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).
Hey there, yeah, it's hot—really, *really* hot during this time of year.
JR’s ranch is paid entry, and you can’t see anything from the outside.
Think honky-tonk and rodeo at the Stockyards—Billy Bob’s, for example.
The best BBQ is undeniably Salt Lick near Austin.
San Antonio’s River Walk is gorgeous at night, but it’s packed, and all the restaurants are tourist traps...
Driving to the Gulf of Mexico from Houston is doable in a day, but it’s a long haul. Galveston isn’t the most stunning spot, though you can find some beautiful colorful houses near the State Park. Corpus Christi is better—cool U.S. ship, amazing seafood restaurants.
For me, Sedona is best enjoyed on a hike. The few viewpoints are always crowded...
Turquoise Trail is pretty limited—only one town was worth the stop.
Hi there, yeah, it's hot—really, really hot this time of year.
JR’s ranch is paid entry, and you can’t see anything from the entrance.
Think Honkytonk and rodeo at the Stockyards—Billy Bob’s, for example.
The best BBQ is undeniably Salt Lick near Austin.
San Antonio’s River Walk is gorgeous at night but way too crowded. All the restaurants are tourist traps...
Seeing the Gulf of Mexico from Houston is doable in a day, though it’s a long drive. Galveston isn’t the prettiest spot, but you can find some stunning colorful houses near the State Park. Corpus Christi is better—cool American ship and amazing seafood restaurants.
For me, Sedona is best enjoyed on a hike. The few viewpoints are packed...
Turquoise Trail is of limited interest—only one town was worth it.
The Alamo is great for history.
Good luck with the heat and mosquitoes.
Hi, thanks for your reply! Mine’s a bit late because of a short trip to Haute Provence for the long Ascension weekend.
1. Got it on the heat. Unfortunately, these are the only dates available. I wanted to go back to Yellowstone, but... the family government vetoed it outright.
2. Paid entry planned for JR’s ranch. It’s not really my thing, but once again, the family government has demands...
3. Stockyards—planned for a day, maybe more. Everything’s mapped out.
4. No Austin visit for BBQ, but I’ll keep the spot in mind.
5. Okay on San Antonio and the tourists.
6. Okay on the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll just get a glimpse from the beach near Galveston. Corpus Christi isn’t on the agenda.
7. Sedona—got it, but we’re not hiking anymore. Only upside: I’m an early riser for the light and photos. Tourists are elsewhere—except for other photographers, not just "iPhone users or the like..."
8. Okay on the Turquoise Trail with limited interest.
9. The Alamo for history. Of course—it’s American history that fascinates me, even if it’s not always pretty.
10. For the heat, museums will be our daytime escape. We’ll adapt. I won’t mention the mosquitoes to the family government—they have a knack for targeting the Prime Minister! 😎
Hi there,
Having been to Houston five times (my daughter used to live there), I can tell you there’s quite a bit to do:
NASA: I think the entry fee is a bit steep, and the indoor section is mostly geared toward kids, so it’s a little less engaging for adults. Still, I really enjoyed seeing the recently revamped Starship Gallery—it turned out great. The interesting part is outside, with the "Independence" shuttle on its transport aircraft. But the best thing is to take a "tour" (book in advance or as soon as you arrive) to see the impressive Saturn V rocket and visit the control room, which has been left just as it was. Since I haven’t been to Cape Canaveral yet, I actually quite liked this visit.
Walking around Houston in the summer is pretty tough because of the humidity combined with the heat, but here are some interesting things to do:
- Buffalo Bayou
- Hermann Park
- The Menil Museum
- The area around Market Square Park with lots of murals
If you need more details, don’t hesitate to ask.
For the Gulf of Mexico: because of the frequent hurricanes, the coast isn’t very pretty. In my opinion, Galveston is the best spot. The seaside is nice with its two or three "piers," and since the water is very warm, it’s easy to go for a swim (East Beach is a better bet). The old quarter is also interesting, with buildings that tell a bit of the city’s history. You can see pelicans at Seawolf Park (there’s a fee, but it’s a nice spot for a picnic).
For San Antonio: you can visit the missions by renting bikes at Mission San José and cycling along the river or doing part of it on foot.
1) The interesting part is outside with the "Independence" shuttle on its transport aircraft.
2) But the best is to take a "tour" (book in advance or as soon as you arrive) to see the Saturn V rocket, which is pretty impressive, and check out the control room left just as it was. Since I haven’t been to Cape Canaveral yet, I really enjoyed this visit.
1) Glad you liked the shuttle on its aircraft—I was one of the donors!
2) I took this semi-private tour called the "Level 9 Tour" back then, and it was definitely worth it (though the cost too...). But I don’t think it still exists anymore.
