Hello I would like to plan a trip from Pittsburgh to the Grand Canyon with my family. 10-14 days. Has anyone made this trip or can offer suggestions for routes, stopovers,things to see along the way, camping etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Reservations for the Grand Canyon is a must of course. That is a long drive and with 10 days, youll spend most of it driving back and forth, so google the fastest route, get there and spend as much time as you can before you turn around and go back (Driving an 8 hour day is pretty harsh in an RV/or pulling a trailer.)

Change the plan. It's too far and, unless you hike, too little time is spent at the South Rim. The average is three hours!Don't know the details of you family makeup but if you have kids I'd go instead to Cedar Point in Ohio which is the roller coaster capital of the world.Isn't the football hall of fame in Ohio and the rock n roll hall?Go the other way to the west end of the Erie Canal and take a boat ride out of Lockport.You could even drive to Springfield, IL and visit the Lincoln Museum. It's good for half a day at least. His tomb is there also. Some parts of the old Route 66 are there. Have a corn dog at the Cozy Inn.When in doubt do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the city, state or area in the blank space. You might even put Pittsburgh in there. BTW why is there an `h' at the end of Pittsburgh?

I agree that is a very aggressive plan but you could do it. Days 1-5 travel; days 6-8 Canyon; days 9-14 travel. Long 8 hour driving days, no time to see anything in between home and Canyon. Not a fun trip in my opinion but definitely doable.

sdianel wrote:I agree that is a very aggressive plan but you could do it. Days 1-5 travel; days 6-8 Canyon; days 9-14 travel. Long 8 hour driving days, no time to see anything in between home and Canyon. Not a fun trip in my opinion but definitely doable.This sounds like a really awful trip! And doubly so if there are kids involved. OP, if you only have 10-14 days, I would suggest you consider going someplace within 700 miles of your home. Drive for 2 long days and stay & play for 6-10 days. Or you could make a circuit, driving 2 days, resting 2 days, etc until you circle back to your home.

I must agree with all posters on this one. There is far more to do then seeing the south rim. there is the north, less people and better IMHO. There is lake powell to stay at and bryce canyon for prettier and Zion far more interesting and the cedars far easier to access. I could go on but you get the idea. This takes weeks not days to experience and you may just do this trip once,or not, but you need to see what the real deal is.

HELP!!! Trip planning | Good Sam Community

23 Replies

scbwr
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
The joy or retirement is to take longer trips and not push for higher miles per day to just get there! I would rather take a trip that doesn't take us as far and have each traveling day be enjoyable i.e. get on the road after breakfast and be off the road before dinner. And on our big trip out west (just a few days away), we've built in rest days so that we're not on the road more than 3 nghts before having a day off to relax and enjoy.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
Gmjordan1 wrote:
Matt
We have a 37' class a pusher now. We haven't really done anything far in it yet. We had a 36' fifth wheel previously. I too have done the 20 hr drives. We took the 5 th wheel to the keys every year & I would drive from Pittsburgh to Miami nonstop just so we could spend more time in the keys. I'm really trying to get away from that type of trip though. Actually what made me decide on the new motorhome & westward trip originally was when we were in Disney last year @ the hotel I was talking to a man from Ireland that came to travel the U.S. For 2 months. He was in total awe of our country,its size & scenery. Right then I realized that I'd been taking it for granted & decided it was time for myself & family to start enjoying all of it!

Gmjordan1,
Again, you are displaying that you have learned a lot along the way.
We have always been travelers, but with our coach and its huge HD wide screen windshield, we finally discovered what we had been missing. We have had similar experiences that caused us to do what have taken to doing.

So, take it slow and enjoy the ride....

Matt
2112
Explorer II
May 19, 2015
I know i'm a little late on this. Glad to see you decided against that long drive.

Sometimes it's more cost affective and schedule driven to park the rig and fly. Sometimes a shorter flyover trip makes more sense.

Don't miss out on everything Arizona has to offer.
bee_46
Explorer
May 18, 2015
For some New England suggestions:Gloucester, MA for a whale watch, and the little tourist town of Rockport, MA. You can also run up RT. 1 in Maine. Lots of little towns, lighthouses, etc as you make your way to Acadia NP. Be sure to get some lobster at one of the lobster pounds. We like Trention Lobster Pound just before Acadia.
New Hampshire has North Conway Railroad and Mt. Washington which you can either climb by car or cog railway.
I am sure others can give you some more ideas inland. Most of our New England trips have been along the coast.
Gmjordan1
Explorer
May 18, 2015
Matt
We have a 37' class a pusher now. We haven't really done anything far in it yet. We had a 36' fifth wheel previously. I too have done the 20 hr drives. We took the 5 th wheel to the keys every year & I would drive from Pittsburgh to Miami nonstop just so we could spend more time in the keys. I'm really trying to get away from that type of trip though. Actually what made me decide on the new motorhome & westward trip originally was when we were in Disney last year @ the hotel I was talking to a man from Ireland that came to travel the U.S. For 2 months. He was in total awe of our country,its size & scenery. Right then I realized that I'd been taking it for granted & decided it was time for myself & family to start enjoying all of it!
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
May 18, 2015
Gmjordan,

Discretion is the better part of valor. You have made a good choice.
We have a very comfortable coach and can split driving and navigating. We have done lots of 550+ days and even an 1100 mile day. We now only do this when we have no choice and even then it is not any fun at all.

You did not say what the rig is or what you have done with it in the past. Do Not plan to take the rig into the east coast traffic. That area is about 50~100 miles inland from Kittery Me, to Richmond Va. Get close and if you don't have a towed or TV, rent a passcar. There is a lot of history there and plenty of scenery. It is all close together (in western terms), so you can have fun time rather than road time.

Want to here a fun story?
When I was first in Michigan, I worked for a company that did RV products. We had coaches that we could sign out. We were working on a project with some Swedes and they were given the privilege as well. They decided that they would like to see the Grand Canyon one weekend. The had a hard time believing that it could be in the same country and that far away.

Matt
PghBob
Explorer
May 18, 2015
Consider the cog railway at Bretten Woods in New Hampshire. Your kids will love the train ride up to the top of Mt. Washington and marvel at the heavy chains used to hold the roof on the buildings. This is where the highest ever wind speeds were measured in the US. Head on over to Acadia NP in Maine and soak in the scenery. Take a boat ride and go whale watching. Stay in Camden Maine at the state park, and take some hikes for fantastic coastal views. Stay in a campground near public transit in Boston, and check out the historic venues in the city. Tour the USS Constitution in the harbor. Just a few things that come to mind. Safe travels.
scbwr
Explorer II
May 18, 2015
Years ago, we camped near Plymouth. Train access to Boston was good and we drove out to Cape Cod. Whale watches out of Plymouth are fun. You could also camp out on the cape and just take your time and have fun exploring the cape.
Gmjordan1
Explorer
May 18, 2015
Again,thank you all for the advice. After thinking about this more we've decided to go to New England this year & plan for a nice trip west for next year. Any New England suggestions? Lol
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 18, 2015
Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat'l Lakeshore in Michigan would be an awesome trip in that timeframe. The whole area around Traverse City and over to Lake Michigan is beautiful with lots to do and relaxing on the beach. From the park you can take a lazy canoe trip down the shallow Platte River and end up at a gorgeous beach on Lake Michigan.

You could drive up to the Mackinac Bridge and take the day ferry over to Mackinac Island. If the kids are old enough, rent bikes and tour the island (no cars allowed so no traffic to worry about - just horses).

This whole area is VERY popular so reservations are a must ASAP.