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!!
Hi,
Is there, to your knowledge, an outfitter or several outfitters that include a visit to Little Finland in Nevada in their offerings? If so, have you had any experience with them and do you have their contact details?
Thanks in advance!
Hello everyone,
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?
Thanks in advance for your feedback😉
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?
Thanks in advance for your feedback😉
Hi there,
Just back from 25 days in May 2025 in the American West—here are some practical tips that might help you plan your trip.
Flight: 2 tickets for 1270 € with British Airways (Lyon-LA, SF-Lyon) SIM card: 12GB from Sim USA for 39 €. Useful for looking up accommodation every late afternoon. 12GB was enough for us. Car rental: Booked with BSP Autos. 21 days = 538 € for a Jeep Compass SUV picked up at LA airport and dropped off at SF airport. An SUV isn’t essential at all, but since we had one, we did take some easy dirt roads. Driving is straightforward, highways are toll-free. Gas: Averaged $3.80/gallon = 1 €/liter. We drove 6700 km and spent $500 on gas. Big price differences between states, and even between stations in the same state. We checked Google Maps/fuel for the best deals. Water: Not recommended to drink tap water. We refilled two 3L bottles regularly at visitor centers in the parks and froze two 1L bottles overnight to keep water cool during the day. Money: Bring cash for tips and gas—sometimes cheaper when paying in cash. Accommodation: Averaged $100/night. Only the first night in LA was booked in advance. For the rest of the trip, we found places to stay (mostly motels outside the parks) near where we were each late afternoon by checking availability on Booking, among others. No issues finding places in May—the advantage was the freedom to improvise. For example, we’d planned to do the loop counterclockwise: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon. But seeing the forecast (3 days of snow and freezing temps at GC), we headed straight from JT to Las Vegas, did the loop clockwise, and by the time we got back to GC, the weather was perfect. Weather: Aside from the first 3 mixed days, we had perfect weather—20-30°C, except Death Valley (37°C) and SF (15°C). Food: Depends on your appetite. For us, snacks during the day, a bigger meal in the evening, plus miscellaneous extras—our budget was $40/day. Miscellaneous: The "America the Beautiful" pass is a must—80 $. Website: For us, the best site was roadtrippin’. Our itinerary: LA, Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Natural Bridges, Gooseneck Point, Canyon de Chelly, Painted Desert Park, Petrified Forest Park, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Route 66, LV, Red Rock Canyon Park, Death Valley, Sequoia Park, Yosemite Park, Big Sur-Monterey, San Francisco. 25 days—we didn’t lounge around, but we didn’t rush either. We took time in each park to drive the scenic routes, visit viewpoints, and do at least one hike (max 2 hours) per park.
Happy travels!
Flight: 2 tickets for 1270 € with British Airways (Lyon-LA, SF-Lyon) SIM card: 12GB from Sim USA for 39 €. Useful for looking up accommodation every late afternoon. 12GB was enough for us. Car rental: Booked with BSP Autos. 21 days = 538 € for a Jeep Compass SUV picked up at LA airport and dropped off at SF airport. An SUV isn’t essential at all, but since we had one, we did take some easy dirt roads. Driving is straightforward, highways are toll-free. Gas: Averaged $3.80/gallon = 1 €/liter. We drove 6700 km and spent $500 on gas. Big price differences between states, and even between stations in the same state. We checked Google Maps/fuel for the best deals. Water: Not recommended to drink tap water. We refilled two 3L bottles regularly at visitor centers in the parks and froze two 1L bottles overnight to keep water cool during the day. Money: Bring cash for tips and gas—sometimes cheaper when paying in cash. Accommodation: Averaged $100/night. Only the first night in LA was booked in advance. For the rest of the trip, we found places to stay (mostly motels outside the parks) near where we were each late afternoon by checking availability on Booking, among others. No issues finding places in May—the advantage was the freedom to improvise. For example, we’d planned to do the loop counterclockwise: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon. But seeing the forecast (3 days of snow and freezing temps at GC), we headed straight from JT to Las Vegas, did the loop clockwise, and by the time we got back to GC, the weather was perfect. Weather: Aside from the first 3 mixed days, we had perfect weather—20-30°C, except Death Valley (37°C) and SF (15°C). Food: Depends on your appetite. For us, snacks during the day, a bigger meal in the evening, plus miscellaneous extras—our budget was $40/day. Miscellaneous: The "America the Beautiful" pass is a must—80 $. Website: For us, the best site was roadtrippin’. Our itinerary: LA, Joshua Tree, Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Colorado National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde, Natural Bridges, Gooseneck Point, Canyon de Chelly, Painted Desert Park, Petrified Forest Park, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Route 66, LV, Red Rock Canyon Park, Death Valley, Sequoia Park, Yosemite Park, Big Sur-Monterey, San Francisco. 25 days—we didn’t lounge around, but we didn’t rush either. We took time in each park to drive the scenic routes, visit viewpoints, and do at least one hike (max 2 hours) per park.
Happy travels!
Hello,
After much hesitation about the direction, we finally bought our flight tickets (we splurged on Premium): it’ll be a 15-day road trip starting from Los Angeles in June 2025. We want to do our "farewell tour" by saying goodbye one last time to the landscapes of the "Grand Circle" that amazed and fascinated us during 4 trips between 2008 and 2012.
Practical question for choosing a vehicle (possibly a Toyota RAV4 from Alamo): should we opt for the GPS supplement (over 200 € for 15 days; they only "gift" the second driver)?
In our previous trips, we didn’t have one, and we don’t really remember struggling in L.A., San Francisco, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, or Denver. It would mainly be useful for driving through Los Angeles at the start and end of the trip, but not really elsewhere...
On the other hand, I’m thinking that there must be few vehicles without GPS in service in the U.S. these days, and maybe an upgrade at pickup isn’t out of the question (?). If that doesn’t happen and we have last-minute regrets, can we change our minds and take the option without being too financially penalized compared to booking in advance?
That’s the (very 😉) little dilemma of the moment. Thanks for your insights and advice!
We were lucky enough to explore the American West a few years ago... a VERY fond travel memory. The urge to return to the USA is calling us...
We're heading out in August with our two grown sons: 21 and 18 years old.
We want to discover another part of the US and I found this itinerary on a website:
Day 1 - New Orleans Day 2 - New Orleans Day 3 - Natchez Day 4 - Dallas Day 5 - Dallas Day 6 - Dallas Day 7 - Austin Day 8 - Austin Day 9 - San Antonio Day 10 - San Antonio Day 11 - Houston Day 12 - Houston - NASA Day 13 - Lake Charles Day 14 - Lake Charles Day 15 - Lafayette Day 16 - Lafayette - White Castle Day 17 - White Castle - Vacherie (Oak Alley) Day 18 - New Orleans Day 19 - New Orleans Does this seem like too many cities?
We love: big landscapes, museums, history, and shopping.
What do you think?
Gaetano
We're heading out in August with our two grown sons: 21 and 18 years old.
We want to discover another part of the US and I found this itinerary on a website:
Day 1 - New Orleans Day 2 - New Orleans Day 3 - Natchez Day 4 - Dallas Day 5 - Dallas Day 6 - Dallas Day 7 - Austin Day 8 - Austin Day 9 - San Antonio Day 10 - San Antonio Day 11 - Houston Day 12 - Houston - NASA Day 13 - Lake Charles Day 14 - Lake Charles Day 15 - Lafayette Day 16 - Lafayette - White Castle Day 17 - White Castle - Vacherie (Oak Alley) Day 18 - New Orleans Day 19 - New Orleans Does this seem like too many cities?
We love: big landscapes, museums, history, and shopping.
What do you think?
Gaetano
Hi there,
I just got the "congratulations" email last night letting me know that our first-choice access to The Wave for June 16, 2025, was approved in the March 1st lottery draw! We thought we’d missed out since we hadn’t heard anything on the 1st or 2nd of March...
It’s true that for the past two years, it’s no longer 10 and 10 people like before, but 48 and 16 who are allowed to enter the site through the two lottery processes. That helps balance out the surge in applications that must come with the place’s growing global fame...
I haven’t found any info on this, but does anyone know how many applications are typically submitted each month per date for the Advanced Lottery?
So, my somewhat lucky track record for 3 attempts: 2 successes for April 2009 and June 2025, and one miss for September 2011. We’re still a little nervous about the likely high temperatures, with hardly any shade or water on-site 😛. At Easter 2009, it had snowed a bit the day before...
From what I remember, the access trail from Route 89 to Wire Pass Trailhead was doable without a 4x4, with a bit of ground clearance and careful driving (obviously no storms). A simple Toyota RAV4, like the one we’re planning to rent, should be fine in dry conditions?
We’ll be heading there from Page on the morning of 06/16 (how long’s the drive?), then heading to Kanab for 3 nights in the evening.
Thanks for any tips you might have! 😉
Hello,
I’ve already gone through some threads dating back to 2010, but opinions are pretty mixed...
What’s the verdict in 2025?
- We’re arriving for a 15-day trip on Friday, June 13, theoretically at 1:05 PM (AF22).
- Rental car (Toyota RAV4) booked with Alamo ("requested" starting at 2:30 PM).
- Room reserved at the Best Western Desert Villa Inn in Barstow (check-in "6/7 PM" listed...) that same evening.
Does this seem reasonably doable to those familiar with the area, for a couple in their seventies, or would it be better to stop sooner (but where?)—even if it means extending the drive to Williams the next day? 😕...
Thanks for your advice!
Hello,
This isn’t our first trip to the USA, which explains why some "classic" spots are missing from this itinerary.
Could you let me know if anything should be changed, and also share your best recommendations for where to stay and how many nights to spend in each place?
We’re leaving in early September and will be there for 13 days, no kids.
Thanks in advance for your feedback, tips, and great deals!
Arrival in L.A.