I looked into it, and tours still exist, but things have changed. Access to Saturn V and other rockets, the astronaut training room, and the campus tour are now included in the admission price. You just have to queue up for the Tram... Only the historic control room is extra and requires booking an additional ticket (reserve at least 2 weeks in advance).
Another interesting thing to do in Houston: the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple.
The temple is stunning, and attending a Hindu ceremony is a unique experience if you haven’t already been to India.
Fort Worth: The Kimbell and Modern Art museums are great (personally, I love museums, though I know not everyone’s into art…)
Houston: The Rothko Chapel is a masterpiece—and free, too!
For the Gulf of Mexico, if you’ve got time (it’s a trek), head down to Port Isabel and South Padre Island—it’s like Florida in the 70s. And at the mouth of the Rio Grande, you’ve got Musk’s SpaceX base: it’s absolutely mind-blowing! I’ve never been to Cape Canaveral, but I think it feels more like a relic of the past, whereas this is pure 21st century. One of my biggest trip highlights in recent years!
San Antonio’s Mission is worth the detour—rare to find truly historic buildings in the US. As Arnaud mentioned, the Riverwalk restaurants are super touristy, but great for a stroll.
Tucson: If you’re into aviation, Pinal Airpark is one of the largest airplane boneyards in the US (or graveyards, depending on how you see it). It’s probably filling up even more now with the end of Spirit Airlines. It’s right off I-10.
Bisbee: Super cute—if you can, check out the US/Mexico border. There are spots where you can see both the old and new walls side by side.
Phoenix: Apache Trail is nice, and in the city, Scottsdale is the "old" neighborhood. Downtown isn’t that interesting, but the Desert Botanical Garden is pretty cool.
Albuquerque: The old town is really touristy, but my favorite was the Sandia Peak Tramway—a cable car that goes up to an old ski resort (which seems closed now—climate change means no more snow). The view over the city is amazing, and there are trails at the top.
Santa Fe: The center is touristy, but it’s got soul. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum (the famous NM painter) is solid, and SITE Santa Fe is a great contemporary art space (and free!). On the Turquoise Trail, towns like Madrid and Los Cerrillos are worth seeing. For a taste of the railroad’s westward expansion, Lamy’s train station is a must—it’s one of those abandoned, Wild West legend spots.
Los Alamos: Not much to see, and you’ll need ID to pass through town because of the research labs. Meh—skip it.
In the area, two places I loved: Ghost Ranch and Jemez Hot Springs.
Dallas: Of course, Dealey Plaza, and downtown isn’t bad.
I wasn’t familiar with Pinal Airpark.
But now it reminds me that Tucson also has the AMARG, which I loved.
If it’s still the case, it’s visited in groups by bus. Our guide was a former fighter pilot who shared tons of stories—fascinating!
One of my dreams was to see a giant airplane boneyard, and I stumbled upon it by chance. Of course, we can’t go inside, but even from behind the fences, it’s mind-blowing!
I was really tempted by Pima, but oh well… I hadn’t heard of Amarg before—it looks amazing! Maybe next time! Thanks for the tip!
Tucson: if you're into aviation, Pinal Airpark is one of the largest airplane parking lots (or boneyards, take your pick) in the US... and it’s probably filling up even more right now with the end of Spirit Airlines. It’s right next to I-10.
Unfortunately, it’s no longer open for visits due to security reasons.
Tucson: If you're into aviation, Pinal Airpark is one of the largest airplane parking lots (or graveyards, if you prefer) in the US... and it’s probably filling up even more right now with the end of Spirit Airlines. It’s right next to I-10.
It’s no longer open for visits due to security reasons. Too bad.
GPS for the win with photos! I just looked through my pictures from this trip and realized I actually saw this site from I-10 and took the detour. Even though you can’t visit, the view from the outside is striking! Seeing all those birds that were once the pride of our technology just stored here, waiting to be dismantled...
GPS coordinates: 32.516455 N, 111.324827 W
It was on our route, but just for the 10 minutes of emotion gazing at this "spectacle," the detour was totally worth it. If you love planes, of course!
Just a little story from this park: sure enough, it’s fenced off and you can’t go in, but across the way there’s a lot with a half-dismantled plane and the gate’s wide open. So we slip in for a closer look—awesome. Then a pack of guys on ATVs and beat-up desert-trial trucks rolls up, all jacked and shaved heads.
One of them comes over: “This area’s off-limits.” We say, “Okay, we’re just French tourists, we’re leaving.” The guy looks at us and switches to French: “Ah, I speak your language—I was in the French Foreign Legion in Marseille…”
America and its surprises…
Just a little story from this park: sure enough, it’s fenced off and you can’t get in, but across the way, there’s a lot with a half-dismantled plane where the gate’s open—so we hop in to check it out up close... awesome. Then a group of guys on ATVs and beat-up cars shows up, like they’re prepping for some desert trial, all jacked and shaved heads.
