Our families 8 week RV Trip

[TurboJeep]

So here is our first BIG family trip. We bought a 2011 38' Fleetwood Expedition 38B last Oct. We are pulling a Jeep Wrangler as a toad. Going will be me(the driver), my wife, and 3 boys (ages 12,11, and 8). We've done a few trips now with it with complete success. Longest trip so far has been a week. Have driven it from Jax, Fl. to NJ and back too in a few days.

My wife has planned this trip since last summer. What do the experts(y'all) think about this trip? We leave June 22nd and come back Aug. 10th. We have some concerns about the trip. I feel like we may be just driving the whole time is my biggest one. Anyone willing to chime in. There are a few possible changes we may make. We can't extend the trip due to school for the kids. All reservations are made but still have time to change them. Thanks for any advice....





Day 1 Leave Jax, Fl. and drive to Gulf Shores, AL.

Day 2 Leave Gulf Shores, AL and drive to Henderson, LA.

Day 3 Leave Henderson and drive to Houston, TX.

Day 4-5 Sightsee in Houston

Day 6 Leave Houston and drive to San Antonio, TX.

Day 7 Sightsee in San Antonio

Day 8 Leave San Antonio and drive to Carlsbad, NM.

Day 9 Sightsee in Carlsbad

Day 10 Leave Carlsbad and drive to Tucson, AZ.

Day 11 Sightsee in Tucson

Day 12 Leave Tucson and drive to San Diego, CA.

Day 13-14 Sightsee in San Diego, CA.

Day 15 Leave San Diego and drive to Yosemite NP
Not sure yet. Is Yosemite worth only one night?

Day 16 Leave Yosemite and drive to San Francisco

Day 17-18 Sightsee in SF.

Day 19 Leave SF and drive to Ave. of the Giants

Day 20 Leave Ave. of the Giants and drive to Crater Lake, OR.

Day 21 Leave Crater Lake and drive to Seattle, WA.

Day 22-23 Sightsee in Seattle

Day 24 Leave Seattle and drive to Coeur D' Alene, ID.

Day 25 Leave Coeur D' Alene and drive to Missoula, MT.

Day 26 Sightsee in Missoula
side trip to Glacier National Park

Day 27 Leave Missoula and drive to Yellowstone NP.

Day 28-30 Sightsee Yellowstone and Grand Tetons

Day 31 Leave Yellowstone and drive to Salt Lake City, UT.

Day 32 Leave Salt Lake City and drive to Moab, UT.

Day 33 sightsee in Moab

Day 34 Leave Moab and drive to Grand Canyon

Day 35-37 Sightsee Grand Canyon

Day 38 Leave Grand Canyon and drive to Las Vegas, NV.

Day 39 Sightsee in Vegas

Day 40 Leave Las Vegas and drive to Sedona, AZ.

Day 41 Leave Sedona and drive to Albuquerque, NM.

Day 42 Leave Albuquerque and drive to Amarillo, TX.

Day 43 Leave Amarillo and drive to Oklahoma City, OK.

Day 44 Leave OK City and drive to Little Rock, AK.

Day 45 Leave Little Rock and drive to Meridian, MS.

Day 46 Leave Meridian and drive to Perry, Ga.

Day 47-50 Party at the South Eastern ShinDig

Day 51 Drive home to Jacksonville, Fl.

[4runnerguy]

TurboJeep wrote:
Are there any good places to stay around Yosemite that's not in the park incase we can't get more reservations? Again, we have only 1 night in the park but if we change the sched. and get more time, we obviously need somewhere to stay. Anyone?

One thing to consider is a first-come, first-served CG within the park. Check out this page for those options. Since you're already in the park, you'll have a bit of a jump on those just arriving. When we went, we couldn't get reservations so we stayed at Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Of course if you're there on the weekend, all bets are off.

We also boondocked just outside the park in this area. You'll see some of the boondocking spots were burned in the fire, but there were quite a few options on these roads.

[rp18104]

I second the suggestions that there is way too much time driving and not enough time enjoying and relaxing.

We're taking six weeks just to see Washington and Oregon (including RT from VA). It will be a long haul out there, but once we're there traveling from place to place will only take 2-3 hours every few days so the maximum amount of time will be spent actually enjoying our time there.

