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.

[Matt_Colie]

2gypsies wrote:
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. 🙂

Welle Gyps,

You seem to have missed the fact that they have a new coach (at least new to them) and no plan in place. If they go north to Niagara first, they will be an part of the world with little accommodation for RVs without any plan. Which ever way they go west from there, they immediate challenges on the second day.

I have seen this with both RVs and boats. RVs are less life threatening, but disappointment level is usually the same. This writer has two weeks before departure. If they take the time to do as I suggested then they have a slim chance to not be disappointed. But the only chance they have to not end up so, is to set targets so low that they are un-missable.

I worked for a company that made RV equipment at one time. We had several RVs that we could sign-out for a short term. We were involved in a program with a European group. I was listening to them at lunch time one day and they were determined to take one of the company coaches to the Grand Canyon that weekend. This was from Michigan. They were not aware of the scale of distances. I got out a USA map and showed them what they were planning. They changed the plan and went to Niagara. They got into the lab Monday looking a lot worse for the wear.

I have many such stories to draw on, but many of the boat ones involve loss.

It will be more rewarding if they don't dive into an unknown rocky pond head first. Yes, they can get a lot of experience before Kansas, but Kansas is three driving days from a lot of Virginia. I am hopeful that they will get to know the coach and then go places. If they have been reading here, then they did do a couple of nights in their driveway, and maybe a weekend away from the house, but they still have a lot of learning to do to be successful. If I could, I would spend a day with them and pull the learning curve up by its roots, that does not seem to be a option.

I still wish them boring driving and wonders at the stops.

Matt

[2gypsies1]

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. 🙂

[Matt_Colie]

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.

From central Va to Old Faithful is a five day hard push. That is an endurance test that is not a good way to do much. An 8 hour driving day is a LONG DAY. Yes, truckers do 550 all the time, but they have to do that to make money. They also do not enjoy the country that they drive through.

Now, you have the coach. If you plan to keep it a while, blow off the nearby stuff - Like the falls. That is a good trip for a 3 day weekend. Drive, See the Falls (takes an hour if you have lunch there), Drive home.

Start now. Go to AAA and get a USA map and all the guide books you can. Start plotting points and then "Follow the Dots".

I would have to guess that you also have a lot to learn about planning and navigation. That is something best learned close to home. When you get it figured out and are comfortable with it, then go wandering. As a person that lives in or near the Megopolis of the east coast, you may not understand that there are vast expanses of this country that are bereft of services. Stops and particularly fuel and End of Day need to be thought about.

Do you have a GPS and know all about how to use it? Do you have a Walmart Street Atlas? Don't even think of leaving home without at least those two.

Want to know more, start with a new plan and come back here.

Matt

[jhfxrtleeh1]

If you make it to around Yellowstone, be sure to visit Cody, WY and the Buffalo Bill Museum there. Lots of really neat things to see. I agree that Bannock, MT is a neat ghost town, too, as is the Big Hole Battlefield. Lots of beautiful country to see out West.

[Grit_dog]

Also, you said remote camping is appealing. I think there's much less un developed stuff east of the Rockies but get into MT or CO and just pick some forest roads to head up towards lakes or something and go as far as you can til the rig doesn't fit up the road anymore. It's generally accepted that once you get away from civilization in national forests, camp is where you make it.
So many reccomendations of places camped in the mtns, wouldn't know where to start.

[Grit_dog]

Agree, pick one quadrant of the country and go nuts, but if you try to make a relatively complete loop you'll not spend much time anywhere. However that could be your gig if you just want to travel. Which is cool too. Depends how adventurous you are.
We never get to take extended vacations, yet, something about work, kids, sports, etc. lol but am taking 3 weeks this summer to go from Seattle back to Wisconsin, and including 3 days in Yellowstone, few days sightseeing and fishing thru ID and MT, 2 days in the black hills and several days in WI, barely have enough time to get back to home base.
Personally I find the Southern half of the country miserably hot in the summer which defeats the purpose of camping and outdoor stuff.
My reccomendation would be upper Midwest out to the PNW/coast, southern BC, cascades, Rockies, maybe hit Moab or something but stay north predominantly.
Or conversely, the NE quadrant, niagra, Appalachians, maybe Canadian maritimes, Atlantic coast.

[catkins]

Custer State Park as the highlight of our trip to Mt. Rushmore area. CHECK the road restrictions as one of the three loops in that park has a low, one way narrow rock tunnel!! NO oversize/tall vehicles allowed.

