Je commence a preparer mon voyage aux USA pour 2009. Les dates ne sont pas encore fixees, la duree non plus (enfin, elle doit rentrer dans la limite de nos vacances !).
Ca dependra notamment du prix des billets d'avion.
Voila mon premier jet, je ne connais aucun des lieux de ce parcours (je ne suis alle qu'en Floride jusqu'a present), donc tous les commentaires sont les bienvenus !
J'ai tente de ne pas avoir trop de voiture a faire par jour, il y a des chances que l'on puisse se relayer au volant, mais ca n'est pas sur (dependra si nos amis nous rejoignent ou non).
Merci bcp !
Jour 1Nice->NYC
Jour 2 New York
Jour 3 New York
Jour 4NYC->SFO
Jour 5 SF
Jour 6 SF
Jour 7SF->Yosemite (3h40)
Jour 8Yosemite->MonoLake (ou nuit a Yosemite) (2h00)
Jour 9MonoLake->Death Valley (5h00)
Jour 10Death Valley->Las Vegas (2h45)
Jour 11 LV
Jour 12Las Vegas->Zion (2h50)
Jour 13Zion->Bryce (2h00)
Jour 14 Bryce
Jour 15Bryce->Lake Powell (4h00)
Jour 16Lake Powell->Page (3h00)
Jour 17Page->Monument Valley (2h50)
Jour 18Monument Valley->GC (3h30)
Jour 19GC->Etape vers LA (4h30 environ)
Jour 20Etape vers LA->LA (2h30)
Jour 21 LA (Visite)
Jour 22 LA (Universal Studios)
Jour 23 LA (Burbank ?)
Jour 24Retour France
Nous revenons tout juste de notre voyage de 18 jours ( ce WE) et il ressemble en tous points au tien sans NYC cependant ! je ferai un carnet de voyage bientot sur VF juste le temps de nous remettre un peu de nos emotions 😉 et preparer tout ça !!!.
pour le temps de route cela nous a paru tres tres correct, les routes etant tres bonnes et tres variées on ne ressent pas de reelle fatigue . nous etions cependant 2 conducteurs a se relayer mais il est arrivé parfois qu un seul d entre nous fasse toute la route meme sur de longues distances et ce n etait pas genant .(le max d heures de route en 1 journée a été entre Mammoth Lakes et Las Vegas environ 7 heures de route en comptant les arrets photos via la Death Valley que nous avons juste traversée). pour les autres jours au grand maximum 4h30 de route.
la question primordiale a te poser tout dabord est de savoir si tu comptes ou non randonner un peu dans les parcs si tu ne comptes pas faire de rando 1 journée entiere suffit en general pour les lieux que tu as cité.
tout depend aussi si tu es plus "nature" que "villes"! mieux vaut bien etudier les possibilités de randos avant de plannifier ton temps a passer la bas, dans chaque parc !
penses a reserver tes hotels TRES LONGTEMPS a l avance pour avoir les hotels DANS les parcs, tu y gagneras un temps fou et l avantage d etre a proximite de toutes ces merveilles de la Nature sans avoir de route a faire ou refaire apres tes visites .
pour ma part j enleverai 1 nuit a las vegas au debut quitte a y repasser sur la fin si vraiment tu as envie de decouvrir a fond cette "ville de folie" en tant que "nuit d etape" entre GC et LA ( c est ce que nous avons fait a la place d une nuit a Lake Havasu et cela n a rajouté q une heure de plus sur le parcours et c etait quand meme plus fun que Lake Havasu !) certains font aussi la route complete sans etape entre GC et LA mais pour un seul conducteur c est lourd en effet ....
quand tu parles de Mono Lake, c est un tres beau lac juste a la sortie de la tioga pass ( route de sortie de Yosemite que tu vas surement emprunter ) tu "tombes" litteralement dessus a la fin de la route, inutile d y passer une nuit, il n y a principalement que les "tuffas" a y voir ( c est magnifique cependant) ce que tu peux faire en soirée . pour t expliquer ce que nous avons fait dans la region : nous sommes arrivés de SFO en debut d apres midi a Yosemite et fait quelques points de vue + check-in a l hotel +visite des sequoias geants et coucher de soleil sublime sur glacier point et dormi dans Yosemite ( hotel Wawona ) . le lendemain nous avons fait les principaux points de vue et sommes sortis en fin d apres midi par la tioga pass pour aller sur Bodie et coucher de soleil sur Mono lake juste a la sortie du parc.nous avons ensuite passé la nuit a Mammoth Lakes ( a 30 ou 40 minutes de Mono Lake) et le lendemain avons traversé la Death Valley pour rejoindre Las Vegas . Nous avons beaucoup apprecié Yosemite, la Nature dans toute sa splendeur mais les cascades etant a sec a cette epoque de l année nous avons tracé la route a travers de parc pour rejoindre Mono Lake donc sans y faire de randos en effet ...tout depend de ce que tu comptes donc y faire ....la "ville" a la sortie de yosemite s apelle Lee Vining et donne sur Mono Lake c est une toute petite bourgade sans grand interet donc a toi de voir si tu veux redormir a Yosemite ou pousser un peu plus loin ; Mammoth Lakes est une jolie station de sports d hiver sympa en été aussi !
Pour Death Valley nous l avons juste traversé, une tres belle route aussi meme si la chaleur y est écrasante et de tres beaux points de vue mais je ne vois pas trop l interet (personnellement ) d y passer 1 nuit il y fait trop chaud et c est tres rocailleux la verdure de Yosemite nous a beaucoup manqué pendant la traversée !tout depend y en a qui aiment beaucoup DV!
