Hi everyone,
It’s been a long time since I last asked for your help!
After an amazing road trip in the American West in 2011, thanks to all of you,
and another one in 2019 from HOUSTON to L.A., this time I’m tackling the East Coast.
But I’m stuck on the planning.
I’ve booked a round-trip flight to NYC for 3 weeks in August.
Now I’m trying to fill in the days.
5 nights already booked in NYC (Monday to Saturday).
Then I absolutely want to head down to WASHINGTON for 2 or 3 days.
I wanted to do a loop:
NYC, Washington, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Boston, and back to NYC.
I think that’s too many miles for the loop from Washington to Québec and back to NYC in 2 weeks?
Especially since the first week is already planned: NYC to WASHINGTON!
On the way back from Washington, I’d like to stop in Strasburg, Lancaster, and Gettysburg.
Given that I don’t want to take any domestic flights, since my wife really can’t handle them!
Originally, I wanted to fly from NYC to DENVER/SLC to do the Yellowstone loop.
We’re getting older and don’t have the stamina for that anymore :(
Driving down from NYC to Washington, there’s Philadelphia, but that scares me a bit.
Back in 2019, before COVID, I thought we were going to get shot in downtown DALLAS!
I can’t figure out how to plan 3 weeks around NYC! Considering we didn’t really like San Francisco in 2011 either. Though after 3 weeks in paradise among the canyons, arriving in that big city and going from 40°C to 16°C was a shock :)
We prefer nature over big cities.
Thanks for your feedback!
Cheers
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to the Pacific Northwest (USA) and Western Canada this summer. We’ve made some progress planning, but we still have a few questions.
Our trip is mostly nature-focused—hiking, wildlife spotting (ideally bears, orcas/whales, otters, etc.), mountains, forests—and a few days in cities, though we’re not big on museums.
We’re looking at flying into Seattle (cheaper than Vancouver), then renting a car and staying in Airbnbs.
A few years ago, we traveled through eastern Canada/USA (Halifax/Montréal/Boston/Halifax) and ended up driving *way* too much and switching accommodations too often. This time, we’d like to settle in a bit more.
Here’s our current plan:
- 2 nights in Seattle to avoid hitting the road right after the flight. One day for a quick city visit, then we’ll leave early after the second night. -> Heading to Olympic National Park from the south.
- 4 nights near Olympic National Park, likely around Forks. -> Then to Port Angeles and a ferry to Vancouver Island via Victoria (maybe 1 night there).
- 7 nights in Port Alberni, which seems like a central base for exploring Vancouver Island (Tofino, Pacific Rim, Cathedral Grove, etc.). We really want to enjoy the area without constantly packing and unpacking.
The issue is, that brings us to 13–14 nights, and we’d like to spend 2 in Vancouver.
We’re wondering if we should head farther north on the island and add a few more days, or reduce our stay in Port Alberni to explore the north as well.
After that, we’d have about a week left. We’re considering a detour near the Canadian Rockies, then slowly making our way back to Seattle via North Cascades National Park.
Anyway, we’d love your input on all this!
Thanks for your suggestions,
Emilie and Thomas
We’re heading to the Pacific Northwest (USA) and Western Canada this summer. We’ve made some progress planning, but we still have a few questions.
Our trip is mostly nature-focused—hiking, wildlife spotting (ideally bears, orcas/whales, otters, etc.), mountains, forests—and a few days in cities, though we’re not big on museums.
We’re looking at flying into Seattle (cheaper than Vancouver), then renting a car and staying in Airbnbs.
A few years ago, we traveled through eastern Canada/USA (Halifax/Montréal/Boston/Halifax) and ended up driving *way* too much and switching accommodations too often. This time, we’d like to settle in a bit more.
Here’s our current plan:
- 2 nights in Seattle to avoid hitting the road right after the flight. One day for a quick city visit, then we’ll leave early after the second night. -> Heading to Olympic National Park from the south.
- 4 nights near Olympic National Park, likely around Forks. -> Then to Port Angeles and a ferry to Vancouver Island via Victoria (maybe 1 night there).
- 7 nights in Port Alberni, which seems like a central base for exploring Vancouver Island (Tofino, Pacific Rim, Cathedral Grove, etc.). We really want to enjoy the area without constantly packing and unpacking.
The issue is, that brings us to 13–14 nights, and we’d like to spend 2 in Vancouver.
We’re wondering if we should head farther north on the island and add a few more days, or reduce our stay in Port Alberni to explore the north as well.
After that, we’d have about a week left. We’re considering a detour near the Canadian Rockies, then slowly making our way back to Seattle via North Cascades National Park.
Anyway, we’d love your input on all this!
Thanks for your suggestions,
Emilie and Thomas
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing. A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?
Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast: - Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots... - Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.