Six weeks is a short time to see so much. I would recommend shortening the distance and increase the time spend in fewer areas if you can. Reservations/campsites during summertime in some areas will be tough to get at this late date.

Wish you a grand adventure on your trip!

[JFNM]

Agreed - not enough time. I think I would focus on a particular area of the country and really enjoy it rather than race around the entire thing without enough time to enjoy any of it.

[Veebyes]

6 weeks is no time to do any sort of loop & see anything besides CGs & gas stations. Even 12 weeks will be a rush from here to there without much time to soak anything in.

The interstates are a great way to cross the country without seeing anything at all. Best routes use the highways which were the major roads before the interstate system was created.

[kknowlton]

6 weeks means you have a very, very ambitious itinerary! Favorites/must-sees/definitely-avoids will depend on personal taste and experiences. With your timeframe, you will not have enough time to do more than just sample some of the highlights, so I hope you have the option to take future long trips and revisit your own favorites in more depth!

My personal opinion would be to avoid any and all big cities as much as possible. 🙂 If you need to Wallydock, stay in the suburbs. Sounds like you would enjoy wilderness and nature, so don't waste your very short time on cities.

I would also skip Niagara, but if you haven't ever been there, or if it's special to you, then keep it. Since you'll be following a northerly course, and if you have valid passports, take them with you and go across Canada to Michigan and spend a couple days around Mackinac Island. (Take a ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace to the island for a day trip back into time.)

Take interstates whenever possible to save time. The major parks you mentioned are must-sees from most people's points of view, and if there is time, you can visit at least some of the southern Utah parks in conjunction with the Grand Canyon. Be sure to allow at least one full day at each national park, and some of them - Yellowstone in particular - will require a minimum of two or three days each in order just to hit the highlights. Grand Teton is next door to Yellowstone - include it with your Yellowstone visit.

Remember that some of the lodging - including RV spots - in and around the more popular parks have been booked up for months already. I strongly recommend reservations, and absolutely they are a MUST for the 4th of July weekend. Other than Glacier, don't worry about snow on the roads. Yellowstone's roads are all clear now except for the NE entrance, which you probably won't have time for anyway. You won't be able to fully appreciate Glacier until Going-to-the-Sun Road is open - and you can't cross that with your RV due to size restrictions. (Take the Red Bus tour - worth the money!)

Good luck!

[JimK-NY]

If you want to see the best and the worst of America, IMO you are starting with one of the worst. I would skip Niagara Falls. Instead spend more time in the western national parks: Yellowstone, Glacier, the big 5 in southern Utah, and Olympic NP are among my favorites. You might also want to consider the Canadian rockies. Definitely include the Oregon and northern California coast. Yosemite is OK but very crowded. Death Valley NP and the Mojave area are extra special but you need to make sure you are there in winter.

[Aron]

I'm planning to do something similar with my family next summer.

Be aware that many of the high mountain parks (Yellowstone, Glacier, Mt. Rainier, Crater Lake, Lassen Volcanic, etc.) are still working on clearing the roads of the winter snow. They will all likely be cleared by early July, but there will still be snow on the shoulders.

If you want to avoid snow, head south first (Grand Canyon, Utah) and swing through the northern sites on your way home.

[spoon059]

DrewE wrote:
That is a rather open-ended question!

I was fortunate enough as a kid to get to take a generally similar trip with my mom, a year and a half after my father passed away. We

Some highlights (from that trip and other traveling I've done):

• The Corning Glass Museum is well worth visiting (though it may well be practically local to you)
  
• Niagara falls
  
• The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village outside of Detroit (two days would not be too much there; the place is huge)
  
• The Badlands--I really enjoyed that.
  
• Yellowstone (Huge, one could spend weeks there; also, it was very cold camping in late October when we were there; 6F in the morning in a tent is definitely chilly.)
  
• CA 1, the Pacific coast highway (depending on your comfort with heights and twisty roads and driving your RV, you may wish to skip that!)
  
• Hoover dam (take a tour if you go).
  
• Carlsbad Caverns
  
• The American Museum of Science and Energy (Oak Ridge, KY) was much better than we anticipated.
  
• Monticello
  
• Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive
  

I was not so impressed with Mt Rushmore (for me, it's in the category of "yep, now I've seen it" and, for some reason I can't entirely explain, the Grand Canyon. I suspect I'd have a different opinion of the latter now, or with more time to actually explore/hike it.

My family did a similar 6 week camping trip when I was about 14. 6 weeks is a very short time to do it, but its possible.