Zion est magnifique aussi meme si nous l avons egalement traversé uniquement il merite le detour renseignes toi sur les randos possibles il y a egalement des shuttles qui peuvent t'acheminer au sein du parc . c est tres bien de consacrer 1 journée entiere a Bryce qui est splendide et d y attendre le coucher du soleil . ( je te conseille d y faire quand meme au minimum le Trail de Navajo loop en finissant par Queen's garden Trail)
tu parles egalement d une nuit a Lake Powell (?) mais gardes en memoire que le lac est attenant a Page, tu peux donc dormir a Page et aller voir le lac sur differents points de vue en journée . as tu deja egalement entendu parlé des Antelope Canyons pres de Page, je te les conseille vivement c est magnifique !
a mon gout il y a peut etre une nuit en trop a LA et pas assez de temps au Grand Canyon sauf si tu te contente de quelques points de vues uniquement ...peut etre est ce a "remodeler" pour cette partie ....
juste une question pourquoi parles tu de Burbank specialement ?
voila pour les infos que je peux te donner ... a ta dispo si besoin ! je te conseille un tres bon site a aller explorer sans modération : www.ouestusa.fr
Ton itineraire me sembla pas mal. Cependant personlement j'enleverai quelsques jours sur LA, NYC pour ajouter des étapes sur les parcs.
Attention aux réservations en pleines periode de vacances, surtout pour les parcs.
Il est quand même plus confortable de loger au beau milieu d'un parc.
Bonsoir et merci pour vos conseils et remarques.
Je vais étudier tout ça, voir sur une carte plus précisément pour les distances (je vais acheter les cartes routières, dans les guides que j'ai trouvé jusqu'à présent, on n'a pas de vue d'ensemble).
Pour répondre sur le temps passé dans les villes, et notamment LA, c'est pour ma copine, qui rêve d'aller là bas, voir les studios à Burbank etc. Faut bien faire plaisir à tout le monde !
Bon, je ré-étudie le trajet et je posterai les modifications pour avoir de nouveau vos avis.
Pour ce qui est des réservations, effectivement je vais m'en occuper le + possible en avance, notamment dans les parcs, mais j'hésite encore entre camping et hotel. Ca demande pas mal de discussions et de préparation !
Merci en tout cas pour vos remarques, et alexvanille j'attends le rapport de ton voyage, avec photos à l'appui !
ben de rien ! je vais preparer ca au plus vite, et avec des photos en effet ! pour ce qui est des distances nous avons tout calculé au depart avec googlemaps et cela s est averé etre la realite sur place ( ca doit egalement prendre en compte les limitation de vitesse je pense (?)...)
Bonjour,
Quitte a faire escale à NY, j'y aurais mis un jour de plus. 2 jours risquent d'etre frustrant.
Pour le reste, tu prends ton temps, c'est bien, c'est pass souvent le cas. mais si tu as le temps, cela te permet de te ballader cool, sans regarder ta montre.
Lake Poxell-Page, c'est la meme chose, je sais pas ou tu as trouvé tes 3h. Donc une journée de gagnée pour NY.
Monument valley : toujours le meme conseil : essaye d'y arriver vers 16h, afin d'avoir le temps de faire le tour, et de voir le coucher de soleil, eventuellement faire une ballade à cheval....puis le lendemain, on part. Et si tu n'as pas eu la chance de voir le coucher de soleil pour cause de nuage, tu peux tenter le levé le lendemain.
Cela te permet d'arriver vers midi au GC. Si tu en repars le lendemain en fin de journée, c'est OK.
Il vaut mieux inverser ton etape : 2h de route en qittant GC, puis le lendemain le reste. Sinon il est clair que tu verras pas grand chose de GC.
Camping ou Motel : affaire de gout. Quand nous l'avons fait la 1ere fois, nous avions pris la tente pour economiser quelques nuits de motel question budget...Aujourd'hui, nous n'envisageons plus de partir sans tente, et sur 1 mois plein, nous avons passé seulement 4 nuit en motel.
parmi les avantages du camping :
* tu te reveilles de bonne heure avec le soleil ( des 7h les camping commencent à se vider) et du coup tu profitent de pleine journée pour visiter, car quand tu es dans les parcs, de toute facon, à la nuit, il n'y a pas grand chose à faire.
* Tu es dans la nature et le soir tu as l'occasion de voir pas mal d'animaux qui se balladent . etant protégé, cela ne les inquiete pas de traverser le camping .
* Tu dors plus facilement à l'interieur des parcs. Les lodges ( ou hotel) dans les parcs sont tres cher, et il faut vraiment t'y prendre des novembre pour reserver et avoir les nuits que tu veux.
* tu n'est pas obligé de manger en permanence au resto (mon compagnon et moi, on se deplace beaucoup proffessionellement, et manger durant un mois dans un resto, cela ne nous amuse plus du tout).
Avantage des motels :
* tu as souvent une piscine ( dans les campings en dehors des parcs, il y en a toujours egalement).
* tu n'as pas à plier et deplier tous les jours (avec les tentes 2", cela se fait bien)
* tu as toujours une douche ( dans les parcs, ce n'est pas toujours le cas, mais là ou tu vas, si tu reserves assez tot, tu dois pouvoir avoir les camping avec douche, sauf à Zion, mais il y en a pas loin).
* enfin, tu dors dans un lit confortable, avec ta tele....
Voila, en esperant que cela vous aide dans votre reflexion.
Bonne prepa
Il n'y a que deux façons de vivre sa vie : l'une en faisant comme si rien n'était un miracle, l'autre comme si tout était un miracle.
Voyager avec des enfants › États-Unis · 23 replies
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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!
