The 2026 Southwest USA Road Trip (page 1 of 5)

Hi everyone, we're back from a DIY USA road trip we organized from July 31, 2026, to August 26, 2026.

The destination: The Southwest USA, including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. Roughly 7,000 kilometers covered.

The car: A Chevrolet Equinox for two, rented through BSP Auto and Avis. Inside, we had 2 suitcases, a travel bag, two carry-on bags, a Walmart cooler, photo gear, and water bottles (a 40-pack).

The route: Dallas DFW, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Alpine, El Paso, Tucson, Sedona, Albuquerque, Amarillo, and back to Dallas to finish with a departure from DFW.

The travelers: Two seniors well advanced in years (73 and 75) but still active (nothing too physically demanding—to stay alive and fund our trips), fully independent physically, though a bit less so mentally. Big USA fans, a country where anything is possible. More walkers than hikers, preferring 3-star hotels over roadside motels, Italian restaurants over US food, frequent stops for photos, museums over nothing, naps over forced marches. Not too whiny, just enough to stay French in the land of the "great Satan," as they say. Not great with languages—street English (but handy), and my Spanish is non-existent except for: "Hola! Una cerveza por favor!" That’s about it. My wife understands everything but refuses to speak.

The cost of the road trip: Around 12,000 €, including AF flights, the car, gas, gifts, visits, and everything else. Well managed, since we’d budgeted 13,500 € initially.

The positive side: A delight, with those endless open roads. Museums to discover. The realization of the Hispanic presence and its important history in this part of America. Lovely locals. Tourists who were more or less friendly. A terrible Texan accent that was hard to understand. Gas stations that were like real stores, with prepared food, alcohol sold in Arizona and New Mexico, and employees who were always up for a laugh!

The negative side: The heat throughout the trip... 43°C in Dallas at the end. Impossible to walk the streets. Lots of homeless people in downtown Dallas. Hotel breakfasts that were always the same. You get used to it.

So, it was positive overall, but the concept is starting to wear us out. We might rethink the DIY road trip model for next time. If the man upstairs grants us more time.

Next up, we’ll wait for the first batch of sorted photos to go through the wringer.

See you soon.

Around 12,000 euros

Whoa... (that’s not a reproach or criticism! I don’t think I’ve ever gone over 7,500 for two people for 3 weeks/a month.)

I imagine a huge chunk of the bill is for accommodation and food—two really pricey things in the US.

Part of this trip is way more unusual than what you usually read about. I don’t think you’ll convince me to go to Texas, but I’ll happily follow your journey!😉

Around 12,000 euros

Yikes... (not a reproach or criticism! I don’t think I’ve ever gone over 7,500 for two people for 3 weeks/a month)

I imagine a huge chunk of the bill is for lodging and food—two really pricey things in the US.

Part of this trip is way more off the beaten path than what you usually read about. I don’t think you’ll get me to go to Texas, but I’ll happily follow your journey.😉

Hi Attila, The flights Montpellier/CDG/Dallas, the car, and the hotels are indeed the big expenses (I’m at around 4,000 euros for the stay). For food, I’ll need to budget more precisely. Not too many restaurants. Don’t forget the attractions—they don’t mess around with prices, like 50 euros for two at Old Tucson, for example. For a meal for two at an Italian restaurant, it’s about 120/150 euros, and the same at classic US restaurants—yeah, it’s steep in the States. And souvenirs, since I’m really into T-shirts (that’s all I wear) and US caps.

Texas is huge—there are some really nice spots and, above all, the vast emptiness of the countryside.

Best,

Hey everyone, the first images are ready, so we’ll start the travel journal.

A few more details or optional bits of info:

1. Photography and videos:

I avoid taking targeted photos of people. By “people,” I mean those who are the main subject of the photo. A crowd isn’t the same thing. No portraits, then, and no sneaky shots.

My photos aren’t political and never will be. Sure, an image might make you think otherwise, but that’d be purely coincidental. Could an American flag be seen as a political message? Who knows... Let’s just say I only show the patriotic side of places and people, depending on where the photo was taken.

2. Politics:

In every country I visit—and there aren’t many—I don’t get involved in local politics. Nor do I talk about France’s political situation. Things are messy enough at home without adding to it elsewhere.