We didn't do the Henry Ford Museum or the Oak Ridge Museum. We did everything else and it was awesome. If you are over by Carlsbad Caverns, its AMAZING to see. I would also add Mesa Verde as a gorgeous and memorable place to visit.

I still remember driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, that was breathtaking as well. Big Sur is spectacular. We enjoyed our time along the coast in California. Beverly Hills was awesome, San Francisco was awesome. San Diego was awesome.

We stopped in Vegas for a couple of days. Having recently been back for training, I really like Vegas. I don't gamble, don't drink much, don't visit prostitutes or strip clubs and still find the city to be amazing. Lots of family friendly stuff to do, great architecture and incredible casinos. Its an hour to Hoover Dam from Vegas. Hoover Dam is cool to see. I didn't do the tour, because the people I was with weren't in the mood to see it. I'd like to go back and do the tour though.

I thought the Grand Canyon was cool, but it is hard to take it all in. Yellowstone is such an incredible place, again its so hard to take it all in though. Both places are well worth the time to visit.

I would have liked to go to south Texas, we skipped over much of Texas and drove through the northern part of the state.

New Orleans French Quarter is stunning. I would encourage you to spend at least a couple days there. The architecture, the history, the food, the music are all very memorable.

If you come back up the east coast, lots of beautiful cities along the water... St. Augustine, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, etc.

Sounds like a GREAT trip.

I am looking forward to taking my family across country at some point. Too young for it now. I think I want to wait until they are old enough to enjoy/remember it and I want to make it a more leisurely trip. There were some days that we woke up and drove all day, set up camp at night, went to bed, repeated the next day, repeated the next day, etc. Those days made the trip horrible at the time. I would like to have a more relaxing trip and less planned out. We found that we liked certain places but only budgeted a day or 2 at that location, and we didn't like other places (or weather was bad) and we had arranged to stay for longer periods of time.

Enjoy the trip, take lots of pictures and be planning for your NEXT trip!!!

[2gypsies1]

From Niagra Falls, NY if you have your Passports, I'd suggest going into Canada and then into Michigan and work your way up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lots of beauty up there. Take the day trip by ferry to Mackinac Island at the 'big' Mighty Mac bridge separating lower and upper Michigan. No vehicles are allowed on the Island but they do rent bikes or surrey wagons.

Then take Hwy 2 across to Glacier Nat'l Park. From Glacier head south to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nat'l Parks. They're next to each other but stay at both. Don't try to do both from one spot. In the Tetons we love Gros Ventre campground (our favorite) or Colter Bay campground (next to Colter Bay RV park) Neither one accepts reservations but both have 300 large sites and we've never had a problem getting a site.

Personally, I'd skip Yosemite and Custer but that's just us.

I'd then go south into Utah and definitely tour the big national parks in the southern part - Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands.

Then hit Grand Canyon - North Rim at the Utah/AZ border. If you like what you see and want more, work your way to Grand Canyon South Rim.

Head back home via Colorado Hwy 160. You could do Monument Valley, Mesa Verde Nat'l Park, the Durango and Pagosa Springs areas. You'll end up on I-25 around Pueblo, Colorado. From there, head home. Your days will have run out! Have a great trip.

We like getting off the interstates and seeing the real country of ours. We also like staying IN the national parks if you can. Each national park has a wonderful web site giving things to do, camping information, road issues, etc. Check them all out before you go.

Here is Glacier Nat'l Park's:

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

Get yourself a good road atlas book and highlight a route you'd like to take. It will give you the whole picture and what to see along the way.

If you have time, order online through the publisher for the best price, the "Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers". It will give you a heads up on the mountain highways. Don't be afraid to drive some of them. Just take it slow and enjoy the beauty!

[bukhrn]

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.

True that,we did 12 weeks last year, without NY, beyond the SD Bad Lands, Black Hills,area (including Custer State Park) Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower,, there is Theodore Roosevelt NP in ND, Bighorn Canyon in Northern WY., on to Cody, into Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons, then up to Glacier NP, over to ID, & WA for Mt Rainier & Mt St Helens, down to Crater Lake in Or., & over to The Northern Redwoods in Ca, Down to Yosemite, then the Sequoias & Kings Canyon, and over to Grand Canyon, Zion & Bryce area, then d0wn to Moab for the Arches & Canyonlands, then up to Rocky Mtn NP.
After that you're on your own. 😉
Now, in between any of those, there are a lot of other things to see & do, but I doubt you can do it all in 6 weeks, but no matter where you go, I'm sure you will enjoy yourself, there is just too much to see & do in this great country in such a short time.