Cross Country Trip

[PGBusLady]

My husband and I recently purchased a 29' Fleetwood for a cross country trip 3 years in the making. We'll be leaving at the end of June and have 6 weeks to see the best and worst that America has to offer.Departing from Va.heading North to Niagara Falls then West . We would like to visit most of the National Landmarks Grand Canyon,Yellowstone,Yosemite,Mount Rushmore etc. My questions for the experienced ones on this site are : Which routes to take? Scenic vs. interstate is ok. Which landmarks are must see which ones should be avoided? Which National / State parks are recommended . Remoteness / Wilderness with no hook ups is appealing. Which cities should be avoided because of traffic,high crime or not as accommodating should we have to Wallydock for a night or two.What are some other things to see between the East coast and West coast we may not have thought of.Any and all feedback will be appreciated both positive and negative to help some newbies on what we are calling the once in a lifetime trip.

[GreenMtMomma]

Eureka -
Any recommendations on seeing redwood w no car? Any camp spot recommendations? 32ft class c

[Skohl]

There are so many wonderful parks to see across the country. Some of my favorites are Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Arches and Canyonlands, Zion and Bryce and Yosemite and in my own Backyard, the Redwoods. But the most wonderful thing about the trip you are planning are the surprises. Stumbling on a perfect campground with amazing wildlife, stunning scenery or fascinating history is all part of the adventure. Allow time for the surprises!

Happy Camper

[bikendan]

GreenMtMomma wrote:
Made it to Cali! Going back would like to head up to redwood natl forest and over east ... Is redwood doable in RV with no car? Any suggested routes back east?

yes, Highway 101 has RVs on it all the time. but not sure what you mean by "doable". some side roads are narrower and curvy.

you will have problems with public campsites, if your motorhome is over 25'.
State and National Park campsites in the area, are smaller due to most being dense forest areas.

i would head back east on US 80.

[GreenMtMomma]

Made it to Cali! Going back would like to head up to redwood natl forest and over east ... Is redwood doable in RV with no car? Any suggested routes back east?

[Bill_and_Kathi]

I agree there is a lot to see in our beautiful "US of A." However, DO NOT let anyone talk you out of enjoying your trip just because you can't see it all. Way to many people have wanted to travel and see parts unknown to them only to fall ill or have things happen to keep them from it. Go and be flexible! Enjoy what you can in the length of time you have. Who knows if you will ever get the chance again. If you do GREAT! If you don't, you and your family) will always have the memories from the trip you made. Guess what, you won't know what you missed because you didn't do it. Just gives you a reason to plan trip #2. Example, Hubby and I made a trip out west. High-tailed it across many states to get to Colorado where our daughter flew in. Spent 10 fantastic days with her going to Little Big Horn, Yellowstone, Oregon coast, Washington State and in to Canada. She flew out and Hubby and I covered Glacier NP, Medora, ND and Roosevelt NP, sites all around Rapid City including Custard SP and even hit Branson, MO on the way home. Had the time of our lives. We enjoyed our "family" vacation so much we are doing it again this year up the East coast. (We've done it before but daughter was young and doesn't remember much of it.) If there is a next time to go out West there is lots more I want to see. Enjoy your travels. Time on this earth is short, at best. I have a journey planned that no one can take from me and while I don't know when I'll be taking it, it will have all the other beat hands down. Hope to see you there!:)

[GreenMtMomma]

We are first timers going cross country too from vt to Cali... Passing thru Illinois now where ru in trip?

[AlysshaLynn]

Where are you headed Green Mt Momma? We are doing Cleaveland, chicago and then to Ontario CA.. After that hoping to float a bit, grand canyon, texas Georgia to see family and then the washington monuments on the way back home?

[2gypsies1]

GreenMtMomma wrote:
We (husband plus two kids and dog) are headed on the same journey! First timers leaving this Friday... First stop Niagra Falls ... Furthest destination San Diego area. Please keep us updated on your journey and lessons learned!

Please return after your trip and start your own post on how the trip went for first-timers. I'm sure there would be a lot of interested readers.

Have a great trip!

[GreenMtMomma]

We (husband plus two kids and dog) are headed on the same journey! First timers leaving this Friday... First stop Niagra Falls ... Furthest destination San Diego area. Please keep us updated on your journey and lessons learned!

[restlesswind]

obgraham wrote:
Six weeks to see all the USA?

Naaah. Can't be done.

You'll just get a taste. Pick some area to explore in more detail, otherwise you're going to be on the road more than seeing stuff.

Agree. be aware that while on your 6 week jaunt, you will be planning your next trip. It will be one of two things, either thinking about selling the rig, or planning the next trip
Enjoy!

[Grit_dog]

NYCgrrl wrote:

2gypsies wrote:

Matt_Colie wrote:
PG,

Your plan is interesting, but it is something I would advise against at this time. The simple fact being that you are new to this and you are setting yourself up for a serious disappointment.

Wow! You really popped the balloon. 😞

By the time they hit Kansas they'll be pros at RVing. It really doesn't take a lot of practice. Drive. Follow the map. Fuel up. Spend the night. They'll soon get the hang of it even though they'll probably make a few mistakes. They'll be fast learners, for sure. 🙂

Today is the midpoint of the month. I've no idea if the OP has ever used an RV before but of course I also have no idea if she meant that she was leaving the end of June of a different year:h.

Agree there's some planning and prep to ready for a big trip, but bottom line, if the rig is in good shape, it's not like they're heading into the wilderness for 6 weeks. Forget something? Hit the next Wally World and pick it up.

[Grit_dog]

To the OP, go have fun whichever direction you head. After all, that's why you bought a RV.

[NYCgrrl]

2gypsies wrote:

Matt_Colie wrote:
PG,

Your plan is interesting, but it is something I would advise against at this time. The simple fact being that you are new to this and you are setting yourself up for a serious disappointment.

Wow! You really popped the balloon. 😞

By the time they hit Kansas they'll be pros at RVing. It really doesn't take a lot of practice. Drive. Follow the map. Fuel up. Spend the night. They'll soon get the hang of it even though they'll probably make a few mistakes. They'll be fast learners, for sure. 🙂

Today is the midpoint of the month. I've no idea if the OP has ever used an RV before but of course I also have no idea if she meant that she was leaving the end of June of a different year:h.

[bigred1cav]

Just a suggestion for your adventure. Buy yourselves a 12v crock pot and get food in it in a plastic protector bag place the pot in the sink and let it go. When you stop for the night your dinner will be ready.

Have fun. Niagara is something to see but once seen not much else to do. Buffalo is disgusting to drive in and the NY Turnpike stops it seems each mile to pay a toll. During week Myrtles Beach near Erie PA is not a bad stop little expensive for overnight but nice voew of lake and clean

PGBusLady wrote:
My husband and I recently purchased a 29' Fleetwood for a cross country trip 3 years in the making. We'll be leaving at the end of June and have 6 weeks to see the best and worst that America has to offer.Departing from Va.heading North to Niagara Falls then West . We would like to visit most of the National Landmarks Grand Canyon,Yellowstone,Yosemite,Mount Rushmore etc. My questions for the experienced ones on this site are : Which routes to take? Scenic vs. interstate is ok. Which landmarks are must see which ones should be avoided? Which National / State parks are recommended . Remoteness / Wilderness with no hook ups is appealing. Which cities should be avoided because of traffic,high crime or not as accommodating should we have to Wallydock for a night or two.What are some other things to see between the East coast and West coast we may not have thought of.Any and all feedback will be appreciated both positive and negative to help some newbies on what we are calling the once in a lifetime trip.