Florida to Grand Canyon and sites along the way

[kimsfa]

Planning a trip from South Florida to the Grand Canyon (including Bryce, Zion, Hoover Dam, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, etc). This will be in November so trying to figure best route for comfortable driving and site seeing along the way. Route, camp, must see suggestions?
Also, even though we have a destination in mind, we want to enjoy the trip there and back - how far do you drive per day? Any apps or sites that will help you calculate a distance to see where are the best places to stay? Would be great to say - leaving point A and willing to travel 250-300 miles to point B - what is around point B.... does that make sense?

Thank you for all your help!

[padredw]

Thank you, djsamuel, glad that you found the route helpful. We just came back that way from Santa Fe--except that we go on to Paris, TX then take TX 271 to Pittsburg, TX and on home through the Farm to Market roads. That, of course, is because of where we live.

So the only part of the route I recommend that I am less familiar with is US 69 to Bells, TX, near Sherman.

Sherman is one of the easiest towns to go through, hardly slow up at all but Gainsville is one of the worst; slow to 35 and hit every traffic light in town. But that is a small price to pay compared to the DFW traffic and especially along US 380 through McKinney and Denton, which is the way we always used to go--and it looks so direct on the map.

[djsamuel]

padredw wrote:

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again: unless you are going to stop in Dallas as a destination, there is a much better route to join US-287. Take US 69 from near Tyler to go up to Sherman and join US 82 and then on to US 287 near Wichita Falls. This way avoids all the complications of DFW traffic.

We followed your advice when traveling from Florida to the Grand Canyon a couple of years ago. It was excellent advice and really enjoyed the drive much more than driving through Dallas. Other than some road construction in Wichita Falls on our return trip, the route was uneventful and well worth it.

[catkins]

Check the "normal" annual temps as by then it can be very cold and even snowy at some elevations/areas. Lots of great things to see and do. Hope you have a great trip!

[russkerri]

For our family, the amount of miles we travel in a day is determined by how much we want to see along the way. Some days, we only do 200 miles of driving and lots of exploring, but we've done as much as 600 miles when we were ready to trek home quickly.

We went from Missouri to California last summer (taking I-40, the general route for Route 66) and stopped at the Grand Canyon. I have a blog page linking to what we explored in each state: Birdy Goes West

We didn't make it up to Utah, but we loved exploring Arizona and NM.

[agesilaus]

We, when we didn't have as much time, would push the distance the first two or three days out until we got to interesting landscape. Maybe do 500 miles a day, tho we have done more, then slow down.

[padredw]

Yes, I agree with the post above, but here is an example of an itinerary with stops between 250 and 325 miles:

First stop after Tallahassee could be Spanish Fort, AL 255 mi and there is Meaher State Park. I have not stayed there but it has good reviews.

Second stop in the neighborhood of Lafayette, LA 262 miles. We have stayed at Bayou Wilderness RV Park, but there are several other good choices in the area.

Third stop, Tyler State Park, just a few miles off I-20, 296 miles

Fourth stop, Ole Town Cotton Gin 325 miles from Tyler SP--see my post above. You just have to get across Texas!

Fifth stop, Tucumcari, NM 245 miles. We have stayed at the Mountain Road RV Park. Of course, I would push on to Santa Fe but that would be just over 400 miles, so I put in Tucumcari.

Sixth stop. I am still recommending Santa Fe/Albuquerque which would be less than 175 from Tucumcari or 415 from Ole Town.

Flagstaff, AZ is only 310 miles from Alburquerque.

This is just one example. I enjoy trip planning. I am using a 10 year old program to plan this itinerary: The Trailer Life Campground Navigator 2010. Unfortunately, in spite of all my entreaties Trailer Life has not provided this program since the 2010 model, but I have found nothing comparable for trip planning. I use Google Maps and RV Park Reviews to get more up to date information, but The Navigator is the best resource I have for actually planning stops on a map with miles and hours per day.

[jaycocamprs]

kimsfa wrote:

Thank you so much! This is all great advice. We are trying to see if we can swing the time for this year or maybe do a little shorter trip this year to do a month next year. We are not opposed to driving but half the fun is seeing everything along the way and enjoying the experience. If we didn't live in such a southern point, that would make some things easier for sure. Trying to keep most driving closer to 200-250 miles per day and then spending a few nights in the Canyon area, we are at 24 nights already for the round trip. Plus anything we miss on the way there, we can hit on the way back -or take a completely different route.

Bumping up to 350/400 will take days off your travel time. Days that you can use in the Grand Canyon area, or some place on the way. I would much rather do 6 longer days with a day off in the middle than 8 or 9 days with no break. And time setting up and tearing down is just waste.