On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited! Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.
Looking forward to your suggestions! !
We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing. A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?
Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast: - Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots... - Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.
On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited! Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.
Looking forward to your suggestions! !
Hi everyone,
We’ve been racking our brains for cool ideas/itineraries for our vacation since, whether due to tourist crowds or unsuitable weather in the destination country, summer options aren’t endless (especially since we’re always forced to take most of our vacation time in July/August)...
We thought about combining a short stretch of the U.S. East Coast with Montréal/Niagara Falls/Toronto. The lakes look really pretty, but we’re worried it might feel a bit too familiar, and time-wise, it could get tight (we’d rather not spend our whole trip on the road). Still, we’re also considering a road trip in Western Canada.
What do you think of the plan below? We can add two extra nights somewhere if needed.
Thanks so much in advance!
Have a great day!
Day 1: Arrival in Boston – Night in Boston Day 2: Boston – Night in Boston Day 3: Boston – Night in Boston Day 4: Cambridge / Harvard – Night in Boston Day 5: Salem – Night in Boston Day 6: Newport – Night in Newport Day 7: Newport – Night in Newport Day 8: Cape Cod – Night in Cape Cod Day 9: Cape Cod – Night in Cape Cod Day 10: Flight to Toronto from Boston – Night in Toronto Day 11: Niagara Falls – Night in Toronto Day 12: Toronto-Ottawa – Night in Ottawa Day 13: Parc Omega – Night in Montréal Day 14: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 15: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 16: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 17: Montréal – Night in Montréal
We’ve been racking our brains for cool ideas/itineraries for our vacation since, whether due to tourist crowds or unsuitable weather in the destination country, summer options aren’t endless (especially since we’re always forced to take most of our vacation time in July/August)...
We thought about combining a short stretch of the U.S. East Coast with Montréal/Niagara Falls/Toronto. The lakes look really pretty, but we’re worried it might feel a bit too familiar, and time-wise, it could get tight (we’d rather not spend our whole trip on the road). Still, we’re also considering a road trip in Western Canada.
What do you think of the plan below? We can add two extra nights somewhere if needed.
Thanks so much in advance!
Have a great day!
Day 1: Arrival in Boston – Night in Boston Day 2: Boston – Night in Boston Day 3: Boston – Night in Boston Day 4: Cambridge / Harvard – Night in Boston Day 5: Salem – Night in Boston Day 6: Newport – Night in Newport Day 7: Newport – Night in Newport Day 8: Cape Cod – Night in Cape Cod Day 9: Cape Cod – Night in Cape Cod Day 10: Flight to Toronto from Boston – Night in Toronto Day 11: Niagara Falls – Night in Toronto Day 12: Toronto-Ottawa – Night in Ottawa Day 13: Parc Omega – Night in Montréal Day 14: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 15: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 16: Montréal – Night in Montréal Day 17: Montréal – Night in Montréal
Hi there,
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!
Laura
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!
Laura
We’d like to do the California coast in two weeks this September.
Two adults, rental car, and Airbnb.
First time except for San Francisco, where we’re starting a cruise.
Is San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego doable?
If not, what are the must-sees?
Thanks! !
Hello hello,
After several trips to the American West, we’ve booked our next tickets to Texas!!! We’ll be leaving in mid-October and arriving in Dallas.
After reading several forums/blogs about Texas, I sketched out what our road trip might look like. But here’s the thing—big snag on Day 13!!!
Could you please help me with this plan? Let me know if my draft seems doable or if, on the contrary, the timing is too tight, if I’ve missed any important spots, etc.
We’re traveling as a family with our little ones (3 and 9 years old). We’re not big fans of big cities—we prefer hitting the road, doing hikes, driving on backroads, and we’d love to spend Halloween in a small, friendly town to really experience it.
Here’s my itinerary:
Dallas (overnight since we arrive at 8:30 PM)
Dallas/Fort Worth (overnight in FW or nearby)
FW/Amarillo (overnight in Amarillo)
Amarillo (another night in Amarillo)
Amarillo/Palo Duro Canyon SP/Roswell (overnight nearby or in Roswell)
Roswell (another night?)
Roswell/White Sands (overnight nearby)
White Sands/Carlsbad (overnight nearby)
Carlsbad/Guadalupe Mountains (overnight nearby)
Guadalupe Mountains/Marfa/Alpine (overnight in Alpine)
Alpine/Terlingua (3 nights)
Big Bend NP
Big Bend NP
Big Bend NP/???
And that’s where things get tricky…
What should we do next?
I was thinking of Lost Maple State Park—probably gorgeous with fall colors.
Then head back up to San Antonio, explore the Hill Country, stop in Waco, and make our way back to Dallas?
