Je rêve depuis longtemps de visiter l’Amérique de nord (plus particulièrement le Canada et les USA…). Je suis donc en train d’organiser mon 1er autotour
Le must serait de pouvoir partir fin Mai pour un road trip de 3 semaines, du 24 mai au 14 Juin 2010…
Nous serions 2 … moi et mon amie, avec un budget compris entre 3000 et 4000€.
J’ai lu pas mal de Posts sur ce forum, et grâce à vos nombreux conseils déjà trouvés j’ai pu faire avancer le chmilblique ! J’ai pondu un itinéraire…
Je souhaite donc vous en faire part afin de recevoir à mon tour vos conseils avisés…
Je souhaite organiser un road trip alliant grands espaces, villages et routes pittoresques avec le géant des villes américaines… Je ne souhaite pas spécialement voir des musées ou autres, mais simplement marcher, découvrir, et profiter des paysages …
Voila l’itinéraire :
Jour 1 : Paris to Montréal
Hébergement sur place (en famille), donc rien à débourser de ce côté ci … Récupération de la voiture de location.
Jour 2 à Jour 4 : Montréal et sa région :
Je souhaite aller au Mont tremblant ainsi que dans les cantons de l’est … j’aimerai également visiter Québec (que je n’ai pas encore eu l’occasion de faire), sur une journée, en partant de Montréal, cela est t’il possible ???? Sans oublier bien sur la ville de Montréal … Il faut que je fasse un choix …
Jour 5 et jour 6 : Montréal to White Mountains :
2 nuits dans les White Mountains - Connaissez vous un point de chute idéal dans les White Mountains ??? (J’ai pensé à North Conway, porte des White Mountains…)Des petits villages pittoresques ? Des routes où l’on peut voir des ponts couverts ?
Une journée entière consacrée aux White Mountains … que me conseillez vous ? (Fume gorge?)
Jour 7 et jour 8 : White Mountains to Camden (Acadia National Parc).
2 nuits non loin de l’Acadia National Parc - Je souhaite trouver un hébergement avant Bar Harbor, afin d’éviter la ville touristique en elle-même, qui ne doit pas être donnée niveau hébergement … un Motel par exemple ?
Jour 9 : Camden to Boston
Est il préférable de prendre les petites routes côtières ???
1 nuit à Boston, histoire de découvrir un peu la ville … rapide je sais, mais je préfère passer + de temps dans la prochaine ville (New York !!!)
Jour 10 à jour 16: Boston to New York
6 nuits à New York - Dans l’idéal j’aimerai être logé dans Manhattan, un hostel pourquoi pas … avez-vous un bon plan afin de laisser la voiture avant New York et me rendre ensuite à l’hôtel en bus ou métro ??? Des tickets de bus à la semaine existent t’ils ? Quel est le meilleur moyen afin de découvrir la ville en bus ?(tour en bus) (Merci ^^)
Jour 17 : New York to Finger Lakes
Connaissez vous un point de chute sympa aux Finger Lakes ??
Jour 18: Finger lakes to Niagara on the lake (côté Canadien)
1 seule nuit aux chutes du Niagara, est ce suffisant ???
Jour 19:Niagara on the Lake to Toronto
J’hésite encore à faire une halte à Toronto … me conseillez vous cette ville ? Y a-t-il une étape entre Niagara on the lake et Montréal plus sympa à faire que Toronto ??
Jour 20 : Toronto to Montréal (trajet un peu long …)
Jour 21 et 22 : Derniers jours sur Montréal, et retour en France !!!
Montréal to Paris
Merci à tous pour votre aide …
Personnel Navigant Commercial ... en attente d'une Compagnie !!! ^^
Jours 2 à 4 - Mont-Tremblant, environ 2 heures plus ou moins de route de Montréal. Que veux-tu visiter? le village touristique, le parc du Mont-Temblant et y faire une randonnée? Le long de la route entre Montréal et Tremblant, il y a plusieurs villages intéressants à visiter.
Les Cantons-de-l'Est, ne peuvent être visités la même journée que Tremblant, c'est à l'opposé. Très belle région avec beaucoup d'attraits.
La ville de Québec, un must, tu ne peux tout visiter en une journée, deux seraient mieux.