Joshua Tree
Flagstaff
Grand Canyon
Bryce Canyon
Zion Ntl. Park
Las Vegas (stopover)
Sequoia Ntl. Park
San Simeon
Santa Barbara (2 nights)
L.A. airport
Hi everyone!
First time for me in the States from March 24 to April 7, 2025—only 15 days, so choices have to be made. I want to explore part of the West, but obviously planning the route is the trickiest part, so here’s what I’ve come up with and where I have doubts:
-Leaving Paris for LA
1 or 2 nights to visit
-Heading to Vegas, where one couple would go by motorcycle (they’re fans and want the thrill of Route 66) and another by plane (I won’t linger here either—1 or 2 days max!)
Then, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, all by rental car for everyone, so the motorcycle gets returned in Vegas.
Now here’s where it gets tricky: either I continue the road trip through the big parks to finish in San Francisco (but it doesn’t seem like the best time—might be too cold), or I head down to San Diego for the return flight. But which itinerary? Kingman, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and San Diego—does that make sense? Is it better to go back to Vegas to take a plane or drive the whole way?
So many questions—your help and advice would be super welcome! Thanks in advance, Anne from Périgord Noir
Now here’s where it gets tricky: either I continue the road trip through the big parks to finish in San Francisco (but it doesn’t seem like the best time—might be too cold), or I head down to San Diego for the return flight. But which itinerary? Kingman, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and San Diego—does that make sense? Is it better to go back to Vegas to take a plane or drive the whole way?
So many questions—your help and advice would be super welcome! Thanks in advance, Anne from Périgord Noir
Hello Tutti !
Encore assez éloignée mais la date approche.
En résumé,
Esta Check Tickets AF Check Parking Longue durée Montpellier Check Location Auto via Hertz BSP Check Arrosage du citronnier en notre absence check Plus de chats check Vérification niveau d'eau piscine check Régime alimentaire préparatoire en cours Check List finale en cours Matos photos, Z8 + 24/70+70/200 + Panasonic compact + DJI Pocket 3 + Dashcam voiture check Road Book, en cours. Analyse météo en cours. (Feux de Forêts à suivre) A prévoir : Levé tôt pour les photos sur place (5/6heures locales)
31 Juillet Montpellier-CDG-Dallas Hôtel Fort Worth et Walmart
1er Aout Stockyards, les vaches, les boutiques, les restos... Soir, Old Town si pas fatigués.
2 Aout Musée Medal of Honor Ranch JR pour Madame Soir, Old Town si pas fatigués.
3 Aout Vers Houston On prend l'air au bord de l'eau
4 Aout Space center + golfe du Mexique ou d'Amérique selon les gouts.
5 Aout Vers San Antonio Photos soir Alamo
6 Aout Le tour des missions en vélo (enfin on verra)
7 Aout Vers Fort Stockton pour nuit étape Soirée en ville ou apéro hôtel au frais
8 aout Vers El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains Old city le soir, apéro light
9 Aout White Sand aux aurores et Musée Espace Alamogordo Scénic drive El Paso le soir après ou avant apéro.
10 Aout Vers Tucson Old city le soir, apéro light
11 Aout Prima Air Museum Old Tucson Studios Old city le soir, apéro light
12 Aout Tombstone Bisbee
13 Aout Sagaro National Park Old city le soir, apéro light
14 Aout Vers Sedona par Apache Trail ou Roosevelt Dam par l'Est Old city le soir, apéro light
15 Aout Road Trip Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams et retour Couché de soleil Airport
16 Aout Une virée sur Grand Canyon déjà vu mais on y retourne. Une boucle de balade
17 Aout Anniversaire de mon épouse surnommée le Prime Minister. Si j'oublie, je suis mort. Vers Albuquerque. Ce n'est pas à coté. Old city le soir, apéro light
18 Aout Santa Fe et retour par Los Alamos à voir.
19 Aout Albuquerque City. Musée des Snakes !!! Au pays des Crotales !
20 Aout Vers Amarillo Old city le soir, apéro light 6th Street et apéro
21 Aout Musées et Big Texas Ranch Steak !!! Old city le soir, apéro light si digestion terminée
22 Aout Vers Dallas Old city le soir, apéro light
23 Aout Musée JFK Et divers
24 aout Dallas Downtown en cours d'évaluation
25 Aout Retour France
26 Aout Arrivée Montpellier.
Et de toute façon, tout est modulable au jour le jour.
Il va faire chaud, c'est sûr. Sieste prévue de tout façon. Nous n'avons plus vingt ans ...
Tchuuss.
Encore assez éloignée mais la date approche.
En résumé,
Esta Check Tickets AF Check Parking Longue durée Montpellier Check Location Auto via Hertz BSP Check Arrosage du citronnier en notre absence check Plus de chats check Vérification niveau d'eau piscine check Régime alimentaire préparatoire en cours Check List finale en cours Matos photos, Z8 + 24/70+70/200 + Panasonic compact + DJI Pocket 3 + Dashcam voiture check Road Book, en cours. Analyse météo en cours. (Feux de Forêts à suivre) A prévoir : Levé tôt pour les photos sur place (5/6heures locales)
31 Juillet Montpellier-CDG-Dallas Hôtel Fort Worth et Walmart
1er Aout Stockyards, les vaches, les boutiques, les restos... Soir, Old Town si pas fatigués.
2 Aout Musée Medal of Honor Ranch JR pour Madame Soir, Old Town si pas fatigués.
3 Aout Vers Houston On prend l'air au bord de l'eau
4 Aout Space center + golfe du Mexique ou d'Amérique selon les gouts.
5 Aout Vers San Antonio Photos soir Alamo
6 Aout Le tour des missions en vélo (enfin on verra)
7 Aout Vers Fort Stockton pour nuit étape Soirée en ville ou apéro hôtel au frais
8 aout Vers El Paso via Guadalupe Mountains Old city le soir, apéro light
9 Aout White Sand aux aurores et Musée Espace Alamogordo Scénic drive El Paso le soir après ou avant apéro.
10 Aout Vers Tucson Old city le soir, apéro light
11 Aout Prima Air Museum Old Tucson Studios Old city le soir, apéro light
12 Aout Tombstone Bisbee
13 Aout Sagaro National Park Old city le soir, apéro light
14 Aout Vers Sedona par Apache Trail ou Roosevelt Dam par l'Est Old city le soir, apéro light
15 Aout Road Trip Sedona, Flagstaff, Williams et retour Couché de soleil Airport
16 Aout Une virée sur Grand Canyon déjà vu mais on y retourne. Une boucle de balade
17 Aout Anniversaire de mon épouse surnommée le Prime Minister. Si j'oublie, je suis mort. Vers Albuquerque. Ce n'est pas à coté. Old city le soir, apéro light
18 Aout Santa Fe et retour par Los Alamos à voir.
19 Aout Albuquerque City. Musée des Snakes !!! Au pays des Crotales !
20 Aout Vers Amarillo Old city le soir, apéro light 6th Street et apéro
21 Aout Musées et Big Texas Ranch Steak !!! Old city le soir, apéro light si digestion terminée
22 Aout Vers Dallas Old city le soir, apéro light
23 Aout Musée JFK Et divers
24 aout Dallas Downtown en cours d'évaluation
25 Aout Retour France
26 Aout Arrivée Montpellier.
Et de toute façon, tout est modulable au jour le jour.
Il va faire chaud, c'est sûr. Sieste prévue de tout façon. Nous n'avons plus vingt ans ...
Tchuuss.
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).
Return to France: Dallas-Montpellier via CDG.
Cheers!
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).
Return to France: Dallas-Montpellier via CDG.
Cheers!
Hi everyone,
We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing. A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?
Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast: - Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots... - Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.
On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited! Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.
Looking forward to your suggestions! !
We’re thinking of heading back to the US but we’re still debating the itinerary. We’d love to revisit New York, but after that...? We’ve already explored the East Coast without making it down to Florida. So we’re wondering if we should go there. New Orleans has been catching our eye, and Memphis with its blues-rock vibe is also really appealing. A road trip that would start on the East Coast and head inland/mid-country. Any suggestions?
Or... we’re even considering stretching all the way to the West Coast: - Passing through LA, which we’d ultimately skipped on our West Coast trip, but maybe it’s not the best time to go with all those wildfires that have devastated iconic spots... - Or heading north to Washington and/or Oregon states, or closer, Montana.
Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what kind of loop we could do in 4 weeks... Given that in 2023, we spent nearly 6 weeks in the West, covering San Francisco, Yosemite, Death Valley, Mammoth Lake, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Page and its surroundings, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Zion, Bryce, and Las Vegas.
On that note, I have to give a big shout-out to Thibaut, aka ITAT, for his time and invaluable advice in planning that West Coast trip. Since then, I’ve really enjoyed taking the time to share tips about places I’ve visited! Speaking of which, don’t hesitate to PM me for West Coast advice! Otherwise, I’ll be sharing a recap of that trip in a travel journal—currently in Word—that I’ll post on the forum later. For those interested, I also made a video montage (with clickable chapters in the description) of those 5 weeks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx8d4ommhv4. Just a heads-up: the Bodie videos aren’t mine (my GoPro died), and the grass was completely green when we passed through, unlike in the video.
Looking forward to your suggestions! !
Hi everyone,
We’ve made up our minds—this summer, we’re heading back to the USA. Our last trip to the American West was in 2017. Back then, I planned my itinerary with help from this forum, and it was perfect.
I’ve drawn inspiration from a few travel journals and some really interesting websites to sketch out a rough route.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this itinerary.
Let me know if I’ve missed any cool stops along the way or if some things seem unnecessary.
My husband and I love hiking, nature, and photography, but we’re not into museums and aren’t big fans of cities.
We’ve sorted our ESTA, checked out hotels, and already booked some with cancellation options. All that’s left is the flight tickets and renting a vehicle.