One of them comes over and goes, "This is off-limits," so we’re like, "Okay, we’re just French tourists, we’re leaving." Then the guy looks at us and says in French, "Ah, I speak your language—I was in the French Foreign Legion in Marseille..." America and its surprises...
Switching up hotels here and there, adjusting the road route, fitting key stops into my tired brain. Rethinking city drives... In short, we’re integrating, integrating.
Even though it’s just the two of us traveling with my wife, she’s going with the flow and trusts me completely—even with hotel choices. It’s convenient, but I’d love for her to take the wheel a bit and get the hang of the GPS. 😎 As for her map-reading skills, let’s just say we’ll leave that for another day. 😉 So, I plan the routes with Google Maps, transfer them to my phone, and print out a detailed road book. In tricky situations, my co-pilot steps in.
So yeah, we’re fine-tuning, fine-tuning.
Dropped Phoenix as a stop and will take the route from Tucson to Sedona via Roosevelt Lake.
In Sedona, I’m thinking of heading up to the Grand Canyon for a day. Two hours by car—totally doable. Been there before, but why not? The drive is gorgeous.
Here’s what we’re looking at:
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and Stockyards, plus an evening out;
JR’s ranch (for my wife);
Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington;
Houston and NASA Space Center:
Seeing the Gulf of Mexico/America;
Babes’s Beach, Galveston.
San Antonio and the missions:
Maybe renting some bikes.
Fort Stockton overnight:
We’ll find something to do.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso White Sands;
A city tour and seeing the Rio Grande. Scenic Drive in the evening. Fun fact: hotel prices in Mexico are 50% cheaper!
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee;
Saguaro National Park.
Sedona:
A round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, one day;
The Grand Canyon (been there before) another day.
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 for me, maybe some early mornings for photos of quiet cities or landscapes that are worth it.
A city tour and see the Rio Grande. Scenic Drive in the evening. By the way, hotel prices in Mexico are 50% less !
Can you cross into Mexico with a rental car?
And a comment on this:
Santa Fe
Turquoise Trail
Los Alamos: Personally, Los Alamos didn’t interest me at all—nothing to see except the two houses (one of which was closed when I visited) of Oppenheimer and his colleague. I naively thought it was a town a bit abandoned after the bomb and the end of the Cold War, but not at all—it’s still a major research center. Meh.
A city tour and see the Rio Grande. Scenic Drive in the evening. By the way, hotel prices in Mexico are 50% less!
Can you cross into Mexico with a rental car?
And a note on this:
Santa Fe
Turquoise Trail
Los Alamos: Personally, Los Alamos didn’t interest me at all: nothing to see except the two houses (one of which was closed when I visited) of Oppenheimer and his colleague... I naively thought it was a bit of an abandoned town after the bomb and the end of the Cold War, but not at all—it’s still a major research center... meh.
Hello! No crossing into Mexico, it was just an "economic" remark.😎
Okay for Los Alamos, I’ll think about it.
As for the Apache Trail, it seems things are gradually getting back to normal. I’ll see when the time comes.
Esta Check
AF tickets Check
Long-term parking Montpellier Check
Car rental via Hertz BSP Check
Watering the lemon tree while we're away Check
No more cats Check
Pool water level check Check
Pre-trip diet in progress
Final checklist in progress
Photo gear: Z8 + 24/70 + 70/200 + Panasonic compact + DJI Pocket 3 + car dashcam Check
Road Book in progress
Weather analysis in progress (watching for wildfires)
To plan: Early wake-up for photos on-site (5/6 AM local time)
July 31
Montpellier-CDG-Dallas
Hotel in Fort Worth and Walmart
August 1
Stockyards, the cows, the shops, the restaurants...
Evening in Old Town if we're not too tired
August 2
Medal of Honor Museum
JR Ranch for Madame
Evening in Old Town if we're not too tired
August 3
Heading to Houston
Getting some fresh air by the water
August 4
Space Center + Gulf of Mexico or America, depending on preferences
August 5
Heading to San Antonio
Evening photos at the Alamo
August 6
Bike tour of the missions (we'll see how it goes)
August 7
Heading to Fort Stockton for an overnight stop
Evening in town or a hotel apéro to cool off
August 8
To El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 9
White Sands at sunrise and Space Museum in Alamogordo
Scenic drive in El Paso in the evening before or after apéro
August 10
Heading to Tucson
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 11
Pima Air Museum
Old Tucson Studios
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 12
Tombstone
Bisbee
August 13
Saguaro National Park
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 14
To Sedona via Apache Trail or Roosevelt Dam from the east
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 15
Road trip to Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams, and back
Sunset at the airport
August 16
A trip to the Grand Canyon—already seen, but we're going back. A scenic loop walk
August 17
My wife's birthday—she’s nicknamed "the Prime Minister." If I forget, I’m dead.