My husband, though, would love to take a detour to Lafayette, stopping in Houston to visit the Space Center.
Thanks so much for your help! :)
Have a great weekend,
Marie
Hi everyone!
First time for me in the States from March 24 to April 7, 2025—only 15 days, so choices have to be made. I want to explore part of the West, but obviously planning the route is the trickiest part, so here’s what I’ve come up with and where I have doubts:
-Leaving Paris for LA
1 or 2 nights to visit
-Heading to Vegas, where one couple would go by motorcycle (they’re fans and want the thrill of Route 66) and another by plane (I won’t linger here either—1 or 2 days max!)
Then, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, all by rental car for everyone, so the motorcycle gets returned in Vegas.
Now here’s where it gets tricky: either I continue the road trip through the big parks to finish in San Francisco (but it doesn’t seem like the best time—might be too cold), or I head down to San Diego for the return flight. But which itinerary? Kingman, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and San Diego—does that make sense? Is it better to go back to Vegas to take a plane or drive the whole way?
So many questions—your help and advice would be super welcome! Thanks in advance, Anne from Périgord Noir
Now here’s where it gets tricky: either I continue the road trip through the big parks to finish in San Francisco (but it doesn’t seem like the best time—might be too cold), or I head down to San Diego for the return flight. But which itinerary? Kingman, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and San Diego—does that make sense? Is it better to go back to Vegas to take a plane or drive the whole way?
So many questions—your help and advice would be super welcome! Thanks in advance, Anne from Périgord Noir
Hi everyone,
We’ve made up our minds—this summer, we’re heading back to the USA. Our last trip to the American West was in 2017. Back then, I planned my itinerary with help from this forum, and it was perfect.
I’ve drawn inspiration from a few travel journals and some really interesting websites to sketch out a rough route.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary.
Let me know if I’ve missed any cool stops along the way or if some things seem unnecessary.
My husband and I love hiking, nature, and photography, but we’re not into museums and aren’t big fans of cities.
We’ve sorted our ESTA, checked out hotels, and already booked some with cancellation options. All that’s left is the flight tickets and renting a vehicle.
If you’ve got any tips or great deals, we’d love to hear them. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to share their thoughts!
USA ITINERARY, DENVER/DENVER LOOP, YELLOWSTONE 2025
DAY 1: FLIGHT FROM MARSEILLE, ARRIVAL IN DENVER Arrival in Denver / pick up rental vehicle /
Estes Park, Rocky Mountain (note: a permit is required)
DAY 2: ESTES PARK / ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain
DAY 3: ROCKY MOUNTAIN / CHEYENNE / FORT LARAMIE / CUSTER
Cheyenne (giant boots, The Wranglers store) Fort Laramie Custer and its Bison statues, Wyoming State Museum (free) Custer State Park
DAY 4: CUSTER, BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Crazy Horse Memorial Mount Rushmore Rapid City (Chapel in the Hills, Presidents’ statues) – hometown of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Badlands National Park
DAY 5: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Badlands National Park Wall Drugstore (Wall Drug)
DAY 6: WALL / SHERIDAN
Devil’s Tower (1 hour) Buffalo, quick stop Deadwood, an old gold rush town with a well-restored downtown
DAY 7: SHERIDAN / COOKE CITY
Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Recreation Area (secret arch to find) Chief Joseph Highway, stop at Indian Summit Cody, hometown of Buffalo Bill
DAY 8: COOKE CITY / YELLOWSTONE
Roosevelt Mammoth Hot Springs Norris Basin Lake Village
DAY 9: YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Village South and North Rim Mud Volcano Lake Village
DAY 10: YELLOWSTONE
Lake Village Madison via Norris Basin, Porcelain Basin Old Faithful, Firehole, Midway Basin
DAY 11: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful
DAY 12: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful West Basin
DAY 13: YELLOWSTONE / GRAND TETON
Grand Teton via the West on Teton Park Road
DAY 14: MORAN / MANILA
Grand Teton via the East route Pilot Butte (wild horses, pronghorns) Rock Springs Red Canyon (visitor center, well-maintained loop)
DAY 15: MANILA / VERNAL
Rock Springs Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 16: VERNAL
Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 17: VERNAL / GRAND JUNCTION
Fantasy Canyon (2 hours) Colorado National Monument West entrance
DAY 18: GRAND JUNCTION / MONTROSE
Colorado National Monument East entrance Black Canyon of the Gunnison Crested Butte (lovely spot)
DAY 19: MONTROSE / ALAMOSA
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours) Great Sand Dunes National Park
DAY 20: ALAMOSA / COLORADO SPRINGS
Great Sand Dunes National Park Paint Mines Interpretive Park (2 hours) Garden of the Gods in downtown Colorado Springs
DAY 21: COLORADO SPRINGS / SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Bass Pro Shop (outdoor gear store) Outlets in Silverthorne or visit Denver
DAY 22: SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Wash the vehicle / fill up with gas
Flight departure at 4:30 PM (tentative)
DAY 23: ARRIVAL HOME Arrival in Marseille at 11:15 AM (tentative), then back home
DAY 24: BACK TO WORK!!!