If you’ve got any tips or great deals, we’d love to hear them. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to share their thoughts!
USA ITINERARY, DENVER/DENVER LOOP, YELLOWSTONE 2025
DAY 1: FLIGHT FROM MARSEILLE, ARRIVAL IN DENVER Arrival in Denver / pick up rental vehicle /
Estes Park, Rocky Mountain (note: a permit is required)
DAY 2: ESTES PARK / ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain
DAY 3: ROCKY MOUNTAIN / CHEYENNE / FORT LARAMIE / CUSTER
Cheyenne (giant boots, The Wranglers store) Fort Laramie Custer and its Bison statues, Wyoming State Museum (free) Custer State Park
DAY 4: CUSTER, BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Crazy Horse Memorial Mount Rushmore Rapid City (Chapel in the Hills, Presidents’ statues) – hometown of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Badlands National Park
DAY 5: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Badlands National Park Wall Drugstore (Wall Drug)
DAY 6: WALL / SHERIDAN
Devil’s Tower (1 hour) Buffalo, quick stop Deadwood, an old gold rush town with a well-restored downtown
DAY 7: SHERIDAN / COOKE CITY
Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Recreation Area (secret arch to find) Chief Joseph Highway, stop at Indian Summit Cody, hometown of Buffalo Bill
DAY 8: COOKE CITY / YELLOWSTONE
Roosevelt Mammoth Hot Springs Norris Basin Lake Village
DAY 9: YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Village South and North Rim Mud Volcano Lake Village
DAY 10: YELLOWSTONE
Lake Village Madison via Norris Basin, Porcelain Basin Old Faithful, Firehole, Midway Basin
DAY 11: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful
DAY 12: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful West Basin
DAY 13: YELLOWSTONE / GRAND TETON
Grand Teton via the West on Teton Park Road
DAY 14: MORAN / MANILA
Grand Teton via the East route Pilot Butte (wild horses, pronghorns) Rock Springs Red Canyon (visitor center, well-maintained loop)
DAY 15: MANILA / VERNAL
Rock Springs Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 16: VERNAL
Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 17: VERNAL / GRAND JUNCTION
Fantasy Canyon (2 hours) Colorado National Monument West entrance
DAY 18: GRAND JUNCTION / MONTROSE
Colorado National Monument East entrance Black Canyon of the Gunnison Crested Butte (lovely spot)
DAY 19: MONTROSE / ALAMOSA
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours) Great Sand Dunes National Park
DAY 20: ALAMOSA / COLORADO SPRINGS
Great Sand Dunes National Park Paint Mines Interpretive Park (2 hours) Garden of the Gods in downtown Colorado Springs
DAY 21: COLORADO SPRINGS / SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Bass Pro Shop (outdoor gear store) Outlets in Silverthorne or visit Denver
DAY 22: SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Wash the vehicle / fill up with gas
Flight departure at 4:30 PM (tentative)
DAY 23: ARRIVAL HOME Arrival in Marseille at 11:15 AM (tentative), then back home
DAY 24: BACK TO WORK!!!
If you’ve got any tips or great deals, we’d love to hear them. Thanks to anyone who takes the time to share their thoughts!
USA ITINERARY, DENVER/DENVER LOOP, YELLOWSTONE 2025
DAY 1: FLIGHT FROM MARSEILLE, ARRIVAL IN DENVER Arrival in Denver / pick up rental vehicle /
Estes Park, Rocky Mountain (note: a permit is required)
DAY 2: ESTES PARK / ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Rocky Mountain
DAY 3: ROCKY MOUNTAIN / CHEYENNE / FORT LARAMIE / CUSTER
Cheyenne (giant boots, The Wranglers store) Fort Laramie Custer and its Bison statues, Wyoming State Museum (free) Custer State Park
DAY 4: CUSTER, BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Crazy Horse Memorial Mount Rushmore Rapid City (Chapel in the Hills, Presidents’ statues) – hometown of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Badlands National Park
DAY 5: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Badlands National Park Wall Drugstore (Wall Drug)
DAY 6: WALL / SHERIDAN
Devil’s Tower (1 hour) Buffalo, quick stop Deadwood, an old gold rush town with a well-restored downtown
DAY 7: SHERIDAN / COOKE CITY
Bighorn National Forest Bighorn National Recreation Area (secret arch to find) Chief Joseph Highway, stop at Indian Summit Cody, hometown of Buffalo Bill
DAY 8: COOKE CITY / YELLOWSTONE
Roosevelt Mammoth Hot Springs Norris Basin Lake Village
DAY 9: YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Village South and North Rim Mud Volcano Lake Village
DAY 10: YELLOWSTONE
Lake Village Madison via Norris Basin, Porcelain Basin Old Faithful, Firehole, Midway Basin
DAY 11: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful
DAY 12: YELLOWSTONE
Old Faithful West Basin
DAY 13: YELLOWSTONE / GRAND TETON
Grand Teton via the West on Teton Park Road
DAY 14: MORAN / MANILA
Grand Teton via the East route Pilot Butte (wild horses, pronghorns) Rock Springs Red Canyon (visitor center, well-maintained loop)
DAY 15: MANILA / VERNAL
Rock Springs Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 16: VERNAL
Dinosaur National Monument
DAY 17: VERNAL / GRAND JUNCTION
Fantasy Canyon (2 hours) Colorado National Monument West entrance
DAY 18: GRAND JUNCTION / MONTROSE
Colorado National Monument East entrance Black Canyon of the Gunnison Crested Butte (lovely spot)
DAY 19: MONTROSE / ALAMOSA
Black Canyon of the Gunnison (3 hours) Great Sand Dunes National Park
DAY 20: ALAMOSA / COLORADO SPRINGS
Great Sand Dunes National Park Paint Mines Interpretive Park (2 hours) Garden of the Gods in downtown Colorado Springs
DAY 21: COLORADO SPRINGS / SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Bass Pro Shop (outdoor gear store) Outlets in Silverthorne or visit Denver
DAY 22: SILVERTHORNE OR DENVER
Wash the vehicle / fill up with gas
Flight departure at 4:30 PM (tentative)
DAY 23: ARRIVAL HOME Arrival in Marseille at 11:15 AM (tentative), then back home
DAY 24: BACK TO WORK!!!
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2027 with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 4 years old.
My husband would prefer to do it in an SUV, while I’d rather go in a camper van.
What are the pros and cons of each option?
Thanks for your input!
We’re planning a road trip on Route 66 in 2027 with our two kids, who’ll be 7 and 4 years old.
My husband would prefer to do it in an SUV, while I’d rather go in a camper van.
What are the pros and cons of each option?
Thanks for your input!
Hello, here’s a totally subjective recap of our 15-day road trip between Colorado and New Mexico, from late September to mid-October.
Our main interests are culture, museums, and landscapes—no hiking or trails for us. Personally, I’m pretty contemplative, and luckily, there’s always something to see out there! We’re pretty used to the US; we’ve been going there often for a long time (let’s just say we’re not exactly young anymore).
Budget: Even though we don’t set a strict budget beforehand, we try to keep costs as low as possible. This time, we managed to spend around 4000 € for two, all included. To do this: avoid expensive accommodations, staying between 60 and 120 € per night with an average of 90 €/night, mixing Airbnb and motels. And skip the “real” restaurants, which are pretty pricey in the US: sandwiches for lunch, takeout or cooking in the Airbnb in the evening. We shop at Sprouts or Whole Foods—organic-style chains that are pricier than Walmart but better. In the evenings, Sprouts has discounts on items that didn’t sell during the day. Also, avoid toll roads, paid parking, and overly expensive attractions or sites. The dispensary budget is separate…
Route: Denver/Colorado Springs/Alamosa/Raton/Santa Fe/Cuba/Cortez/Grand Junction/Glenwood Springs/Denver This wasn’t too planned in advance—we booked a few nights upon arrival and went with the flow. Flight from CDG to Denver with AF/Delta, car rental at Dollar for a standard SUV. The guy at the Dollar counter upsold me on extra insurance for flat tires (and since I knew we’d be off-roading, I took it). Without telling me, he upgraded me to a Jeep Sahara 4X4 Hybrid. Nice.
Listening to the news upon arrival, the anchor announced, “It’s officially fall now.” We hadn’t really thought about that before leaving, but yeah—it’s the time when the trees turn fluorescent yellow and red. Amazing.
Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods is a free park with paved trails winding through red/orange rock formations. Magical at sunrise—groups of deer roam around, along with birds and rabbits. It’s small but wow! Didn’t try the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, a staircase with thousands of steps going straight up the mountain. Impressive from the bottom, but the parking is paid, which is a downside for those willing to tackle it. The Cog Railway goes up to the summit of Pikes Peak—around $100 when we were there. No thanks. And of course, the parking is paid too. For fans, Maggie’s Farm dispensary is great.
On Route 24, Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area is fly-fishing paradise—just like in the movie *A River Runs Through It*. Entry is $11, and a trail follows the river at the bottom of the canyon to the dam. Dozens of people in waders are in the water, casting their lines over and over. You can see the salmon in the clear water, and we had a picnic in the sun, imagining Brad Pitt catching a fish.
Buena Vista: A cute little tourist town with an Outdoor Fair that day—some pretty impressive vehicles for sale, set up for mountain living (like Juniper outfitting a RAM).
Alamosa: The closest town to Great Sand Dunes National Park, crossed by the Rio Grande (and let’s be real—it’s more of a stream than a river!). Park access was free because it was National Park Day. A park with massive dunes—climbing them is pretty exhausting, with lots of wind and sinking sand. Glad we didn’t do it in summer; I can’t imagine how tough it’d be in the heat. It’s a bit deceptive: it looks easy to get to the top of a dune, but it’s really not. The campsites were nice, and it was busy that weekend. We passed the “Point of No Return,” a sandy trail winding through the hills and connecting to Route 559 from above. Didn’t go all the way, but it’s possible the entrance is free from that side. However, you need a 4X4 with good ground clearance. After 1 or 2 km on the trail, you’re alone between the dunes and hills—hardly anyone around. But tricky to turn around or pass other vehicles; the trail isn’t wide. We crossed paths with a Hanomag (registered in the Netherlands—impressive!) coming down without stopping, or risking getting stuck.
