Je reviens vers vous pour avoir vos avis sur notre roadtrip pour le mois de juillet 2016.
Nous avons déjà fait 2 voyages (2010 et 2013) dans l’ouest et bien sûr, nous sommes en manque… (voyageforum.com/...-las-vegas-d5743812/ et voyageforum.com/...fant-9-ans-d3810200/)
Pour rappel, nous sommes un couple avec 1 ado de 14 ans, nous randonnons peu (2-3h maxi) et n'avons jamais fait de piste en 4x4. Nous habitons en Espagne et souhaitons profiter des vols directs Madrid-LA (les billets ne sont pas encore achetés et les hôtels non réservés).
Quelques questions tout d’abord : Le circuit suivant est-il réalisable en juillet à cause de la chaleur (nous sommes quand même un peu habitués au climat très chaud) ? Nous ne pouvons pas partir à une autre époque… Un SUV est-il obligatoire/conseillé pour ce circuit ? Nous pouvons rajouter 2 jours si nécessaire.
Allons-y :
05/07 : Madrid – LA
06/07 : LA – Queen Mary – Palm Springs (2h10 – 194 km)
07/07 : Palm Springs - Indian Canyons, Aerial Tramway
08/07 : Palm Springs – Joshua Tree - Apache junction (4h32 – 489 km)
09/07 : Apache Junction – Apache Trail – (Old Tucson studios ?) (Tucson 4h38 – 294 km)
10/07 : Tucson : Saguaro National Park, Sonora Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier ?
11/07 : Tucson - Sabino Canyon – Tombstone – Willcox? (3h11 – 239 km)
12/07 : Willcox - Chiricahua – Sunset White Sands – Alamogordo (3h52 – 428 km)
13/07 : Alamogordo –Sunrise White Sands – Carlsbad (2h42 – 235 km)
14/07 : Carlsbad – Roswell – Valley of fire – Santa Fe (5h34 – 536 km)
15/07 : Santa Fe - Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos - Santa Fe (3h00 – 225km)
16/07 : Santa Fe – Tent rocks – Turquoise trail – El Malpais - Grants (3h47 – 325km)
17/07 : Grants – Bisti Badlands – Farmington (2h47 – 236 km)
18/07 : Farmington – Durango (Train silverton) (1h03 – 83 km)
19/07 : Durango – Mesa verde – Cortez (52 min – 75 km)
20/07 : Cortez – Canyon de Chelly – Chinle (2h17 – 225 km)
21/07 : Chinle – Petrified forest – Meteor Crater – Sedona (4h13 – 408 km)
22/07 : Sedona
23/07 : Sedona
24/07 : Sedona – Lake Mead – Las Vegas (4h15 – 445 km) (Autre chose à voir sur la route ?)
25/07 : LV (Piscine)
26/07 : LV (Red Rock Canyon)
27/07 : LV (Outlet – Spectacle)
28/07 : LV – LA
29/07 : LA - Madrid
Tous vos avis et retour d'expérience seront les bienvenus.
Merci !
Les Indian Canyons sont ouverts seulement du vendredi au dimanche les mois d'été, il faudrait donc placer la visite le 8 ...
Attention également de bien vérifier les ouvertures des Old Tucson Studios (souvent fermés en été).
Du côté de Santa Fe tu as le petit parc de Bandelier qui prend une demi journée et qui est à voir. Ce ne sont pas les mêmes ruines que tu verras à Canyon de Chelly ou Mesa Verde.
Pour Bisti Badlands, il vaut mieux un GPS de randonnée. Prendre beaucoup d'eau (il n'y a pas de sentier, ni de marques et peu de repères pour les personnes non habituées à la randonnée hors sentier)
- 09/07 de Apache Jct à Tucson (Old Tucson studios voir fermeture ?):
*plutôt 330km/4h45 (de roulage, hors pauses...) sans oublier Goldfield Old Town, Lost Dutchman SP, Tortilla Flat, Tonto NM, Boyce Thompson Arboretum à Superior, Casa Grande Ruins près de Florence, Biosphère2 près de Oracle.
