Planning a trip from Chicago to southwest

If you're wondering if your rig will be able to tackle the rockies, the answer is yes. While you might not be the fastest rig on the road, your set up will easily handle any of the roads and hills. The only caveat being the Million Dollar Hwy between Durango and Ourey is not for the faint of heart. We've done it with no problems but there are lots of switchbacks and no guard rails. This can be unnerving to drivers not accustomed to heights and such.

The other caveat I would offer is make reservations early. There are thousands of visitors to each of those places every year. Reservations are a must and make them as early as possible. With fuel prices remaining low, there will be loads of tourists this year....Enjoy the trip, friendly people and beautiful spectacular scenery.....Dennis

With 1980's 34' Bounder I made it to 12,000'+ elevation in Colorado, so everything is doable when you are not scared of driving.
Worse come to worse, you will unhook the toad.
I like to take my long vacations Gypsy- style. No planning beside rough estimate when I want to get there.
Enjoy the trip.

Don't completely rely on GPS. Some areas of the Southwest are quite desolate, and GPS can occasionally lead you astray.

Check out the Zion tunnel information on the NPS website. Tunnel is on Hwy 9 on the east side of Zion. You need to pay for an escort through the center.

There are lots more sites to see in the Southwest to add to your list!

Route 66?

Get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help road planning.

It's going to be hot - just be aware. I agree on getting reservations ASAP. Even though this time of year (Aug-Sep) is lower-season than springtime, those are still popular areas. Worth the visit, though!

x2 on Mountain Directory West.

August is way too hot to sitesee in the Southwest - 110+ in some areas. Sept is better and October is perfect.

We just returned from two weeks in Springdale & Moab Utah & I agree with others August/September would be too hot for me. Maybe not for you though. Your rig will be fine pulling any pass out west. The slow lane will be chocked full with semi's, RV's, etc. all crawling up the pass so everyone is in the same boat. All of my rigs including the newest all heat up a bit on a long pull that's another reason why I would not choose that time of yesr but that's just me.

mrsportys wrote:
We have a tow dolly, easily been thru the "hills" around Chattanooga ,
now we want to travel for a month plus out southwest.
Durango,
Moab,
Grand Canyon,
Santa Fe,
Zion
in our 36' bounder.
Any thoughts on roads to travel?
We're going mid August,September
Thanks!

Roads to travel - Head South to Rt 36 then West to Denver/Rockies - Head to the San Juan's for all of August and September (Durango and Santa Fe could be day trips or saved till next Spring).(Rt 6 - I-70 - Rt 91 - Rt 24 - Rt 285 - Rt 50 - Rt 550 - Rt 62 - Rt 145)

Then Head West after the Temperature is less uncomfortable on your body. Head out through Mesa Verde - to Monument Valley then on to Page and Lake Powell/Antelope Canyon, Catch the North Rim then on up to Zion and Bryce to Rt 12 and the Utah State Parks (Kodachrome - Escalante and Goblins) Capital Reef to Moab/Arches/Canyonlands Out Rt 128 to I-70 slide on up to Dinosaur NM Across to Lake Granby/RMNP then down Rt 9 to I-70 - Rt 6 to Golden then I-70 to rt 36 to South of Chicago and North to home.

If you were to Start in mid August, I am confident, if you HURRY, you will be home in time for Thanksgiving.

Sorry we missed Santa Fe, but now you will have a reason to head out next Spring - Early - and do the whole thing again from the southern approach.

Hope this is of some help.

BOL,

Two Jayhawks wrote:
We just returned from two weeks in Springdale & Moab Utah & I agree with others August/September would be too hot for me. Maybe not for you though. Your rig will be fine pulling any pass out west. The slow lane will be chocked full with semi's, RV's, etc. all crawling up the pass so everyone is in the same boat. All of my rigs including the newest all heat up a bit on a long pull that's another reason why I would not choose that time of yesr but that's just me.

There is a huge difference between heating up and overheating. If the temp gauge just goes up slightly over normal that is OK. If it shoots up to the top rapidly that is a concern. All the modern engines are tested to maintain working temps under hard work. Trucks use the same engines as your Dutch Star every day.