On the way out, we took the small Route 403, which quickly turns into a trail crossing the mountain. Entire sections of forest were turning fluorescent yellow with patches of green and red—an incredible sight.
Raton: A small town that probably peaked in the late 19th century and has been in slow decline ever since. The Raton Pass Motor Inn is the kind of place that makes the US legendary—entirely 50s and 60s decor, really well done. I had the Betty Page room—too cool. Felt like we were on Route 66. Even better.
Santa Fe: A small city with no high-rises—almost all low-rise buildings, many in adobe, blending perfectly into the landscape. The old downtown is touristy but nice, with its plaza and church. There’s a really cool vibe—we loved it. For drinks, the bar at the top of La Fonda Hotel was packed for sunset, with a diverse crowd. Not overpriced for the location. SITE Santa Fe is a contemporary art space near the train station. It’s free, and the temporary exhibit was really good—high quality. Museum Hill is, as the name suggests, where several museums are located. We visited the Museum of Indian Art and Culture—great if you’re into “First Nations” history. Saw The Dandy Warhols at The Bridge—an outdoor venue, one of the last concerts of the season before winter makes it too cold. Oddly, there was no bag check, just an ID required (even though it was obvious we were over 21!). Tickets were reasonable, around $30 (concerts in the US can be crazy expensive). The band was good, with fewer than 300 people in front. A sign at the bar warned: Don’t forget you’re at 1,500 meters—alcohol hits harder up here!
Albuquerque: A sprawling city with an old historic center that feels a bit like Disneyland—too perfect for my taste. The real highlight is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which goes up to the old ski resort above the city. Tickets are around $35, and it’s worth it—the ride over the canyons is pretty wild. The ski resort is a bit abandoned; apparently, like elsewhere, there’s no snow anymore. I asked several people about the lack of snow, and the answer was always the same: “It’s cyclical.” Okay then. We arrived for the start of the International Balloon Fiesta (one of the world’s largest hot-air balloon gatherings), hoping to see hundreds of balloons in the sky. Nope—windy today, so no one took off. Bummer.
Las Vegas: New Mexico has its own Las Vegas, but it’s nothing like the other one—a sleepy little town with a perfectly preserved 19th-century Historic Plaza Hotel, brick buildings, and vintage streetlights. Everything is so well-preserved it’s often used as a filming location. NM attracts a lot of productions thanks to tax incentives and its Western landscapes—and it’s cheaper than California! That day, a huge Texas flag was flying in the wind: they were filming the second season of *Ransom Canyon* for Netflix in the town center. If we’d been dressed more “Western,” we could’ve been extras.
Jemez Springs: Its Jemez Hot Springs is super cute—several thermal pools at different temperatures, a New Age vibe. The pools are surrounded by big rocks, and you’re asked to speak softly. A place where you could spend hours. $50 for two hours for two.
Los Alamos: A town made legendary by the bomb, the movie, etc. Heads up: It’s still a research center, and to cross part of the town, you need to show ID. No stopping or taking photos allowed. Other than the Oppenheimer House (currently closed—only the neighboring house is open to visitors), there’s not much to see. There’s a replica of the camp entrance, but it’s been turned into restrooms.
Georgia O’Keeffe Trail (American painter, 1887–1986): Her museum in Santa Fe is pretty good, even if they don’t have tons of works. Entry is $20. Her house in Abiquiu is open for visits, but it’s way overpriced at $65. So we skipped it. You can get an idea of it by stopping at the Welcome Center on Route 84. Further down the same road, Ghost Ranch is worth a visit—beautiful setting, free to enter, with trails to explore and a great atmosphere.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park: A pretty isolated park—25 km of trails to get there, with only a small section paved. The road is decent except for the last few kilometers, which have potholes. I can’t imagine it being accessible after rain, though that doesn’t happen often! This park, in the middle of a desert plain with a few canyons, is one of the rare places where you can find multi-story structures from pre-Columbian civilizations—so, before the “current” tribes. But cruel disappointment: it’s been shut down for a few days. We met a Native ranger—tall, with long hair—who explained that even though he wasn’t being paid, he was still guarding the park and had closed all access to the sites. Darn. Turned around and headed back down the trail.
Same story in the next town, Aztec (a funny name, right?): Aztec Ruins National Monument was closed too.
We passed Ship Rock, the Navajo’s sacred mountain—really impressive. Couldn’t find a trail to get closer, but it’s better from a distance anyway! The town of Shiprock itself is pretty depressing—poor living conditions for some Natives, with rundown mobile homes and piles of junk cars.
Stopped in Cortez to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Ate at Denny’s—hadn’t been there in ages (though it’s the kind of place I should feel at home in!). The customers all looked like they’d stepped out of *The Addams Family*—a little creepy. Or funny, depending on your perspective. For Mesa Verde, after discussing it on this forum with the honorable member Caussat (who didn’t find it that amazing), we were on the fence. Problem solved: it was closed too. Back on the road.
Durango: Really nice with its Main Ave and its shops, cafés—touristy but with local life. Famous for its tourist train to Silverton, but we didn’t do it—way too expensive. Choice between a steam locomotive or diesel (which belches black, stinky smoke—yuck). The diesel should be replaced with electric as soon as they get the funds.
Million Dollar Highway: The road winds through the mountains, and every turn (and there are a lot) is breathtaking—unbelievable landscapes with fluorescent yellow, green, and snow-capped mountains. Just wow.
Silverton: A Western town nestled between two mountains, preserved in its original state despite the tourists arriving by train. Around it, abandoned mines and old wooden ties—must’ve been tough for the 19th-century miners.
Grand Junction: The city is surrounded by giant mesas—pretty impressive. The old downtown is *too* clean—almost sterile.
Colorado National Monument: Just outside the city, a winding road climbs between stunning canyons, with sweeping views of the valley. Entry was free that day due to the shutdown.
Route 330, which we took to get back to the highway, passes through a place called “Cowboy Country”—and it’s true. We saw guys in Stetsons with huge pickups, the road turned into a trail with cows wandering on it, and we had to honk to get them to move. The trail to I-70 was full of potholes—the 4X4 came in handy. Had a picnic by Vega Reservoir: the booth at the entrance was empty, but people left cash in envelopes for camping fees. Anyone passing by could’ve taken it, but it’s an example of US trust and honesty!
Glenwood Springs: A small town famous for its hot springs pool—they claim it’s the largest in the world. I don’t know about that, but it has a great look. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance those days! Blew our budget by staying at the Hotel Colorado, a huge 1893 building with a real atmosphere in its grand lobby and fake fireplaces. Fire pits in front of wooden chairs in the garden with mountain views—just really great.
Aspen: The billionaires’ ski resort, but surprisingly, parking was free for 2 hours. Rare to see a place for the super-rich that doesn’t scream “not for you” (like Palm Beach, for example). A former mining town completely redone, every shop occupied by a luxury brand. There’s even a thrift shop run by sweet retirees—funny as hell. Two ski lifts to start directly with your skis, but we didn’t see the price—they were still closed. Lots of houses that aren’t huge but are cute, though looking at real estate prices made us think, “Is there an extra zero on that listing?” A 6-bedroom villa for $52 million? Wow. The mountains around are gorgeous—no wonder it became what it is.
Another fancy resort nearby: Vail, more modern in its construction. The restaurants opted for a “Schwarzwald” decor—kind of odd.
Denver: Nothing really stood out for us in this city, except the Design Museum—the Kirkland, where a local painter collected furniture and supplies from Arts and Crafts to Postmodern. Just really great. Entry is included with a visit to the Denver Art Museum, which has diverse collections—from Impressionism (they have a Manet, a Van Gogh, a Cézanne, several Sisleys) to photography. The best part for me was the “Ancient Americas” totems—huge, impressive wooden sculptures, painted, the kind you’re more used to seeing in Polynesia or Easter Island. Personally, I didn’t know Natives made them too. That’s what museums are for!
Back at the airport, where I had to tag my own luggage (you have to do everything yourself with these US airlines). The tag said SLC/CDG! But we were supposed to connect through JFK. Turns out, they’d put us on a DEN/SLC/CDG flight without telling us. In the end, we gained 30 minutes on our original arrival time in Paris!
There you go—hope this inspires other travelers! !
Our main interests are culture, museums, and landscapes—no hiking or trails for us. Personally, I’m pretty contemplative, and luckily, there’s always something to see out there! We’re pretty used to the US; we’ve been going there often for a long time (let’s just say we’re not exactly young anymore).
Budget: Even though we don’t set a strict budget beforehand, we try to keep costs as low as possible. This time, we managed to spend around 4000 € for two, all included. To do this: avoid expensive accommodations, staying between 60 and 120 € per night with an average of 90 €/night, mixing Airbnb and motels. And skip the “real” restaurants, which are pretty pricey in the US: sandwiches for lunch, takeout or cooking in the Airbnb in the evening. We shop at Sprouts or Whole Foods—organic-style chains that are pricier than Walmart but better. In the evenings, Sprouts has discounts on items that didn’t sell during the day. Also, avoid toll roads, paid parking, and overly expensive attractions or sites. The dispensary budget is separate…
Route: Denver/Colorado Springs/Alamosa/Raton/Santa Fe/Cuba/Cortez/Grand Junction/Glenwood Springs/Denver This wasn’t too planned in advance—we booked a few nights upon arrival and went with the flow. Flight from CDG to Denver with AF/Delta, car rental at Dollar for a standard SUV. The guy at the Dollar counter upsold me on extra insurance for flat tires (and since I knew we’d be off-roading, I took it). Without telling me, he upgraded me to a Jeep Sahara 4X4 Hybrid. Nice.