Jours 5 et 6 - Mont Washington, the Flume et Cannon Mountain remplissent une journée. North Conway n'est pas un village pittoresque, c'est très très touristique et les gens y vont pour les 'outlets'. Si vous êtes intéressé à faire du shopping, c'est l'endroit, il n'y a pas de taxe de vente au NH sauf sur l'alcool. Pour un arrêt moins cher, il y a Twin Mountain près du Mont Washington http://www.twinmountain.com/lodging.php . Il y a aussi Lincoln, immédiatement au sud de The Flume, il y a un Comfort Inn, moins cher que les resorts du coin. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g46140-d98101-Reviews-Comfort_Inn_Suites-Lincoln_New_Hampshire.html
Jours 7 et 8 - C'est une bonne 'trotte' comme on dit au Québec entre les White Mountains et le parc Acadia. Il y a une petite ville juste avant Bar Harbor qui s'appelle Ellsworth, il y a quelques hôtels et motels bien de ce côté . Entre les deux villes, il y a le
http://www.isleviewmotelandcottages.com/, sans prétention et sans doute moins cher.
Il y a deux très restaurants ( de petits cafés en fait, sans prétention) où manger du homard, soit le Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound et un autre, Lunt's je crois, situé en face du petit aéroport juste avant d'entrer sur l'île du Mont Desert. Les prix sont élevés mais les homards sont frais du jour.
Jour 9 - Certes la route 1 est beaucoup plus intéressante que la 95 mais auras-tu le temps?? Il y a tellement de gentils villages à visiter entre Bar Harbor et Boston. Il y a 325 kms environ entre les deux villes. Camden est une jolie ville, il y a aussi Boothbay Harbor, plus commerciale mais intéressante, etc.etc.
Jour 17 - New York vers Niagara Falls, pas trop trop de choses intéressantes à visiter et il y a tout de même 400 kms entre New York et Buffalo. Ma suggestion, prendre l'autoroute 90 à partir d'Albany jusqu'à Buffalo puis te diriger vers Niagara Falls. De cette façon, tu pourrais voir les chutes de soir, à l'arrivée puis de jour le lendemain en faisant le Maid of the Mist, ce bateau qui t'approche tout près des chutes canadiennes.
Jour 19 - J'aime bien Toronto et je trouve qu'elle mérite plus d'une journée mais cela ne semble pas l'avis de tous. Si tu veux lire sur les choses à voir à Toronto, fais une recherche ici sur le Forum, j'ai beaucoup écrit sur le sujet.
Jour 20 - Entre Toronto et Montréal, il y a six heures de route environ avec arrêts pipi😊. En partant tôt le matin, tu peux t'arrêter à Gananoque faire une mini-croisière Mille-Îles. Il est aussi possible de faire ces croisières de Kingston et/ou de Brockville.
C'est toujours un plaisir de te lire ! Tu prends bien le temps de répondre à chaque fois et tes remarques sont toujours pertinentes 😎 MERCI
Pour ce qui est de Montréal et sa région, j'ai déjà visité l'an dernier le Mont Tremblant ainsi que quelques petits villages entre ce dernier et Montréal. Très très sympa (même sous la pluie d'aout !!!). J'ai également eu la chance d'aller dans les cantons de l'est (Magog, Sherbrooke..., mais sous le soleil cette fois !!!!!😛). Pas assez de temps pour aller à Québec malheureusement ...
Tout ça pour dire que l'an dernier, j'étais au Canada sans ma "blonde", cette année nous partons ensemble, c'est pourquoi je souhaite lui faire découvrir le Mont Tremblant et Les cantons de L'est ... mais je dois faire un choix, Québec est à voir impérativement ... qu'en penses tu?
Quel choix ferais tu ? (Mont tremblant + Québec ou Cantons de l'est + Québec ???)
Pour ce qui est du temps de route entre chaque étape, j'ai vraiment essayé de ne pas dépasser 4h ou 4h30 (sauf entre Toronto et Montréal), j'estime que cet autotour doit être une véritable PREMIÈRE découverte, je veux faire ce qu'il y a de mieux et voir ce qui doit être vu (même si tout ne pourra pas être vu ...), par conséquent je prendrai le temps de faire la route côtière entre Bar Harbor et Boston, même si je dois sacrifier un peu de temps lors d'une autre étape (shopping en moins par ci par la ^^).
