The great American West in 23 days

Hi there, it’s a shame you only have two nights in Yellowstone—seems a bit short to me. And no Grand Teton on the itinerary?

Is the detour to Los Angeles really necessary? You’re doing SFO, then LA, then back to SFO? And you end in LA? It’s a little odd to go up to Portland and then Seattle. Did you map this out on Google Maps?

Lake Tahoe to Portland: 9.5 hours of driving Seattle to Yellowstone: 14 hours of driving, no less... And Grand Canyon to Los Angeles: 7.5 hours...

You’ll be doing a lot of driving, honestly. Just driving for this round trip. What a shame.

Hi,

It’s obviously a helicopter tour, given the unsustainable pace...

Out of curiosity, could you specify the distances/travel times between each stop?

At this tempo, there’s barely any time for sightseeing.

EVERYTHING needs rethinking.

Hi there, I didn’t go into detail earlier—I’ll try to lay out the route in more detail. The only long leg is from Renton (Seattle) to Butte. Grand Teton is on the itinerary; I made a mistake with the nights—I’ll actually spend 2 nights in Butte for Yellowstone and 1 in Idaho Falls for Grand Teton before heading down to Salt Lake City. As for the weirdness in SF, that’s because of the airline. Originally, we were supposed to fly Orly-Los Angeles via New York for both the outbound and return, but they messed up—they canceled or rescheduled flights that didn’t work for me, so they offered Orly-San Francisco-Los Angeles, then Los Angeles-Orly instead.

What’s this company called, then?

Yellowstone feels a bit short—what a shame.

Hi there, I’ve only been to the American West once, so I’m no expert, but I’m still noticing a few odd things... Do you realize your itinerary covers 6,400 kilometers—that’s an average of 300 kilometers per day!! Two nights in Yellowstone is way too short. Yellowstone deserves a trip all to itself. You’ve got 4 nights in LA and another 4 in SF—that’s too many... move those nights to Yellowstone instead. Personally, I’d skip Portland and Seattle. Monument Valley isn’t in your itinerary—it’s a must-see, though. Was that a deliberate choice? Going Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, LA in that order means you’re backtracking. I’d end the trip with Salt Lake City, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Los Angeles—in that order, not the one you’re planning. But that’s just my opinion... Happy planning and safe travels!

Now that’s what I call a real road trip!

Oh wow, that’s quite the road trip!

It’s true that this is an unusual itinerary. It’s challenging, but still...

It’s definitely an unusual itinerary! I’ve got a few fixed stops (work’s covering almost half the trip, so I can’t complain), so I need to spend 2 days in Palo Alto at HP, then in Seattle with a supplier, and finally, I can’t change the reservation in Williams. But I’ll rethink the second half of the route!

It’s true that it’s a bit unconventional. Unfortunately, I have several fixed stops (let’s just say work’s paying for almost half the trip). I need to spend 2 days in Palo Alto at HP, then in Seattle with a supplier, and I can’t change the final stop in Williams. But I’ll rethink the second part of the route.

Oh, well, if it’s for work, that’s different. You’re just going to be driving for not much reason. That’s a shame.

Here’s the detailed itinerary:

D1: Depart from Orly for San Francisco (flight at 6:30 PM) with French Bee, arrive in the evening so spend the night at the airport.

D2: Flight to Los Angeles at 6:00 AM, arrive around 9:00 AM, pick up the car in Santa Monica, then morning at Venice Beach, lunch, and early afternoon head to the hotel in Buena Park. Either relax by the pool or go grocery shopping. In the evening, take a walk in Hollywood.

D3: Visit the Getty Villa, Malibu, Dune Point, downtown Santa Monica, lunch at New Panda, then the art museum, Original Farmers Market, Central Market, and in the evening, Santa Monica Pier and a good burger at In-N-Out Burger.

D4: Depart for San José, and on the way, stop at Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Sign, then a 5-hour drive to the hotel in San José. In the evening, stroll through Municipal Rose Garden and Santana Row.

D5: Explore San Francisco using public transport—park at the entrance of the city near a station and cover all of downtown San Francisco, ending with the sunset at the Golden Gate.

D6: (It’s a Monday, I’ll spend it in Palo Alto.) Free time for the rest of the family: either stay at the hotel and enjoy the pool or explore San Francisco with the car. I’ll take an Uber and join them when I’m done.

D7: Early departure around 7:00 AM for Lassen Volcanic Park (4-hour drive). Spend the day there (maybe head down to Lake Almanor if it’s too hot), then drive to the hotel in Yreka (3-hour drive).

D8: Leave for Portland (5-hour drive), arrive at the hotel, spend the afternoon at the pool, then head out in the evening to explore Portland (Pioneer Place, Portlandia).

D9: Relaxing day in Portland with a walk in Washington Park and the International Rose Test Garden.