Listening to the news upon arrival, the anchor announced, “It’s officially fall now.” We hadn’t really thought about that before leaving, but yeah—it’s the time when the trees turn fluorescent yellow and red. Amazing.
Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods is a free park with paved trails winding through red/orange rock formations. Magical at sunrise—groups of deer roam around, along with birds and rabbits. It’s small but wow! Didn’t try the Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs, a staircase with thousands of steps going straight up the mountain. Impressive from the bottom, but the parking is paid, which is a downside for those willing to tackle it. The Cog Railway goes up to the summit of Pikes Peak—around $100 when we were there. No thanks. And of course, the parking is paid too. For fans, Maggie’s Farm dispensary is great.
On Route 24, Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area is fly-fishing paradise—just like in the movie *A River Runs Through It*. Entry is $11, and a trail follows the river at the bottom of the canyon to the dam. Dozens of people in waders are in the water, casting their lines over and over. You can see the salmon in the clear water, and we had a picnic in the sun, imagining Brad Pitt catching a fish.
Buena Vista: A cute little tourist town with an Outdoor Fair that day—some pretty impressive vehicles for sale, set up for mountain living (like Juniper outfitting a RAM).
Alamosa: The closest town to Great Sand Dunes National Park, crossed by the Rio Grande (and let’s be real—it’s more of a stream than a river!). Park access was free because it was National Park Day. A park with massive dunes—climbing them is pretty exhausting, with lots of wind and sinking sand. Glad we didn’t do it in summer; I can’t imagine how tough it’d be in the heat. It’s a bit deceptive: it looks easy to get to the top of a dune, but it’s really not. The campsites were nice, and it was busy that weekend. We passed the “Point of No Return,” a sandy trail winding through the hills and connecting to Route 559 from above. Didn’t go all the way, but it’s possible the entrance is free from that side. However, you need a 4X4 with good ground clearance. After 1 or 2 km on the trail, you’re alone between the dunes and hills—hardly anyone around. But tricky to turn around or pass other vehicles; the trail isn’t wide. We crossed paths with a Hanomag (registered in the Netherlands—impressive!) coming down without stopping, or risking getting stuck.
On the way out, we took the small Route 403, which quickly turns into a trail crossing the mountain. Entire sections of forest were turning fluorescent yellow with patches of green and red—an incredible sight.
Raton: A small town that probably peaked in the late 19th century and has been in slow decline ever since. The Raton Pass Motor Inn is the kind of place that makes the US legendary—entirely 50s and 60s decor, really well done. I had the Betty Page room—too cool. Felt like we were on Route 66. Even better.
Santa Fe: A small city with no high-rises—almost all low-rise buildings, many in adobe, blending perfectly into the landscape. The old downtown is touristy but nice, with its plaza and church. There’s a really cool vibe—we loved it. For drinks, the bar at the top of La Fonda Hotel was packed for sunset, with a diverse crowd. Not overpriced for the location. SITE Santa Fe is a contemporary art space near the train station. It’s free, and the temporary exhibit was really good—high quality. Museum Hill is, as the name suggests, where several museums are located. We visited the Museum of Indian Art and Culture—great if you’re into “First Nations” history. Saw The Dandy Warhols at The Bridge—an outdoor venue, one of the last concerts of the season before winter makes it too cold. Oddly, there was no bag check, just an ID required (even though it was obvious we were over 21!). Tickets were reasonable, around $30 (concerts in the US can be crazy expensive). The band was good, with fewer than 300 people in front. A sign at the bar warned: Don’t forget you’re at 1,500 meters—alcohol hits harder up here!
Albuquerque: A sprawling city with an old historic center that feels a bit like Disneyland—too perfect for my taste. The real highlight is the Sandia Peak Tramway, which goes up to the old ski resort above the city. Tickets are around $35, and it’s worth it—the ride over the canyons is pretty wild. The ski resort is a bit abandoned; apparently, like elsewhere, there’s no snow anymore. I asked several people about the lack of snow, and the answer was always the same: “It’s cyclical.” Okay then. We arrived for the start of the International Balloon Fiesta (one of the world’s largest hot-air balloon gatherings), hoping to see hundreds of balloons in the sky. Nope—windy today, so no one took off. Bummer.
Las Vegas: New Mexico has its own Las Vegas, but it’s nothing like the other one—a sleepy little town with a perfectly preserved 19th-century Historic Plaza Hotel, brick buildings, and vintage streetlights. Everything is so well-preserved it’s often used as a filming location. NM attracts a lot of productions thanks to tax incentives and its Western landscapes—and it’s cheaper than California! That day, a huge Texas flag was flying in the wind: they were filming the second season of *Ransom Canyon* for Netflix in the town center. If we’d been dressed more “Western,” we could’ve been extras.
Jemez Springs: Its Jemez Hot Springs is super cute—several thermal pools at different temperatures, a New Age vibe. The pools are surrounded by big rocks, and you’re asked to speak softly. A place where you could spend hours. $50 for two hours for two.
Los Alamos: A town made legendary by the bomb, the movie, etc. Heads up: It’s still a research center, and to cross part of the town, you need to show ID. No stopping or taking photos allowed. Other than the Oppenheimer House (currently closed—only the neighboring house is open to visitors), there’s not much to see. There’s a replica of the camp entrance, but it’s been turned into restrooms.
Georgia O’Keeffe Trail (American painter, 1887–1986): Her museum in Santa Fe is pretty good, even if they don’t have tons of works. Entry is $20. Her house in Abiquiu is open for visits, but it’s way overpriced at $65. So we skipped it. You can get an idea of it by stopping at the Welcome Center on Route 84. Further down the same road, Ghost Ranch is worth a visit—beautiful setting, free to enter, with trails to explore and a great atmosphere.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park: A pretty isolated park—25 km of trails to get there, with only a small section paved. The road is decent except for the last few kilometers, which have potholes. I can’t imagine it being accessible after rain, though that doesn’t happen often! This park, in the middle of a desert plain with a few canyons, is one of the rare places where you can find multi-story structures from pre-Columbian civilizations—so, before the “current” tribes. But cruel disappointment: it’s been shut down for a few days. We met a Native ranger—tall, with long hair—who explained that even though he wasn’t being paid, he was still guarding the park and had closed all access to the sites. Darn. Turned around and headed back down the trail.
Same story in the next town, Aztec (a funny name, right?): Aztec Ruins National Monument was closed too.
We passed Ship Rock, the Navajo’s sacred mountain—really impressive. Couldn’t find a trail to get closer, but it’s better from a distance anyway! The town of Shiprock itself is pretty depressing—poor living conditions for some Natives, with rundown mobile homes and piles of junk cars.
Stopped in Cortez to visit Mesa Verde National Park. Ate at Denny’s—hadn’t been there in ages (though it’s the kind of place I should feel at home in!). The customers all looked like they’d stepped out of *The Addams Family*—a little creepy. Or funny, depending on your perspective. For Mesa Verde, after discussing it on this forum with the honorable member Caussat (who didn’t find it that amazing), we were on the fence. Problem solved: it was closed too. Back on the road.
Durango: Really nice with its Main Ave and its shops, cafés—touristy but with local life. Famous for its tourist train to Silverton, but we didn’t do it—way too expensive. Choice between a steam locomotive or diesel (which belches black, stinky smoke—yuck). The diesel should be replaced with electric as soon as they get the funds.
Million Dollar Highway: The road winds through the mountains, and every turn (and there are a lot) is breathtaking—unbelievable landscapes with fluorescent yellow, green, and snow-capped mountains. Just wow.
Silverton: A Western town nestled between two mountains, preserved in its original state despite the tourists arriving by train. Around it, abandoned mines and old wooden ties—must’ve been tough for the 19th-century miners.
Grand Junction: The city is surrounded by giant mesas—pretty impressive. The old downtown is *too* clean—almost sterile.
Colorado National Monument: Just outside the city, a winding road climbs between stunning canyons, with sweeping views of the valley. Entry was free that day due to the shutdown.
Route 330, which we took to get back to the highway, passes through a place called “Cowboy Country”—and it’s true. We saw guys in Stetsons with huge pickups, the road turned into a trail with cows wandering on it, and we had to honk to get them to move. The trail to I-70 was full of potholes—the 4X4 came in handy. Had a picnic by Vega Reservoir: the booth at the entrance was empty, but people left cash in envelopes for camping fees. Anyone passing by could’ve taken it, but it’s an example of US trust and honesty!
Glenwood Springs: A small town famous for its hot springs pool—they claim it’s the largest in the world. I don’t know about that, but it has a great look. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance those days! Blew our budget by staying at the Hotel Colorado, a huge 1893 building with a real atmosphere in its grand lobby and fake fireplaces. Fire pits in front of wooden chairs in the garden with mountain views—just really great.
Aspen: The billionaires’ ski resort, but surprisingly, parking was free for 2 hours. Rare to see a place for the super-rich that doesn’t scream “not for you” (like Palm Beach, for example). A former mining town completely redone, every shop occupied by a luxury brand. There’s even a thrift shop run by sweet retirees—funny as hell. Two ski lifts to start directly with your skis, but we didn’t see the price—they were still closed. Lots of houses that aren’t huge but are cute, though looking at real estate prices made us think, “Is there an extra zero on that listing?” A 6-bedroom villa for $52 million? Wow. The mountains around are gorgeous—no wonder it became what it is.
Another fancy resort nearby: Vail, more modern in its construction. The restaurants opted for a “Schwarzwald” decor—kind of odd.