[micpib1]

We are currently in Camp Verde at the Distant Drums RV Park. The food and service at the casino was good. Love the RV park, decent Wi-Fi, good pool, met lots of really nice people. We just left Williams, AZ after spending a few days there. We rode the train up to the Grand Canyon from Williams. We enjoyed the train ride up and back, they give you about 3.5 hrs to check out the South Rim, that worked for us. The grandkids rode the Zipline ride in town and we ate lots of good food while there and we will go back again with another load of grandkids. JH

[2gypsies1]

Bring warm clothes. November could be iffy.

[kimsfa]

padredw wrote:

The route we would follow is I-10W to I-49N in Louisiana. Then take that to I-20W and follow that to Dallas. Get on US-287 to Amarillo. Just south of Amarillo is Palo Duro State Park which is a good place to spend a day or two.

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again: unless you are going to stop in Dallas as a destination, there is a much better route to join US-287. Take US 69 from near Tyler to go up to Sherman and join US 82 and then on to US 287 near Wichita Falls. This way avoids all the complications of DFW traffic.

Now to some of your other questions. I have learned that 300 miles is a good limit for me, but you may need to make more than that to reach your destination in the time that you have. I will give you an example of the kind of plans you may need to make.

Assuming that you make your first stop somewhere in the vacinity of Tallahassee (around 400 miles) you could reach a couple of nice state parks off I-12 in Louisiana: Fontainbleau or just up the road Fairview/Riverside. I've stayed at both, lately I prefer Fairview/Riverside. That would be 390+ miles.

Next day could bring you into East Texas (where I live). Many good choices. Miss Ellie's is a commercial park in Waskom, TX just across the state line, but there are many choices. If you need a break there is Caddo Lake State Park or Tyler State Park. Should be nice at that time of year. In my opinion it would be worth a "rest day" to stay at one of them. Tyler state park is very convenient to I-20. Travel to Tyler State Park from Fairview/Riverside would be around 400 miles.

From Tyler State Park a good overnight stop would be Ole Town Cotton Gin in Goodlett, TX. It is just that, an overnight, but a good one. Full hook-up and level sites. We never unhook from our fifth-wheel. Nothing to do but watch TV and sleep.

Another day and 400+ miles would bring you to Santa Fe, NM. OK, I'm prejudiced. I would make that little jaunt up to Santa Fe in preference to Alburquerque. But you could easily split an extra day between the two of them and wind up back on I-40.

That would leave another 400 mile day to the Grand Canyon.

These would be long days for me, but this is one example of the kind of planning that might go into such a trip. I have made almost every mile of it (not on one trip!) Just made the trip back from Santa Fe to East Texas two weeks ago. Will be glad ot answer any questions based on my experience

Thank you so much! This is all great advice. We are trying to see if we can swing the time for this year or maybe do a little shorter trip this year to do a month next year. We are not opposed to driving but half the fun is seeing everything along the way and enjoying the experience. If we didn't live in such a southern point, that would make some things easier for sure. Trying to keep most driving closer to 200-250 miles per day and then spending a few nights in the Canyon area, we are at 24 nights already for the round trip. Plus anything we miss on the way there, we can hit on the way back -or take a completely different route.

[kimsfa]

agesilaus wrote:
The route we would follow is I-10W to I-49N in Louisiana. Then take that to I-20W and follow that to Dallas. Get on US-287 to Amarillo. Just south of Amarillo is Palo Duro State Park which is a good place to spend a day or two. They have a good dinner play theater that is worth going to. Then back up to I-40W. If you like urban areas then check out Albuquerque, past that there is Chaco Canyon to the north, you don't say what RV you have but that road into that park is rough dirt.

There are quite a few state parks on both sides of I-40 and El Malpais NM if you want to see a lot of lava. When you get into AZ then you'll hit Petrified Forest and further along Barringer meteor crater.

You'll pass Walnut Canyon (Indian Ruins) on the way to US-64 to Grand Canyon South Rim. Follow 64 out of GCNP to US-89 follow that up into Utah passing some other small National Parks/Monuments along the way. Once in Utah, check out Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP and then Zion->Bryce Canyon-> Arches/Canyonlands -> Capital Reef. You can divert east into CO for Mesa Verde the best of the Indian Ruins type parks. Hovenweep NM, Goosenecks SP, Natural Bridges NM, Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley are all in the same area and Cortez CO is a good central point to camp while seeing all of them. Monticello UT is a good spot to camp for the Needles District of Canyonlands.

We've done this any number of times starting from north Florida. 300 Miles/day is a good target. Some of these parks (Bryce in particular) are at high altitude and snow is possible in November.

Thank you for good information! We just got a 2008 Jayco Jay Feather (25') so we are super excited to begin exploring the country. We did all around the state of FL last year in a small 10' trailer and LOVED it... wanted to get A/C and heat to be able to go further and be self sufficient. We love the State Parks and had a great time learning more about our state last year. We are a little concerned about the weather but due to our jobs our only options for travel will always be November thru Feb/March. Just like FL (when you are in the south) Texas takes forever to get through!

