This may take awhile to explain. Both retired, Jayco 322FKS, Ram Quadcab 4WD PU without cap, DW and small dog.We're thinking of taking the TT to Gilbert, AZ to see one of the sons but seeing as much as possible on the way out and back. From Michigan to AZ starting in the spring, or better suggested time, on a southern route, seeing what is along the way then spending time near Mesa,AZ with my son and family, later Lake Havasu, AZ with SIL and families, and return on a northern route. Shortest time might be 5-6 weeks.We've already stopped in Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Petrified Forest, and Phoenix proper with just a car and seen the major sites like Bombing location, Cadillac Farm, Old Town, and some of Route 66, etc.We'd like to see the other NP areas, day trips from a CG stop, and more historical than entertainment types of areas. On the way back I'd like to get to Rushmore and Crazy Horse and whatever else will be along the route.I am looking at planning this myself but am looking for help from you guys as to the time of year to start, length of legs due to terrain, and weather conditions to expect. A couple 8 - 10 hour days travel in a row would not be out of the question. I did get caught March of 2012 with the car in snow at Flagstaff when I-40 was closed so I know it can happen. Seeing the canyon again will be good.We eat simple, don't need restaurants, but aren't against quality homecooked type meals. Don't have a Gen right now but would get one if it is advised.We usually use State Parks but could boondock if needed. May also add the cap to the truck if that is suggested for security of a Gen. Garmin is up-to-date but we both navigate well. Neither have major health problems but at 66 I slow down some when needed. I will look for Disc Golf courses wherever we stop. Hiking trails are always welcome but we are not into climbing too much. The dog is small and won't walk far so we leave her in the TT but leave the AC on when needed. Normally we stop every 2-3 hours as I refuel, gas, every 150 miles.Timing on this is probably in 2015 or 2016 since my son is coming home this year.Thanks for whatever help you can give and NO opinions will be rejected as we plan, for us, a big trip that may not be repeated due to cost.Dale

IMHO, March and the first part of April is the best time to visit the Phoenix area. Temps in the 70's and lots of desert flowers. Northern Arizona can still get snow. Lake Havasu area will be nice, but watch out for spring break crowds.

Definitely add a cap to the back of your truck. The additional secure storage is priceless, ideal for a generator but also for firewood, tools, BBQ bikes etc.. As noted southern Arizona in the spring is awesome but be aware that in the high Sonoran Desert they measure the pollen count like lake effect snowfall in Buffalo. :BGood luck dodging the spring breakers.... the problem is there are so many different schools on varying schedules that spring break lasts from mid February to mid April. Traveling during the week and on line reservations help a lot.

Dale, Were I you, there are two things I would do. First is something I find a necessity these days. Get and learn to use one of the navigators. If you start by getting smart about Strips and Treets or Street Alas, your planning will be bags simpler. Second, with the plan you have, I would beat cheeks to Nashville in late March. There to get to the trail head of the Natchez Trace. It is best in the spring, when the trees fill out it becomes as green tunnel. There are campgrounds all along, but few right on the trace. plan a day in Vicksburg, you will want to drop the house at one of the local campgrounds and drive the loop (free if you have a Geezer Pass - 10$). The Trace is 444 miles at 50 MPH (enforced) so it may take you four days. There is an interesting stop every 3~4 miles. When you get to Natchez, head for Baton Rouge to pick up I-10 west. If you get an APU (genset), put a cap on the truck and chain it down. The grow legs real fast. Have you learned to use AAA TripTiks? Figure that one out and it can point you to a whole lot of interesting things. Matt

Family lives in town in LHC and we've been there so we won't spend much time by the river. I'm wondering HOW early we might do Phoenix and then LHC so that we could still get up to Rapid City, SD without having roads closed for snow. Some years I've heard they are closed until June. We don't need to see all of the parks but would like to visit a variety. Since all of it is new the adventure is there.Cap for the truck is being looked at but I have Delta side open box on right now which would need to be removed.The search for knowledge begins, thanks.