Denver: Nothing really stood out for us in this city, except the Design Museum—the Kirkland, where a local painter collected furniture and supplies from Arts and Crafts to Postmodern. Just really great. Entry is included with a visit to the Denver Art Museum, which has diverse collections—from Impressionism (they have a Manet, a Van Gogh, a Cézanne, several Sisleys) to photography. The best part for me was the “Ancient Americas” totems—huge, impressive wooden sculptures, painted, the kind you’re more used to seeing in Polynesia or Easter Island. Personally, I didn’t know Natives made them too. That’s what museums are for!
Back at the airport, where I had to tag my own luggage (you have to do everything yourself with these US airlines). The tag said SLC/CDG! But we were supposed to connect through JFK. Turns out, they’d put us on a DEN/SLC/CDG flight without telling us. In the end, we gained 30 minutes on our original arrival time in Paris!
There you go—hope this inspires other travelers! !
Hi there,
I’m planning a month-long trip that’ll take me from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Vancouver BC along the way. After tweaking this route every which way and trying to balance must-see spots with more relaxed stops (like the Oregon coast), I’ve landed on this itinerary—I’d love your thoughts!
Days 1 and 2: San Francisco Days 3 and 4: Lassen Volcanic Park Days 5 and 6: Crater Lake Days 7 to 9: Portland Day 10: Astoria or Cannon Beach Day 11: Ruby Beach or Forks (for the Hoh Rain Forest) Days 12 and 13: Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge) Day 14: Victoria (Vancouver Island) Days 15 to 17: Ucluelet (Vancouver Island) Days 18 to 20: Vancouver BC Days 21 and 22: North Cascades NP Days 23 to 25: Mt. Rainier Days 26 to 28: Seattle
Of course, there’s travel time built in—for example, the third day on Vancouver Island will mostly be eaten up by getting back to the mainland and Vancouver.
Do you think there are any extra stops or anything I’ve missed? A month feels like a lot and not a lot at the same time… Thanks!
I’m planning a month-long trip that’ll take me from San Francisco to Seattle, stopping in Vancouver BC along the way. After tweaking this route every which way and trying to balance must-see spots with more relaxed stops (like the Oregon coast), I’ve landed on this itinerary—I’d love your thoughts!
Days 1 and 2: San Francisco Days 3 and 4: Lassen Volcanic Park Days 5 and 6: Crater Lake Days 7 to 9: Portland Day 10: Astoria or Cannon Beach Day 11: Ruby Beach or Forks (for the Hoh Rain Forest) Days 12 and 13: Port Angeles (for Hurricane Ridge) Day 14: Victoria (Vancouver Island) Days 15 to 17: Ucluelet (Vancouver Island) Days 18 to 20: Vancouver BC Days 21 and 22: North Cascades NP Days 23 to 25: Mt. Rainier Days 26 to 28: Seattle
Of course, there’s travel time built in—for example, the third day on Vancouver Island will mostly be eaten up by getting back to the mainland and Vancouver.
Do you think there are any extra stops or anything I’ve missed? A month feels like a lot and not a lot at the same time… Thanks!
Hello everyone, and a big THANK YOU to all the travelers who took the time to reply to my last post and tell me that doing South India in 28 days was a sweet utopia. My dear friends, you were absolutely right.
After 4 days in Goa, I settled for exploring all of Karnataka and its beautiful UNESCO-listed temples, and I loved it.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu will have to wait until next year when I can take 6 weeks off.
But the purpose of this post is to ask you which guide or website would be best to prepare for the BLUES TRAIL I’d like to do in September or October 2025 over a month: 3 weeks to travel the route, enjoy Nashville a bit too, and the last week to explore Louisiana. I saw that *Le Routard* has a guide on Louisiana. Where else can I find more info?
Thanks so much for your help. Take care of yourselves and happy travels. Régine
But the purpose of this post is to ask you which guide or website would be best to prepare for the BLUES TRAIL I’d like to do in September or October 2025 over a month: 3 weeks to travel the route, enjoy Nashville a bit too, and the last week to explore Louisiana. I saw that *Le Routard* has a guide on Louisiana. Where else can I find more info?
Thanks so much for your help. Take care of yourselves and happy travels. Régine
Hello fellow travel forum members,
This time, it's real, concrete stuff.
We’ll be going on a road trip in September this year (if all goes well, yes, I know it’s a bit superstitious, but I can’t help it, especially with the current family circumstances).
There’ll be four of us: my husband, our two grown kids (20 and 24), and me.
The flights aren’t booked yet because I’m still hesitating over the dates (it’s down to a day or two). They should be finalized by the end of this week or sometime next week.
J1 - Friday, August 29: Brussels-SLC via Amsterdam with KLM (I’d love your opinions on this airline since I’ve never flown with them before) – arrival scheduled for early afternoon. J2 - Saturday, August 30: SLC-Moab J3 - Sunday, August 31: Arches – we’ll see if we can get tickets; otherwise, we’ll wake up at dawn (entries possible without a reservation before 7 am) J4 - Monday, September 1: Arches J5 - Tuesday, September 2: Moab - Grand Teton – night booked J6 - Wednesday, September 3: Grand Teton – night booked J7 - Thursday, September 4: Grand Teton - Jackson J8 - Friday, September 5: Jackson J9 - Saturday, September 6: Jackson – evening: Rodeo (tickets booked) J10 - Sunday, September 7: Jackson - Yellowstone – night booked at Lake Yellowstone J11 - Monday, September 8: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J12 - Tuesday, September 9: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J13 - Wednesday, September 10: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J14 - Thursday, September 11: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J15 - Friday, September 12: Yellowstone - SLC J16 - Saturday, September 13: departure from SLC J17 - Sunday, September 14: arrival in Brussels
As I mentioned in the intro, the departure and return dates aren’t set in stone yet. Normally, we’d leave on August 29, which would mean visiting Moab and Arches. Otherwise, we’d leave on August 30 and stay in SLC. Around SLC, we’d explore the area, but I’ll admit I’m a bit stuck on what to do there.
For the return, we’d leave SLC on Saturday, September 13, or Sunday, September 14. Our youngest starts classes on Monday, September 15, but he doesn’t mind starting a day later.
Some things are already booked and paid for and can’t be changed (or only with difficulty), so please keep that in mind in your comments. 😕
I’d love to hear about your experiences with a few questions:
* Is it too ambitious to include Arches in the road trip? Especially since the drives are long, particularly the Moab-Grand Teton stretch.
* What do you recommend doing around SLC?
* Same for Jackson. We’ve decided to spend two full days there to take a break between the national parks.
* For the return, I was wondering if spending a day in SLC before heading back to Europe might be a good idea.
Thanks so much in advance for your advice!
Patricia
This time, it's real, concrete stuff.
We’ll be going on a road trip in September this year (if all goes well, yes, I know it’s a bit superstitious, but I can’t help it, especially with the current family circumstances).
There’ll be four of us: my husband, our two grown kids (20 and 24), and me.
The flights aren’t booked yet because I’m still hesitating over the dates (it’s down to a day or two). They should be finalized by the end of this week or sometime next week.
J1 - Friday, August 29: Brussels-SLC via Amsterdam with KLM (I’d love your opinions on this airline since I’ve never flown with them before) – arrival scheduled for early afternoon. J2 - Saturday, August 30: SLC-Moab J3 - Sunday, August 31: Arches – we’ll see if we can get tickets; otherwise, we’ll wake up at dawn (entries possible without a reservation before 7 am) J4 - Monday, September 1: Arches J5 - Tuesday, September 2: Moab - Grand Teton – night booked J6 - Wednesday, September 3: Grand Teton – night booked J7 - Thursday, September 4: Grand Teton - Jackson J8 - Friday, September 5: Jackson J9 - Saturday, September 6: Jackson – evening: Rodeo (tickets booked) J10 - Sunday, September 7: Jackson - Yellowstone – night booked at Lake Yellowstone J11 - Monday, September 8: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J12 - Tuesday, September 9: Yellowstone – night booked at Canyon Lodge J13 - Wednesday, September 10: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J14 - Thursday, September 11: Yellowstone – night booked at Old Faithful Snow J15 - Friday, September 12: Yellowstone - SLC J16 - Saturday, September 13: departure from SLC J17 - Sunday, September 14: arrival in Brussels
As I mentioned in the intro, the departure and return dates aren’t set in stone yet. Normally, we’d leave on August 29, which would mean visiting Moab and Arches. Otherwise, we’d leave on August 30 and stay in SLC. Around SLC, we’d explore the area, but I’ll admit I’m a bit stuck on what to do there.
For the return, we’d leave SLC on Saturday, September 13, or Sunday, September 14. Our youngest starts classes on Monday, September 15, but he doesn’t mind starting a day later.
Some things are already booked and paid for and can’t be changed (or only with difficulty), so please keep that in mind in your comments. 😕
I’d love to hear about your experiences with a few questions:
* Is it too ambitious to include Arches in the road trip? Especially since the drives are long, particularly the Moab-Grand Teton stretch.
* What do you recommend doing around SLC?
* Same for Jackson. We’ve decided to spend two full days there to take a break between the national parks.
* For the return, I was wondering if spending a day in SLC before heading back to Europe might be a good idea.
Thanks so much in advance for your advice!
Patricia
Hi there,
Alright, here’s my own road book for 3 weeks (late June – mid-July 2025) — looking forward to your feedback!
We’re not hikers or hardcore adventurers, so I’ve focused the itinerary on what we consider the essentials. We’re flying into SF and out of Las Vegas (because of airfare prices!) and also because I’m skipping Yosemite (doesn’t really tempt us). I’m planning a day trip to Death Valley from LV (been there before — it lets you see the highlights, and that was enough for me at the time). We’re not going as far as Canyon de Chelly — already done, and it didn’t really wow me. Just to note, this is pretty similar to a trip I’ve done before that worked well for us, but I’m open to tweaking it based on your suggestions. The duration (23 days) isn’t flexible — even one extra day sends the ticket prices skyrocketing.
