Suggestions for our X-Country Itinerary

mekkerl wrote:
I am planning our trip for August 2018 and would welcome some suggestions from you guys. I've been to all of these locations with the exception of Capital Reef, but my wife and four kids (11,9,7,5 in 2018) have never been. I need to keep this to ~four weeks; and will be leaving and returning to Rochester, NY.

I am not sold on seeing Capital Reef NP, but since we are so close, figure it is wise to do?
I am not too eager to stop at RMNP, but it is on the way home, unless we change the plan.
I like what I have been reading about Petrified Forest NP…may add this right before Grand Canyon?
I may have to cut a few days off the itinerary…which will likely be Louisville, 1-day in Lake Powell, 2-days of Capital Reef
I am not tied to this route either, so if you think due to the time of year, or the locations, that a different route is more ideal, then please share! (ie do Grand Canyon last and start with the Rockies)
You will realize that we have time at each location on our driving days, all depending on how long the drive is.

Day 1 – Drive to Louisville (10-hrs)
Day 2 – Louisville, KY (visit friend)
Day 3-5 – Drive to Grand Canyon (25-hrs)
Day 6-7 – Grand Canyon NP (2 full days)
Day 8 – Drive to Zion (4.5-hrs)
Day 9-12 – Zion NP (4 full days)
Day 13 – Drive to Bryce (2-hrs)
Day 14-15 – Bryce Canyon NP (2 full days)
Day 16 – Drive to Capital Reef (3-hrs)
Day 17 – Capital Reef NP (1 full day)
Day 18 – Drive to Lake Powell (2-hrs)
Day 19-21 – Lake Powel / Glen Canyon NRA (3 full days)
Day 22 – Drive to Arches (4-hrs)
Day 23-25 – Arches NP / Canyonlands NP (3 full days)
Day 26 – Drive to Rocky Mtn (8-hrs)
Day 27-28 – Rocky Mountain NP (2 full days)
Day 29-31 – Drive to Sandusky, OH (22-hrs)
Day 32 – Cedar Point Amusement Park
Day 33 – Drive to Rochester, NY (5-hrs)

Couple things jump off the page at me when I read your post;

1 - Very ambitious, but it appears you have thought about this a lot and really want to show the Kids/Wife Utah
2 - You will not average 50mph with the truck and trailer. Trust Me on this. So you night add 20% more driving time.
3 - You have thought about the weather in Utah, August is HOT.....Being from Rochester 115 degrees will be Really HOT!
4 - Think about the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, while the view is different it still is pretty Grand, it's Cooler, and it will likely save you a couple days. It's on the side of the world you are trying to see, Just a thought.
5 - Think about coming into Colorado on I-70 SLiding up to Leadville and Buena Vista and coming into Utah on Rt 491 after seeing Mesa Verde, Driving through or around the San Juan's will be cool and refreshing, along with fun and Beautiful (Water/Lakes, streams, Mountains - just Beautiful) Then to Monument Valley on to Page/Lake Powell - to North Rim up to Zion the Bryce and Rt 12, past Kodachrome SP to Capital Reef , Maybe Goblins SP - over to Moab Out on Rt 128 then Back Out through the northern park of Colorado. Just a thought, allows a few cool day to enjoy between a few warmer days.

Not trying to change your trip, just injecting a few thoughts, that would allow some cooler weather along with a very beautiful change of scenery.

I always try to make it a point to have a Mission on any trip then stick to it. For me Fun - Adventure - Education are usually pretty high on my List for trips.

Hope this is of some help, even if it goes against the grain.

On another note - I will need to be in downtown Rochester for a wedding - could you suggest a Nice Campground that is located close to town?

Thanks, the Kids will Love the trip.

Great pictures of the West.

A fast paced family's trips