* peut être nuit à Superior et étaler ça sur 2 jours.
- 12/07 de Wilcox à Alamogordo avec le détour vers Chiricahua/Bonita canyon dr et la scenic drive de WS:
* plutôt 585km/6h45 (de roulage, hors pauses...) et tu zappes Old Mesilla à Las Cruces !
- 19/07 jusque Chapin Mesa à Mesa Verde c'est 145km/2h30 de roulage hors pauses...
à + Jean.
+ le 21/07 de Chinle à Sedona c'est 440km/5h00 de roulage avec les détours vers PD/PF et Meteor Crater (et tu zappes le Ganado Trading Post et Walnut Canyon...).
Indian Canyon un vendredi.
Nous ne ferons Old Tucson Studios que si nous avons le temps sur les 2 jours à Tucson.
J'ai rajouté Bandelier qui peut peut-être se faire le jour de l'aller-retour Santa Fe/Taos.
Je n'ai pas bien compris l'intérêt de dormir à Superior. J'ai vu des carnets avec Phoenix - Apache Trail - Tucson dans la journée...
Le 12/07 nuit donc à Las cruces avec visite de old mesilla. J'ai donc zappé le sunset à White Sands (Sniff).
Ok pour Chinle – Ganado Trading Post - Walnut Canyon - Petrified forest – Meteor Crater – Sedona. Maps me donne 4h27 - 423 km... Walnut est-il long à visiter ?
Quelqu'un peut-il me rassurer ? :Le circuit suivant est-il réalisable en juillet à cause de la chaleur (nous sommes quand même un peu habitués au climat très chaud) ? Nous ne pouvons pas partir à une autre époque…Un SUV est-il obligatoire/conseillé pour ce circuit ?Nous n'allons pas être déçus par les paysages après nos 2 circuits avec les canyons de l'Utah et Yellowstone qui mettaient la barre très haut...
Avec les modifications, ça donne :
05/07 : Madrid – LA
06/07 : LA – Queen Mary – Palm Springs (2h10 – 194 km)
07/07 : Palm Springs - Joshua Tree, Aerial Tramway
08/07 : Palm Springs –Indian Canyons - Apache junction (4h32 – 489 km)
09/07 : Apache Junction – Apache Trail – Tucson (4h45 – 330 km)
10/07 : Tucson : Saguaro National Park, Sonora Desert Museum, Mission San Xavier ?
11/07 : Tucson - Sabino Canyon – Tombstone – Willcox? (3h11 – 239 km)
12/07 : Willcox - Chiricahua – Old mesilla - Las Cruces (4h17 – 443 km)
13/07 : Las cruces – White Sands – Carlsbad (3h52 – 345 km)
14/07 : Carlsbad (Visite grotte)– Roswell – Valley of fire – Santa Fe (5h34 – 536 km)
15/07 : Santa Fe - Bandelier - Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos - Santa Fe (3h00 – 225km)
16/07 : Santa Fe – Tent rocks – Turquoise trail – El Malpais - Grants (3h47 – 325km)
17/07 : Grants – Bisti Badlands (avec GPS)– Farmington (2h47 – 236 km)
18/07 : Farmington – Durango (Train silverton) (1h03 – 83 km)
19/07 : Durango – Mesa verde – Cortez (145km/2h30)
20/07 : Cortez – Canyon de Chelly – Chinle (2h17 – 225 km)
21/07 : Chinle – Ganado Trading Post - Walnut Canyon - Petrified forest – Meteor Crater – Sedona (4h13 – 408 km)
22/07 : Sedona
23/07 : Sedona
24/07 : Sedona – Lake Mead – Las Vegas (4h15 – 445 km) (Autre chose à voir sur la route ?)