Matt, I already have it on S&T a couple of different ways but those don't always give the best ideas of what to look for.Last time we did Route 66 I used many different sources and found Cadillac Ranch, Precious Moments, Mater in Galena, KS, plus alot more. Makes it good to have something to see at the end of each day so you always have a new destination daily and not at the end of several days.I've spent time in TN, MS, and LA with TX not having much on 10. Built a manufacturing plant in Longview, TX so I know that area.My concern is for the little things we need to see on I-10 or I-20 on the route over that we might miss using S&T. There are 'experts' here that have made the trip and know of the little places that I would miss. Those places that are like 'Mr. Foisies Pasties' in Cadillac, MI that you blow right past and miss a great meal. Or some of the waterfalls in northern MI that are fantastic sites and hikes.As far as the Natchez Trace, we might make that a totally separate trip since the distance is equal to the top of MI from home. Nashville and others in the area would make a long adventure on it's own. Thanks for mentioning this area.Got a year to decide so thanks to everyone so far.

Help planning a long (for us) loop | Good Sam Community

dalenoel
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2014
I think the route is starting to solidify with the understanding we will now start adding days at our stops to see more.
From MI I-69, I-70, I-57, I-55 to I-40 with a couple days in Memphis and Little Rock where we go off interstate to Crater of Diamonds SP in Arkansas for a couple days.

Then I-30/20 to Abilene and down to Balmorhea,TX and continuing west on I-10 to AZ191 before going north to Apache Junction. Planned stops every 200-250 miles for a day or so to look around.

Then 2 weeks with son and SIL in Gilbert and Lake Havasu City before taking I-15 thru Zion and Provo with 2 days in each area. Leaving I-15 to go around St. Lake City on I-215 to I-80 and then east to Green River, WY and Flaming Gorge NP for a couple days.

We then continue on I-80 to Rawlings and US-287 N to WY220 to Casper for the night. Continuing on to Devils Tower for a night and then another day to Rushmore area. 3 days near Rushmore and then we start towards home on I-90 to I-29 to I-80 with stops near Sioux Falls, DesMoines, and Utica, IL for whatever is in the area before the final leg home.

We still need to know, being flatlanders, where to be concerned with steep grades, I am getting the Mountain Directory West. I’m also wondering if I should expect to run into closed roads due to snow with the return from AZ being the 2nd and 3rd week of May. I know storms can happen at anytime and if that happens we will just sit until it is clear.

Help on here has been great and we are also looking for extras to see along the route. Waterfalls and some hikes are being planned in like when we walked the trails at Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon Village.

Since this is for Spring 2015 I’ve got a lot of time to change and add stops along the way. The longest day so far is 300 miles with most being under 225.

tralertraveler and littlemo, I am still looking into the many links you have supplied and thanks again for the suggestions.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014
We live near Gilbert and went to the Mount Rushmore area several years ago. We went up through Salt Lake City to Yellowstone over to Little Big Horn and Devils Tower on our way to Deadwood and the Mount Rushmore Area while there recommend seeing The Mammoth Site .
FYI if you do go back through Amarillo spend a night or two at Palo Duro Canyon State Park where you can camp down in the second largest canyon in the US
dalenoel
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2014
Thanks for all of the suggestions.

littlemo, these are the next steps in listing what we want to see along the way. The main goal is visiting family in AZ so some of the attractions might be too far off the route.

So far we’ve decided on the major route to Gilbert but not exactly when we leave. The thought is early April so the trip back will be a northern route in mid to late May.

Beginning route is as follows:
I-69 out from Michigan thru Indy, I-70 thru Terra Haute then I-57, first stop at Percival Springs in Watson, IL.

I-57 to I-55 to I-40 past West Memphis, I-440 around Little Rock, I-30 to I-30 RV Park in Benten, AK

I-30 to I-20 thru DFW, maybe around, to Abilene KOA.

Final day is I-20 to I-10 to US-70 to Lost Dutchman in Apache Junction, AZ

Now I want to look at what along the route we want to see and know that it will add stops and delays along the way. This will change the time spent in each area.

So far travel starts no earlier than 9am and no later than 4pm and around 350 to 400 mi per day.
I’ll check the major cities, States, and anything I can find along the route for attractions and interesting things to see from the stops.