D10: Depart for Seattle (3-hour drive). After lunch, I’ll drop everyone off at the hotel in Renton and head to see my supplier. In the evening, we’ll explore Seattle.

D11: Sightseeing in Seattle—the Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel, aquarium, Gum Wall, etc.

D12: Woodland Park Zoo, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, or spend a quiet evening in Seattle. We’ll need to go to bed early.

D13: Leave around 6:30 AM for Butte, stopping at the famous Dutton Ranch (9-hour drive), then 2 more hours to Butte (this is the only long leg at 660 miles).

D14: Day at Yellowstone (see the geysers, Artist Point, Mammoth Hot Springs), then return to the hotel.

D15: Leave the hotel and head to Grand Teton Park (3.5-hour drive). Spend the day there, then sleep in Idaho Falls.

D16: Leave Idaho Falls for Salt Lake City (3-hour drive). Visit the Capitol, the two Temples, the Tabernacle, relax at the hotel, and in the evening, explore downtown.

D17: Visit Bonneville, the Great Salt Lake, and Spiral Jetty.

From here, I think I’ll revise the rest of the itinerary.

D18: Leave the hotel for a 4-hour drive to St. George, see Red Hills Desert, Pioneer Park, Snow Canyon, and arrive at night in Las Vegas.

D19: A full day in Las Vegas.

D20: Leave Las Vegas for Williams (3.5-hour drive).

D21: Day at the Grand Canyon.

D22: Depart for Los Angeles.

D23: Relaxing day in Newport.

D24: Depart for France.

So, I’m considering maybe doing:

D18: Leave the hotel for St. George and sleep in La Verkin.

D19: Head to Page to sleep (see what we can do there).

D20: Depart for Williams.

D21: Grand Canyon.

D22: Depart for Las Vegas.

D23: Full day in Las Vegas.

D24: Depart for Los Angeles (flight at 7:45 PM).

Oh yeah, but no. You're not telling us everything either...

I unfortunately have several fixed stops (work-related, let's say, and they're covering almost half the trip)

Obviously, that changes everything.

I read your itinerary carefully. To be honest, it’s a bit wild... Just one day in Yellowstone and one day in Grand Teton—if you hit stormy, rainy days like I did in the middle of August, it’s a wash. But I get your choices, given work constraints. Hard to see the logic in that.

Maybe I’d skip the Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Salt Lake loop to focus on the West Coast instead. SFO is worth it—even two or three days. Near Las Vegas, there’s Death Valley to explore. And Yosemite is doable from SFO. Bottom line, there’s one loop too many, in my opinion.

That said, it’s your call. It’s respectable.

By the way, flying French Bee... Good luck!

Hi there. With all the states you’ll be crossing, are there no geographic restrictions with SIXT?

Have a great day. Jacques.

Hi there, Yes, there’s a restriction if you don’t have your return ticket, but since we already have ours, logically there shouldn’t be any restrictions. To be confirmed

Hello. With all the states you’ll be crossing, are there no geographic restrictions with SIXT?

Have a good day. Jacques.

There are never any restrictions between US states for car rentals. There are often drop-off fees, but no restrictions. It’s one country made up of 50 nearly independent states.

Yeah, I have that in the terms and conditions, so I don’t think there’s any restriction either.

Hi there, Standard contract with Sixt!! We’ve been affected by this clause several times, which is why it’s absolutely essential to pick the right rental company. Best regards,

Hi there,

I contacted another Sixt rental agency, and they offered me a different price: 671.35 €. I carefully reviewed the contract before booking.

Hello, A standard contract with Sixt!! We’ve been affected by this clause several times, which is why it’s absolutely essential to choose the right rental company. Best regards

Your example varies from one country to another. From the USA to CANADA or MEXICO. Not at all within US states. Within the USA and only in certain states, additional fees may apply, just like with any rental company, really. So since our "forum user" isn’t planning to go anywhere other than the USA, she’s all set.

Anything’s possible 🤔 — a quick detour to Vancouver, and I can shorten the Portland and Seattle stay to finish there. The road doesn’t scare me, lol. I’m already planning a round-trip to Morocco by car just before the US 😄 — 2 weeks in Morocco, then we’re back and we take the flight to the US

Anything is possible 🤔 a quick detour to Vancouver, I can shorten the Portland and Seattle stay to finish in Vancouver, I'm not afraid of the road lol I'm already planning a round trip to Morocco by car just before the US 😄 2 weeks in Morocco, we come back and take the plane to the US

Oh right, you didn’t mention all that. If you’re leaving the country, it does get more complicated.

So, it’s up to you.