25/07 : LV (Piscine)
26/07 : LV (Red Rock Canyon)
27/07 : LV (Outlet – Spectacle)
28/07 : LV – LA
29/07 : LA - Madrid
Juste quelques remarques:
Le 09/07 : On a fait un trajet similaire au tien car on était parti le matin du SP de Lost Dutchman pour arriver à Tucson le soir. Tu peux placer une visite en fin d'après-midi dans Saguaro. Les lumières de fin d'après-midi sont superbes sur les cactus et tu passeras le Gates Pass avant d'arriver sur Tucson (vue plongeante). Comme ça tu commenceras le lendemain tout de suite par le Sonora Museum car tu auras plus de chances de voir les animaux sortir avant la chaleur. D'ailleurs, j'ai aussi une très bonne adresse originale à Tucson si ça t'intéresse. Je relate ça là : http://lvatucson.blogspot.fr/
Dommage de ne pas avoir placé une nuit à White Sands (enfin du moins à côté). Cela aurait été mieux pour randonner à la fraîche. Nous y avons randonné tôt en août sans difficultés mais il faut dormir à côté ... http://wsalbuq.blogspot.fr/ ou alors partez très tôt de Las Cruces. Old Mesilla est vite vu quand même ... http://chiricahuaguada.blogspot.fr/
Le 21/07 à côté de Chinle, LE TRUC à ne pas louper: le lever de soleil sur Hope Arch. Pour y accéder il y a une piste roulante et c'est vraiment superbe et un moment de solitude quasi garanti (quoique à force d'en parler ...) http://canyondechellyetenvirons.blogspot.fr/
Bonjour Chris,
White Sands, il est preferable de visiter ce Park (A mon avis) en fin d'apres midi pour etre present pour la coucher du soleil. Le lever du soleil se fait au dessus des montagnes et il n'apporte pas grand chose a la luminosite du Park. Le seul avantage est que si vous y allez tot le matin, il y a peu de monde et s'il y a eu un peu de vent la nuit, toutes les traces de pas sont effacees😎
Pour la journee du 4/07
4/07 : Carlsbad (Visite grotte)– Roswell – Valley of fire – Santa Fe (5h34 – 536 km)
Je crois que cette journee est un peu ambitieuse.
Pour bien visiter Carlsbad Caverns il faut au moins 3 heures. De la il faur rejoindre Santa Fe.
Vous serez presque tout le temps sur le Hwy 285 qui est souvent une route a deux voies, et faire 534 Kms en 5:30 me parait difficile.
15/07 : Santa Fe - Bandelier - Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos - Santa Fe (3h00 – 225km)
16/07 : Santa Fe – Tent rocks – Turquoise trail – El Malpais - Grants (3h47 – 325km)
Vous avez une autre option, depuis Taos vous continuez sur le Hwy 64 West qui mene a Farmington, et de Farmington vous pouvez facilement aller a Bisti en 45 minutes.
Nous avons fait cette route avec de la neige la semaine derniere et le parcours est plus agreable que de redescendre par Albuquerque et Grants.
Si vous tenez a passer par le cote Sud faites une petite partie de la Route 66 a l'Ouest d'Albuquerque.
Si vous tenez a visiter le Turquoise Trail passez-y en allant a Santa Fe depuis Carlsbad.
Bisti badlands, il y afit tres chaud dans la journee, la aussi une visite en fin d'aptres midi est une bonne idee.
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Bonsoir Chris,
La partie la plus interessante du Hwy 64 est entrer Tres Piedras et Tierra Amarilla.
Vous serez oblige de passer par Farmington avant de passer par Bisti Badlands. L'entree de Bisti se fait depuis le Hwy 371 entre le mile 70 et 71.
Je vous conseille aussi de revoir vos temps de trajet qui me paraissent sous estimees.
Cordialement
Alex
http://durandale2.blogspot.com/
How heavy do I journey on the way,
When what I seek (my weary travel’s end)
Shakespeare sonnet 50, vers 1- 2.
Enlève une journée à Sedona et rajouter un nuit étape entre Willcox et White Sands, à Las Cruces par exemple ou encore Deming ...