I made one exception during my stay in the U.S. In Albuquerque, New Mexico—a Democratic state—I was quietly by the hotel pool when a woman, after learning I was from France, suggested I take their president back in my luggage. I agreed, on one condition: a standard swap with ours. That obviously made us laugh. And it was the only time politics came up in conversation.

3. What we loved about the States:

It’s the vastness of the land that draws my wife and me. Over there, anything seems possible. Even a B-movie actor can become president...

Entrepreneurship and local businesses are well-regarded and encouraged, with—from what I can see—fewer administrative hurdles than in France. I know what I’m talking about: I’m a consultant in fire prevention, accessibility for people with disabilities, and project management assistance. And then... there are the open roads—a little stretch of Route 66, in particular—wooden houses, and those "middle-of-nowhere towns" where you discover a deeper America, far from big cities and their usual images. Truth is, I’m mostly chasing a childhood dream. A dream born a long time ago, on a beach in Royan, by the Atlantic Ocean. I was five or six. My cousins on my mom’s side pointed to the horizon and told me: “You see, Michel, over there—that’s America.” That must be it, in the end. I think I’ve been searching for that America ever since.

4. What we didn’t like about the States:

The sheer terror of those massive trucks.

Their only real speed limit seems to be the one in cities. Everywhere else... nothing holds them back! 75 miles per hour on a highway—that’s about 120 km/h. A 36-ton truck going that fast—can you imagine the problem? Physics doesn’t take vacations: E = ½ MV². And when mass and speed increase, the energy to dissipate becomes huge. The entrances and exits of big cities. Between tolls, bridges, roadworks, interchanges, and lane changes in every direction, it’s sometimes a constant tension. The stress builds fast. You pass on the left, you pass on the right... Yippee, all in good fun! On the other hand, no one honks. Ever, I’d say, in the U.S. And that’s actually nice. It’s a change from the mainland, the Caribbean, or the Middle East, for those who’ve been. And then there are the hotels... Ten hotels in three weeks—yes, I know, but we’ll rethink the concept for the next road trip—with nearly identical breakfasts in eight of them. One was really nice, and another... no breakfast at all. After a while, it gets tiring. I can’t stand the scrambled eggs and sausages that look like my pinky finger anymore. 😄

4. Restaurants in the States:

First off, we’re foodies. We’re not into high-end dining, far from it, but we do enjoy good food. We like to eat well, discover, taste, take our time... in short, enjoy ourselves.

We knew, on our fifth trip, that fine dining wasn’t exactly their strong suit. So we didn’t go to many typical U.S. restaurants, including those by the sea. Too often, in our opinion, it’s too heavy, too greasy, too creamy. And after a few days, your stomach starts asking for something else! Even Walmart or Fyers get old. As usual, we looked for Italian restaurants. And we were glad we did! You find food closer to what we like, with some great surprises. In Sedona, for example, we discovered a reinvented cannoli that’s worth the detour all by itself! A little gem that almost justifies stopping in this gorgeous town.

5. Americans:

The people, the habits... and a few observations

We met some really nice folks, very welcoming to the poor French travelers we were. Conversations started easily, and that was true in all three states we visited. A real ease of contact that we really appreciated. And no, they don’t go out of their way to speak French. That said, let’s be honest: we do the exact same thing in reverse! When it comes to driving, though, they drive pretty aggressively. You’ve got to stay sharp, especially on highways and in urban areas. The three states we visited have a strong Hispanic presence. We also saw relatively few African-American people outside the big cities—Dallas, in particular, from what we could tell. And unfortunately, we were struck by the number of homeless people, especially visible in certain areas. And then there’s their famous morning coffee... I can’t stand how they walk around everywhere, first thing in the morning, with those giant cardboard cups containing—depending on their taste—water with a hint of coffee in it! 😄 But America can surprise you. In Tombstone, we found a real Italian coffee machine. And that, of course, changes everything! 5.1. An observation without bias: Another detail that caught our attention: the impressive number of tattooed people, and not just among the young. We also noticed quite a few piercings, sometimes very visible, especially on the face. I didn’t look elsewhere... and coming from Cap d’Agde, I’ll admit my point of comparison might be a bit skewed! 😄 But beyond the anecdote, it’s also a small reflection of how American society is evolving. America is changing. And, in the end, that might be the most surprising thing: finding an America you think you know, while discovering it’s no longer quite the one you imagined.

