Trip through Canada and Northern US - out of towners!

[Evetsgold]

Hi, firstly, this is my first post, apologies if I've posted in the wrong sub-forum.

Secondly, I am from Australia and my wife and I are planning a RV trip through Canada and North US in September with our as yet unborn but by September 6 month old child. We both enjoy the outdoors and hiking and for some crazy reason feel like doing this with a 6 month old will be fun! We've done a lot of travel, including backpacking and hiking through South America, but have not visited any of the US parks except for a day at the Grand Canyon. I did a ski season in Banff about 13 years ago and have always wanted to get back in the summer.

We are in the very early planning stages and so far have pencilled in Vancouver, Banff NP, Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP, Portland and Seattle over about a 4 week period.

I have a few questions I'm hoping to get some help on.

Firstly, are we crazy taking a 6 month old on a trip like this? in my mind it seems like a good trip to do with a baby, not having to pack up and move hotels each day, and having a bit more of a fluid itinerary if we're having problems with the child. Please talk me out of it if I'm stupid thinking this is a good idea. And I have assumed the RV will have points to attach a car seat but have not researched this.

Secondly, are we biting off too much or not enough with the rough itinerary we've pencilled over 4 weeks? Traditionally we move faster than the guide books suggest but I am conscious that we'll be moving slower with a baby. I know how draining it can be driving long distances (having done plenty of that in Australia). On the surface the distances don't look too bad but I'd be keen to get advice from people who have actually driven it and I know it will be much more slow going in an RV.

Thirdly, are there any must sees within the general loop I've proposed that we need to get to?

Fourthly, is it more cost effective to rent an RV in Canada or US? We have not booked flights yet and could easily fly in to either Vancouver or Seattle.

Fifthly, any suggestions on the size we should be looking at for an RV which will be comfortable but not too unweildly or expensive to run?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! Cheers, Steve.

[Evetsgold]

I've done a bit more research this afternoon and it's definitely going to be much more cost effective for us to rent an RV on the Canadian side.

Have had a bit of a better look at the 'loop' we could probably do Banff to Yellowstone/Grand Teton loop (flying in and out of calgary), coming down the Montana side and back up the Idaho side, and skipping the big hauls back over the coast. To me this seems like a much more manageable route. If we decide to go to Seattle and/or Portland, we can just fly there rather than try to manage big cities with an RV.

[Evetsgold]

Thanks for all the great info guys.

It seems the thoughts on September are mixed. We're not locked in to September by any means, I'm just conscious that the North American holidays are July & August and would rather miss this. I'd prefer to take the odd camp ground being closed and no crowds than everything open and really busy, but I'll do some more research on it. In Australia our first month of Autumn (Fall) is the best weather of the whole year, but we also don't have as bigger mountains and are closer to the equator than the North of US & Canada.

Thanks for the feedback on travelling with a baby. It seems do-able, I'll do some more research on RVs that can handle child seats and that sort of thing.

Yes the Australian Dollar is going the same way as the Canadian Dollar against the USD, which makes me think it will be cheaper renting up there. Again, I'll do some research on this.

Thanks for the suggested itineraries Crowe. I thought the loop might be a bit much. The only issues with those itineraries I can see is different start and end points (or a big drive back to base). I doubt there would be RV rentals that allow a pick up in Canada and a drop off in US, but I'll check it out anyway.

[DrewE]

In terms of motorhome size, for the class C's that typically get rented there's not much of a difference in operating expense for the various sizes—they all get nearly the same (rather abysmal) gas milage, somewhere around 8 mpg (US) or 30 l/100 km at typical highway speeds.

For driving down the road, extra length makes next to no difference in how hard it is. For maneuvering in tight places like gas stations and campsites and parking lots, longer is somewhat more cumbersome and takes a little more forethought. On the whole, though, I wouldn't consider the difficulty in driving to be the main concern for selecting which size to get. Rather, I'd suggest comparing on price and on what provides the interior facilities you need and want.

Do double-check that whatever firm you rent from allows crossing the national border. I would guess that practically any Canadian rental would allow that, but quite possibly some US ones would not.

