First Time Across Country to Grand Canyon

We are a family of four and we have had a used A class Warrior RV about a year now and have taken 4 -5 weekend trips. Our goal was to do this to learn "how camp in a RV" in preparation to drive across country this summer. Our trip begins in VA and we want to go through Mansfield, MO to Laura Ingalls Wilders home and Independence, KS. The next stops would be the Mesa Verde, Antelope Canyon, Wahweap and then down towards the Grand Canyon. We are thinking about returning back home using "Rte 66" with a stop in Memphis.
We have about two weeks to complete this journey and I know it will be hot (don't have much of a choice with school and work) in August. I have been using Roadtrippers.com to build an itinerary. Here are some concerns/questions that we have:
1. Do we take our dog (Basenj/19 lbs/'8 years old)? I know the Grand Canyon Railway RV park has kennels for the day. Has anyone used them? Have you left the dog in the RV with generator running the a/c while at a sightseeing stop that doesn't allow pets? We do have a cat but we are thinking of leaving her with Grandma! She likes to escape out of the RV.
2. Best RV area for Grand Canyon..little concerned about no hook ups at National Parks and if they run out of sites. Railroad RV park/Bedrock Flintstone RV park/Sedona/Flagstaff..not sure which one to pick. We would like to do an afternoon a Slide Rock.
3. Not much to stop at between Independence, KS and Morefield Campground at Mesa Verde..Any suggestions for roads, how far to drive a day, campgrounds. Also we are used to driving in mountains. Gas mileage stinks and takes us longer than by car of course Do you make better time in the midwest? How many miles can you average a day (thinking no more than 8 hrs a day on some stretches without stops, may be unrealistic)?
4. Any must see stops driving back east? We are thinking Petrified forest, Cadillac Ranch, Memphis.
I am sure there is something that I am forgetting to ask.

BTPO1
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
IMO you are in for a long trip for two weeks. We used to drive from CA to AR to see DD while she was in college. I was always glad to get home to go back to work for a vacation.

Eight hours a day in an RV to me is a long day at my age. Four hours a day is a lot better for me now. I think driving time is up to the individuals driving abilities as well as road and weather conditions. JMO
dave17352
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
Sounds like a lot of driving to me also. That being said I have in the past done the same thing with lots of kids. We raised 6. But sounds like you have plenty of room and people should be comfortable so they may enjoy the ride as part of the vacation. Mom and Dad will be more on duty than them! I personally would leave the dog at home. Many people full time with pets and that's great but for a short trip I think they are kind of a pain. We have also taken our pet in the past. After a while bowser started staying home. Most places that have trails do not allow dogs on them so he will just be a camper dog while you are out. When we traveled with the kids to a destination I would drive til tired then in the evening see if there was anything on the route that looked to be worth a stop. We didn't have completely planned trips. I imagine that can be a good or bad thing!JMHO
TragedyTrousers
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
Doable in 3 weeks not 2. Your time there would be extremely limited. Most of your vacation would be driving. Id set my sights on someplace closer.
dbbls
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
TragedyTrousers wrote:
Doable in 3 weeks not 2. Your time there would be extremely limited. Most of your vacation would be driving. Id set my sights on someplace closer.
I agree with this statement. Lots to see closer to home.
Allworth
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2017
If you do include Memphis; stay at Tom Sawyer in West Memphis, Arkansas, and drive into town.

Sitting on the bank of the Mississippi relaxing and watching the river traffic go up and down is worth the inconvenience of being on the West side.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2017
VA Family wrote:
We are a family of four and we have had a used A class Warrior RV about a year now and have taken 4 -5 weekend trips. Our goal was to do this to learn "how camp in a RV" in preparation to drive across country this summer.

You've used your RV for 4-5 short trips. You're already prepared for a long one. :) Just think of 4 short ones hooked together. No different.

1. Do we take our dog (Basenj/19 lbs/'8 years old)?

You'll have a more enjoyable trip without the dog. No, I wouldn't use a generator for AC while you're gone.

2. Best RV area for Grand Canyon..little concerned about no hook ups at National Parks and if they run out of sites.

Trailer Village RV in Grand Canyon NP is the very best place to stay. The free shuttle stops right there. Mather campground in the park has shade so it really wouldn't be that hot. The nights will cool down dramatically - will need a blanket!

If 2 weeks is all you have it's better than not seeing these places at all. Go for it!

However, I'd highly suggest you head straight for Grand Canyon if that's your main objective. Do what you want around that small circle - Slide Rock (start very early in the morning to make it a day trip from Grand Canyon), Antelope Canyon - you'd need to move to Page, AZ. It's too far from Grand Canyon for a day trip. There are also some wonderful Indian ruins in the Flagstaff area.

By then, you'll probably have to hightail it home. Save any Midwest stuff for another trip.
TyroneandGladys
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
Leave the cat take the dog. The Williams Circle Pines KOA has on site dog walking service available.
More and more parks offer that service.
RoyB
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2017
Assuming you are taking I40 across... Be sure to find one of the off shoot roads near Flagstaff and get your pictures taken next to one of the ROUTE 66 road signs...

I could spend two weeks in the Flagstaff area and not even get cloes to the Grand canyon haha... Too much to see and do out that way...

One of my favorite spots is the WUPATKI Indian ruins loop and one spot is where you can climb up on top and then look back towards the East near sunset. All of the colors of the Painted Desert will be visible then...

If you do end up staying over nite in Flagstaff be mindfull that the railroad that runs through there is a Major East-West railroad and there will be a train with very loud whistles about every five minutes all night long.. Try to find a camp spot away from the railroads if you can..

Roy Ken
wanderingdawgs
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
Yes, it can be done in two weeks. Even though you will be doing a lot of driving you will make memories that will last a lifetime. My favorite family vacation with our kids was a 2 week trip from Georgia to the Grand Canyon in 1985 in a Toyota mini van. We stayed in motels until we got to the Grand Canyon and tent camped for three nights once we got there. On the way there we were able to see Albuquerque and the Petrified Forest. We stopped at overlooks along the rim and hiked on the Bright Angel Trail. On our way home we made really quick stops at Carlsbad Caverns, New Orleans and Ft. Walton Beach. Was it worth the 5288 miles we drove? Absolutely! I agree with 2gypsies. Go for it! You won't regret it.
VA_Family
Explorer
Mar 23, 2017
Thanks for the reality checks. We are probably going to exceed the 2 weeks for sure. There are way too many places we want to see. We already had to cut our original trip that included Mount Rushmore into the next trip. Time and money are always getting in our way!~Ha. Our thoughts were we would do a lot of the driving out there without a lot of stops until we get to Colorado. We will miss our pets but it sounds like it may be too difficult. I remember visiting the Memphis river walk as a teen and want my kids to see it. Probably will have to return another time to really see Memphis but thought it would be a great one night stop.