Cross Country Roadtrip - Planning/Advice

[Cruiserhead05]

So if all goes according to plan, I'll be graduating in mid-may. Before I take the full plunge into the rat race, myself and a small group(2 or 3 others) of my close friends are going to fulfill a long promise to do an extensive cross country roadtrip.

Considering the amount of time between now and when we actually want to begin this trip, we are only in the preliminary stages of determining a rough route and the stops we want to make.

I was hoping this thread might mainly consist of places/stops in the U.S. that you guys think are an absolute must for some early 20's college kids. Hoping for some good stuff that is off the beaten path or well kept secrets.

In addition to that, I'd like some suggestions for the most scenic wheeling trails for a short day trip. While the vehicle has not yet totally been determined, it is mostly likely going to be my 80 which should be good to go on the majority of trails. Having said that, diesel fuel, food, and hotels (will try to camp some to same $$) will eat up alot of $$$ so trying to keep breakage to a minimum.

The short list of places we know we want to see:

• Grand canyon
• Yellowstone
• Moab
• Vegas
• Death Valley
• Niagara falls
• Sleeping bear dunes
• Colorado(estes park, durango, etc.)(TRAILS)
• Montana(specifics, who knows...)
• Maybe some of the oregon coast
• California coast
• As always, many of the cruiser shop that are on the way...

 

[wob]

Here's a somewhat related thread that '74 started...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/camping-ge...ns-what-carry-cross-country-camping-trip.html

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Thanks,

I realize there is a ton of good info I can/could get from searching through the forum; a task I will certainly begin doing in my spare time.

Hopefully some additional good information/places/locations can be listed in this thread as well.

 

[archie]

I think you should tell us how many days you are planning to spend. I did something like that in 40 days in a Corolla. I visited all of them except yellowstone, durango and cruiser shops. The first suggestion is getting a National Parks pass and asking even the state parks if they accept it. Some state parks are federally funded and thus free/discounted entry or camping.

 

[archie]

Try to schedule your stay in Las Vegas in the middle of the week(Mon-thurs). Rates are cheaper because weekends are more popular. Staying in Vegas in a more expensive hotel is not that much more than a cheap hotel. Search hard prior to arrival because it's so nice to stay in an expensive hotel cheap after camping for weeks. The hotel rates are cheap because they make more money off of you gambling. So don't gamble.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Thanks for the advice.

No real numbers have been pinned down for the amount of time the trip will take. I had assumed 3-4 weeks; obviously the $$$ will be a big factor on how far we can go and how much time we can take.

I was looking into purchasing a Maggiolani or Columbus RTT for two people to sleep in, and then have one person sleep in the 80, but at $2000+ for one of those puppies I'm going to have to figure something else out. (or just sell it when we're done)

 

[archie]

If you are going to Grand Canyon and Moab you might want to consider going to Zion and Bryce. It will be worth it. Zion will be a little warm for camping in a canyon in June but Bryce will be good because it is higher in elevation. I too have travelled in the same areas you have choosen in early June. Spend a least a full day to hike and enjoy the parks. Don't just drive through it.

 

[archie]

Don't buy expensive gear. I did everything in the space of hiker's backpack and with two other people in a Corolla. You will have daylight up to 9pm in June so a basic tent could be sufficient just to sleep in(Used on Craigslist) .It hardly rains in June, especially in a desert. A cheap hotel is always good when it rains and is good for laundry day. For 3 or 4 people it could be cost effective especially if you don't mind sleeping in the same bed. Go light and fast. People go climbing in the mountains for weeks living off a backpack. You'll have fast food and grocery stores almost every hour. Don't forget Unversities and Hospitals for cheap eats along the way. Hospitals have healthy food for cheap.

 

[archie]

I think 3-4 weeks might be a little too short for your itinerary. I think you should cut things down so you don't spend too much time driving. You can spend a least 3 or 4 days at each park and still not see everything. You could break things down to either a northern North American trip or a southern NA trip. A northern trip could consist of Badlands,Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Montana, Seattle, Mount rainier, Mt St Helen and Pacific NW( maybe some N california ex Frisco). A southern trip could include something with the los angeles, las vegas,deserts,colorado,texas and Smokey Mountains. The northern trip would be much nicer in June because of the heat. Just borrow some travel guide books in the library and you find that there is so much too do at each location.

 

[45Kevin]

Start looking for gas cards that give you a rebate or instant discount. Flying J truck stops will give a penny off per gallon on any purchaces if you show a loyalty card. It is free to get but Flying J's are only on major routes. Maybe a Sheel or other major brand loyalty card to save on fuel.

Casinos are a good place to get cheap meals along the way as well.

Look into hostals. There should be a university travel center in your university that is used to planning cheap holidays.

If you are going through national parks the park passes can add up, at least it does in Canada. Look into a national or area wide park pass to save a lot of money.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I'll look into the flying J thing. They might be great b/c they'll definitely have diesel which not all stations do.

The debate now is sleeping setup. While i realize a cheapo tent would be the most financially savvy setup, a columbus style RTT or popup trailer seem like they'd make life alot better. I've seen a few decent popup in the area for $1500ish or less. Considering their lightweight, i'm sure the 80 with the 4bta would pull it along without an issue.