[Mr_Biggles]

Banff and area campgrounds are open to early October. Camping can be very beautiful at this time of the year , but be prepared for cool nights in the -5C range at night , especially in the Banff area.
Check Canada's National Parks website pc.gc.ca. for closing dates.

[Crowe]

Word of caution in Seattle: Do NOT leave valuables in your vehicle. They have a HUGE break-in problem.

We started camping with my son when he was 8 months old, in a tent. Yes, it was difficult due to the amount of extra gear that we had to take and trying to keep him on a schedule, but not undoable. Also keep in mind you will be in bear country, which presents it's own set of issues. Be extremely flexible-there are going to be times when you can't do anything because of the baby's schedule. September may actually be preferable to the warmer weather as a baby that age is unable to sweat and may be more comfortable if it's cooler.

Your schedule, I think, is too aggressive. That's a lot of driving. Having been to all of those places except Portland you would not be doing them justice by spending only a few days in each. Here's what I personally would do:

I would do Banff, Jasper (4.5 hours north of Banff), Yellowstone and Grand Teton (possibly add Glacier/Waterton, flying into Calgary). If you choose to fly into the states, go to Idaho Falls and not Jackson, WY. It's generally less expensive and the trip through Idaho to Montana is stunning.

OR

Vancouver, Victoria (fantastic city, one of our favorites) Seattle, Olympic NP and Portland. We did Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle and Olympic in one two-week trip. Portland is not far from Seattle-about 3 hours. You could possibly add another spot such as one of the other national parks in WA State.

Either of the above itineraries would allow you to slow down, spend less time in the RV, and allow for changes in plans if there are any issues, baby-related or otherwise. That time of year you can "plan on the fly" as the parks and campgrounds are much less crowded so reservations are not an absolute necessity except on Labor Day weekend as stated above.

Where to rent an RV will be based on how strong your currency is against the US dollar or Canadian dollar. Right now the CAD is trading on almost a par with the AUD but the AUD is only worth about 70 US cents. At this point in time renting in Canada is more economical than in the US but it's hard to say what may be the case in September.

Your decision should be based not only on economics and ease of travel, but ability to travel. One child now, two kids 3 years from now, etc. If this might be your only chance, go for it. Even if it isn't and you are willing to take the additional responsibilities and inconveniences of traveling with a young child then I would go.

[obgraham]

Different view here: We've traveled to all those areas in September/October and to us it is the best time of year. Less crowded, beautiful skies/leaf shows, etc.

Sure, some places will be closing up, particularly in Canada and Yellowstone area, but plenty will still be open. And though you can get snow in those areas, it's not common, and all you do is wait it out. Northwest US will be fine in September.

Years ago we Rental-RV'd in the Southwest with a 6 week old, and then again with twin 6-month-olds. As long as you are equipped, you all will be just fine, especially if you use the built-in food supply.

I recommend you at least check on campgrounds along your route to be sure there are some open. You will not need reservations at that time of year except on Labor Day weekend.

[Dr_Quick]

I agree with Jim Shoe, weather will be iffy and parks closing.

[Tripalot]

Before making any decisions, I would check the money factor. I have no idea how US or Canadian dollars stack up compared to your Australian $. The Canadian $ is at an all time low against the US dollar. I would do the math with the exchange rates and see what makes the most sense. It might affect your decision to just stay in one country. Also, checking on rental of an RV, just make sure whatever you rent can be taken across the border from one country to the other. Check on drop off fees as well if you can't return it to your point of rental.

Ditto above remarks on weather in the Canadian mountains in September.

Good luck with all your planning - I think travelling with a 6 month old should be good - you won't have the worry of a wandering child at that age.

[Jim_Shoe]

Here's a link to Weatherbase. It will show weather averages for many cities and towns within each state, by month, over several years. Its a free app, and you can choose degrees C or degrees F.
Coming from the southern hemisphere where summer is just starting, you'll be coming to the northern hemisphere where winter is just starting, especially in the northwest due to altitude above sea level. Many RV parks and campgrounds will be closed for the season, and there will be snow.
I'd suggest that you wait until your winter is starting down under and chase the good weather.