Entre les deux tu as City Of Rock State Park et Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument pour combler tes journées 😉
" Je n'ai pas bien compris l'intérêt de dormir à Superior. J'ai vu des carnets avec Phoenix - Apache Trail - Tucson dans la journée "
La nuit à Superior n’est intéressante que si vs voulez faire ts les arrêts cités par PapJ59 (qui aime bien trainer en cours de route pour voir ts les coins et recoins😉)
Sinon, vs avez raison : le trajet Phoenix - Apache Trail - Tucson se fait très bien en 1 seul jour, tout en ayant le temps de bien profiter de l’Apache Trail.
Cependant j’envisagerais la visite du Saguaro West NP (+ Gates Pass à voir au sunset) en 2ème partie d’aprèm du 10/7. Pas sûr que vs en ayez le temps le 9/7, après avoir parcouru l’Apache Trail et la rte > Tucson. Enfin, vs verrez bien sur place !
Le 12/7, la nuit à Las Cruces serait préférable (plutôt que de pousser > Alamogordo qui est + loin). Ça vs permettrait :
- d’aller manger le soir du 12/7 à Old Mesilla (resto mexicain La Posta)
- le 13/7, de retourner éventuellement faire un tour tôt le matin ds White Sands et aussi voir Old Mesilla ce jour-là (petit tour très vite fait si on ne traine pas sur le marché et ds les boutiques de la place😛)
Je n’adhère pas du tout (comme d’hab😕) à la suggestion mal appropriée faite par Durandale2 d’emprunter l’US 64 West. En empruntant ce trajet depuis Taos, vs devrez rouler 5 heures avant d’arriver à Bisti 😕(alors qu’en partant de Grants, comme vs l’aviez prévu initialement, il n’y a que 1h45 de route🙂).
Et cette option (qui ré-organise vos 3 journées ds la région) n’offre même pas l’avantage de vs faire gagner des km, ni des temps de route, au total de ces 3 jours.
14/07 : Santa Fe – Bandelier – Tent Rocks – Santa Fe (3h30/270 km)
Bien que proches à vol d’oiseau, vs devrez parcourir bcp de km pour aller de Bandelier à Tent Rocks (il n’y a pas de route directe et vs devrez repasser par Santa Fe pour aller de l’un à l’autre) goo.gl/maps/Lps93PefDux
15/07 : Santa Fe – Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos (1h45/ 135 km)
16/07 : Taos – US 64 West – Bisti Badlands – Farmington goo.gl/maps/o1sf4dFUYx82
(5h30 /460 km dont 5 heures de route pure avant d’arriver à Bisti où cette arrivée correspondra au moment de la journée où il fera le + chaud😕 et où il faut comptabiliser +/- 6 heures de "crapahutage" si vs voulez voir l’entièreté des badlands... = une longue journée très éprouvante en perspective, surtout en été🏴☠️)
Total des 3 jours : 865 km/10h45
Projet initial:
15/07 : Santa Fe – Bandelier – Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos – Santa Fe (4h10 /310 km)
16/07 : Santa Fe – Tent Rocks – El Malpais – Grants (3h45 /335 km)
17/07 : Grants – Bisti Badlands – Farmington (2h30/225 km dont seulement 1h45 pour arriver à Bisti)
Total des 3 jours : 870 km/10h30
"20/07 : Chinle (lever de soleil sur Hope Arch)– Ganado Trading Post - Walnut Canyon (long ?) - Petrified forest/Painted desert – Meteor Crater – Sedona"
Pour apprécier Painted Desert, il faut y être en tte fin de journée au moment où la luminosité est bien meilleure.
Walnut Canyon après Mesa Verde et Canyon de Chelly risque de paraitre fade. Et l’intérêt de Meteor Crater est aussi à relativiser. Ces 2 visites ne me semblent pas primordiales. Vs verrez sur place si vs avez le temps.
Pour Walnut Canyon (240 marches d'escalier à descendre puis à remonter ! ): voir avis sur www.tripadvisor.fr/...agstaff_Arizona.html
Wouah ! 3 jours à Sedona... très bien pour alterner repos (bienvenu en fin de circuit) et très belles balades ds ce coin qui magnifie le rouge et le vert.