En tout cas, merci pour toutes ces infos ... je me servirai de ton message afin de peaufiner mon voyage 😉
A très bientôt.
Personnel Navigant Commercial ... en attente d'une Compagnie !!! ^^
Si c'était mon choix, ce serait Cantons-de-l'Est et Québec ou, pourquoi pas, Québec et Charlevoix (à une heure de route de la ville de Québec) si vous n'avez jamais visité cette région.
J'ai une autre question à poser ...
j'ai lu pas mal de posts à ce sujet mais je voulais compléter mes infos !!
Le temps sera t'il clément lors de mon voyage au Canada et Usa ??? (Fin mai...début Juin)
J'ai lu qu'au mois de Mai le temps n'était pas idéal, qu'il pouvait même encore neiger !!! J'ai décidé de partir à cette période car je pense que les prix sont plus abordables et qu'il y aura certainement moins de monde (qu'en Automne par exemple !!!) Que me conseillez vous ? En sachant que je peux tout à fait décaler mon départ de quelques jours, voir quelques semaines ... mi juin par exemple !)
Merci pour vos réponses
François
Personnel Navigant Commercial ... en attente d'une Compagnie !!! ^^
Autrefois, la petite fille catholique que j'étais chantait, avec les autres membres de la chorale, 'C'est le mois de Marie, c'est le mois le plus beau', ce en mai. Ce mois était également le mois où les lilas venaient embaumer l'air de notre jardin.
De la neige en mai, rarement, surtout fin mai. Ce mois peut être très beau et chaud comme pluvieux, difficile de prédire. Je me rappelle, il y a quelques années, avoir prévu un séjour en Floride début mai et le jour de notre départ, la température à Montréal était dans les 25C. Plus au sud, il fait plus chaud, naturellement.
Par contre, pour les visites, plusieurs endroits touristiques et activités du Québec sont fermés à cette période de l'année, tout dépend de votre circuit, il faudrait vérifier.
J'aime bien voyager avant la St-Jean-Baptiste (24 juin) et après la Fête du Travail (1er lundi de septembre), beaucoup moins cher et c'est beaucoup moins achalandé sur les routes. Faites attention, Memorial Day de nos amis américains est le 30 mai donc les prix montent pour ce long weekend.
Hello! The itinerary is pretty much set for August 2026. Yeah, I know it’s gonna be *super* hot. But it’s the only time we can get away.
So, here’s the plan: Montpellier-CDG-Dallas.
Stay from July 31 to August 26, 2026:
Car rental – check,
Hotels – check,
Itinerary – almost check,
Photo gear – check,
Budget – check, 🤪
Meal planning – meh, we’ll see...
Walmart, of course, for the cooler when we arrive.
And now, without too much detail...
Fort Worth:
The Longhorns and the Stockyards;
JR’s ranch (for the missus);
Medal of Honor Museum – Arlington.
Houston and NASA Space Center:
See the Gulf of Mexico/America.
San Antonio and the missions.
Fort Stockton for an overnight stop.
El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains:
El Paso and White Sands.
Tucson and the Pima Air & Space Museum:
Tombstone, Bisbee.
Phoenix:
Still working on the program.
Sedona:
Round trip around the area via Flagstaff and Williams, or the Grand Canyon (already done) – we’ll decide on the spot.
Albuquerque:
Santa Fe,
Turquoise Trail,
Los Alamos.
Amarillo via Route 66:
Old Route 66 in the city;
Big Texas Ranch Steak 😏.
Dallas:
JFK Museum;
Perot Museum;
West End district.
And through it all – the road, the road, and more road!!!
We’ll adapt day by day based on our mental and physical state (we’re not exactly spring chickens).
hi everyone
I’m planning a world trip and I’m looking for great tips on accommodation in the United States.
Do you have any good deals to share, please?
thanks
Hello everyone! Really damaged due to flooding caused by runoff after forest fires (a total mess!), does anyone in this friendly forum have any updates on the Apache Trail between Apache Junction and Roosevelt Dam? Is there still a section of the road that’s tough to navigate?
We're leaving at the end of June and will be driving the route between Buffalo and Cody. We’ve already booked our accommodations and a rodeo in Cody, but during the day, we’ll be driving between the two and I’m unsure about the itinerary.
Which route do you think is the most pleasant, interesting, or scenic between:
- The northern route via Highway 14 with Sheridan, Lowell, etc.
- The southern route with Highways 16/20/14, passing by Loaf Mountain Overlook, Powder River Pass, Ten Sleep Canyon...
We’ll be in a car, so we should be able to drive on any road.
Thanks for your input!
I’m almost done planning our September road trip. After our 3-night visit to Sequoia, we’ll have a stopover night in Coalinga (to break up the drive). We’ll be staying two nights in Monterey and would like to stop along the way to visit one side of Pinnacles National Park. We’re torn between the West entrance and the East entrance, and we’d like to do a short hike of no more than 2 hours since we don’t want to arrive too late in Monterey.
This park is split into two distinct zones with no connection between them, and the mileage from Coalinga to Monterey is pretty much the same for both. Which area do you recommend visiting—east or west? And which route is the most scenic?
I’ve spotted two short hikes:
- East: Moses Spring to Rim Trail Loop
- West: Balconies Cliffs Cave Loop
Has anyone been there, or do you have another hike to suggest?
Thanks in advance, and have a great afternoon!
Marcalamar 🙂
After our first trip as a young couple to the West in 2007 (yes, that doesn’t make us any younger!), we’re planning to go back in 2028, but this time as a family of four! (We have two boys who’ll be 5½ and 13 years old in the summer of 2028.)
Our plan is to combine a few big cities (SF and LA, maybe San Diego) with national parks and state parks, mostly!
Ideally, we’d like to leave at the end of June and head back to France around July 19–20, so we can enjoy the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Since we already did the "loop" in 2007, there are must-see places we absolutely want to revisit—and especially share with our kids: Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and above all, the Grand Canyon, which is still the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen on Earth!
On the other hand, some places didn’t leave a big impression on us for various reasons, so we’re not making them a priority: Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, for example.
We’re planning ahead, but might as well be smart about it😏
Do you have any tips for a fun and doable itinerary over about 20–25 days with kids, without rushing?
Hi everyone! 🙂
Just a quick question about King Canyon and Sequoia National Park.
Before our night in Miramonte, we plan to visit King Canyon. The next stop will be two nights in Three Rivers to explore Sequoia National Park. I wanted to go all the way to Roaring River Falls on the King Canyon Scenic Byway and then turn back to head to Miramonte. Since we’re coming from Oakhurst, Google Maps says it’s 300 km and 5 hours of driving. Since we also want to hike to see the sequoias (Big Stump Area and Grand Grove) before tackling the King Canyon Scenic Byway, the timing’s going to be tight. How far do you recommend going before turning back to miss as few points of interest as possible on the King Canyon Scenic Byway? Thanks for your advice, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
Hi everyone!
After years of hoping, waiting, planning, then changing, saving, and searching for the best possible route... we're FINALLY off this summer for a 5-week road trip in the West.
I had planned a trip to Colorado in 2021 but canceled due to COVID, so with time passing and my eldest’s high school graduation approaching fast, I figured it was now or never!
Anyway, the itinerary has been modified and extended to please everyone (I’m no longer the only one making decisions!!)