Here’s what it looks like: Day 1: Arrival in SF Day 2 – Day 4: SF Day 5: Monterey (the Aquarium and the bay) – Overnight in Monterey Day 6 – Day 7: Drive down Highway 1 to Los Angeles – Overnight Day 6, e.g., in St. Simeon or nearby, and Day 7 in LA Day 8 – Day 9: LA (possibly an extra day) – Overnights in LA Day 10: Drive to Kingman and sightseeing – Overnight in Kingman Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon and start exploring GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 12: Explore GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 13: Drive to Monument Valley and visit – Overnight nearby (Mexican Hat, Kayenta, etc.) Day 14: More sightseeing in the area (Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck Park) and drive to Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 15: Visit Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 16: Drive to Page and sightseeing – Overnight in Page Day 17: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend – Overnight in Page Day 18: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP and start exploring Bryce – Overnight in the area! Day 19: Explore Bryce => Question: It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Page to Bryce. If we leave early, can we see the highlights of Bryce on Day 18 and skip Day 19? I’ll admit, I don’t remember much (it was back in 2009!) Day 20: Drive to Las Vegas with stops along the way (a quick detour to Zion just to say we’ve been, Valley of Fire) – Overnight in LV Day 21: LV; Cirque du Soleil show in the evening – Overnight in LV Day 22: Day trip to Death Valley (or a lazy day and outlet shopping!) – Overnight in LV Day 23: Flight back at 4:10 PM, which still gives us time to enjoy the morning.
What do you think? Best regards,
Alright, here’s my own road book for 3 weeks (late June – mid-July 2025) — looking forward to your feedback!
We’re not hikers or hardcore adventurers, so I’ve focused the itinerary on what we consider the essentials. We’re flying into SF and out of Las Vegas (because of airfare prices!) and also because I’m skipping Yosemite (doesn’t really tempt us). I’m planning a day trip to Death Valley from LV (been there before — it lets you see the highlights, and that was enough for me at the time). We’re not going as far as Canyon de Chelly — already done, and it didn’t really wow me. Just to note, this is pretty similar to a trip I’ve done before that worked well for us, but I’m open to tweaking it based on your suggestions. The duration (23 days) isn’t flexible — even one extra day sends the ticket prices skyrocketing.
Here’s what it looks like: Day 1: Arrival in SF Day 2 – Day 4: SF Day 5: Monterey (the Aquarium and the bay) – Overnight in Monterey Day 6 – Day 7: Drive down Highway 1 to Los Angeles – Overnight Day 6, e.g., in St. Simeon or nearby, and Day 7 in LA Day 8 – Day 9: LA (possibly an extra day) – Overnights in LA Day 10: Drive to Kingman and sightseeing – Overnight in Kingman Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon and start exploring GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 12: Explore GC – Overnight in Tusayan Day 13: Drive to Monument Valley and visit – Overnight nearby (Mexican Hat, Kayenta, etc.) Day 14: More sightseeing in the area (Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck Park) and drive to Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 15: Visit Mesa Verde – Overnight in Cortez Day 16: Drive to Page and sightseeing – Overnight in Page Day 17: Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend – Overnight in Page Day 18: Drive to Bryce Canyon NP and start exploring Bryce – Overnight in the area! Day 19: Explore Bryce => Question: It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Page to Bryce. If we leave early, can we see the highlights of Bryce on Day 18 and skip Day 19? I’ll admit, I don’t remember much (it was back in 2009!) Day 20: Drive to Las Vegas with stops along the way (a quick detour to Zion just to say we’ve been, Valley of Fire) – Overnight in LV Day 21: LV; Cirque du Soleil show in the evening – Overnight in LV Day 22: Day trip to Death Valley (or a lazy day and outlet shopping!) – Overnight in LV Day 23: Flight back at 4:10 PM, which still gives us time to enjoy the morning.
What do you think? Best regards,
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, car rental, gas, meals (raw veggies and fruit for lunch, fast food in the evening), hotels, and little knick-knacks picked up here and there. British Airways flights from Basel-Mulhouse Midsize car from Dollar via AutoEurope. No issues on return. Accommodations booked through Booking
First off, we met really friendly people all along the way. Most attractions are free, and you can easily walk into bars, hotels, and gas stations without buying anything—though you might get kicked out.
The original Route 66 no longer exists in its entirety. Only sections remain, and signage varies by state. Plus, the route has changed over time. But with a good map or GPS, you can figure it out. I used the CoPilot app, which lets you download all the world’s maps for a small fee—so no data issues abroad. I’d noted the GPS coordinates of places to visit during my trip prep, which came in handy.
Along the route, you’ll find old gas stations, vintage motels (some renovated, some not) with their retro signs. The most famous is Bagdad Café. There are also tons of beautiful murals and the Muffler Men.
Chicago is an amazing city. We stayed for 2 days. The best move is to pick a hotel near a Blues Line metro station—it takes you straight from the airport to your hotel, then to downtown. At the end of the trip, the metro takes you back to the airport to pick up your rental car. The 72-hour pass is super convenient. Must-sees in Chicago: John Hancock Center (skip the Tilt option—it’s a rip-off), the Chicago Riverwalk all the way to Merchandise Mart, Picasso and Calder statues, The Bean and its reflections, and don’t miss the signs marking the start/end of Route 66.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things that surprised or delighted us (aside from major sites like Petrified Forest): - Joliet and its prison tied to the *Blues Brothers* story - Gardner and its jail cells - Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield - Country Classic Cars in Staunton (39.03066, -89.75145): a used car lot with everything from Ford Model Ts to classic American cars. You can walk freely through the three hangars - Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (38.76062, -90.47978) - St. Louis with its Gateway Arch and City Garden (full of sculptures and free to enter) - Philipsburg and its candy factory - Springfield: Bass Pro Shop outdoor store (37.179, -93.296) - Carthage: The Precious Moments Chapel (37.113, -94.345) - Foyil: Ed Galloway’s Totem Park - Tulsa: Harley Davidson dealership (36.111, -95.885) - Oklahoma City: Stockyards City—one of the trip’s highlights. Cattle auctions are wild; plan ahead for open days/hours (35.456, -97.552) - Centennial Land Run Monument (35.461, -97.504) - Amarillo: VW Slug Bug Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Cadillac Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Bandelier - El Morro, NM - Canyon de Chelly (detour) - Little Painted Desert (35.157608, -110.47105) - Winslow: *Standin’ on the Corner* (Eagles) - Oatman and its burros - Las Vegas: two days, one spent at Valley of the Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Pick a hotel near Fremont Avenue for nightlife - Rainbow Basin Area (35.012369, -117.03858) - The Bottle Tree Ranch (34.69113, -117.34206) - The Justice Private Automotive Collection in Duarte (34.13830, -117.94591) - Los Angeles: 4 days. Start at Griffith Observatory for a city overview and the Hollywood sign. Don’t forget to see the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica. Venice is worth a visit for a more authentic vibe. Check out the Walt Disney Concert Hall and surrounding buildings for the architecture. Distances are huge. We mixed driving with the metro. Avoid the Interstates—they’re packed with traffic and frequent jams. Stick to parallel roads
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, car rental, gas, meals (raw veggies and fruit for lunch, fast food in the evening), hotels, and little knick-knacks picked up here and there. British Airways flights from Basel-Mulhouse Midsize car from Dollar via AutoEurope. No issues on return. Accommodations booked through Booking
First off, we met really friendly people all along the way. Most attractions are free, and you can easily walk into bars, hotels, and gas stations without buying anything—though you might get kicked out.
The original Route 66 no longer exists in its entirety. Only sections remain, and signage varies by state. Plus, the route has changed over time. But with a good map or GPS, you can figure it out. I used the CoPilot app, which lets you download all the world’s maps for a small fee—so no data issues abroad. I’d noted the GPS coordinates of places to visit during my trip prep, which came in handy.
Along the route, you’ll find old gas stations, vintage motels (some renovated, some not) with their retro signs. The most famous is Bagdad Café. There are also tons of beautiful murals and the Muffler Men.
Chicago is an amazing city. We stayed for 2 days. The best move is to pick a hotel near a Blues Line metro station—it takes you straight from the airport to your hotel, then to downtown. At the end of the trip, the metro takes you back to the airport to pick up your rental car. The 72-hour pass is super convenient. Must-sees in Chicago: John Hancock Center (skip the Tilt option—it’s a rip-off), the Chicago Riverwalk all the way to Merchandise Mart, Picasso and Calder statues, The Bean and its reflections, and don’t miss the signs marking the start/end of Route 66.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of things that surprised or delighted us (aside from major sites like Petrified Forest): - Joliet and its prison tied to the *Blues Brothers* story - Gardner and its jail cells - Abraham Lincoln’s tomb in Springfield - Country Classic Cars in Staunton (39.03066, -89.75145): a used car lot with everything from Ford Model Ts to classic American cars. You can walk freely through the three hangars - Old Chain of Rocks Bridge (38.76062, -90.47978) - St. Louis with its Gateway Arch and City Garden (full of sculptures and free to enter) - Philipsburg and its candy factory - Springfield: Bass Pro Shop outdoor store (37.179, -93.296) - Carthage: The Precious Moments Chapel (37.113, -94.345) - Foyil: Ed Galloway’s Totem Park - Tulsa: Harley Davidson dealership (36.111, -95.885) - Oklahoma City: Stockyards City—one of the trip’s highlights. Cattle auctions are wild; plan ahead for open days/hours (35.456, -97.552) - Centennial Land Run Monument (35.461, -97.504) - Amarillo: VW Slug Bug Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Cadillac Ranch (35.191, -101.985) - Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Bandelier - El Morro, NM - Canyon de Chelly (detour) - Little Painted Desert (35.157608, -110.47105) - Winslow: *Standin’ on the Corner* (Eagles) - Oatman and its burros - Las Vegas: two days, one spent at Valley of the Fire and Red Rock Canyon. Pick a hotel near Fremont Avenue for nightlife - Rainbow Basin Area (35.012369, -117.03858) - The Bottle Tree Ranch (34.69113, -117.34206) - The Justice Private Automotive Collection in Duarte (34.13830, -117.94591) - Los Angeles: 4 days. Start at Griffith Observatory for a city overview and the Hollywood sign. Don’t forget to see the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica. Venice is worth a visit for a more authentic vibe. Check out the Walt Disney Concert Hall and surrounding buildings for the architecture. Distances are huge. We mixed driving with the metro. Avoid the Interstates—they’re packed with traffic and frequent jams. Stick to parallel roads
Hello Everyone!!