As a rule, we have learned that for every 4 hours the GPS tells you it will take, add at least an additional hour. Then there are unplanned things such as RV trouble, traffic jams, illness, etc. We had a flat tire on our (brand new) trailer last trip in a remote area and it cost us day and we had trouble with our Suburban and that cost us another day.

My recommendation would be to focus on one area - Four Corners Loop plus maybe UT and AZ. Or Four Corners and CO and WY. Don't go all the way to CA. Skip the big cities and focus on places that offer recreation that the whole family can enjoy (hiking, biking, rafting, swimming, animal life and so on). Driving through TX alone is a monumental task. Those western states are so much more vast than the eastern ones.

Plan at least one day a week to just chill and catch up on laundry and chores. KOA's are usually good spots for this because they have things for kids to do while you're busy.

It's great you're seeking advice from us veterans. You can learn from our mistakes!

Re: Carlsbad - it's awesome, but make sure you get tickets for a tour well in advance. All you can see without going on a tour is the Big Room.

A good phone app we've used is AllStays. Also check out rvparkreviews.com.

Reserve as early as possible for state and national parks and if you plan to stay in KOA's, they have a discount card (you have to buy it but it pays for itself). Check out Good Sam and Passport America for savings at private CG's.

Have a great trip!

[bee_46]

Just a little story of our trip "out west" with our children. In 1989 we loaded our two daughters, ages 13 and 9, and our little dog into our 22' motorhome and headed west from Maryland. Our trip was pretty much drive and stop to see what comes along the way. We rarely spent more than one night in a campground except the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Durango, Zion/Bryce area and Rapid City. We were on the road for 5 weeks. We rode the train in Durango, took a mule trip into the Grand Canyon, rode horsees in Yellowstone and Rapid City.


We did what time and money would allow. The girls handled all of the driving well and look back on the trip with many memories: good, funny, and not so good (stranded briefly on the Indian Reservation by Canyon de Chelly).

They never complained about the driving as they knew once we stopped they could run off energy in the campgrounds making new "friends" along the way.
We carried activities for the time in the motorhome and usually stopped during the day at some attraction (Fantastic Caverns, Walnut Canyon, Meteor Crater) that only required a few hours to break up the drive. This was before the advent of video games, ipods and ipads so they actually spent time enjoying the varying scenery.

So the purpose of my rambling on is to say, grab your boys, climb in your motorhome and go on your trip. If you find that time is not working out, you can always alter your route. Yes, you may be disappointed that you have to miss something, but in the end what will be remembered is what you did and what you saw, not what you didn't. We never got as far as California. Our girls didn't miss not seeing California because of all that they did get to see.

Go, Have Fun, and let us hear about your trip.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

djgarcia wrote:

TurboJeep wrote:
Main reason for going to SD is going to the Zoo. Like someone said, that Zoo just isn't everywhere. We also planned SD for the 4th of July. That's where we wanted to be to watch fireworks.

My main dread in this trip is LA on I5. Is there any way around LA to Yosemite without going to dreaded 120 which I've read isn't RV friendly?

Again, my wife and I have to say thank you to everyone for all the info. Wish I had done this sooner before our planning and making reservations. Are there any good places to stay around Yosemite that's not in the park incase we can't get more reservations? Again, we have only 1 night in the park but if we change the sched. and get more time, we obviously need somewhere to stay. Anyone?

An alternative to avoid L.A.--
1. Take i-5 north to Hwy. 57. Continue of 57 to 210 then head west to I-5. Take I-5 over the Grape. You then have a straight shot to Yosemite. Just take your time going over the Grape Vine and use that Exhaust Brake and lower gears going down. When you get to the top of the Grape Vine, get over in the far right hand lane with all the truckers so you can keep your speed down without backing up traffic:)

Is there a restriction on RV's at Tunnel View? Never had to check with my rig. I've taken I-5 and 99 to 41. I prefer coming in to Yosemite on 41 but never had to worry about the tunnel. The road is winding as is 120. Hwy 140? I don't remember.