Off we go, as the people of Sète say during Saint-Louis! 😄

Friday, July 31st, departure day for the 2026 RT. Didn’t sleep much, but suitcases and other stuff are packed, labeled, and ready to go.

Leaving the house in central Hérault around 3:45 AM. Not many people on the road on the way to Montpellier airport. Long-term parking reserved, bags on the trolley, and off to check-in.

All good. Just enough time for a coffee, and here we are on the plane, settled into our reserved seats—I’m more relaxed that way. 😌

6:00 AM: takeoff! A smooth flight in the still-sleepy early morning.

1 hour and 15 minutes later, the wheels touch down gently on the CDG tarmac. A bit of a long taxi, as usual for those coming from the provinces, then a quick exit to head straight to passport control.

And then... chaos! 😅

Just one agent at the desk and a crowd arriving—some with time to spare, others with tight connections... and those who *claim* they do! 🙃

Anyway, a little later, more agents finally show up to reinforce the passport control. We go through with the only agent who doesn’t look fully awake yet. 😵

Boarding for the Air France flight to Dallas without any issues.

Settled in the back left, seats 45A/45B, not too far from the galley. 😌 Small bags stowed, books out, and strategizing the best position to sleep when the time comes.

Friendly crew, nice atmosphere.

Takeoff right on time at 10:10 AM, a little *more*... for an arrival at DFW at 1:35 PM.

A top-notch flight! ✈️🇺🇸

Here we are in Dallas! We’ve landed at Dallas DFW. It’s packed, and above all, this airport is huge! We’re in the States now, and everything here is on a massive scale. The airport is very clean, with clear signs for different routes, and we quickly reach the immigration control area. The fast track is closed, so we have to queue up. A whole convoy of people—yes, a real convoy! (Pilgrimage from Lourdes? Okay, I’ll stop! 😄)—on wheelchairs passes ahead of us. But with the help of two immigration officers, everything eventually flows smoothly, and we get through pretty quickly. We leave the area to take the shuttle to the Rent a Car. Not much of a wait, and the driver immediately comes down to help with the luggage. Two stops and about 20 minutes later, we’re at the Avis counter, booked through BSP Auto. The car is a Chevrolet Equinox. I’d opted for a Ford Edge or something similar, so this works out great! No upselling for insurance or extra protections—we’re sticking with the original contract. We fill up the tank and return it full. Now, we need a little time to figure out how this car works… 😅 Then, we set up the iPhone’s GPS via Bluetooth on the car’s screen—perfect! Free (mobile service) is completely free here, which is great news. I’ll switch to Google Maps, as it gives a more practical on-the-ground view. Plus, I don’t fully trust Waze in the States… We leave the Rent a Car area, carefully following the voice GPS instructions. Because when it comes to busy roads, tolls, multiple bridges, and all that—it’s a workout! 😵‍💫 Next stop: Hotel La Quinta Inn Fort Worth Arlington West 8250 Anderson Boulevard Arlington, TX 76120, United States And now… Hit the road, Jack—I’ve got the Gold!

Hi Michel, After over 30 years of traveling, I can say I’ve never set foot in the USA. All because of "Little House on the Prairie"! Yeah, that’s the America I dream of, so you can imagine I’m not exactly on the right track 😅. But I really love your first impressions—they help "soak in" the local vibe. Maybe your travel journal will change my mind 😉. Though I’ll admit, knowing a bunch of Americans love DTrump cools my enthusiasm a little 😬. Thanks in advance for sharing anyway!

Hi Michel, But I’ll admit that knowing a bunch of Americans love DTrump does cool my enthusiasm a tad 😅. Thanks in advance for sharing, though!

He’s not a dictator either. That said, even though Texas is fiercely Republican, you don’t see much of the blond guy’s mug around the streets.

In New Mexico, which is a historically Democratic state, you won’t see a single politician’s mug—left or right. And in Arizona, it’s the same, even though it’s a swing state.

Don’t forget that U.S. states are fiercely independent, and not everything coming out of Washington D.C. is necessarily good. So, outside of the extremists in Big Apple, most people couldn’t care less about the blond guy.

At worst, you might see ads for electing so-and-so on highway billboards, but that’s about it. And of course, the unavoidable lawyer ads... 😂 Or for the next sheriff’s election.

And no matter who’s president, there are—and always will be—homeless people on the streets. Unfortunately, no president can wave a magic wand to make them disappear. It’s a structural issue that goes way beyond the political color of the White House.

But you’re right to think twice about visiting the Great Satan. I myself refuse to set foot in certain countries. And even some cities in France—now that’s saying something about how twisted my brain is.

Cheers. 😊

Hello! Jet Lag, my love! A mussels and fries planned today by the seaside at friends' place—it's gonna be awesome! 😎

Anyway, back to the topic.

We arrived at the hotel, which is right next to a Walmart Supercenter and a Bible congregation. We’ll be quiet here. The hotel’s not bad—calm, with a pool included and a classic breakfast like we’ll have in pretty much all the hotels during our stay.

In the lobby, a big "Latino" or "Hispanic" family—I don’t want to offend or target anyone—was waiting for their rooms, I guess. And, the cherry on top, they had a few packs of Corona beers by their side and had already started tasting them. 😎 Don’t worry, no party noise during the three nights we were there. And they were really nice, by the way.

Actually, it’s something we noticed every time in the three states we visited. Families come to spend the weekend from Friday night to Saturday night at the hotel. They make the most of the pool but skip the breakfast. Weird. It’s the same observation we’ve made in the Middle Eastern country we often visit for Shabbat. Everyone’s at the hotel, and it’s total chaos with the kids since we’re in the land of the "Child King"! They must’ve read Dolto in the original. 😏

Anyway, the stay was pretty nice except for the last day when the toilets got clogged, and the hotel didn’t do anything all day to fix it. I had to go to Walmart to buy some drain cleaner.

And one last observation: the hotel was fully booked, but hardly anyone was at breakfast. Strange. Probably not included in bookings other than through Booking.com.

In summary: quiet hotel + pool + Walmart nearby + standard breakfast + toilets that decide to go on strike—we’ve got a perfect example of a mid-range American hotel here. 😄 420 € for three nights.

Saturday, August 1st!

Up at the crack of dawn (5:30 AM), I head out for a walk and stop by the gas station next to Walmart for my coffee. It opens from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

When I say coffee, I’m being generous. It’s more like water with some kind of tint. I get why they drink so much of it—there’s not a drop of caffeine in it.😎

Back at the hotel, breakfast with my wife, and then we’re off to the Stockyards and its famous longhorn cattle. A 20-minute drive that’s actually pretty cool, and we arrive at the paid parking lot—of course.

But paying with the Metropolis app doesn’t work on my iPhone. Can’t sign up, can’t register my French phone. No card payment at the kiosk either—nothing! After chatting with a group from a local rescue association, I scribble a note explaining the issue and leave it on the windshield. So far, no fine.

Now we’re wandering through the old cattle-sorting pens. Shops full of Made in China stuff, hats, boots—classic tourist fare. Waiting for 11:30 AM and the Longhorn parade on E Exchange Ave. Thirty minutes of waiting, and eight cows stroll by calmly, led by local cowboys and cowgirls. It’s fun, quick, and free—so no complaints.

If you want some good photos, you’ll have to elbow your way past iPhones and Androids held high by the crowd.

Next up, lunch at Riscky’s SteakHouse (really good, but not *too* over-the-top—120 € for two). Then we wander around a bit more. Oh, and I forgot to visit the John Wayne Museum. What a goof—I’m such a donkey! After that, it’s back to the hotel for a nap, then back here for the rodeo! No cameras or video equipment allowed—only cell phones.

A truly beautiful show, no doubt, but not cheap (104 € for two, drinks not included). Still, a real all-American spectacle!

Then it’s off to bed for some much-needed rest. Tomorrow’s another day. At the end of the day, this pretty much sums up tourist Texas: sketchy coffee → Walmart → Stockyards → Longhorns → steak → forgotten John Wayne → nap → rodeo → deep sleep. 😉

Hey everyone, on the eve of back-to-school when you’ll finally get your normal lives back by ditching the kids! 😎

Laughing a little, right?

Anyway, sleep’s slowly coming back and the jet lag’s fading.

To kick things off, here’s a little no-frills video I made of the Fort Worth Stockyards.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bN2Acr86zg&t=21s

Seriously, I couldn’t miss this one! 😎

Back at the Stockyards for the indoor nighttime Rodeo! It’s intense!

Photo and video gear is forbidden—only cellphones allowed. So, just a few snapshots here and there and some shaky videos. But seriously, what a show. A video is in the works.

A little video shot on my cellphone during the rodeo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9YoooJ8D4s

Sunday, August 1st, I’m not particularly one for visiting places of worship, and a simple walk at dawn is enough for my happiness.

We had to leave that day to visit first the Medal of Honor Museum, not far from our hotel, and then, further north of Dallas, the famous Ranch from the TV series "Dallas"!

The Medal of Honor Museum is located right next to the giant Dallas Stadium. It’s a brand-new museum with architecture that catches the eye—at least mine.

The interior is really interesting if you take the time to delve into US history, which, in fact, only spans 250 years.

We discovered beautiful spaces with an educational approach that’s far from dull. We also saw how this decor evolved during World War II, for example, when African Americans were systematically excluded from receiving honors.

The icing on the cake? The story of Greg "Pappy" Boyington, the famous former member of General Claire Chennault’s Flying Tigers and creator of the legendary Baa Baa Black Sheep squadron, who drank as much as his Corsair flew.

Shot down and lost in the jungle, presumed dead, he was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. And then he came back from the jungle a little while later! So, a bit of a mix-up, but everything worked out in the end. He’s buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Hello,

I agree about the trucks—they barrel along and couldn’t care less about cars. They’re really intimidating, no doubt. What’s weird is that you hardly see any modern-looking trucks; it’s mostly Macks that look like they drove straight out of the 1960s…

On the road, I actually find driving in the US pretty chill, especially in these states with endless straightaways…

Looking forward to the rest of the adventures!

Hi,

I agree about the trucks—they barrel along and couldn’t care less about cars... they’re really intimidating, actually. What’s weird is that you hardly see any modern-looking trucks, just Macks that look like they drove straight out of the 60s...

On the road, I find driving in the US pretty chill, especially in these states with endless straightaways...

Looking forward to the rest of the adventures...

Oh, and by the way, truck length is only judged by the trailer. So after that, they can hook up whatever they want in front. 😎 And a GVWR of 36 tons!

Cheers.

On this beautiful August Sunday, we’ve reached the most important moment of the road trip! THE visit to the Suffolk Ranch—I mean, the Dallas Ranch—and the whole gang of happy campers who helped create this television legend.

Let’s just say I only agreed to this visit because my wife really wanted to go. And as they say: Vox Populi, Vox Dei. In short, you do it and you keep quiet about it.

About fifty minutes later, we arrived. There was a reservation checkpoint (yep), and then we headed to the visitor center to wait.

Next, we were asked to go to the house where the guide was waiting for us.

Fun fact: The show’s producers were looking for a ranch near Dallas to make it more realistic, of course. They stumbled upon this place with its wide-open spaces and included cows. The owner said okay to filming but not indoors. So, Dallas only got the exterior shots—pool included—and all the interior scenes were filmed on a studio lot in LA.

After the series ended, the site was left abandoned, then bought, restored, and the entire interior redone to look like LA. You following? So, it feels real even though it’s not. But the die-hards believe it, and that’s what matters. In this house, I felt like I was at Graceland in Memphis with the King! Must’ve been the same decorator—it’s *so* kitschy...

The exteriors haven’t changed, though, and the big cattle barns have been turned into event spaces where weddings, symposiums, and all kinds of gatherings happen year-round.

My wife was happy, and so was I. But I had to explain to one visitor that it was all a bit fake. More of an influencer than a visitor, really. A selfie champion, she eventually got it. Gotta say, my English is more street-level, and with my Provençal accent...

To wrap it up, there was a couple from Bangladesh—limousine and chauffeur in tow—with a passionate wife and a husband who, like me, decided to just laugh it off. We had a great time. The highlight? The little train ride with a top-notch conductor!

And if you look at the photos, you’ll spot something odd. I’ll let you figure it out.

More photos at JR's place!!