If you’ve got any tips or great deals, we’d love to hear them. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to share their thoughts!
USA ITINERARY, DENVER/DENVER LOOP, YELLOWSTONE 2025
DAY 1: FLIGHT FROM MARSEILLE, ARRIVAL IN DENVER Arrival in Denver / pick up rental vehicle /
Estes Park, Rocky Mountain (note: a permit is required)
DAY 2: ESTES PARK / ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain
DAY 3: ROCKY MOUNTAIN / CHEYENNE / FORT LARAMIE / CUSTER
Cheyenne (giant boots, The Wranglers store) Fort Laramie Custer and its Bison statues, Wyoming State Museum (free) Custer State Park
DAY 4: CUSTER, BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Crazy Horse Memorial Mount Rushmore Rapid City (Chapel in the Hills, Presidents’ statues) – hometown of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Badlands National Park
DAY 5: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Badlands National Park Wall Drugstore (Wall Drug)
DAY 6: WALL / SHERIDAN
Devil’s Tower (1 hour) Buffalo, quick stop Deadwood, an old gold rush town with a well-restored downtown
DAY 7: SHERIDAN / COOKE CITY
Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Recreation Area (secret arch to find) Chief Joseph Highway, stop at Indian Summit Cody, hometown of Buffalo Bill
DAY 8: COOKE CITY / YELLOWSTONE
Roosevelt Mammoth Hot Springs Norris Basin Lake Village
DAY 9: YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Village South and North Rim Mud Volcano Lake Village
DAY 10: YELLOWSTONE
Lake Village Madison via Norris Basin, Porcelain Basin Old Faithful, Firehole, Midway Basin
DAY 11: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful
DAY 12: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful West Basin
DAY 13: YELLOWSTONE / GRAND TETON
Grand Teton via the West on Teton Park Road
DAY 14: MORAN / MANILA
Grand Teton via the East route Pilot Butte (wild horses, pronghorns) Rock Springs Red Canyon (visitor center, well-maintained loop)
DAY 15: MANILA / VERNAL
Rock Springs Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 16: VERNAL
Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 17: VERNAL / GRAND JUNCTION
Fantasy Canyon (2 hours) Colorado National Monument West entrance
DAY 18: GRAND JUNCTION / MONTROSE
Colorado National Monument East entrance Black Canyon of the Gunnison Crested Butte (lovely spot)
DAY 19: MONTROSE / ALAMOSA
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours) Great Sand Dunes National Park
DAY 20: ALAMOSA / COLORADO SPRINGS
Great Sand Dunes National Park Paint Mines Interpretive Park (2 hours) Garden of the Gods in downtown Colorado Springs
DAY 21: COLORADO SPRINGS / SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Bass Pro Shop (outdoor gear store) Outlets in Silverthorne or visit Denver
DAY 22: SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Wash the vehicle / fill up with gas
Flight departure at 4:30 PM (tentative)
DAY 23: ARRIVAL HOME Arrival in Marseille at 11:15 AM (tentative), then back home
DAY 24: BACK TO WORK!!!
hi, I'm looking for itinerary ideas starting and ending in Seattle. Of course, I'd like to see at least Yellowstone Park, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, the town of Cody for a rodeo, and the bison...
If anyone has any suggestions—without taking the same route twice, of course—I’d love to hear them!
Best regards,
Mâchouille
Hi there,
Alright, here’s my own road book for 3 weeks (late June – mid-July 2025) — looking forward to your feedback!
We’re not hikers or hardcore adventurers, so I’ve focused the itinerary on what we consider the essentials. We’re flying into SF and out of Las Vegas (because of airfare prices!) and also because I’m skipping Yosemite (doesn’t really tempt us). I’m planning a day trip to Death Valley from LV (been there before — it lets you see the highlights, and that was enough for me at the time). We’re not going as far as Canyon de Chelly — already done, and it didn’t really wow me. Just to note, this is pretty similar to a trip I’ve done before that worked well for us, but I’m open to tweaking it based on your suggestions. The duration (23 days) isn’t flexible — even one extra day sends the ticket prices skyrocketing.