[MarkTwain]

TurboJeep wrote:
Main reason for going to SD is going to the Zoo. Like someone said, that Zoo just isn't everywhere. We also planned SD for the 4th of July. That's where we wanted to be to watch fireworks.

My main dread in this trip is LA on I5. Is there any way around LA to Yosemite without going to dreaded 120 which I've read isn't RV friendly?

Again, my wife and I have to say thank you to everyone for all the info. Wish I had done this sooner before our planning and making reservations. Are there any good places to stay around Yosemite that's not in the park incase we can't get more reservations? Again, we have only 1 night in the park but if we change the sched. and get more time, we obviously need somewhere to stay. Anyone?

An alternative to avoid L.A.--
1. Take i-5 north to Hwy. 57. Continue of 57 to 210 then head west to I-5. Take I-5 over the Grape. You then have a straight shot to Yosemite. Just take your time going over the Grape Vine and use that Exhaust Brake and lower gears going down. When you get to the top of the Grape Vine, get over in the far right hand lane with all the truckers so you can keep your speed down without backing up traffic:)

[Roy_Lynne]

I feel your pain, I planned our first RV trip and it was just husband and I. I made reservations at places that I figured I would need reservations and played it by ear. Half way thru our trip, we got some bad gas in NV which caused the engine to stall, but we didn't know what was causing the problem. Took it to a mechanic, he worked on it, and couln't find much. 5 hours. Drove it to the next place,stalled again and took it in to another mechanic Now we are a day behind and my reservations are all messed up. Some places (KOA's) wouldn't work with me and kept my deposit. There are National Parks where you absolutely have to have reservations, but most places you can find a place to park and drive in.
BTW, if your only reason to see Seattle is the Space Needle, they have a taller one in San Antonio that you see and skip this whole NW corner. I mean there is tons to see and do in the PNW but save it for another year and another trip.

[2gypsies1]

I'm sure you're overwhelmed by now. However, I would like to add a few more comments.

- definitely check out one of the above poster's link 'Southwest Trip 2014' by Tragusa3. He began planning about a year prior for his big trip with the family. This forum gave him a lot of help and consequently, he did make changes to his original plan. Many of us have been to the planned sites and could give additional help and time needed.

- You have a Jeep. Moab is one of two of the best places for Jeeping. (The other would be Silverton, Colorado just north of Durango). The trails are awesome and unlike anywhere else. Your family would absolutely love getting out on those trails of slickrock. The scenery is beautiful.

- You planned to stay at Canyonlands - great place. Don't forget to tour Arches Nat'l Park nearby. Something the whole family would love is the ranger-led hike called 'Fiery Furnace'. Check it out on the park's website. You need reservations for it. Arches could take a couple day's time in itself.

- all of the national parks have excellent web sites with very helpful information such as 'Things to Do' and road updates. Also, hiking information and campgrounds. Check them out.

- if you get to the Grand Canyon, definitely hike down the Bright Angel Trail if only for 1/4 mile or so. It will give you an altogether different perspective of the massive canyon rather than just standing on top. Remember...going up is a LOT more difficult. Take lots of water.

I really hope you can shortened the miles for your trip. You'll enjoy it much more.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I said Coarsegold earlier for Hwy 41. I meant Oakhurst. There is a spot at High Sierra Campground in Oakhurst for July 6-9, $147 total. KOA on Hwy 140 also has availabilty, $85/night. There are other campgrounds off 140 but you have to call or email for reservations.

I think Oakhurst or Hwy 140 will be close to same daily drive into the park but if you are heading north after Yosemite it will be easier to camp on 140.

List of Campgrounds

[OutdoorPhotogra]

This is really messing with your reservations but what if you backtracked from SD to Moab and then come across Tioga Pass into Yosemite from the East. You might be able to get more time by switching your dates and hopefully being in Yosemite midweek.

Also, just checked again and your RV is 38'. That will limit you in Yosemite. I didn't think they could take over 35'. I just tried to check and I couldn't find a master list giving length restrictions. I found Wawona's limit by clicking on an available site.

BTW, fireworks are great in SD for 4th.

[toedtoes]

Since you mention SD for 4th of July, remember that traffic around the holiday will be worse than normal (which isn't good). If the zoo is in your non-negotiable places, then maybe skip one of the many national parks and spend a couple extra days in SD so you can avoid most of the holiday traffic.

