Routes and campgrounds in west

Thank you guys so much for the help. I am 35 and my wife is 41. So we are on the younger side of 70. I am looking into Durango, Custer state park and Arkansas river. Our 13 yr old is adopted and half Sauk Fox. And he has family in Shawnee Ok. That we may see if we can stop and see too. He has never met his fathers side of his family.

Lantley wrote:
Not trying to rain on the parade but I don't think 2 weeks is enough time to do the west from the east coast via RV.
Too much driving vs. the amount of time you will have to actually tour and see stuff.

This is true. But......do it anyway :)

We are still working and have limited time as well. We almost always wish for more time but its still better to make do with what we have than miss out on the chance to make memories. We have done 2 week trips from Pennsylvania to Yellowstone and a 3 week 7,000 mile loop one time that included going as far as the Grand Canyon.

We are probably nuts but we have a great time and the kids aren't going to be kids for long...enjoy it!

When planning your travel time, you can easily average 50-55 mph, including the time spent for food, fuel, rest, when traveling interstates and driving at an average speed of 65 mph. Getting off on highways that go thru towns with lower speed limits and traffic lights will reduce the average speed.

padredw wrote:

What is a reasonable miles per day to drive

Several of us have expressed our opinions and shared our experiences about the "miles per day" question.

...............................

I only post again in this thread to encourage those who do not have unlimited time available to enjoy the time they do have.

Personal to Busskipper: Your pickup camper was a real advancement over ours. We had that pass through window from a cab cover with home made bunks and a porta-potty! It got us on the road. You sound like a man of my own heart.

Oh - My first "RV" was a 49' Packard with the back seat removed to create a bed - and water and a tarp off the roof.

So yes the PU was a great advancement........

IMHO the Drive needs to be as Good as the Destination, so I've never looked at 600 miles plus as an issue.... Oh the places we have been, What a Great and Beautiful Country.

People need to just get out and See it, no matter if you have a long day or two. When you are retired you can do it again and take your time. ;)

I just hope that I can still have the Love you have to travel in the Next 10-15 years. Pretty sure I will as I have 2 Granddaughters in Maryland and 4 in Colorado - that will keep me going.

Think we may have been cut from a similar cloth.......

Thanks,

Bill

What is a reasonable miles per day to drive

Several of us have expressed our opinions and shared our experiences about the "miles per day" question.

I just looked up my records for a memorable trip back in 2005 as an example in which we visited Buena Vista, Yampa River, Yellowstone (Island Park, ID), Springdale, UT; Zion National Park, North Rim Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Santa Fe. 3576 logged miles, 16 days home to home. Longest day 580 miles (just to get over much of Texas); shortest day drive 62 miles (Zion to North Rim). 4 days at Yellowstone, 2 days at Buena Vista (in my daughter's back yard), and 2 days at Mesa Verde. All other stops only one night. We never felt rushed, were not trying to set any records; but we were young then: in our early 70s.

If you wish you can view some photos from that trip:

National Park Trip

and can you stay in rest stops out there? Any other overnight parking places to sleep?

Again, we all have our opinions and experiences about this. We have been traveling with fifth-wheels for over 20 years (travelers, not full time) and we have never stayed in a WalMart or a rest stop. It is worth it to us to have a spot we have paid for in a secure campground. Others have an entirely different view of this. I am only expressing a personal preference and a historical fact.

I only post again in this thread to encourage those who do not have unlimited time available to enjoy the time they do have.

Personal to Busskipper: Your pickup camper was a real advancement over ours. We had that pass through window from a cab cover with home made bunks and a porta-potty! It got us on the road. You sound like a man of my own heart.

NCMODELA wrote:
Thank you guys. What is a reasonable miles per day to drive and can you stay in rest stops out there? Any other overnight parking places to sleep?

There's doable and then there's practical. It's certainly doable to drive 600-800 miles in a day, particularly when you consider that you have at least 2 drivers available, potentially more. Depends on the experience level for the older kids. It can be done.

Practical? You also have younger kiddos who will likely need more frequent breaks. You know your kiddos. What are they like for long travel? Are they OK with protracted times in your tow vehicle? Getting in to a campground late? If you answer yes to these, then go with the doable, and just get there!

And I still think the Upper Arkansas is your best bet to really experience Colorado. Drive like heck to get there, settle in, and then explore. Don't go moving around a lot; see everything that's been detailed in prior posts about the Upper Arkansas.