Here’s what it looks like: Day 1: Arrival in SF Day 2 – Day 4: SF Day 5: Monterey (the Aquarium and the bay) – Overnight in Monterey Day 6 – Day 7: Drive down Highway 1 to Los Angeles – Overnight Day 6, e.g., in St. Simeon or nearby, and Day 7 in LA Day 8 – Day 9: LA (possibly an extra day) – Overnights in LA Day 10: Drive to Kingman and sightseeing – Overnight in Kingman Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon and start exploring GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 12: Explore GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 13: Drive to Monument Valley and visit – Overnight nearby (Mexican Hat, Kayenta, etc.) Day 14: More sightseeing in the area (Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck Park) and drive to Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 15: Visit Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 16: Drive to Page and sightseeing – Overnight in Page Day 17: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend – Overnight in Page Day 18: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP and start exploring Bryce – Overnight in the area! Day 19: Explore Bryce => Question: It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Page to Bryce. If we leave early, can we see the highlights of Bryce on Day 18 and skip Day 19? I’ll admit, I don’t remember much (it was back in 2009!) Day 20: Drive to Las Vegas with stops along the way (a quick detour to Zion just to say we’ve been, Valley of Fire) – Overnight in LV Day 21: LV; Cirque du Soleil show in the evening – Overnight in LV Day 22: Day trip to Death Valley (or a lazy day and outlet shopping!) – Overnight in LV Day 23: Flight back at 4:10 PM, which still gives us time to enjoy the morning.
What do you think? Best regards,
Alright, here’s my own road book for 3 weeks (late June – mid-July 2025) — looking forward to your feedback!
We’re not hikers or hardcore adventurers, so I’ve focused the itinerary on what we consider the essentials. We’re flying into SF and out of Las Vegas (because of airfare prices!) and also because I’m skipping Yosemite (doesn’t really tempt us). I’m planning a day trip to Death Valley from LV (been there before — it lets you see the highlights, and that was enough for me at the time). We’re not going as far as Canyon de Chelly — already done, and it didn’t really wow me. Just to note, this is pretty similar to a trip I’ve done before that worked well for us, but I’m open to tweaking it based on your suggestions. The duration (23 days) isn’t flexible — even one extra day sends the ticket prices skyrocketing.
Here’s what it looks like: Day 1: Arrival in SF Day 2 – Day 4: SF Day 5: Monterey (the Aquarium and the bay) – Overnight in Monterey Day 6 – Day 7: Drive down Highway 1 to Los Angeles – Overnight Day 6, e.g., in St. Simeon or nearby, and Day 7 in LA Day 8 – Day 9: LA (possibly an extra day) – Overnights in LA Day 10: Drive to Kingman and sightseeing – Overnight in Kingman Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon and start exploring GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 12: Explore GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 13: Drive to Monument Valley and visit – Overnight nearby (Mexican Hat, Kayenta, etc.) Day 14: More sightseeing in the area (Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck Park) and drive to Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 15: Visit Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 16: Drive to Page and sightseeing – Overnight in Page Day 17: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend – Overnight in Page Day 18: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP and start exploring Bryce – Overnight in the area! Day 19: Explore Bryce => Question: It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Page to Bryce. If we leave early, can we see the highlights of Bryce on Day 18 and skip Day 19? I’ll admit, I don’t remember much (it was back in 2009!) Day 20: Drive to Las Vegas with stops along the way (a quick detour to Zion just to say we’ve been, Valley of Fire) – Overnight in LV Day 21: LV; Cirque du Soleil show in the evening – Overnight in LV Day 22: Day trip to Death Valley (or a lazy day and outlet shopping!) – Overnight in LV Day 23: Flight back at 4:10 PM, which still gives us time to enjoy the morning.
What do you think? Best regards,
Hi everyone,
For our leg from Taos to Albuquerque, we have two options with roughly the same mileage and driving time:
Either the light blue route (NM 518 then NM 76)
or the dark blue route (NM 68), which would let us visit the Embudo Gas Museum.
We’d love to stop at the Chimayó Sanctuary if it’s worth the small detour.
We’ll have already taken NM 518 from Las Vegas to Taos.
Which route is prettier and has the most points of interest?
Afterward, we’ll take the Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Thanks for your input!
Marcalamar :)
Hi everyone! 🙂
We’re on the Roswell–Tucumcari leg. We’ll go through Fort Sumner. After visiting, there are two ways to reach Tucumcari:
Take US 84 to Santa Rosa, see its Blue Hole, then the almost ghost towns on the historic Route 66 (Cuervo, Newkirk, and Montoya). We won’t visit the Route 66 auto museum (we’ll do the one in Tucumcari). The other option is to take 252 and then 209.
The next day, we plan to head to our next stop in Las Vegas (the one in NM) by going up the Mesalands Scenic Byway (104).
Is the detour to Santa Rosa worth it? Are the historic Route 66 sections drivable?