Heading to Albuquerque. It’s not exactly nearby.
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 18
Santa Fe and return via Los Alamos to check it out
August 19
Albuquerque City
Snake Museum!!! In rattlesnake country!
August 20
Heading to Amarillo
Old City in the evening, light apéro
6th Street and apéro
August 21
Museums and Big Texas Ranch Steak!!!
Old City in the evening, light apéro if digestion is done
August 22
Heading to Dallas
Old City in the evening, light apéro
August 23
JFK Museum and more
August 24
Dallas Downtown—still evaluating options
August 25
Return to France
August 26
Arrival in Montpellier
Anyway, everything is flexible day by day.
It’s going to be hot, for sure. Nap planned either way. We’re not twenty anymore...
In your "checks," aren't you planning to scout GPS points to make things easier once you're there?
No, no GPS points. I'm just wandering around, not doing hikes. I'm an old-school topographer, so I use maps instead. But I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Why not.
Best,
A road map like this one is always impressive to read—so many stops and miles, but that’s exactly why we do this kind of thing… and for the truly insane landscapes…
A road map like this one is always impressive to read... so many miles, but that’s exactly why we do this kind of thing... and for the truly insane landscapes....
Yes! I prefer secondary roads for scenic drives, especially Route 66 between Albuquerque and Amarillo.
I’ve got a dashcam planned for the fun routes and for photos during spontaneous or scheduled stops. Every day (right now), I map out my route on Google Maps to spot places to see.
Almost everything’s ready. Except I just checked my Air France tickets, and I’m returning from Paris CDG to Montpellier by TGV instead of a flight! I must’ve messed up somewhere when I wasn’t paying enough attention. Gonna spend the day on the phone trying to sort this out... 🤪
In Albuquerque, I recommend the Sandia Peak Tramway—it’s a cable car that goes up into the mountains, with a gorgeous view and nice cool air if it’s scorching down below.
There’s a cool-looking vintage car museum in Santa Rosa on Route 40, or Bill’s Backyard in Amarillo, but we didn’t get to see it since my wife is now refusing to take any more detours on Route 66. *pant pant*
In Albuquerque, I recommend the Sandia Peak Tramway—it’s a cable car that goes up into the mountains, with a gorgeous view and nice cool air if it’s scorching hot down below......
There’s a cool-looking vintage car museum in Santa Rosa on Route 40... or Bill’s Backyard in Amarillo... but I haven’t seen them, since my wife is now refusing to take on Route 66...... *pant pant*
Have fun!!!!!!
I’ll take the info.
On another note, my issue with the return flight CDG/MPT was sorted out this morning with AF. It was my mistake—misreading the available flight options. Anyway, that’s an extra 850 € for changing from the TGV to a direct flight.
I couldn’t picture taking the TGV back with 4 suitcases and a travel bag!! 😉
In Albuquerque, I recommend the Sandia Peak Tramway. It’s a cable car that goes up into the mountains—gorgeous views and nice cool air if it’s scorching down below...
There’s a cool-looking vintage car museum in Santa Rosa on Route 40... or Bill’s Backyard in Amarillo... but I haven’t seen it yet. My wife is now refusing to take Route 66... *sigh*
Have fun!!!!!
Make sure to check reservations for both! 😉
I’ve reviewed all my Google Maps routes to avoid missing Route 66 between Albuquerque and Amarillo. What a hassle! 😎
The bummer is that the Apache Trail is pretty much closed. I’m debating whether to go through Apache Junction and head up a bit on the Apache before continuing to Sedona, or take a more eastern route to Roosevelt Dam and then Sedona.
Encore assez éloignée mais la date approche. En résumé, Esta Check Tickets AF Check Parking Longue durée Montpellier Check Location Auto via Hertz BSP Check…
Non, pas de points GPS. Je balade simplement pas de randos. Je suis un vieil instructeur topo, donc je me sers de cartes plutôt. Mais je retiens ta remarque.…
Ca impressionne toujours une road map comme celle-ci à lire...il y des bornes et des bornes, mais c’est aussi pour ça que l’on fait se genre de truc...et de…
Yes! Je privilégie les routes secondaires pour les balades. Et surtout pour la 66 entre Albuquerque et Amarillo. La Dashcam est prévue pour les routes sympas…
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!
