are only a limited number of regular contributors and so many options and personal preferences to consider. The good news is that with so many rooms in Vegas fighting for your dollar you shouldn't have any trouble finding a nice place to suit your budget. Tripadvisor and Expedia are just a couple I use to find reviews and suitable options before price checking. As you mentioned the RV as a possibility to sleep for some during the trip, check out the 'Oasis RV resort', it's quite a place !

From there we will head toward the Grand Canyon, although many have suggested Bryce Canyon and Zion. I have also seen mentions of Death Valley and Tioga Pass. Would love to hear what route you guys suggest and how many nights at each. I'm sure all of these places are unique. Also what about Hoover Dam? Is that worth a stop?

Tioga pass into Yosemite may not be open when you travel due to winter snow accumulation and it looks like it will be a late opening. The other thing is that it is in totally the opposite direction of the Grand canyon. Death valley is also West of Vegas and you will be heading the opposite direction. Death valley is pretty awesome and you could visit and stay a night on route to Vegas or simply make it a day trip from there. Some RV company's have issues with their vehicle entering DV during 'summer months', I would have thought you would be OK at the beginning of June but check it out before departing the office. Hoover dam is considered a worthwhile stop by many/most, it's whether it is to you is more the point. Zion and Bryce would still be top of my list to fit your route, but with the time you are planning at certain stops I'm not sure it's possible.

It looks as though you are planning to end in LA around the 15th and won't be leaving Vegas until at least the 8th or 9th. Most of the 10th will be on the road to GC and presumably you will spend the 11th in the area, perhaps ending the day in Sedona ? On to Phoenix for a couple of days and then you have a long days drive back to LA on the 14th. If you juggled your time you could stop around Joshua tree NP for a night and make a short journey back to LA.

With your limited time and the fact that it is a great experience, I would consider using the RV in the Grand canyon to sleep at the 'Mather campground', it may already booked up and too late though.

[dawnv]

Thanks so much. I will stick to the Bryce & Zion parks and work on my timing. I am grateful for any suggestions. As far as accommodations you know sometimes people find these neat remote places to stay so I will keep looking and I will check on Mather campground.

[pmteet]

Ok I also have a child that will not shut up. I think it is pay back for being the same way as a child. Anyway, this may sound really mean. I have had to tell him to be quite for x amount of minutes. I tell him I love him and love his stories and such but MY ears just need a break. Now your talker is a girl so she may not take that as well as my boy. As you have probably figured out girls can be a bit more emotional than the boys (at lease in my family). Had I said that to my girls they would have acted like I shot thir pet.

Book or books on tape are good some say he portable DVD players work. I am not a big fan of TV/movies in the car. We have used them but typically only on REALLY long drives that lack views.
When the kids start fighting we take a break and make them switch seats. The one that started it sits next to the talker. :) AND they have to be nice and engage in conversation until the next stop.
Now I know that sounds mean but again I WAS the motormouth. Believe it or not it does cut down on the fighting.

If you can manage to see Sequoia and Kings Canyon it is worth it. Also Arches was my kids and hubby's favorite.
I know you will have lots of friends.