Thanks for your tips! Marcalamar 🙂
We’re on the Roswell–Tucumcari leg. We’ll go through Fort Sumner. After visiting, there are two ways to reach Tucumcari:
Take US 84 to Santa Rosa, see its Blue Hole, then the almost ghost towns on the historic Route 66 (Cuervo, Newkirk, and Montoya). We won’t visit the Route 66 auto museum (we’ll do the one in Tucumcari). The other option is to take 252 and then 209.
The next day, we plan to head to our next stop in Las Vegas (the one in NM) by going up the Mesalands Scenic Byway (104).
Is the detour to Santa Rosa worth it? Are the historic Route 66 sections drivable?
Thanks for your tips! Marcalamar 🙂
Route 66 in 30 days
From Chicago to Los Angeles with a few stops at sites near the route: a total of 6,800 km. Total trip cost: 8,600 € all-inclusive—flights, car rental, gas, meals (raw veggies and fruit for lunch, fast food in the evening), hotels, and little knick-knacks picked up here and there. British Airways flights from Basel-Mulhouse Midsize car from Dollar via AutoEurope. No issues on return. Accommodations booked through Booking
First off, we met really friendly people all along the way. Most attractions are free, and you can easily walk into bars, hotels, and gas stations without buying anything—though you might get kicked out.
The original Route 66 no longer exists in its entirety. Only sections remain, and signage varies by state. Plus, the route has changed over time. But with a good map or GPS, you can figure it out. I used the CoPilot app, which lets you download all the world’s maps for a small fee—so no data issues abroad. I’d noted the GPS coordinates of places to visit during my trip prep, which came in handy.
Along the route, you’ll find old gas stations, vintage motels (some renovated, some not) with their retro signs. The most famous is Bagdad Café. There are also tons of beautiful murals and the Muffler Men.
Chicago is an amazing city. We stayed for 2 days. The best move is to pick a hotel near a Blues Line metro station—it takes you straight from the airport to your hotel, then to downtown. At the end of the trip, the metro takes you back to the airport to pick up your rental car. The 72-hour pass is super convenient. Must-sees in Chicago: John Hancock Center (skip the Tilt option—it’s a rip-off), the Chicago Riverwalk all the way to Merchandise Mart, Picasso and Calder statues, The Bean and its reflections, and don’t miss the signs marking the start/end of Route 66.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things that surprised or delighted us (aside from major sites like Petrified Forest): - Joliet and its prison tied to the *Blues Brothers* story - Gardner and its jail cells - Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield - Country Classic Cars in Staunton (39.03066, -89.75145): a used car lot with everything from Ford Model Ts to classic American cars. You can walk freely through the three hangars - Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (38.76062, -90.47978) - St. Louis with its Gateway Arch and City Garden (full of sculptures and free to enter) - Philipsburg and its candy factory - Springfield: Bass Pro Shop outdoor store (37.179, -93.296) - Carthage: The Precious Moments Chapel (37.113, -94.345) - Foyil: Ed Galloway’s Totem Park - Tulsa: Harley Davidson dealership (36.111, -95.885) - Oklahoma City: Stockyards City—one of the trip’s highlights. Cattle auctions are wild; plan ahead for open days/hours (35.456, -97.552) - Centennial Land Run Monument (35.461, -97.504) - Amarillo: VW Slug Bug Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Cadillac Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Bandelier - El Morro, NM - Canyon de Chelly (detour) - Little Painted Desert (35.157608, -110.47105) - Winslow: *Standin’ on the Corner* (Eagles) - Oatman and its burros - Las Vegas: two days, one spent at Valley of the Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Pick a hotel near Fremont Avenue for nightlife - Rainbow Basin Area (35.012369, -117.03858) - The Bottle Tree Ranch (34.69113, -117.34206) - The Justice Private Automotive Collection in Duarte (34.13830, -117.94591) - Los Angeles: 4 days. Start at Griffith Observatory for a city overview and the Hollywood sign. Don’t forget to see the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica. Venice is worth a visit for a more authentic vibe. Check out the Walt Disney Concert Hall and surrounding buildings for the architecture. Distances are huge. We mixed driving with the metro. Avoid the Interstates—they’re packed with traffic and frequent jams. Stick to parallel roads
From Chicago to Los Angeles with a few stops at sites near the route: a total of 6,800 km. Total trip cost: 8,600 € all-inclusive—flights, car rental, gas, meals (raw veggies and fruit for lunch, fast food in the evening), hotels, and little knick-knacks picked up here and there. British Airways flights from Basel-Mulhouse Midsize car from Dollar via AutoEurope. No issues on return. Accommodations booked through Booking
First off, we met really friendly people all along the way. Most attractions are free, and you can easily walk into bars, hotels, and gas stations without buying anything—though you might get kicked out.
