Early Stage Planning Clockwise Around the U.S.

Just Lee,
We have been planning a similar trip, now for a couple years. The time is just not quite right for us. Who is us? Just two of us, 68 and 71 years old, but not out of the race yet. The plan is to circumnavigate the U.S. mainland, clockwise from N. Calif. up to WA and mainly staying near U.S. 2 across the upper tier and deciding whether to go over, or under the Lakes (as you have mentioned) up to New England during 'Leaf peeper' season; down the E. coast camping ON beach sand whenever possible; traveling down the S.E. states; making a right turn in N. Florida to take in the Gulf states, including South Padre Island in TX, and motoring home to N. Calif. We have camped all over the S.W. over time and will quickly get thru areas we have already savored. The time frame is 16 weeks: September 1st to New Years Day. I've set up my Dodge/Truck Camper for off-road use and we do go off road with it, including right down the beach when permitted. Here's the rig. With high floatation, super single tires and a 20 pound CO2 tank I frequently change the air pressure on the tires to match the terra firma, or not so firma as it works out.

You know, you are the only other person I've read that uses the term 'clockwise around the U.S.' as a description. Jean my queen's mother is 98 years old and lives close by so any lengthy trips are out for the moment. We are leaving Monday for an 8 day trip to the back roads of Death Valley with my bro and his off-road truck camper. That is about the longest we dare be away. I have learned a lot with the trip planning for the Circumnavigation, much of it from Trip Advisor and expedition portal. The difficult thing for us was to get the seasonal thing right, and not try to take the kitchen sink along. One more thing is that we plan on camping in N.F.'s, N. Seashores, BLM campgrounds, Wildlife sanctuaries, State and
County park campgrounds, and our favorite...stealth camping in cities with a once-a-week down day at a high-bucks hotel. Or rig is 20 feet long, 7 feet wide, 10'-4" tall, and will park in a regular parking place in a lot or on the street. I'm thinking of having it painted olive drab to blend in.
I'm taking notes here. Keep up the chatter on great local venues for the circumnavigation. We hang out on the Truck Camper Forum on RV.net.
jefe

paulj wrote:
From Olympia you might consider WA410 around the NE side of Mt Rainier. 410 over Chinook Pass ranks up there with WA20 as a Cascades crossing. I believe you are small enough to easily that handle that route.

Once on the east side the Cascades I'd take US12 through Lewiston and over Lolo pass to Montana. There is a recent thread about going to Lewiston.

Once in Montana you could jog to Missoula and continue on I90. Or go south on US93 to Lost Trail Pass. There's a state highway east of that pass (don't recall the number) to passes a historical battle site (Big Hole?). Then east to W Yellowstone and GT. There's a lot of Lewis & Clark historical sites along US12, as well as Nez Perce (Chief Joseph) sites.

Awesome thanks..... I'll for sure take a longggggggg look at it

From Olympia you might consider WA410 around the NE side of Mt Rainier. 410 over Chinook Pass ranks up there with WA20 as a Cascades crossing. I believe you are small enough to easily that handle that route.

Once on the east side the Cascades I'd take US12 through Lewiston and over Lolo pass to Montana. There is a recent thread about going to Lewiston.

Once in Montana you could jog to Missoula and continue on I90. Or go south on US93 to Lost Trail Pass. There's a state highway east of that pass (don't recall the number) to passes a historical battle site (Big Hole?). Then east to W Yellowstone and GT. There's a lot of Lewis & Clark historical sites along US12, as well as Nez Perce (Chief Joseph) sites.

paulj wrote:
Mentioning Olympic and Grand Tetons changes my suggestions a bit.

US101 loops around Olympic NP, with most of the sights on the west and north sides. Coming from the south you probably are coming up either I5 to Olympia or US101 closer to the coast. The ferry from Port Townsend is the natural way out of this area and heading east. This is the start of WA20. Be sure to check out the Washington state parks in this coastal area, including Whidbey Island.

Glacier NP is on US2. US2 goes around its south end. Going to the Sun is the road through the park. Your RV might be borderline in length for this road.

But Grand Tetons are quite a bit further south. I90 from Spokane would be better than US2 if that is your goal, though you could certainly take in both. There are frequent questions about driving between Glacier and Yellowstone. Going through Yellowstone is the shortest way to Grand Tetons from the north.

There are also lots of threads about driving to/from Yellowstone from the east, going over the Big Horn Mtns, and visiting the Black Hills. Once you are on the flats of eastern Montana and Dakotas, almost any highway will do for driving north to I94 and US2. I'd be inclined to wait till Minnesota, and aim NE to Duluth.

Thanks our plan is to skirt around Olympic Nat Park on the west (Heading North) on 101 and staying Elks Lodges along the Oregon coast (or where ever.) Maybe stay at Forks and Squim Elks for a few days and double back (in our Toad) and see the sites. Then south on 101 and visit with relatives in Olympia and then head towards Glacier. We have done Yellowstone and driven I-90 a few times, seen Rushmore, Black Hills, Devils Tower etc. I wanted to get more north with out going into Canada. We have never been to Glacier...
paulj I do appreciate your been there done that suggestions... After Olympia we have to go to Fort Lewis for a short visit and then East. Should I take I-90 and then somewhere north. Or go up to 2 to somewhere? I only used 20 because I could and it was way north of Seattle....... LoL We have been all over Washington in the past except ONP......

We are going to be touring MUCH longer then 1 month more like 2 to 3.......

Thanks Lee

Oops that was a typo on my part. We don't plan on getting back to California until late October early Nov........

You really need to allow 3 months or more.

Mentioning Olympic and Grand Tetons changes my suggestions a bit.

US101 loops around Olympic NP, with most of the sights on the west and north sides. Coming from the south you probably are coming up either I5 to Olympia or US101 closer to the coast. The ferry from Port Townsend is the natural way out of this area and heading east. This is the start of WA20. Be sure to check out the Washington state parks in this coastal area, including Whidbey Island.

Glacier NP is on US2. US2 goes around its south end. Going to the Sun is the road through the park. Your RV might be borderline in length for this road.

But Grand Tetons are quite a bit further south. I90 from Spokane would be better than US2 if that is your goal, though you could certainly take in both. There are frequent questions about driving between Glacier and Yellowstone. Going through Yellowstone is the shortest way to Grand Tetons from the north.

There are also lots of threads about driving to/from Yellowstone from the east, going over the Big Horn Mtns, and visiting the Black Hills. Once you are on the flats of eastern Montana and Dakotas, almost any highway will do for driving north to I94 and US2. I'd be inclined to wait till Minnesota, and aim NE to Duluth.

Wow! One month to see the country? I would highly suggest you up it to 'at least' two to three months. You are going to be worn out otherwise.

Thanks..... I am printing out some of the suggestions posted and keeping a binder to carry with us....

Our plan is to be gone for at least a month if not more leaving mid Aug... Goals are Olympic Nat Park, Grand Tetons, then east to visit friends in NH south to NY, Conn, more south to Blue Ridge Mtn. across Tenn stay and visit friends there. Then to Ks then home to Cal.....

Hoping to catch Fall Colors all along the way.....and visiting friends

But like I said we are just now in the planning stage.....

How long are you planning for this trip? We full-timed and traveled constantly for 16 years but still didn't see it all. :) Good luck!