Here’s our final route:
Day 1 - 7/12/2026 - Brussels / Los Angeles
Day 2 - 7/13/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 3 - 7/14/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 4 - 7/15/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 5 - 7/16/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 6 - 7/17/2026 - Los Angeles / Kingman
Day 7 - 7/18/2026 - Kingman / Grand Canyon
Day 8 - 7/19/2026 - Grand Canyon / Page
Day 9 - 7/20/2026 - Page
Day 10 - 7/21/2026 - Page / Monument Valley
Day 11 - 7/22/2026 - Monument Valley / Durango
Day 12 - 7/23/2026 - Durango
Day 13 - 7/24/2026 - Durango
Day 14 - 7/25/2026 - Durango
Day 15 - 7/26/2026 - Durango / Glenwood Springs
Day 16 - 7/27/2026 - Glenwood Springs
Day 17 - 7/28/2026 - Glenwood Springs / Moab
Day 18 - 7/29/2026 - Moab
Day 19 - 7/30/2026 - Moab
Day 20 - 7/31/2026 - Moab
Day 21 - 8/1/2026 - Moab
Day 22 - 8/2/2026 - Moab / Vernal
Day 23 - 8/3/2026 - Vernal / Grand Teton
Day 24 - 8/4/2026 - Grand Teton
Day 25 - 8/5/2026 - Grand Teton / Cody
Day 26 - 8/6/2026 - Cody / Yellowstone
Day 27 - 8/7/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 28 - 8/8/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 29 - 8/9/2026 - Yellowstone
Day 30 - 8/10/2026 - Yellowstone / Salt Lake City
Day 31 - 8/11/2026 - Salt Lake City / Bryce Canyon
Day 32 - 8/12/2026 - Bryce Canyon / Zion
Day 33 - 8/13/2026 - Zion
Day 34 - 8/14/2026 - Zion
Day 35 - 8/15/2026 - Zion / Las Vegas
Day 36 - 8/16/2026 - Las Vegas
Day 37 - 8/17/2026 - Las Vegas / Los Angeles
Day 38 - 8/18/2026 - Los Angeles
Day 39 - 8/19/2026 - Los Angeles / Brussels
Day 40 - 8/20/2026 - Brussels / Home
We’ll be alternating between house swaps, motels, and campgrounds. I’ve booked all the accommodations (except the campground at Bryce since sunset bookings open only 14 days in advance) and the first activities, as well as the most touristy ones.
I’m currently putting together my day-by-day roadbook and having some trouble planning certain days, like in LA or Las Vegas. Choosing hikes isn’t easy either—it’s tough to decide!
We’re really excited but could definitely use your help with choices and optimizations!!
Hello.
I’d like to travel along I-15N from San Diego to Las Vegas with my mom, who’s 67. We’ve explored Northern California and the California Coast over the past two years and now want to continue through the desert.
There are several attractions along the way:
- Mormon Rocks
- Desert Discovery Center and visit the Old Woman meteorite
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Mojave Desert
- Mojave National Preserve
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
- Silverwood Lake
My mom has back issues that prevent her from hiking or walking on trails with elevation changes. Is it possible to visit these places by car, or are the routes flat enough?
I’d love for her to experience the desert with an itinerary adapted to her condition. I’m also open to other points of interest that aren’t mentioned. We have 3-4 days for the trip, so we’re not in a rush—just want to explore.
I’d love to take a road trip and visit Nova Scotia. I’d appreciate some info on the best cities to see and the most interesting spots. The trip should last about 10 to 15 days, staying in hotels or motels. Thanks in advance!
We’re being relocated to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
We’ll be taking the flight from Nantes to Montreal and then from Montreal to Saint Pierre.
Could you recommend a hotel near the departure terminal that allows dogs?
Hi,
My 16-year-old son is flying to Grand Rapids with other kids his age. There’s a layover in Detroit. There’s no unaccompanied minor service available. Is it pretty easy to navigate Detroit Airport to catch the connecting flight to Grand Rapids (domestic flight)? There are several of them who speak English well.
Thanks for your replies,
Good evening, everyone! 🙂
Just a few last questions to wrap up our Lake Tahoe visit plans.
**Parking:**
We’d like to walk to Eagle Falls and then Eagle Lake. I’ve spotted two parking lots that seem close to each other and give access to the trailhead. Where and how do we pay for entry to Emerald Bay State Park and Inspiration Point?
**Viewpoints on the East Side:**
Are most of the viewpoints (Balancing Rock, Granite Cave, Bonsai Rock, etc.) right by the road, or do you have to hike to reach them?
**Donner Memorial State Park:**
Is it worth making a detour to Truckee to visit this park and the Truckee historic downtown?
Hi there. I'm shocked by the price of the Upper Antelope Canyon tour—$175 for less than an hour… You might say, "if you can’t afford it…" But the real question is whether it’s really worth it, because $350 for two makes me feel like I’m getting ripped off. For those who’ve done both Lower and Upper, can you tell me if the price difference is really justified? Thanks
Hi everyone! 🙂
As you can see, we're heading back from September 6th to the 27th.
Everything’s booked for September—flights, accommodations, and the car. As I plan, I’ll be asking the experts for help. This is our second trip to California, but most of the stops are new to us.
