Forum Discussion

sedwheathome's avatar
sedwheathome
Explorer
Jan 21, 2018

Planning Out West South Route

Planning our 9 day trip from KY to Out West (South route) for June '19. It will be busy and fast, but the best we can do (due to work schedules). Destinations: Bryce, Zion, South Rim of Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, & Vegas (maybe Arches as we are going in). Strategic planning (if that the best word for it) will have to happen with long drives going & coming (we're good for that) at max our times at the parks. Bringing I-70 in and taking I-40 back home.

Unfortunately (because of time), we'll not bring camper so looking for suggestions on camping resorts w/cabins &/or cabin resorts. Also the "must-sees" or "must-dos" at Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon. Greatly appreciate advice. The forum guided our Northern Out West trip. Chunking out the map on a work schedule :-) Would LOVE to see Monument Valley...but really no time.
  • ohhell10339's avatar
    ohhell10339
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2018
    Why on earth, given your tight schedule, would you waste time driving cross-country? Fly into Vegas, Flagstaff, or Salt Lake City, rent a car, see the area, and fly back home (do an "open-jaw" flight plan; arrive at one, leave from the other). Far better than torturing yourself and your kids as the yawning Great Plains roll by--TWICE. Also, you'll have 4-5 more days to see the sights than you would if you drove.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2018
    Please don't do this to your son -- don't ask me how I know that young kids will hate that kind of daily mileage. (I wish I could get a do-over on some of the trips I forced them into taking.)

    If I understand you correctly, you want to travel more than 4000 miles in 9 days, or 450 miles a day, not even counting time for stops along the way.

    I would strongly recommend either that you fly out west and rent a car, or else scale back on the trip a lot.

    Don't do what I did.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 21, 2018
    Racing long distances and staying in cabins/motels just doesn’t ring my bell. I’d concentrate on the GC and Monument Valley.

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