Connecticut to Chewelah, WA road trip - ideas?

[Stephen Ax]

My wife and I are about to set out on this journey to see our kids. Would love any advice and suggestions of what to see on the way. We were planning to spend 5-6 days getting there. Thanks!

[DonnaR57]

Hi, and welcome to RTA!

You have a 2700 mile drive ahead of you (I calculated from Hartford to Chewelah). It will take every bit of those 5 to 6 days to get there, to do it safely at around 500-550 miles a day. That will include very short stops and overnights, but nothing that would take you off the major interstate for more than a short break to stretch your legs. Unless you can allot more time to the one-way journey, pretty well what you're going to see will be out the front windshield and side windows.

The country is just coming off of lockdown, as you well know. To protect yourself, as well as others, carry and use: gloves for fueling up your vehicle, cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, your own antibacterial handsoap and other personal hygiene gear (don't count on hotels to leave their little bottles out or their dispensers full on their shower wall), and your own pillows. I would have reservations at hotels along the way. Be prepared for hotels to have severely modified their breakfast room offerings (I suspect that the DIY waffle makers may be gone, for instance).

What's open along the way, I'm finding out in planning our own visit to see our kids, is varied from state to state. Some states still have their restaurants closed or on To-Go orders only. Other states are allowing dine-in, but at 50% seating. Be prepared to either wait for a table at those, or call ahead and see if you can get in line or a reservation (depending on that state and the restaurant itself). Lodging places may or may not have their indoor facilities such as pools and fitness rooms open, or may limit the number of guests using it at any one time.

As for places you could stop to sightsee, that is also dependent on the state. Some states have their state and national parks open, but to limited/no facilities. Others are limiting the numbers of cars allowed in, and if you get there after the limit has been reached, you wait in line or don't go (IF you're allowed to wait in line). My husband and I had reservations at a hotel in Yellowstone. After being cancelled once, then reinstated, we just canceled completely after hearing what will probably NOT be open there. We decided to go back another time, in a few years.

You'll have to do what's best for you!


Donna