How to make a quick trip when you don't have time to drive

You pretty much only want to fly to Denver as connecting flights to most other airports are out of DIA, save for the odd direct flights to the Springs, Grand Junction (worth flying to GJ than driving 5-6 hours) or Eagle County in the winter.

Bella Vista, which boarders the Missouri state line. I got a trip in Sept planned. Fly to Denver, rent a car and just do some exploring around the Rockies then go to the Razorback game against Colorado St in Fort Collins.

That will give me an idea of how to approach the fly to destinations.

I can relate to the OP, family still works the 8-5 gig, like a lot of us out there that have not got the time to go far. Like others leave on Friday after work get back on Sunday. I don't like to take 4hrs plus drives just for weekend.
I also in a club with most of the members being retired or for few that do work, have easier time getting off for say longer weekend than I do. I still try to make most that I can.

Here is what I can throw out to OP, family went to Colorado Springs for vacation , drove car spent few nights at RV park in a cabin which was fun. We would like to return area again but with trailer this time. Live in OKC so it is about 10-11 hr trip depending on route, I was going to leave after work on Friday drive 1/2 way , get up drive the rest, would could arrive early in day , and leave following Friday and do same thing with having Sunday as rest day.

TO OP what part of NW AR do you reside?

Is it only you or is there a family involved?

Would you enjoy some tent camping?

For your first trip West you could purchase tenting equipment when you arrive by plane to Denver or Colorado Springs. Then rent a car and mix it up with tenting in the national parks/national forests or staying in cabins or motels, depending on the weather. Cabins/hotels in the parks themselves are typically more expensive than just outside the parks in nearby towns.

If you plan to use the Denver/Colorado Springs airports all the time for your trips then rent a small storage unit for your camping gear & it will be ready for your next trip.

If, after your first trip you want to plan to fly into another western airport then end your tenting at that airport; find your storage locker at that area, leave your camping gear there.

This could get expensive over a long period of time but for 2-4 nice vacations out West each year it might pay for it with the time you'll save and more time to explore.

A plus would be if you knew someone in the Western states that could store your tenting equipment for you.

I agree. In addition, domestic flights don't require you to be there 3 hours before the flight. And for a 5 day trip, you could do carry on only and skip the baggage claim.

Go to regular travel forums (lonely Planet, fodors, etc.) and get suggestions on the best airport to fly into for the area you want to visit, recommended hotels, rental car tips, etc.

RVrs in general are going to be less positive about air travel and hotels and will have less current advice and information on how to make it a positive experience. So, talk to folks who do air and hotel travel by preference to get that help.

Absolutely.

You just provided the top options. No magical solution here.

Crowe wrote:
You can fly and rent an RV but that will be expensive. Also, by the time you figure departing 3hr before the flight, 2hr flying & 2hr to collect bags and pick up the rental...you've already got the equivalent time to 500 miles driving...in the end, your 4 day trip is really a 2 day trip when you remove the travel days.

It rarely takes 2 hours to pick up bags and a rental. In 2.5 hours of flight time from Boston I can be in Florida. If I drive and I am REALLY lucky in those 9 hours you talk about I might be able to make it to Washington, DC, IF there is no traffic. I am also much more rested and relaxed when I fly as I can sleep on the plane and possibly even salvage 1/2 day on either travel day depending on where I am headed.

I agree. In addition, domestic flights don't require you to be there 3 hours before the flight. And for a 5 day trip, you could do carry on only and skip the baggage claim.

Go to regular travel forums (lonely Planet, fodors, etc.) and get suggestions on the best airport to fly into for the area you want to visit, recommended hotels, rental car tips, etc.

RVrs in general are going to be less positive about air travel and hotels and will have less current advice and information on how to make it a positive experience. So, talk to folks who do air and hotel travel by preference to get that help.

breeves2245 wrote:
but for now would like to visit some of the west without driving.

There is no magic.

You can't always HAVE what you want.

I think some adjustment of your expectations is needed.

If your going to retire in a few years, don't be to concerned, it'll still be there when you get there. That way you'll have more time to enjoy it. and also keep this in mind, the west is a very big place.

I feel for the OP. Being a long way from where you want to be is a pain. I am in a similar situation. Home is in Bermuda. Truck & trailer is stored in MD. My door to trailer door is over 24 hours which consists of 1/2hr car ride, 1 1/2hr plane ride, 5 hr layover, 45 minute plane ride, 1 hr shuttle bus ride, overnight hotel, 1/2hr drive to storage place.

Quite the expedition. The good news is that once at the trailer we are on the road for a minimum of 2 months.