Here is a very rough route layout. I haven't yet checked the pacific NW area, it may be the type of thing that will get added depending on $$ and time restrictions.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sad...3714,-117.421875&spn=71.719857,113.203125&z=3

 

[Xplorer]

My fiance and I are planning a trip similar to yours. We will be leaving So cal and will be hitting, AZ, UT, CO, ID, OR and the whole California coast. We are planning to spend almost 3 months on this trip, with most of it being camping. I would seriously reconsider your time frame you have. 3-4 weeks would mean the majority of it spent in the car. Just my .02...

 

[Clutchee]

When you go to Grand Canyon, heading from the South Rim to the North Rim you will going over Lee's ferry closest spot for a bridge over the Colorado, right after that is Vermealion Cliffs Bar & Grill....... go in and be amazed at all the beers.
You are in the middle of the desert, small fishing outfit and they have a wall of beers that will shock you Then sit down & have there green chili and roast beef sandwich...... every time I went out west I stopped and had one.

Each time it was worth it...... I told my wife about it before we got married.
On the honeymoon trip we stopped on the cross country drive, she still talks about it.

Couple of pictures:
Grand Canyon from the south rim look out
Ghost town in CO...... worth the drive to look around

 

[archie]

My fiance and I are planning a trip similar to yours. We will be leaving So cal and will be hitting, AZ, UT, CO, ID, OR and the whole California coast. We are planning to spend almost 3 months on this trip, with most of it being camping. I would seriously reconsider your time frame you have. 3-4 weeks would mean the majority of it spent in the car. Just my .02...

I agree because you'll always have to be at your popular campsite by around 2pm to make sure you have a site (unreserved site during peak summer vacation season). This gives you about 5-6 hours to travel per day. This provided that you break down camp, crap, shower and shave early in the morning. Just to get into most National Parks from the Interstate could take 2 hours.
Trailers make thing like backing up and going thru fast food drive thru's a logistical pain. I think a good sleeping pad will be enough for good sleep. If your heavier maybe an air mattress.
When you visit some of the parks and find that there is so much to see you'll wish you could have stayed longer. It's almost like smelling the BBQ and not being able to eat it.
Other places to consider in your itinerary is Joshua Tree NP.

 

[sirenmoses]

Another vote for hostels, you'll save a TON of $$$ and can meet some neat fellow-travelers. Some have specific hours of operation, but for anywhere from $8-30/person you get a bunk, bathing facility, and a kitchen you can cook in [eat groceries you bought on the cheap somewhere in town].

Some tribal casinos have RV campgrounds, which I've used for tent camping on long motorcycle trips.

Things to see in NM - the Very Large Array NRAO Very Large Array
White Sands White Sands National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Carslbad Cavern Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Petroglyphs Three Rivers Petroglyph Site or Petroglyph National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Valles Caldera Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier Bandelier National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

In AZ between ABQ & Flagstaff, the Meteorite Crater Meteor Crater - Home

 

[landcrusher909]

I just finished up going to Calif to Iowa post up on the local club threads and if your coming to southern Calif pm me and you will have a place to stay

 

[Kofoed]

As far as visiting cruiser shops, the north LA area has Mark's, Spector, TLC and Man-A-Fre within an hour of each other.

 

[D'Animal]

Yosemite and Seqoiua National Forest in Central California are a must see.

 

[OGBeno]

Another vote for hostels, you'll save a TON of $$$ and can meet some neat fellow-travelers. Some have specific hours of operation, but for anywhere from $8-30/person you get a bunk, bathing facility, and a kitchen you can cook in [eat groceries you bought on the cheap somewhere in town].

Some tribal casinos have RV campgrounds, which I've used for tent camping on long motorcycle trips.

Things to see in NM - the Very Large Array NRAO Very Large Array
White Sands White Sands National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Carslbad Cavern Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Petroglyphs Three Rivers Petroglyph Site or Petroglyph National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)
Valles Caldera Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier Bandelier National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

In AZ between ABQ & Flagstaff, the Meteorite Crater Meteor Crater - Home

x2 on the VLA. Eat some mushrooms. Even better!

That said, you know you have a place to crash in NM Brandon...it's been a long time since we've hung out.

You know where you can find me.

Have fun.
-o-

 

[wesintl]

You'll need a couple months to hit everything from niagra falls to yellowstone to the Grand canyon and the cali coast. etc.

I did something similar quite a few years ago. dc to denver with one overnight stop. Some time in colorado (CB), utah, moab, canyonlands North, needles, arches, mesa verde(CO), monument valley, North rim, zion, bryce, up to yellowstone, grand tetons, devils tower, mt rushmore and back to va. with a few other smaller stops. took around a month.

I'd say plan out your trip and how long it takes to get from place to place and how long you think you want to be there. add in a couple float days so that you get to a place and decide 2 days isn't enough and you want to say another day, etc. That tell you how long you need.

I stayed mostly in campgrounds. I usually found a cheap shower at a pay campground or a flyingj etc. I did do some primitive camping, and I stayed in a couple cheap motels (3 I think). Camping is much easier IMHO that hostels.

I spent the most time at yellowstone. There is tons of stuff to see there and with the 2 lane roads you can't do anything quick. I recommend at least 4-5 days if not more. The other highlights are bryce, zion and mesa verde IMHO.