7 Weeks across America - Realistic or Delusional?

[Midwest Michael]

As soon as you have completed all the stamps which need to be collected in the 5 largest towns on the Pony Express Trail (Fernley, Fallon, Austin, Eureka and Ely) you can validate it and then you get the Certificate signed by the Governer.

The best I can tell from the link you provided, you only need to get one stamp in each city, so it really should be an easy task to complete in one day.

[GST]

Hi,

Day 7 Albu to Winslow.
Day 8. Winslow to Monument Valley.
Day 9 and 10. Grand canyon. [to Flagstaff]

Can someone please tell me whats the best (shortest) way of getting to Monument Valley from Winslow?

Is it through the Hopi Reservation > Tuba City > Kayenta or is it better to start from Flagstaff instead of Winslow?

[Midwest Michael]

If you're going to go all the way to Winslow, then going to Flagstaff probably is about as quick of an option as you've got.

Although, If that's your plan, then I think I'd work it into the return trip, between Arches and Mesa Verde/Durango (if that's still on your agenda.) Otherwise, I'd start thinking about turning north in New Mexico, or at the very least, go up US-191 in eastern AZ.

[glc]

It all depends on whether you want to enter Monument Valley from the east or the west.

I'd recommend the east, which will give you the "Forrest Gump" view. Take I-40 east to US-191 north to US-163.

From the west, take I-40 to Flagstaff, US-89 to US-160 to Kayenta, and then US-163.

From a drive time standpoint, if your final destination is Goulding's or someplace close to there it's about an extra hour going via US-191, but you would have to go past there to Mexican Hat and turn around to get the view.

Another option from the west is AZ-87 to AZ-264 to Tuba City - mileage is identical to going via Flagstaff, but will be a bit slower because you won't have the high speed Interstate stretch. There are reservation roads that go from Second Mesa to just west of Kayenta, but I doubt that they are paved.

[GST]

Hmm...

I think it would be the best to visit Monument Valley on my way back.

For now i have the following suggestion:

Route 66 until Flagstaff with no detours until there. Just the Mother Road.

From Flagstaff via Highway 64 north to Grand Canyon. enjoy grand canyon

all the way back the same stretch to Flagstaff and continue Route 66 to Kingman

Route 66 ends here for me.

Kingman to Vegas via Highway 93 with a little stop at the hoover dam.

enjoy vegas

planning the rest...

but monument valley really seems to fit in better while driving back to chicago.

[glc]

You take US-89 north out of Flagstaff to get to AZ-64. That's the best entrance to take, the pullouts on Desert View Drive will be on your side of the road.

No need to backtrack to Flagstaff leaving the GC - it's a lot quicker to take AZ-64 out the south entrance through Tusayan to Williams.

[Southwest Dave]

I would agree that driving into Flagstaff and entering the south rim from US89 is the best option and then exit through Williams whether you do MV on the way or the way back. If Bryce canyon is on your wish list then I would still visit on the way out as MV is not far from the east entrance to the GC and close to that entrance is the Cameron Trading post which offers lodgings, shopping and dining, but its all about what works for you. I would also say that the drive from Bryce to Moab via UT scenic 12 and UT 24 is quite spectacular and would not be logical if you visit MV on the way back. If it actually came down to it I would personally skip MV for Bryce and Capitol Reef. The options will make more sense to you when its mapped out.

[GST]

Hello Everybody,


I have some bad news.

The EUR - USD Exchange rate is truly devastating and it is getting worse day by day!! Hasn't been so bad since 11 years!!!!!

So my budget has gone down by almost 2000$ compared to the time i first decided to do this trip.

So what does this mean?

I am not cancelling the trip but i am forced to postpone it. I'll be pretty much financially ruined if i would do this trip this summer.

So the Planning will still go on as if nothing happened but the trip will have to wait for one more year. The Exchange Rate can't really get any worse than this... i guess... i hope...

In the Beginning this Road Trip was just something i wanted to do but now after all the research and planning so far i know that i can't die before i have atleast once been to The American Southwest.

So Please bear with me for one more year guys and help me with the planning.


Thank You

P.S.: I am so pissed off and heartbroken right now...

[justmemedia]

Ohhhh interesting. I think I will make a trip for this in the future. I go to Sacramento on an irregular basis, so would be easy to add this to those trips. Thanks for pointing out something wonderful. I am also doing a US road trip (May/June), and looking for interesting places.

I am sorry to hear that you need to postpone the trip. I hope you are able to make it sooner than later.