Advice Please - What's the best order and is this too much?

[suzmis]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum. My wife and I are planning a roadtrip in early October - its our first one in the US, although we have visited many times before. Our aim is to see LA, San Diego, San Fran and Las Vegas, with Vegas being the last stop before going home. My question is really in what order should we do the trip, in order to maximise time and the sights inbetween.

My initial thoughts were fly to LA (given its cheapest to fly there), drive to San Diego. Spend a few nights there, back to LA, and then drive to San Fran. From there we go Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon and then Las Vegas. Any thoughts? Is this too much?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Suresh

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Your best bet is likely to do a loop. Typically you'll get much better prices for airfare and car rental by doing a round trip.

If you start/end in Vegas, you'd go from there to DV and Yosemite to San Francisco, down the coast to LA and San Diego, and then head back to Vegas, possibly via the Grand Canyon.

This would also have the advantage of hitting Tioga Pass in Yosemite early in your trip, when its less likely that the road would be closed because of snow. Its very unlikely it would close for the year until near the end of October, but there is still the possibility of a short term closure for a day or two.

[Southwest Dave]

I agree with Michael, a loop would work well with the potential to save you money. Check out the City that offers the best flight and car rental combo for when you fly and start from there. Heading south between SF and LA has the advantage of putting the Ocean on your side of the road.

How long have you actually got for the trip ?