The original Route 66 no longer exists in its entirety. Only sections remain, and signage varies by state. Plus, the route has changed over time. But with a good map or GPS, you can figure it out. I used the CoPilot app, which lets you download all the world’s maps for a small fee—so no data issues abroad. I’d noted the GPS coordinates of places to visit during my trip prep, which came in handy.
Along the route, you’ll find old gas stations, vintage motels (some renovated, some not) with their retro signs. The most famous is Bagdad Café. There are also tons of beautiful murals and the Muffler Men.
Chicago is an amazing city. We stayed for 2 days. The best move is to pick a hotel near a Blues Line metro station—it takes you straight from the airport to your hotel, then to downtown. At the end of the trip, the metro takes you back to the airport to pick up your rental car. The 72-hour pass is super convenient. Must-sees in Chicago: John Hancock Center (skip the Tilt option—it’s a rip-off), the Chicago Riverwalk all the way to Merchandise Mart, Picasso and Calder statues, The Bean and its reflections, and don’t miss the signs marking the start/end of Route 66.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things that surprised or delighted us (aside from major sites like Petrified Forest): - Joliet and its prison tied to the *Blues Brothers* story - Gardner and its jail cells - Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield - Country Classic Cars in Staunton (39.03066, -89.75145): a used car lot with everything from Ford Model Ts to classic American cars. You can walk freely through the three hangars - Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (38.76062, -90.47978) - St. Louis with its Gateway Arch and City Garden (full of sculptures and free to enter) - Philipsburg and its candy factory - Springfield: Bass Pro Shop outdoor store (37.179, -93.296) - Carthage: The Precious Moments Chapel (37.113, -94.345) - Foyil: Ed Galloway’s Totem Park - Tulsa: Harley Davidson dealership (36.111, -95.885) - Oklahoma City: Stockyards City—one of the trip’s highlights. Cattle auctions are wild; plan ahead for open days/hours (35.456, -97.552) - Centennial Land Run Monument (35.461, -97.504) - Amarillo: VW Slug Bug Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Cadillac Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Bandelier - El Morro, NM - Canyon de Chelly (detour) - Little Painted Desert (35.157608, -110.47105) - Winslow: *Standin’ on the Corner* (Eagles) - Oatman and its burros - Las Vegas: two days, one spent at Valley of the Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Pick a hotel near Fremont Avenue for nightlife - Rainbow Basin Area (35.012369, -117.03858) - The Bottle Tree Ranch (34.69113, -117.34206) - The Justice Private Automotive Collection in Duarte (34.13830, -117.94591) - Los Angeles: 4 days. Start at Griffith Observatory for a city overview and the Hollywood sign. Don’t forget to see the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica. Venice is worth a visit for a more authentic vibe. Check out the Walt Disney Concert Hall and surrounding buildings for the architecture. Distances are huge. We mixed driving with the metro. Avoid the Interstates—they’re packed with traffic and frequent jams. Stick to parallel roads
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2027 with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 4 years old.
My husband would prefer to do it in an SUV, while I’d rather go in a camper van.
What are the pros and cons of each option?
Thanks for your input!
We’re planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2027 with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 4 years old.
My husband would prefer to do it in an SUV, while I’d rather go in a camper van.
What are the pros and cons of each option?
Thanks for your input!
Hi there,
I’m planning a month-long trip that’ll take me from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Vancouver BC along the way. After tweaking this route every which way and trying to balance must-see spots with more relaxed stops (like the Oregon coast), I’ve landed on this itinerary—I’d love your thoughts!
Days 1 and 2: San Francisco Days 3 and 4: Lassen Volcanic Park Days 5 and 6: Crater Lake Days 7 to 9: Portland Day 10: Astoria or Cannon Beach Day 11: Ruby Beach or Forks (for the Hoh Rain Forest) Days 12 and 13: Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge) Day 14: Victoria (Vancouver Island) Days 15 to 17: Ucluelet (Vancouver Island) Days 18 to 20: Vancouver BC Days 21 and 22: North Cascades NP Days 23 to 25: Mt. Rainier Days 26 to 28: Seattle
Of course, there’s travel time built in—for example, the third day on Vancouver Island will mostly be eaten up by getting back to the mainland and Vancouver.
Do you think there are any extra stops or anything I’ve missed? A month feels like a lot and not a lot at the same time… Thanks!
I’m planning a month-long trip that’ll take me from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Vancouver BC along the way. After tweaking this route every which way and trying to balance must-see spots with more relaxed stops (like the Oregon coast), I’ve landed on this itinerary—I’d love your thoughts!