Is this American West dream finally going to come true? Illness and the loss of loved ones have forced us to cancel this trip several times over the past few years...
Here’s the rough outline I’m sharing with you—feel free to give constructive feedback!!
From April 20, 2025, to May 5, 2025, that’s 14 days on-site excluding flights.
D20: Flight from Lyon to Phoenix, night in Phoenix L21: Phoenix (visit the zoo, city, Apache Trail? The road is apparently closed??) night in Sedona M22: Sedona, night in Sedona M23: Depart for GC, visit GC, night in GC (no accommodation booked yet, same goes for the following visits) J24: Drive to MV, visit MV, night in Mexican Hat or? V25: End of MV, drive to Page, night in Page S26: Page—Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, night in Page D27: Drive to Bryce, visit Bryce, night? L28: End of Bryce, depart for Zion (I’m wondering if it’s worth visiting Zion at the end of April—since the park is at high altitude, is there a risk of snow? Temperatures?) If we skip Zion, could we plan 2 days for Arches before heading to Bryce? Night in Springdale if Zion, otherwise drive to Valley of Fire, night? M29: Valley of Fire, then drive to LV, night in LV M30: Morning in LV, then drive to Death Valley, night in Furnace Creek? J1: Visit Death Valley, return to LV, night in LV And then we have 3 days left... where should we add them? More time in Arches and Zion? An extra day in Sedona? In Page? We’re not big hikers, so we won’t spend more than a day in each park.
Just to clarify: passports and ESTA are all set!!
Thanks for your advice! Best regards, Christophe
Is this American West dream finally going to come true? Illness and the loss of loved ones have forced us to cancel this trip several times over the past few years...
Here’s the rough outline I’m sharing with you—feel free to give constructive feedback!!
From April 20, 2025, to May 5, 2025, that’s 14 days on-site excluding flights.
D20: Flight from Lyon to Phoenix, night in Phoenix L21: Phoenix (visit the zoo, city, Apache Trail? The road is apparently closed??) night in Sedona M22: Sedona, night in Sedona M23: Depart for GC, visit GC, night in GC (no accommodation booked yet, same goes for the following visits) J24: Drive to MV, visit MV, night in Mexican Hat or? V25: End of MV, drive to Page, night in Page S26: Page—Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, night in Page D27: Drive to Bryce, visit Bryce, night? L28: End of Bryce, depart for Zion (I’m wondering if it’s worth visiting Zion at the end of April—since the park is at high altitude, is there a risk of snow? Temperatures?) If we skip Zion, could we plan 2 days for Arches before heading to Bryce? Night in Springdale if Zion, otherwise drive to Valley of Fire, night? M29: Valley of Fire, then drive to LV, night in LV M30: Morning in LV, then drive to Death Valley, night in Furnace Creek? J1: Visit Death Valley, return to LV, night in LV And then we have 3 days left... where should we add them? More time in Arches and Zion? An extra day in Sedona? In Page? We’re not big hikers, so we won’t spend more than a day in each park.
Just to clarify: passports and ESTA are all set!!
Thanks for your advice! Best regards, Christophe
Hello hello,
After several trips to the American West, we’ve booked our next tickets to Texas!!! We’ll be leaving in mid-October and arriving in Dallas.
After reading several forums/blogs about Texas, I sketched out what our road trip might look like. But here’s the thing—big snag on Day 13!!!
Could you please help me with this plan? Let me know if my draft seems doable or if, on the contrary, the timing is too tight, if I’ve missed any important spots, etc.
We’re traveling as a family with our little ones (3 and 9 years old). We’re not big fans of big cities—we prefer hitting the road, doing hikes, driving on backroads, and we’d love to spend Halloween in a small, friendly town to really experience it.
Here’s my itinerary:
Dallas (overnight since we arrive at 8:30 PM)
Dallas/Fort Worth (overnight in FW or nearby)
FW/Amarillo (overnight in Amarillo)
Amarillo (another night in Amarillo)
Amarillo/Palo Duro Canyon SP/Roswell (overnight nearby or in Roswell)
Roswell (another night?)
Roswell/White Sands (overnight nearby)
White Sands/Carlsbad (overnight nearby)
Carlsbad/Guadalupe Mountains (overnight nearby)
Guadalupe Mountains/Marfa/Alpine (overnight in Alpine)
Alpine/Terlingua (3 nights)
Big Bend NP
Big Bend NP
Big Bend NP/???
And that’s where things get tricky…
What should we do next?
I was thinking of Lost Maple State Park—probably gorgeous with fall colors.
Then head back up to San Antonio, explore the Hill Country, stop in Waco, and make our way back to Dallas?
My husband, though, would love to take a detour to Lafayette, stopping in Houston to visit the Space Center.
Thanks so much for your help! :)
Have a great weekend,
Marie
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a road trip along the American West Coast in July 25 and, of course, I’d love to visit the parks east of Las Vegas. The crowds—but especially the heat—are making me second-guess whether it’s a good idea (the parks). I’d really appreciate your (honest!) feedback from those who’ve been there. Is the experience ruined? Maybe it’s manageable (early morning visits)? I have no doubt the scenery will be breathtaking, but does the context let you fully enjoy it? Thanks so much in advance for sharing your thoughts!
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip from Miami to Atlanta in May.
Where should I stop along the route?
Which cities are the most interesting?
Thanks! !
I’m planning a family trip from Miami to Atlanta in May.
Where should I stop along the route?
Which cities are the most interesting?
Thanks! !
Hi there,
We decided this week to use our miles for a trip to Phoenix. We're putting our itinerary together in a hurry, and it's not coming together at all. I'd really appreciate some help if possible, please.
Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...
(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM
If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.
Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby
Back in 2007, we did a classic trip: LA, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bryce, Zion, Las Vegas, Yosemite, and San Francisco. This time, we only have two weeks and don’t want to rush from one place to another...
(*-sites not yet visited) Arriving in Phoenix tomorrow morning - Monday the 14th - and leaving for Paris on Monday the 29th. - 14/09: Phoenix* - 2 nights to recover from the trip > Heard Museum, Botanical Garden, Downtown... - 16th: Flagstaff* (Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Nat. Monument along the way) - 17th-20th: 3 nights at Grand Canyon - Maswik And here’s where it starts getting really messy: - 21st, 22nd... Monument Valley - 23rd... Canyon de Chelly* - 24th, 25th: Petrified Forest, Painted Desert* - 26th-27th: Sedona* - lots of hiking options - 28th: Evening in Phoenix, flight at 3 PM
If Monument Valley isn’t very doable this week because of rain, maybe it’d be better to go somewhere else, like straight to Canyon de Chelly, or even completely different—Zion (great hikes), Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, a night somewhere to break up the drive, Sedona, and then depart from Phoenix. Since this trip is last-minute, we’re a bit disorganized and would really appreciate any advice. Aside from Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, we haven’t booked any hotels yet, so it’s still flexible.
Thanks so much in advance!! Ruby
Hi everyone! 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
Dans tes "check", tu ne prévois pas le repérage des points GPS pour te faciliter la tâche sur place?
Ca impressionne toujours une road map comme celle-ci à lire...il y des bornes et des bornes, mais c’est aussi pour ça que l’on fait se genre de truc.....et de vrai paysages de dingue.....
Yes ! Je privilégie les routes secondaires pour les balades. Et surtout pour la 66 entre Albuquerque et Amarillo.
La Dashcam est prévue pour les routes sympas et les photos lors des arrêts impromptus ou programmés. Chaque jour (en ce moment), je prépare ma route sur Google Maps pour repérer les lieux à voir.
Tout est quasiment prêt. Sauf que je viens de vérifier mes billets AF et je rentre de Paris CDG vers Montpellier en TGV au lieu d'un vol ! J'ai du m....r à un moment où je ne n'ai pas été assez concentré. Je vais donc passer la journée au téléphone pour tenter d'y voir plus clair... 🤪
Une galère de plus...
Yes ! Je privilégie les routes secondaires pour les balades. Et surtout pour la 66 entre Albuquerque et Amarillo.
La Dashcam est prévue pour les routes sympas et les photos lors des arrêts impromptus ou programmés. Chaque jour (en ce moment), je prépare ma route sur Google Maps pour repérer les lieux à voir.
Tout est quasiment prêt. Sauf que je viens de vérifier mes billets AF et je rentre de Paris CDG vers Montpellier en TGV au lieu d'un vol ! J'ai du m....r à un moment où je ne n'ai pas été assez concentré. Je vais donc passer la journée au téléphone pour tenter d'y voir plus clair... 🤪
Une galère de plus...
À Albuquerque je recommande le Sandia Peak Tramway, c’est un téléphérique qui monte dans les montagnes, très belle vue et bonne fraîcheur si canicule en bas……
Un musée de vieilles voitures a l’air bien à Santa Rosa sur la 40 ….ou le Bill’s Backyard à Amarillo …mais pas vu, ma femme faisant maintenant un refus d’obstacle pour la 66……pouf pouf
Have fun !!!!!!
Un musée de vieilles voitures a l’air bien à Santa Rosa sur la 40 ….ou le Bill’s Backyard à Amarillo …mais pas vu, ma femme faisant maintenant un refus d’obstacle pour la 66……pouf pouf
Have fun !!!!!!
