Motorhomes are actually really expensive—mileage is often not unlimited, they consume a lot of fuel, and they’re not practical at all once you’re in a big city or going off-road.
In the end, you can drive a big SUV and stay in hotels with all the comfort for less money. The SUV lets you drive on rougher terrain, like a few dirt tracks, and you’ll have no problem parking in cities.
I wouldn’t recommend a motorhome, and even less so mini vans, which are at insane prices.
Keep in mind that doing Route 66 isn’t just about driving on Route 66. You’ll spend a lot of time on highways with zero interest. Plus, I think Route 66 has changed a lot since COVID… kinda sad.
I’m not sure it’s the best choice with kids that age.
I’d think it’d be better to take them to the National Parks instead…
So why Route 66, then?
2027—you’ve got time to plan something incredible that your kids will remember for a long time…
Hi,
There’s the "myth" of ROUTE 66, but there’s also the "reality"...
Today, Route 66 is 90/95% highways. Only very rare sections remain that could be called "mythical." Maybe around WILLIAMS... SELIGMAN and KINGMAN??? Unfortunately, it’s not all that interesting anymore.
In my opinion, there’s no point driving it in a motorhome, for the reasons mentioned above.
The main advantage of a motorhome is being with family and being able to stop almost anywhere... Still, make sure to check the regulations in the U.S. and in each state you’ll be crossing.
I agree with the previous opinions on Route 66.
To help you make up your own mind, I suggest checking out the blog of the late member Durandale2, who lived in San Francisco. A Route 66 enthusiast, he shared many valuable tips on VF. You can find it here.
As for choosing your mode of transportation, another blog worth recommending is that of member papj59 (hello there, my friend—you’ve been scarce on the forum lately!). A die-hard motorhome traveler, even in the USA, his blog is here.
It’s incredibly detailed, with plenty of appendices—a huge effort—where you’ll see that traveling the U.S. by motorhome is more of a lifestyle than a cost-effective option.
That’s also what I found a few years ago when I did a thorough comparison between a motorhome and a rental car + motels for a road trip. There was a big difference, and of course, it wasn’t in favor of the motorhome for the reasons others have mentioned in this thread.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re not familiar with the U.S.: the vast majority of hotels offer rooms with:
1) Two "Queen beds" (160 cm wide), so you can all sleep in the same room without extra costs
2) And, except maybe in very big cities (and even then), with a fridge and microwave. Even if it requires a bit of creativity, this lets you have dinner in your room with takeout or frozen meals and prepare the next day’s picnic. It avoids big restaurant expenses and repetitive fast food. Unlike in France, where it’s often frowned upon to bring your own dinner to the room, it’s very common in the U.S.
Yeah, too bad—I was really looking forward to showing her a great family road trip! 😏
Good thing there are still some of us old-timers left on the forum. 😄
But there’s some good in "working" behind the scenes on cool projects AND picking clients/targets who deserve it and work with trust!
- For 08/2022, a huge project for 2 families of 6 (3 generations), in 2 C30 RVs over 3 weeks. The Grand Circle with specific spots.
Not easy, but what a blast to organize down to the last detail.
Great feedback from grateful participants—it’s really rewarding.
- Currently in the works for July: Route 66 at a fast pace from Chicago to LA/SF. It’s their choice, and since the flights are already paid, they had to keep only the essentials of each stretch of the road. They know what they’re getting into, but it’s doable. Waiting for their feedback (2 adults, 1 teen, 1 little one in a car/motel)...
Nice! Great plans.
I don’t have much on the go right now, but my life’s pretty busy, so that’s probably for the best 😏
I need to sort out my next trip too 😉
You absolutely have to make a detour to Shiprock at sunrise or sunset. That rock formation is amazing. You start seeing it from 30 or 40 km away—it’s impressive.
I’m planning the following route for late March and would love your thoughts—just skipping the Grand Canyon since I’ve already been there:
San Francisco — 3 or 4 nights
↓ 2 h
Monterey/Carmel — 1 night
↓ 3 h 50
Santa Barbara — 1 night
↓ ~6 h of driving via Santa Monica
Las Vegas — 1 night
↓ 4 h 45
Sedona — 1 night
↓ 5 h 45
Canyon de Chelly — 2 nights
↓ 5 h 30
Santa Fe — 2 nights
↓ 2 h 30
Tucumcari — 1 night, Blue Swallow
↓ 5 h 25
Oklahoma City — 1 night
↓ ~1 h 45
Tulsa — 2 nights
↓ 2 h 50
Springfield — 1 night
↓ 5 h 40
Bloomington-Normal — 1 night
↓ 2 h 15
Chicago — 4 nights
One thing to watch:
For Monterey → Santa Barbara, taking Highway 1 via Big Sur, check the road conditions before your trip—there’s currently a closure on a section of Highway 1 due to post-wildfire work.
I think it's a shame to only spend one night in Las Vegas because you'll arrive late, and if you want to visit Sedona the next day, you won’t have any time to explore.
Canyon de Chelly: Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan. I’ve passed through the area twice since and didn’t stop either time. It seems like the people who enjoyed it were those who did the hike in a 4x4.
Is there a particular reason for taking the route from Las Vegas to Chicago with stops in cities that don’t seem to have much tourist appeal? Have you checked if Route 66 is still well-marked there, since on long stretches, it no longer exists?
For Highway 1, check the info on this official site: After the landslide, it finally reopened with alternating traffic. But it’s now closed again due to wildfires.
I think it's a shame to spend only one night in Las Vegas because you'll arrive late, and if you want to go to Sedona the next day, you won't have any time to visit.
Canyon de Chelly: Personally, I wasn't too keen on it. I've passed through the area twice since and didn't stop. It seems that those who enjoyed it are people who did the 4x4 tour.
Any particular reason for taking the route from Las Vegas to Chicago with stops in cities that don't seem to have much tourist appeal? Did you check if Route 66 is still well-preserved there, because on long stretches, nothing remains of it?
For Highway 1, check the info on this official site: After the landslide, it finally reopened with alternating traffic. But it's now announced as closed again due to wildfires.
Thanks first of all for these details.
About Canyon de Chelly, it's an old story. Indeed, 37 years ago, I had booked the jeep tour, but because of the time difference in that place, I arrived too late for the meet-up. It's a frustration that's stayed with me until today, and it's that gap I'd like to fill.
As for the route to Chicago, it was a way to experience the mythical Route 66, but as you suggest, it's probably a bad idea, and I need to rethink that part of the trip.
Plus, it's probably a square-circle situation because I wanted to see Chicago, but that means quite a bit of driving. And it might not be a good idea.
As for Las Vegas, I've already been there twice, and it doesn't really appeal to me anymore, even though I'm curious to see the architecture I haven't seen yet, like the Eiffel Tower, so I don't mind just passing through briefly.
I get it about Canyon de Chelly! Everyone has their own dreams. Mine was climbing up to the crown of the Statue of Liberty—I was lucky enough to do it twice.
For Route 66, the forum’s expert was the late member Durendale2. He did an amazing job presenting all the places to visit—check it out here. Maybe that’ll help you decide.
For Las Vegas, you can definitely make a quick stop. Don’t miss going up the Eiffel Tower at night for the view of the Bellagio fountains.
In Chicago, if you focus on the essentials, 3 days should be enough. You could catch a flight from Las Vegas or Oklahoma City—Southwest has a major hub in Chicago. Unfortunately, checked bags aren’t free on Southwest anymore.
At Chicago, if you have half a day and a car, you could visit the Harley Museum in Milwaukee to keep the Route 66 vibe going! The museum’s really interesting, though the city itself isn’t anything special.
Or, you could fly to Detroit—its Ford museums are worth a visit—and then drive to Chicago.
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,…
Hi there,
I’d love to return to New York in 2027 (June or September), where I’ve already been for a week back in 2009. The Alexander Hotel, where I stayed, is now closed, and I’m wondering if renting an apartment might be a good idea. There’ll be 6 of us (2 couples), and we’d like to stay around Manhattan, preferably the Upper West Side or Upper East Side. Does anyone have a great tip to share, or, failing that, the details of a decent hotel with a good value for money?
Thanks in advance! ;)
I’ll be in Vancouver for 3 days in mid-February.
What should I do?
Where should I stay?
I found some hotels that seem nice by the water, but that location doesn’t seem very appealing in winter.
Hoping someone can give me a few ideas.
Hi there,
We're thinking of driving Route 66 from Chicago to LA in fall 2027 or spring 2028 for about a month.
From what I've found, it doesn't exist everywhere anymore, but that's okay! We're happy to take detours along the way. We're open to visiting less touristy or even completely off-the-beaten-path spots.
Are there any websites dedicated to this road trip?
I'd love any tips and advice for this journey—accommodations, vehicle rental, the pros and cons.
Thanks in advance!
Hi fellow travelers, do you think there’s a real benefit to spending 2-3 days in Yosemite when I’ll already be spending a week in Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies? Won’t it feel a bit redundant? I’m asking because Yosemite is expensive (I’d go with an agency from SF, staying in a cabin, since I’ll be solo and without a car) and apparently packed.
Thanks for your feedback!
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).
Hello!
We’ll be arriving in Montreal on October 21st for a 3-day stay.
After that, we’re heading to Sherbrooke to visit our daughter, who’s studying at the university there. We’ll spend 3 days with her, and then, since she has a break that week, we’re taking her along for 3 days in Quebec City.
We’ve planned to visit Montmorency Falls and Île d'Orléans.
I’d love to hear what route you’d recommend for the drive from Sherbrooke to Quebec City—we’ll have the whole day to take it easy.
If you have any other recommendations, I’m all ears!
A little disappointed that the fall colors will be over by then, but the dates couldn’t be helped. Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello everyone,
We’ve planned a trip (retired couple) for late August to the first half of September in Western Canada.
Classic itinerary: arrival in Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Clearwater, Whistler, Vancouver Island, departure from Vancouver.
I know you can’t see into the future any better than I can, so I’m obviously not asking what the wildfire situation will be like in a month...
But if any of you could let me know if, CURRENTLY, there are major difficulties—not just for locals, of course, but for tourists as well?
We’re hesitating between taking the chance or canceling what we still can.
We’re not young anymore and don’t have the flexibility we once did...
A thousand thanks to those of you on the ground or with contacts there who can help us make this decision!
A friend is renting a car for an upcoming trip during the All Saints' holiday.
Nowadays, all rental cars come with GPS, but do you know if you can use it without paying for the GPS rental? I have no idea since I always use my own!
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
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 🙂
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?
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