Days 1 and 2: San Francisco Days 3 and 4: Lassen Volcanic Park Days 5 and 6: Crater Lake Days 7 to 9: Portland Day 10: Astoria or Cannon Beach Day 11: Ruby Beach or Forks (for the Hoh Rain Forest) Days 12 and 13: Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge) Day 14: Victoria (Vancouver Island) Days 15 to 17: Ucluelet (Vancouver Island) Days 18 to 20: Vancouver BC Days 21 and 22: North Cascades NP Days 23 to 25: Mt. Rainier Days 26 to 28: Seattle
Of course, there’s travel time built in—for example, the third day on Vancouver Island will mostly be eaten up by getting back to the mainland and Vancouver.
Do you think there are any extra stops or anything I’ve missed? A month feels like a lot and not a lot at the same time… Thanks!
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
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?
Best,
Best,
Hi there,
I know these aren’t the most popular destinations on the forum, but I thought I’d give it a shot.
I’d love to do a road trip loop next April, and I really want to visit Nashville and Memphis first.
Browsing the forum, I saw that Atlanta / Memphis / Nashville / Charlotte / Charleston / Savannah / Atlanta might be a good route. But I’m only planning to go for 14 days, and it seems like that might be too much. What do you think?
I mostly want to enjoy the music scene in the area and pass through the Smoky Mountains. I know I won’t have much time to stop for hiking, but oh well...
I’m saving Louisiana and New Orleans for another trip.
Thanks to anyone who can help me map out my route and make the most of this part of the U.S. that I don’t know at all yet.
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip from Miami to Atlanta in May.
Where should I stop along the route?
Which cities are the most interesting?
Thanks! !
I’m planning a family trip from Miami to Atlanta in May.
Where should I stop along the route?
Which cities are the most interesting?
Thanks! !
Hi everyone! 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
Hi,
I’m heading out soon to visit Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Olympic NP, which means I’ll be camping—a topic I’m totally new to.
For me, just the camping part feels like a big adventure, even a challenge.
I was wondering if it’s easy to find camping gear in Denver or along the way to Grand Teton, especially at Walmart, or if it’d be smarter to buy everything in France? Are there other stores where I can pick up the essentials if Walmart isn’t an option?
I was wondering if it’s easy to find camping gear in Denver or along the way to Grand Teton, especially at Walmart, or if it’d be smarter to buy everything in France? Are there other stores where I can pick up the essentials if Walmart isn’t an option?
Hi there,
I’d planned to visit Cathedral Valley, Goblin Valley, the Burr Trail/Northom loop, Factory Butte, and Moonscape Overlook, as well as the Capitol Reef scenic route over three days. The scenic Highway 12 would be for the following days.
Since I rented an AWD SUV, I was planning to contact an outfitter for Cathedral Valley, but they suggested that instead of doing Cathedral Valley with them and the rest solo, they could take me to the four most relevant sites mentioned in the title. Their plan is to start at sunrise at either Temples of the Sun/Moon or Moonscape Overlook and then hit the other three afterward. What do you think? Thanks! Louis
Since I rented an AWD SUV, I was planning to contact an outfitter for Cathedral Valley, but they suggested that instead of doing Cathedral Valley with them and the rest solo, they could take me to the four most relevant sites mentioned in the title. Their plan is to start at sunrise at either Temples of the Sun/Moon or Moonscape Overlook and then hit the other three afterward. What do you think? Thanks! Louis
Hi everyone,
After already exploring the West, which was amazing, I’ve got a new plan—I’d like to visit Texas and Tennessee.
I want to start in Las Vegas, revisit Monument Valley, and head toward Dallas, stopping in Albuquerque and other cool spots along the way.
Then, I’ll leave Dallas for Nashville, with several stops in between—any suggestions on where to go?
Do you think 20 days is enough for this trip?
Thanks for your input!
We’re leaving LA on July 4th (early if needed) to head to the Grand Canyon and arrive the next day in the early afternoon to start sightseeing.
Since it’s a 10-hour drive, that leaves us half a day to explore. I don’t want to rush, so we won’t try to see everything.
Any tips on what to prioritize, especially if we want to enjoy July 4th? For example, there’s the solar-cooked egg contest in Oatman. Or any other must-see quirks along this route on July 4th?
Thanks in advance
Since it’s a 10-hour drive, that leaves us half a day to explore. I don’t want to rush, so we won’t try to see everything.
Any tips on what to prioritize, especially if we want to enjoy July 4th? For example, there’s the solar-cooked egg contest in Oatman. Or any other must-see quirks along this route on July 4th?
Thanks in advance
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).
Return to France: Dallas-Montpellier via CDG.
Cheers!
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).
Return to France: Dallas-Montpellier via CDG.
Cheers!
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.
Hello,
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!
Christophe
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!
Christophe
Hi VF community,
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
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 there,
We decided this week to use our miles for a trip to Phoenix. We're putting our itinerary together in a hurry, and it's not coming together at all. I'd really appreciate some help if possible, please.
Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...
(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM
If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.
Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby
Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...
(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM
If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.
Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby
