Hi there!
I just got back from a fantastic 23-day trip starting in Nice and ending in Phoenix—5,800 km in a big SUV, staying in hotels and motels with breakfasts, picnics at lunch, and restaurants or cafeterias in the evening. 😊 It cost us 6,400 € for two, but I booked everything a year in advance to get good deals!
Hope this helps! 😊
Just FYI, there were lots of tourists this year, and the Americans were super welcoming!!
Hi there!
I just got back from a fantastic 23-day trip from Nice to Phoenix—5,800 km in a big SUV, staying in hotels and motels with breakfast, picnics at lunch, and restaurants or cafeterias in the evening. It cost us 6,400 € for two, but I booked everything a year in advance to get good prices!
Hope this helps...
And just so you know, there were lots of tourists this year, and the Americans were super welcoming!
I’ll keep this in mind since I’m planning a trip in 2016. It’s true that spring rates are lower.
I’ll look into it. 😎
I’ll share some details in September when we’re back 😛
That said, it’s tricky to give price ranges because the big budget items (flights, rental car, hotels) really depend on the time of year.
Can’t wait to hear back from you 😉
As promised, here’s our feedback! 😛
The Itinerary:
23 days, 22 nights on site. From June 25 to July 17, so about ten days outside school holidays. Everything was booked in December.
San Francisco, the coast, Los Angeles, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Page and the Antelope Canyons, Bryce, Death Valley, and finally 3 days in Las Vegas.
Flights:
Multi-destination flights. Arrival in SF, departure from LV with Air France-KLM including domestic connection: 1090 € per person
Transportation:
Rental of a large SUV (like a Peugeot 5008) from Avis. 970 € for 19 days, picked up when leaving SF. I didn’t take the GPS option—I have my own.
48 € per person
Gas: $438 for 5,500 km. Average consumption: 8.5 L/100 km. Average price per gallon: $3.6 (min $2.8 - max $4.9)
Parking: $195 (including $35 at Universal Studios!!! That’s on top of the entrance ticket, and it’s almost impossible to get there by public transport.)
Tolls: None. Otherwise, remember to factor in the fees for the electronic toll system (either via a transponder or license plate reading), which can be very high depending on the rental company.
Hotels:
When possible, we preferred motels on the outskirts (cheaper) with a fridge and microwave in the room. Usually included breakfast, a pool, and laundry. The equivalent of 2- to 3-star hotels in France. Average price: $163 per night (min $120 in Cambria - max $244 in Kayenta for Monument Valley)
Food:
Overall, breakfast was included in the room price except for 4 nights. The fridge and microwave in the room let us eat dinner there (or in the breakfast room, often available) with salads, frozen meals, deli dishes, etc., and keep picnic supplies cool for lunch. We shopped at supermarkets like Walmart. Sometimes a pizza or fast food. No restaurants.
Average cost: $45 per day for two.
Tips:
Mandatory whenever you visit or do an activity: $54 for the trip. But I don’t leave tips at fast-food places, Starbucks, or elsewhere. Not at the hotel either.
Phone:
2 "USA" extensions for our French plans with data (even though we used hotel Wi-Fi a lot): Around 75 €
Activities:
America the Beautiful Pass: $80. Also remember the state parks not included in the pass: $10 to $15 per entry. For the rest, there’s no limit, and it adds up fast!!!!
Here’s my experience with the unavoidable expenses. Happy planning! 😎
3-day public transit pass in SF and airport-to-downtown train: 48€ $48 per person
Oops, small mistake! It’s $48, not 48 euros. That includes $33 for the 3-day pass + $15 for the BART between the airport and Powell, and then to Mission the next day.
Foreign credit cards aren’t accepted on the MUNI app according to what I found out.
The pass doesn’t start automatically at purchase. You have to activate the Pass manually.
Renting a car from San Francisco, I find it’s really much cheaper than before.
However, on the West Coast, I’m not sure where you’re seeing hotels between 80 and 110 €...
I’ve got a 3-week road trip mostly in California, and I’m closer to $200, even more for Yosemite, Sequoia, San Francisco, Pacific Grove, and Fort Bragg.
I’ve never spent more than 110 euros on a hotel without any issues...
That said, you’re mentioning places that are expensive. The California coast is pricey. If you go just 1 hour inland, you can find hotels for under 100 euros. Sometimes, you just need to step back a little. I never stay right in the heart of tourist spots—always a bit off to the side. For example, two years ago when I arrived in San Francisco, I stayed south in Milpitas (Hilton Garden Inn for 97 €) or north near Corte Madera.
In Los Angeles, I usually stay around Glendale or Pasadena (Glendale Hotel for 90 € is great, and Howard Johnson Pasadena for around 110 €—not bad, from what I remember).
I haven’t been to Yosemite in ages, but back then, I stayed near Oakhurst.
But yeah, near the parks, it’s really expensive. I just go farther out.
Now, like I said, I mostly sleep in my car, camp, or stay in nature, and I spend very little time in California because it doesn’t interest me much anymore.
Too expensive! Just the cost of gas alone makes me want to leave.
So when I occasionally look for a hotel, I book the same day on-site via Expedia, for example, to pay in euros. I’ve never had trouble finding something affordable and clean... But I also see you’re planning a bit last-minute ;)
Hi there,
I’m back. I’m wondering about the exact timing I should aim for. I’d love to catch the peak of the fall colors. I was thinking of going from September 19 to October 10, 2026, or maybe September 26 to October 17, 2026. What do you think? Thanks!
My answer might fall flat since I’ve never visited these regions in the fall—I’ve always gone (4 times) in the spring or summer. But I’ll give it a shot!
It probably depends on what you mean by the "West Coast," but if it’s the classic SF–LA route with parks and maybe LV, from what I remember, there isn’t much vegetation aside from pine trees. Though the timing for their fall colors is still a bit of a mystery 😛😎
Then again, my memories (most recently from summer 2025) might be playing tricks on me...
I was in the West last month 😉 and I’d say both periods are great for fall colors, but it also depends on the altitude—higher areas change color earlier!
Burst of yellow in the Moab highlands on October 9th, though you can see many trees are already bare.
Fruita Orchards in Capitol Reef, a mix of green and yellow, on October 11th.
Dixie National Forest at the start of Scenic Byway 12, October 11th—again, lots of trees have already lost their leaves.
Zion on October 14th, just a few splashes of yellow.
As for the budget, here’s my LV-LV loop from 10/1 to 10/17, covering Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab (Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, Arches), Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion.
Flights Geneva-LV: 700 € per person, baggage included
Car rental via BSP Auto: 584 € for a standard SUV (Mitsubishi Outlander) with an additional driver (I traveled with a friend, not my partner!) and $1,000,000 liability coverage.
Hotels: 3000 € for 16 nights (ranging from 109 € to 317 €)
Restaurants + misc. purchases: around 2000 € per person
Gas: for 2,600 km, about 130 €
We wanted to buy the parks pass, but with the shutdown, they were free—except Dead Horse Point, which is a state park ($20).
Hello,
I’m back. I’m wondering about the exact period I should choose. I’d love to catch the peak of the fall colors. I was thinking of either September 19 to October 10, 2026, or maybe September 26 to October 17, 2026. What do you think? Thanks!
Hello, we left on September 25 this year, and it was the start of fall—those fluorescent yellow trees are magical!
But predicting the start of fall from one year to the next isn’t a sure thing…
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!
Hey everyone, I’m torn between two 6-night destinations: New York City first, then a 15-day route:
New York City–Adirondacks
Adirondacks–Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes–Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls–Cleveland
Cleveland–Detroit
Detroit–Holland
Holland–Chicago
OR:
New York City–Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh–Lexington
Lexington–Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg–Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains–Pigeon Forge
Pigeon Forge–Gatlinburg
Gatlinburg–Asheville
Asheville–Roanoke
Roanoke–Charlottesville
Charlottesville–Lancaster
Lancaster–Hudson Valley
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 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 🙂
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.
Burst of yellow in the Moab highlands on October 9th, though you can see many trees are already bare.
Fruita Orchards in Capitol Reef, a mix of green and yellow, on October 11th.
Dixie National Forest at the start of Scenic Byway 12, October 11th—again, lots of trees have already lost their leaves.
Zion on October 14th, just a few splashes of yellow.
Cécile from the Salton Sea to Alcatraz
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