Alabama to Southern California

[jsparks12]

I am retiring in December and my dh and I are planning a trip from Alabama to Southern California in January 2019. We want to visit the south rim of Grand Canyon, Death Valley, Joshua Tree and other national parks on the way. Also, would like to see the coast. Looking for suggestions on route, must see sights, how many days needed to visit each park, etc. Please share any insight you might have in relation to campgrounds, weather in January. We would also like to include Sequoia and Kings Canyon but not sure if the weather would permit. Thanks in advance!

[mikestock]

Drove the MH to Glendale, AZ in early January 2015. We took the southern route, I-10, I-20. Hit some light snow accumulation in west Texas but could have been worse. You need to pay close attention to the forecasts. Like others said, altitude, more than latitude is greatest concern.

[Lwiddis]

You think Death Valley can get cold, try Ft. Irwin.

[jsparks12]

Great advice! Exactly what I was looking for. We were planning to go to big bend and Carlsbad caverns. We were hoping to go 20 and 10 out and i40 home. We will be in a travel trailer. I had no idea Death Valley would be that cold.

[2gypsies1]

In January (think snow/ice) plan to spend a couple months around I-10 areas. You don't want to travel higher than that in winter. Once you get to Arizona that would include at far north as the greater Phoenix area and down to Tucson and lower. Texas - you could go down the coast to south Texas.

Traveling in winter you need to keep a watch on the weather and look up the elevations of places you want to go. Pretty much anywhere where the elevation is 3,000' in elevation and above will be cold in Dec/Jan/Feb.

Enjoy that retirement. It's awesome to be able to take as long as you want for trips.

[the_bear_II]

X-2 for Trackrig's suggestion

[Trackrig]

While southern Cal may be warm, you'll be headed into some higher elevations where it won't be - could well be below freezing which could also mean snow.

We were in Death Valley two years ago in the winter and about froze with the low temps and howling wind. We had snow at the higher elevations. We were headed to the coast and thought we'd go through Sequoia, but they'd shut it down much earlier for the winter due to the early winter snows.

You might want to see the southern sights along Hwy 10, taking your time, and then come back through the higher locations in the spring before school is out and all of the families start traveling.

Also, what type of RV will you be using. It could make a difference for winter travel.

Bill

[Lwiddis]

Hopefully for us Californians, Kings Canyon and Sequoia NPs will be inaccessible in January 2019...snow...so don't plan on those two. A drive up CA Hwy. 1 from San Luis Obispo to Monterey is a fabulous idea. Don't let anyone scare you about the drive. What is your length? Plan on staying at Hearst San Simeon SP (Washburn area - dump and water available) and at Plaskett Creek USFS (no dump but has water). Monterey has some good city and county CGs once you get there. Best to have reservations for Plaskett however. The picture in my profile is Plaskett.