[OutdoorPhotogra]

And I was one of the ones who mentioned SD zoo. If I can ever get stationed in San Diego I'll join as a member even if kids are grown and gone. The tropical fauna is as impressive as the animals.

Do you have the option of another trip next year? I keep saying Jax but I haven't doubled checked, you could get to CA in four days of full driving: 1. Gulf Shores 2. West of HOU 3. NM/AZ 4. SD.

Then, take three weeks in CA:
San Diego: Zoo, La Jolla, Gaslamp District
LA: La Brea Tar Pits, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Drive Pacific Coast Hwy through Malibu
(we've stayed at a campground in Pasadena near Disneyland.)
Morro Bay/Cambria with Pacific Coast Highway in Toad.
(I think you could take 101 between LA and Morro Bay in RV but defer to locals on that.
Sequoia/Kings Canyon (although Mariposa Grove in Yosemite is a good way to see Sequoias in a time crunch),
Camp east of SF and take one day in city
Yosemite,
Finish up with a day at Lake Tahoe and come home on East side of Sierras or cross Tioga Pass but again I defer if Tioga Pass is doable in an RV and Toad. I've only driven that twice and it was in a truck not towing.)

[OutdoorPhotogra]

There is no good way through or around LA. I just did a google maps and it says 6 hours and 20 minutes from SD Zoo to Yosemite. No way in *****. I'm on my phone so I can't force a route real well but you could take I-15 East of LA to 395 to 58 which will get you to 99 at Bakersfield. You can force that route in a computer and see how long it says. You will still need to time I-15 right but near as much as I-5.

From there it's easy. Fresno to SD is 6 hours 99 to I-5 if you time it right. 9 hours if you don't. I just don't think I'd want to drive I-5 at anytime of day with an RV except maybe 0300 in the morning.


On Yosemite, Your three main options are Coursegold on 41, and then off 120 or 140 NW of the park. Coarsegold is probably an hour to Tunnel View. Another 20 minutes to Curry Village in the summer. Where is your reservation? There is a little town called Fish Camp just south of the Hwy 41 entrance but I don't think there is an RV Park there. We've camped off 120 before but you have to go over a pass so it was a solid hour from the campground to the valley. I don't remember the name, sorry, but there are lots of options. We've camped off 140 once as well and I think it was closer but it's been 6 years and just don't remember. With a pop-up and the bears, we usually rented one of the Curry Village options. As a relative local, we also visted off-season so it was easy to get a heated tent or room. Where is your reservation?

[TurboJeep]

Main reason for going to SD is going to the Zoo. Like someone said, that Zoo just isn't everywhere. We also planned SD for the 4th of July. That's where we wanted to be to watch fireworks.

My main dread in this trip is LA on I5. Is there any way around LA to Yosemite without going to dreaded 120 which I've read isn't RV friendly?

Again, my wife and I have to say thank you to everyone for all the info. Wish I had done this sooner before our planning and making reservations. Are there any good places to stay around Yosemite that's not in the park incase we can't get more reservations? Again, we have only 1 night in the park but if we change the sched. and get more time, we obviously need somewhere to stay. Anyone?

[OutdoorPhotogra]

toedtoes wrote:
I like the limits! That pushes everyone to really think about what's most important to them.

The learning opportunity is priceless. I remember taking my 13 year old niece to Monterey for a day trip. When she got in the car, I gave her a map, a guidebook, a notepad, and a pen. I told her to do the same thing - figure out what she wanted to see, the priority of each, and then to work out the logistics (which to see first, second, etc. and which to skip). I remember her comment afterwards: this is just like those word problems in math.

YES! She got it! 🙂

:B

[toedtoes]

I like the limits! That pushes everyone to really think about what's most important to them.

The learning opportunity is priceless. I remember taking my 13 year old niece to Monterey for a day trip. When she got in the car, I gave her a map, a guidebook, a notepad, and a pen. I told her to do the same thing - figure out what she wanted to see, the priority of each, and then to work out the logistics (which to see first, second, etc. and which to skip). I remember her comment afterwards: this is just like those word problems in math.

YES! She got it! 🙂