to Nashville and stay there for a couple of days. Then we're speeding to Santa Fe (might have an overnight in Elk City), and stay there for 3-4 days, before heading up to Durango,
Whoa, hold it there. Nashville to Santa Fe, by the speediest route, is 1200 miles. That's not a one-day speed thing, no matter how you cut it. In a car, it's definitely 2 days. But, that's at least 2-1/2 days with an RV. This is why: RV's are heavier, and therefore they don't go nearly as fast. What you can do in 10 hours, with a car, will take you 12 in an RV. Fuel stops will take longer because the tanks take a long time to fill (and a lot of money, you only get 5-8 mpg). Of course food stops don't take as long if you're eating in the rig. Yes, you have 3 drivers, and that's a plus -- one person is always driving, a 2nd is the "second pair of eyes" and the 3rd (preferably the one that just drove) is resting eyes in the back of the camper. Don't expect to sleep back there while the rig is rolling down the road. In most states, you'll have to be seat-belted when the rig is moving, and you won't get a decent shut-eye when belted in.

Then we're speeding to Santa Fe (might have an overnight in Elk City), and stay there for 3-4 days, before heading up to Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and then down past the Grand Canyon (perhaps a detour to Moab/Arches). Whereabouts in the Grand Canyon area should we stop?
Santa Fe to Durango is 250 miles -- about 5 hours in the RV. Durango to Ouray is "just" 70 more miles, but considering the highway and the RV, it will probably be a 2 hour drive as this is the "million dollar highway". Ouray to Moab is another 150 miles, all on state and US highways, so count on 3+ hours to drive. Moab to the Grand Canyon is 330 miles -- another 6-7 hours.

The US West is a BIG place, and getting from one place to another takes time...especially with an RV.


Donna