Suggestions along this line will greatly be welcomed. I'll start with the AK suggestions.

Some delays will be for me to play disc golf along the way.

Half the fun is in the planning and altering the plan so it becomes easy and relaxing.
littlemo
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
Things you'll miss if you take the Southern Route:(
Arkansas in April is cool/cold but shouldn't be icy.

Petit Jean State Park

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Ozark Folk Center

Diamond mines

Clinton
Library

Hot Springs, (Not-to-miss) Baths and Massages and Sunday morning brunch at the Arlington. McClards Barbecue.

Buffalo National River

Mt Magazine State park
AlabamaTraveler
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Palo Duro Canyon. Just a few miles south of Amarillo, this is a great place. If you have not seen or camped there, you might want to check it out.
padredw
Nomad
Jan 17, 2014
Tyler State Park (on FM 14 North of Tyler) is a great place to stay. They even have full hook-ups now. It would be hard to get reservations on a week-end in April. BUT . . . if you are in Tyler in April the Azaleas should be beautiful.

BTW, we live 20 miles north of Longview on US 259, little town of Ore City.
dalenoel
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2014
2gypsies wrote:

O.K. Continuation from Arches N.P. in Utah. I-70 east to I-25 north to I-90 east to Mount Rushmore during the first part of May.

Of course, there are many wonderful secondary roads to take to get you to the same place. It just depends on the weather at the time you're traveling. If it's toward the end of May you should be fine.

Thanks, this is what I need to know since travel in these areas is new to us. I know when to travel in the Midwest but hear how late some of these areas are still battling snow so this really helps.

Seems like I should start in early April and end in May instead of a month earlier.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 16, 2014
dalenoel wrote:

2gypsies: Love the route but what would be best to Rushmore as DW has not seen that. I did during work. Weather is my concern.

O.K. Continuation from Arches N.P. in Utah. I-70 east to I-25 north to I-90 east to Mount Rushmore during the first part of May.

Of course, there are many wonderful secondary roads to take to get you to the same place. It just depends on the weather at the time you're traveling. If it's toward the end of May you should be fine.
dalenoel
Explorer II
Jan 16, 2014
trailertraveler: That is a wealth of info and I will spend much time looking = Thanks

2gypsies: Love the route but what would be best to Rushmore as DW has not seen that. I did during work. Weather is my concern.

padredw: Agree NE TX is great. Built a plant in Longview and we did I-40 in 2012. Tyler sounds perfect. I should plan to have that a stop. Built a plant in Roanoake so I want to stay away from DWF as I've been there. Worked in Houston also so bypassing that is alright. Loved Garner when in the USAF so it is also possible but a long ways south.

Thanks all for the tips.
padredw
Nomad
Jan 16, 2014
So many people have made the drive across Oklahoma to Amarillo on I-40 and think they have seen Texas. What a loss!

In this case the direct route from Little Rock to Carlsbad Caverns is your best route and allows you to see the Texas than many never know about: the pine forest and rolling hills of East Texas.

And there could not be a better time than Springtime. You could take I-30 from Little Rock to Texarkana. Arkansas has some really nice state parks easily accessable from I-30. For example, DeGray State Park and Resort near Arkadelphia, and Crater of Diamonds just a bit further off the freeway. People do find real diamonds there and children love the digging.

I would strongly suggest that you dip a bit lower into East Texas by taking US 59 south out of Texarkana and then Texas 155 toward Tyler and I-20. There are many state parks, COE parks, and private parts for a stop in this area. Daingerfield State Park, Caddo State Park, Atlanta State Park, and Tyler State Park; several really nice COE parks around Lake o' The Pines. An overnight, or a day or two, in this area could be a highlight of the trip.

If you have to "get on with it" you could pick up I-20 near Tyler. I-20 going west is not too bad around south of Dallas and Fort Worth. But I usually drop on down around Athens, TX; Corsicanna, TX; etc. staying well south of the "Metraplex."

The details are not so important as this central recommendation: leave I-40 at Little Rock and take the more direct route through East Texas in the Springtime. I don't think you will regret it, and you will have an entirely different impression of Texas.

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