Forum Discussion

mcguirehg's avatar
mcguirehg
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014

1st Cross Country Trip..thoughts?

I'm still working on our agenda for our 1st cross country trip. I really narrowed down the trip a bit so we aren't rushing around too much. We are driving from NY with the hope to get out west in a few days and enjoy the west as much as possible. Any thoughts or needed adjustments at each park, shorter longer stays? From Tenton to Moab we filled in the Salt Lake area.....any thoughts if this is a worthwhile stop with kids? Dan





1. Travel to about Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN ,14 hours, 756 miles
2. Blackhills & Bandlands, South Dakota, 14 hours, 895 miles, electric hookups (5 nights-reservation required) – Custer State Park
http://gfp.sd.gov/state-

3. Yellowstone National Park, 10.5 hours, 620 miles (9 nights, reservation required)


4. Grand Teton National Park (3 nights)


5. Park City/Salt Lake area

6. Moab Utah (dead horse requires reservations,5 nights)
http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm

7. Pikes Peak
http://www.pikes-peak.com/
Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, Olympic Training Center, Cheyenne Canyon, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak, Cog Railway, Cave of the Winds, Broadmoor, Seven Falls, Old Colorado City, Santa's Workshop, Historic Cripple Creek


8. Rocky Mountain National Park (6 nights)
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Roads and Routes
  • jefe_4x4's avatar
    jefe_4x4
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    Sooner or later you will find out where the sweet spot is in terms of how much ground you cover and how you mix that with layovers or short days of travel. We originally traveled too short a distance at a time! We tried the 300 mile rule for keeping peace in the family and it worked when we had a family. Now retired, Jeanie and I can and do do 600 miles a day, but not day after day. Maybe one day on and one or two shorts. It all depends on what we are trying to get to and spend some time at, and what we want to scoot on by. This is flexible, and case by case. It takes time to develop this pattern, a pattern that you will soon own.
    Happy Trails to you.
    regards, as always, jefe
  • TyroneandGladys's avatar
    TyroneandGladys
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    While in Custer State Park check out the mammoth site in Hot Springs.
    I would suggest taking at least 2 days between South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park and stop at Devils Tower and The Little Big Horn National Monument.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Feb 24, 2014
    Although we love Yellowstone and have been there often, for your first trip you could cut down your time from 9 days to 5 days to give you some extra time for a cushion.

    With two children your driving days are extremely long. Your whole family would appreciate a stop around 3pm to unwind, take a walk, use the pool, have a leisurely dinner and relax for the next days' push.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Feb 24, 2014
    That is a great trip for you and the kids.
    BUT.
    If you mean those miles in one travel day I seriously doubt you will make those miles in the times you noted. In some cases your numbers come out to averaging 60 mph or more.
    Unless you have no plans to stop for fuel, food, or rest stops you are not going to do that. Especially since Custer State Park is well off the interstate and from there to Yellowstone since you will not have interstate all the way.
    Getting thru Chicago will likely kill your mph average also.
    Hope you have some cushion built in. Especially since you are talking about having reservations to arrive on a certain date.

    OOPs! You added some travel information while was typing.
  • mcguirehg's avatar
    mcguirehg
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    We were planning to build in an extra day on the long travels and stop, if needed for a break and sleep. Any thoughts on our stays at the park...too long or short?
  • I_am_still_wayn's avatar
    I_am_still_wayn
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    In your first two days you will average 59 MPH if you never stop! That is not doable in a fast car let alone a RV! The third leg of your trip, to Yellowstone, you will have to average 61 MPH without any stops! Again not doable. You should plan on no more than 400 miles in a day, maybe 500 if you get a really early start and enjoy driving 12 to 14 hours daily.

    On your posted agenda, you will be so tired and nerves so frayed you will not enjoy the trip. And you will be driving 18 to 20 hours daily!

    YOU SHOULD PLAN ON 4 DAYS TRAVEL TIME TO REACH CUSTER PARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • twins89's avatar
    twins89
    Explorer
    Feb 24, 2014
    You have a beautiful itinerary planned but I hope you arent' planning on driving 14 hours in one day. The most you should plan to do is about 500 miles at most. There are many county parks and easy places to get off the road each night and finish the next day to the next destination. You want to enjoy the ride and drive. Walmarts and Lowes (we like Lowes - wifi) are an option for overnight too, if you are self-contained.

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