Here’s the detailed itinerary:

Day 1: Depart from Orly for San Francisco (flight at 6:30 PM) with French Bee, arrive in the evening so spend the night at the airport

Day 2: Flight to Los Angeles at 6:00 AM, arrive around 9:00 AM, pick up the car in Santa Monica, morning at Venice Beach, then lunch, and in the early afternoon head to the hotel in Buena Park. Either relax by the pool or go grocery shopping. In the evening, take a walk in Hollywood

Day 3: Visit the Getty Villa, Malibu, Point Dume, downtown Santa Monica, lunch at New Panda, then the art museum, Original Farmers Market, Central Market, and in the evening, Santa Monica Pier and a good burger at In-N-Out Burger

Day 4: Depart for San José, and on the way, visit Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood Sign, then a 5-hour drive to the hotel in San José. In the evening, walk around Municipal Rose Garden and Santana Row

Day 5: Explore San Francisco using public transport—park at the entrance of the city near a station and cover all of downtown San Francisco, ending with the sunset at the Golden Gate

Day 6: (It’s a Monday, I’ll spend it in Palo Alto) Free time for the rest of the family—either stay at the hotel and enjoy the pool or explore San Francisco. They’ll have the car, and I’ll take an Uber and meet up with them when I’m done

Day 7: Early departure around 7:00 AM for Lassen Volcanic Park (4-hour drive). Spend the day there (maybe head down to Lake Almanor if it’s too hot), then drive to the hotel in Yreka (3-hour drive)

Day 8: Leave for Portland (5-hour drive), arrive at the hotel, spend the afternoon by the pool, then head out in the evening to explore Portland (Pioneer Place, Portlandia)

Day 9: Relaxing day in Portland—walk in Washington Park, International Rose Test Garden

Day 10: Depart for Seattle (3-hour drive). I’ll drop everyone off at the hotel in Renton after lunch and head to see my supplier. In the evening, explore Seattle

Day 11: Walk around Seattle—Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel, aquarium, Gum Wall, etc.

Day 12: Woodland Park Zoo, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, or spend a quiet evening in Seattle. Need to go to bed early

Day 13: Leave early around 6:30 AM for Butte, stopping at the famous Dutton Ranch (9-hour drive), then 2 more hours to Butte (this is the only long leg at 660 miles)

Day 12: Day at Yellowstone (see the geysers, Artist Point, Mammoth Hot Springs), then return to the hotel

Day 13: Leave the hotel and head to Grand Teton Park (3.5-hour drive). Spend the day there, then sleep in Idaho Falls

Day 14: Leave Idaho Falls for Salt Lake City (3-hour drive). Visit the Capitol, the two Temples, Tabernacle, relax at the hotel, then explore downtown in the evening

Day 15: Visit Bonneville, the Great Salt Lake, and Spiral Jetty

From here, I think I’ll revise the rest of the itinerary

Day 16: Leave the hotel for a 4-hour drive to St. George—Red Hills Desert, Pioneer Park, Snow Canyon—arrive in Las Vegas at night

Day 17: A full day in Las Vegas

Day 18: Leave Las Vegas for Williams (3.5-hour drive)

Day 19: Day at the Grand Canyon

Day 20: Depart for Los Angeles

Day 21: Relaxing day in Newport

Day 22: Depart for France

So I’m considering maybe doing:

Day 16: Leave the hotel for St. George and sleep in La Verkin

Day 17: Head to Page to sleep (see what we can do there)

Day 18: Depart for Williams

Day 19: Grand Canyon

Day 20: Depart for Las Vegas

Day 21: Full day in Las Vegas

Day 22: Depart for Los Angeles (flight at 7:45 PM)

Hi,

Sorry to burst your bubble, but your itinerary is unsustainable. You’ve bitten off more than you can chew. You’re spreading yourself way too thin, unfortunately.

Just Yellowstone alone requires at least 3 or 4 full days, plus a full day at Grand Teton.

Yellowstone alone takes at least 3/4 full days + 1 day in Grand Teton.

The geyser eruptions last an average of 9 to 12 minutes... It’s not too far from the parking lot. Just gotta time it right, and then we can hit the road to another park, right?

It could work, yeah—especially since eruption forecasts are pretty reliable.

By day 7, I already find it really tough with the jet lag still hitting hard. High risk of accidents during the last 3 hours on the road in the evening. Plus, the next day you're lining up another 5 hours of driving...

But then day 13! ... Well, just forget it. 9 hours of driving is completely unreasonable... You're not in France. 9 hours of driving in the US on Google will actually be at least 11 hours with just bathroom breaks and quick snacks.

Not sure if it's just me, but I see:

Day 12 Day 13 day 12 day 13

After just one day at Yellowstone, well, don’t bother... it’s not worth it.

Day 20 Grand Canyon - Los Angeles 7.5 hours of driving on Google (plan for at least 10 hours in reality with bathroom breaks and grabbing a quick bite without stopping to sightsee).

You might want to rethink all of this.