[padredw]

The route we would follow is I-10W to I-49N in Louisiana. Then take that to I-20W and follow that to Dallas. Get on US-287 to Amarillo. Just south of Amarillo is Palo Duro State Park which is a good place to spend a day or two.

I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again: unless you are going to stop in Dallas as a destination, there is a much better route to join US-287. Take US 69 from near Tyler to go up to Sherman and join US 82 and then on to US 287 near Wichita Falls. This way avoids all the complications of DFW traffic.

Now to some of your other questions. I have learned that 300 miles is a good limit for me, but you may need to make more than that to reach your destination in the time that you have. I will give you an example of the kind of plans you may need to make.

Assuming that you make your first stop somewhere in the vacinity of Tallahassee (around 400 miles) you could reach a couple of nice state parks off I-12 in Louisiana: Fontainbleau or just up the road Fairview/Riverside. I've stayed at both, lately I prefer Fairview/Riverside. That would be 390+ miles.

Next day could bring you into East Texas (where I live). Many good choices. Miss Ellie's is a commercial park in Waskom, TX just across the state line, but there are many choices. If you need a break there is Caddo Lake State Park or Tyler State Park. Should be nice at that time of year. In my opinion it would be worth a "rest day" to stay at one of them. Tyler state park is very convenient to I-20. Travel to Tyler State Park from Fairview/Riverside would be around 400 miles.

From Tyler State Park a good overnight stop would be Ole Town Cotton Gin in Goodlett, TX. It is just that, an overnight, but a good one. Full hook-up and level sites. We never unhook from our fifth-wheel. Nothing to do but watch TV and sleep.

Another day and 400+ miles would bring you to Santa Fe, NM. OK, I'm prejudiced. I would make that little jaunt up to Santa Fe in preference to Alburquerque. But you could easily split an extra day between the two of them and wind up back on I-40.

That would leave another 400 mile day to the Grand Canyon.

These would be long days for me, but this is one example of the kind of planning that might go into such a trip. I have made almost every mile of it (not on one trip!) Just made the trip back from Santa Fe to East Texas two weeks ago. Will be glad ot answer any questions based on my experience

[trailertraveler]

There a lot to see along I-40 between Amarillo and the Grand Canyon. As mentioned there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Big Texan on Old Route 66.

In New Mexico, Tucumcari still has dinners along Historic Route 66 and numerous murals painted on buildings plus other attractions like the foundry and dinosaur museum at the college. Santa Rosa is another Route 66 town and has the The Blue Hole and Santa Rosa Lake State Park which has a nice campground.

In Albuquerque, the Pueblo Cultural Center and Petroglyph National Monument are worth visiting in my opinion.

In Grants, there is the Mining Museum. Just South of I-40 going West from Grants are El Malpais National Monument, El Moro National Monument and the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano.

Acoma Sky City is said to be the longest occuppied location in the U.S. They give tours of the pueblo and there is an RV park next to the casino.

On the way to Flagstaff along I-40 are Petrified Forest National Park, Meteor Crater and Homolovi Ruins State Park. You can stand on the corner in Winslow Arizona.

In the Flagstaff area are Sunset Crater National Monument, Wupatki National Monument, and Walnut Canyon National Monument.

Sedona/Camp Verde/Cottonwood are about an hour South of Flagstaff with Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well National Monuments, Tuzigoot National Monument, Palatki and Honaki Ruins, V-Bar-V Heritage Site, Verde Canyon Railroad, Fort Verde State Park, Cathedral Rock, Gold King Mine, Jerome State Historic Park in the area. There is a nice campground at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood.

All this before you even get to the Grand Canyon.

[agesilaus]

The route we would follow is I-10W to I-49N in Louisiana. Then take that to I-20W and follow that to Dallas. Get on US-287 to Amarillo. Just south of Amarillo is Palo Duro State Park which is a good place to spend a day or two. They have a good dinner play theater that is worth going to. Then back up to I-40W. If you like urban areas then check out Albuquerque, past that there is Chaco Canyon to the north, you don't say what RV you have but that road into that park is rough dirt.

There are quite a few state parks on both sides of I-40 and El Malpais NM if you want to see a lot of lava. When you get into AZ then you'll hit Petrified Forest and further along Barringer meteor crater.

You'll pass Walnut Canyon (Indian Ruins) on the way to US-64 to Grand Canyon South Rim. Follow 64 out of GCNP to US-89 follow that up into Utah passing some other small National Parks/Monuments along the way. Once in Utah, check out Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP and then Zion->Bryce Canyon-> Arches/Canyonlands -> Capital Reef. You can divert east into CO for Mesa Verde the best of the Indian Ruins type parks. Hovenweep NM, Goosenecks SP, Natural Bridges NM, Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley are all in the same area and Cortez CO is a good central point to camp while seeing all of them. Monticello UT is a good spot to camp for the Needles District of Canyonlands.

We've done this any number of times starting from north Florida. 300 Miles/day is a good target. Some of these parks (Bryce in particular) are at high altitude and snow is possible in November.