Pour profiter aussi de beaux paysages sans se fatiguer à randonner, pensez :
- aux Pink Jeep Tours (www.pinkjeeptourssedona.com/broken-arrow-tour/)
- à emprunter la piste Schnebly Hills Rd qui offre de superbes vues (SUV high clearance nécessaire)
"24/07 : Sedona – Lake Mead – Las Vegas (4h15 – 445 km) (Autre chose à voir sur la route ?) "
Une suggestion : la semi ghost town de Chloride (sur l’US 93 qui mène à Las Vegas) chlorideaz.com/
Des suggestions pour les environs du lac Mead : voyageforum.com/...post=6189597#6189597
(avec ttes les infos sur www.birdandhike.com/..._Over/_LAME_Over.htm )
Ouest USA 2009 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2800143#2800143
5ème trip USA, 09/2013 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=6186946#6186946
Whaou ! Merci pour vos conseils qui m'aident énormément !!!
Donc :
05/07 : Madrid – LA
06/07 : LA – Queen Mary – Palm Springs (2h10 – 194 km)
07/07 : Palm Springs - Joshua Tree, Aerial Tramway
08/07 : Palm Springs –Indian Canyons - Apache junction (4h32 – 489 km)
09/07 : Apache Junction – Apache Trail - Tucson (4h45 – 330 km)
10/07 : Tucson : Messe Cathédrale, Sonora Desert Museum, Saguaro National Park (Gates pass)
11/07 : Tucson - Sabino Canyon – Tombstone – Willcox (3h11 – 239 km)
12/07 : Willcox - Chiricahua – Deming (5h13 - 373 km)
13/07 : Deming - City Of Rock State Park - Old mesilla (Repas La Posta) - Range Missile Museum - Sunset White Sands - Alamogordo (3h17 – 307 km)
14/07 : Alamogordo – Sunrise White Sands – Valley of fire - Albuquerque - Turquoise trail - Santa Fe (4h17 - 442 km)
15/07 : Santa Fe – Bandelier – Rio Grande Gorge bridge –Taos – Santa Fe (4h10 /310 km)
16/07 : Santa Fe – Tent Rocks – El Malpais – Grants (3h45 /335 km)
17/07 : Grants – Bisti Badlands – Farmington (2h30/225 km)
18/07 : Farmington – Durango (Train silverton) (1h03 – 83 km)
19/07 : Durango – Mesa verde – Cortez (145km/2h30)
20/07 : Cortez – Canyon de Chelly – Chinle (2h17 – 225 km)
21/07 : Chinle (lever de soleil sur Hope Arch)– Ganado Trading Post - Petrified forest/Painted desert – Meteor Crater (Si temps) – Walnut Canyon (Si temps) - Sedona (4h13 – 408 km)
22/07 : Sedona
23/07 : Sedona
24/07 : Sedona – Chloride - Hoover Dam - Lake Mead – Las Vegas (4h51 – 466 km)
25/07 : LV (Piscine)
26/07 : LV (Red Rock Canyon)
27/07 : LV (Outlet – Spectacle)
28/07 : LV – LA
29/07 : LA - Madrid
Qu'en pensez-vous ? D'autres suggestions ?
Des idées de balades pas trop difficiles et fraiches vers Sedona (Nous avions adoré Mill Creek Canyon à Moab).
Voici notre trajet (incomplet), 2 personnes, en voiture, pour 50 jours en Californie, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona et New Mexico... (environ 10 000 km) Je précise…
Fin mai, je pars avec mon conjoint pour la Californie, Arizona et fort probablement le Nouveau-Mexique. Un road trip d'une durée de 1 mois. C'est notre 4ème…
Nous souhaitons partir en famille avec 2 enfants en mars dans le sud des états unis: atterrir au nouveau mexique puis traverser en voiture l'arizona et finir à…
Comme j'ai pu l'annoncer sur une précédente discussion: ca y est, nous avons réservé nos billets d'avion pour notre circuit américain 2013. Depart le 20/02/13…
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
je vous assure que l'Ave Maria est impressionnant...
