Last Minute trip and planning...Help Please

[meghan1252]

Hi,
I am flying into Phoenix July 8 and out of Seattle on July 29...that is just about 3 weeks of travel. I have rented a car and will be driving around. I am looking for advice on routes to take. Should I go out to LA and up the coast only? or go up through Utah and Colorado? I enjoy hiking and outdoor things.

What is the best trip to take. Thanks :)

[DonnaR57]

The "best trip" is one of your own making. Each of us have our favorites!

Get a good USA road map, or one of the western states, and open it up. Or go to the online map/trip planner here at RTA. See what appeals to you! With 3 weeks in the west, you have time to do quite a few things if you plan correctly. I assume you already know you'll have to pay a one-way drop off fee for your rental car.

Ideas (off the top of my head): Grand Canyon (AZ), Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park (both in Utah), Arches NP (also in UT), Crater Lake NP (Oregon), Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier (WA). There are smaller places between all of those, as well.

Once you have a good idea of where you'd LIKE to go, come back here to RTA and we can help you connect the dots.

Just a word of warning: Phoenix has been HOT. I'm currently in Tempe, and it's 95 at 9:15 am, heading for a 108 F day. It's also the beginning of the "monsoon" season in Arizona - so it's a bit more humid.


Donna

[Utahtea]

What I'd like and what you like could be two different things and then there are SO many choices!

I'll add a few to Donna's list of ideas since you mentioned Colorado: Mesa Verde National Park, CO, Million Dollar Highway 550 in Colorado from Durango to Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO.

How about a combination of both. Like doing Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, Bryce, Zion and start working your way to the coast though Yosemite.

Things to keep in mind. Utah is HOT in the summer. Colorado and the coast will be cooler. The more popular areas you might problems getting lodging at this late date.


Utahtea

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA forum!

There really is no way for us to tell you where to go, because we can't possibly know as well as you what you are interested in. The places Donna mentioned are great ideas - but still just a tiny sample of what you could do.

Why did you pick Phx and Seattle as your starting/ending points? What places have you always wanted to visit? What things do you like to do? Those are all the kinds of things which can help you decide what will make the perfect trip for you.

As Donna said, we can certainly help you put it together, but you need to get the basic framework first.