We’ll start directly from San Francisco to our first overnight stop, Davis, before heading to Lassen Volcanic Park for 4 nights. Our flight lands at 12:50 PM.
Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Davis – overnight stop
Day 2: Red Bluff – exploring Lassen Volcanic Park (scenic drive to Lake Helen)
Day 3: Susanville – scenic drive through the park via the South Entrance, points of interest, and hikes
Day 4: Susanville – Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes hike
Day 5: Susanville – Warner Valley (hikes)
Day 6: South Lake Tahoe
Day 7: South Lake Tahoe
Day 8: Mammoth Lake
Day 9: Mammoth Lake
Day 10: El Portal via Tioga Road
Day 11: El Portal
Day 12: El Portal
Day 13: Oakhurst
Day 14: Miramonte
Day 15: Three Rivers
Day 16: Three Rivers
Day 17: Coalinga
Day 18: Monterey
Day 19: Monterey
Day 20: San Francisco
Day 21: San Francisco
Day 22: Departure
For hikes in Lassen Volcanic Park, I’ve planned:
Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling Lake (Day 2)
Paradise Meadow (maybe not going all the way), Devastated Area, and the loop around Reflection and Manzanita Lakes (Day 3)
Cinder Cone and Painted Dunes (Day 4)
Devil’s Kitchen and Boiling Spring Lake (Day 5)
I’ve read there are trails to access the trailheads for Cinder Cone (11 km) and Warner Valley. Are these easy trails for an SUV?
Are there any other must-see spots or things we shouldn’t miss?
That’s where I’m at for now. Thanks for your replies, and have a great evening!
Marcalamar 🙂
I’m a total USA addict. I’ve already done several road trips, including the East Coast and West Coast.
I’m here today because I’m planning to go back for another road trip on the West Coast. Possibly with one of my sisters and a couple of friends. It’s still just a plan for now, but I’m working on an itinerary in the meantime. Ideally, I’d leave in 2026, but I don’t have the exact dates yet—maybe April-May or September-October.
My last trip to the West Coast was in September 2014. We went for 2 weeks, but this time it’d be 3 weeks. What made me want to go back was simply a colleague who just left today. As I’m writing this, he’s on the plane. I’m so happy for him, but now all I can think about is going back.
Since I recently went to NY, I noticed that prices have really gone up. I assume the same is true for the West Coast? For 2 people over 3 weeks, what budget should I expect? We’re the type to watch our spending and find great tips.
I think we’ll arrive in San Francisco like the first time and leave from either Los Angeles or Las Vegas.
Thanks for advising me on the booking—should I reserve a room in the hotel or go for a cabin for the best view?
Should I get breakfast or not?
What do you think of the restaurant?
Hello, if the off-the-beaten-path enthusiasts are still around 😉, I’d love some info on tackling these trails. I’m not super familiar with the rules, risks, or what to expect—I’m looking for firsthand experience from folks who’ve done it on their own once or multiple times.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning a week-long family trip to NYC in October 2026. The focus is on museums and soaking up the New York vibe. I’ve been checking Airbnb, but the prices in Manhattan are through the roof. Since I don’t know NYC well, is it "wise" to look outside Manhattan? Any neighborhoods you’d recommend?
After our first trip to the West, we’d love to go back to see other must-see spots!
The stay would be from May 11 to 20, 2026—it’s short, but hey...
M11: Lyon to Las Vegas (overnight in Vegas)
T12: Route 66 – overnight in Grand Canyon (GC)
W13: Visit GC – overnight in Page
Th14: Visit Antelope Canyon / Horseshoe Bend – overnight in Monument Valley (MV)
F15: Visit MV – overnight in Moab
Sa16: Visit Arches / Dead Horse Point – overnight in Bryce
Su17: Visit Bryce – overnight in Zion
M18: Visit Zion / Valley of Fire – overnight in Vegas
Tu19: Return flight
What do you think? Could we add one more night somewhere? We’re not big hikers, so we’ll mostly explore the parks using shuttles.
Also, we’re all set—passports are good. Do you think one classic Visa card and one premium Visa card will be enough for coverage?
Thanks so much for your feedback, and happy holidays!