With 10 of you, I would not even consider RMNP and Estes Park. Potential for getting separated from each other would be increased, since EP is a madhouse in the summer months.

Whatever you decide, hope you and your family have a wonderful, safe trip!

Several comments in this thread refer to leaving from the east coast. Nashville TN is 700 miles from the east coast. That saves about 2 days driving each way. Nashville NC is another story :)

I'd take a different focus. 14 days isn't enough to do a grand tour of the West. Too much driving, too little touring.

Instead of trying to cover it all, pick a region, and cover it WELL. Save other parts of the West for another trip.

So look at what you want to actually SEE. What are your expectations? Do you want National Parks, like the Yellowstone or the Tetons? Are you looking for the Cowboy experience, like the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo? Do you want the desert, like the Grand Canyon? You probably can't do it all, so decide what's most important.

You could focus on the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Arches, Moab area, and spend 10 days doing those, plus drive time back and forth. That'd cover the desert part of the West.

Or you could aim farther north, and hit Yellowstone, the Tetons, and Cody. Maybe even head up to Glacier for a few days. Or skip Glacier and stop in the Black Hills and Devil's Tower for a couple of days on the way back. That'd take you through the mountains.

Keep the weather in mind, too, for the part of the year you're traveling in. Mid-summer? Going farther north might be better. The Grand Canyon/Moab area gets HOT, and sleeping 10 people in a camper when the AC won't keep up will make for long nights, not to mention hiking in heat you're not accustomed to during the day. Going early or late in the season? Roads in Yellowstone and Glacier can be closed due to snow far past when you'd normally expect. For example, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier often doesn't open until late June.

It can take a lot of planning.

padredw wrote:

I try to set my limit at 300 which equates to 6 hours drive time.

I completely agree with this, especially since I've just celebrated my 85th birthday this month! ;)

But we had a question from someone who wanted to go from Nashville on a trip to the West with only 14 days. That requires a bit of stretching the normal limits.

I have found that averaging 50 miles per hour is about right, but for me that does allow for fuel, bathroom, and lunch stops. Not speaking for everyone, but that works out for me over 160,000 miles towing a fifth wheel.

One other note: I like to start early in the day, especially in Summertime, then stop for leisurely lunch and still arrive in mid afternoon. No arrivals after dusk for me.

And you get a bonus when driving from Central Time to Mountain time. That's one day you get an extra hour (at least on the clock--and a bit on the sun.)

Also - on June 21st you will have the most daylight of the year - so yes you can.

You are only as Old as You Act - and I'm pretty sure that's a young 85.

Funny how the people with 6 weeks off, or are retired, or work for the government forget, about the rest of the world - only getting two weeks off and wanting to see the country, with the Kids.

Back in the early 70's - I loaded the DW into a 8 feet of luxury in the back of a 65 Chevy ½ ton – don’t think it had real plumbing but did have some running water and a great bed over the cab – had some sort of set up so you could crawl through the back window to gain access to the back – Was teaching Civics at the time and had my kids do a report on all the National Parks then in the summer of 1971 did the big loop with my wife, seeing the whole country, coast to coast in 21 days – then went to OC, MD to rest for a couple of days at the end. Remember .25 cent gas and having the mirror in most of the pictures. Mt Rushmore – YNP – Tetons – GNP – SLC – Reno – RWNP – SF – PCH - Disney – YNP – SNP – Las Vegas – GCNP – Moab - San Juan’s – RMNP – Denver – Smokies – Annapolis - Some people say don't even try unless you have more time - I say go for it - At least see it, even if it's just a drive through, so you can long to do it again - 9,000+ miles in 21 days, so don't tell me I can't - Maybe some can't but other's sure Can.

Might be a little of a stretch - but You can do it.

And Your Kids will Love you for It!

JMHO,

I try to set my limit at 300 which equates to 6 hours drive time.

I completely agree with this, especially since I've just celebrated my 85th birthday this month! ;)

But we had a question from someone who wanted to go from Nashville on a trip to the West with only 14 days. That requires a bit of stretching the normal limits.

I have found that averaging 50 miles per hour is about right, but for me that does allow for fuel, bathroom, and lunch stops. Not speaking for everyone, but that works out for me over 160,000 miles towing a fifth wheel.

One other note: I like to start early in the day, especially in Summertime, then stop for leisurely lunch and still arrive in mid afternoon. No arrivals after dusk for me.

And you get a bonus when driving from Central Time to Mountain time. That's one day you get an extra hour (at least on the clock--and a bit on the sun.)