Hi North America forum crew,
Just a little post that might interest some of you:
Travelers to the United States | Photo Now Mandatory Upon Entry and Exit | La Presse
I assume many of you already know, but the America the Beautiful annual pass, which was $80, will increase to $250 starting January 1, 2026.
So if you're planning to travel before the end of December 2026, it's in your best interest to buy your pass in December 2025, since it will still cost $80 and be valid until the end of December 2026 if you purchase it in December 2025.
This price increase only applies to non-U.S. residents.
Additionally, for those who planned to visit just one park, a $100 surcharge per person will apply to access a list of 11 national parks...
For example, if there are 4 of you in a car, you’ll have to pay $35 + $400,
which comes to $435 to visit one of the 11 parks on the list (I don’t have all of them... Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, etc.).
Total madness.
The goal is to push people who only visit one park into buying the annual pass.
Last point: free entry days are over for non-residents!
Hi everyone, I’m traveling to Los Angeles and would like to rent a vehicle at the airport. However, I have a Boursobank Ultim deferred debit card, so I’d love to know if it’s possible for those who’ve experienced this recently. Thanks for the info!
I’m planning a week in S.F. in April 2026 and I can’t figure out how to tell the cable cars—of which I understand there are three lines—apart from the trams, which I think number seven. I can’t find their individual numbers or routes anywhere.
Could someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks in advance.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2026 full of amazing travels.
Cheers,
Régine
Hi,
I’m planning a road trip through the American national parks starting from Denver in June 2026.
The price of the pass is jumping from 80 € to 250 € on January 1st, 2026!!!
Is it possible to buy the pass online before the end of the year to lock in the 80 € rate? If so, where and how do I go about it?
Thanks for your tips.
Arnale
I’m planning a road trip for July 2026 in northern Florida. Could you let me know if my itinerary makes sense?
Day 1: Orlando
Day 2: Amelia Island
Day 3: Amelia Island
Day 4: Tallahassee
Day 5: Panama City Beach
Day 6: Panama City Beach (visit to Destin)
Day 7: Crystal River (stop in Cedar Key on the way)
Day 8: Crystal River
Day 9: Anna Maria (stop in Clearwater)
Day 10: Anna Maria (St. Pete)
Day 11: Anna Maria
Day 12: Orlando
Day 13: Orlando
Day 14: Orlando
Day 15: Departure
We just finished 9 days in the American West and wanted to share our experience because we had an amazing time.
I know some of you might ask, why use an agency? Honestly, we didn’t really feel like doing all the driving and planning, especially since we didn’t know the area at all. And since our English isn’t great, having French-speaking guides was a big comfort.
We found Emmanuelle and Isabelle, and wow, they were fantastic. It was just the two of us with them, so it was a truly VIP, ultra-personalized experience. They treated us like royalty from start to finish. These two live in Las Vegas and know the region like the back of their hand. They told us they’ve spent over 15 years exploring every corner of the American West, and it really shows. Their knowledge of geology, park history, and local anecdotes is just impressive. It’s nothing like someone reciting a memorized script. They answer all your questions and really adapt to what you want to see or do.
What we really loved: the vehicle was super comfortable, and the little details made a difference—like snacks and even a homemade cake! Though, to be fair, we devoured the cake right away, so that counts.
Since they know the sites inside out, they took us at the right times to avoid crowds. So we could enjoy peaceful picnics at Grand Canyon viewpoints without being packed in with 200 people. Plus, on top of the must-see spots, they showed us some hidden gems that were absolutely stunning—places we never would’ve found on our own. They’re true locals who know all the best tips.
The service was really personalized. They adapted to our pace and preferences, and we could stop whenever we wanted to take photos. It’s the luxury of being in a small private group—you’re not just a number on a big bus.
In short, we really felt like we were traveling with friends rather than professional guides. Everything’s included in the price (hotel pickup, meals, park entries, etc.), so the value for money is fair.
We loved it so much that we’re already planning to come back next year to explore other areas with them. I think we’ve caught the American West bug—it’s all we can think about, and we can’t wait to return.
If you’re looking for a French-speaking tour with real personalized service and guides who know the region like no one else, we highly recommend them. We had unforgettable moments. They also design road trips for those who don’t want a guide. And they handled our hotel reservations in Las Vegas too. If you want genuine advice from friendly locals, we’re giving them a 200% recommendation!
