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Route Suggestions/Hotspots for Traveling America By Car
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:26 pm
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:26 pm
I've always wanted to go on a road trip to the west coast. What tourist traps would you suggest leaving from New Orleans?
8
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:28 pm to JabarkusRussell
There are a lot of great National Parks between here and the west coast. Pick a few and make a route.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:30 pm to JabarkusRussell
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:31 pm to JabarkusRussell
Everyone in Europe wants to drive Route 66. It's hard to take seriously. Is that even a thing?
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:37 pm to meeple
Wow. I did that route almost exactly with my grandfather in 1978. The real highlight was seeing Donnie and Marie at Caesar's. 
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:41 pm to JabarkusRussell
Seriously though, hit these national parks, probably in somewhat this order, skipping Texas:
Carlsbad Caverns
Painted Desert / Petrified Forest
Stop in Gallup, NM at Jerry's Cafe for the BEST New Mexican food on the planet
Antelope Canyon (not a NP, but still awesome. Do one of the native american tours.
Grand Canyon (North Rim if you are incorporating some of these others, and depending on time of year. South Rim if you bypass some of these, or just add more time onto the trip)
Bryce Canyon
Zion
After this, it depends on where on the west coast you are wanting to end up... further north, or east of Zion.
I freaking love road trips. We've done all of these.
Carlsbad Caverns
Painted Desert / Petrified Forest
Stop in Gallup, NM at Jerry's Cafe for the BEST New Mexican food on the planet
Antelope Canyon (not a NP, but still awesome. Do one of the native american tours.
Grand Canyon (North Rim if you are incorporating some of these others, and depending on time of year. South Rim if you bypass some of these, or just add more time onto the trip)
Bryce Canyon
Zion
After this, it depends on where on the west coast you are wanting to end up... further north, or east of Zion.
I freaking love road trips. We've done all of these.
Posted on 6/24/15 at 11:43 pm to Pkin
quote:
Everyone in Europe wants to drive Route 66. It's hard to take seriously. Is that even a thing?
A lot of people do it. I'd incorporate some of the stops along the way (see Gallup, NM above), because it parallel's I-40 for a while, but I wouldn't drive the entire thing personally.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:04 am to JabarkusRussell
World's largest ball of twine, Cawker City, KS
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:05 am to Jim Rockford
quote:Holy shite. The twine ball really exists.
World's largest ball of twine, Cawker City, KS
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:15 am to Pkin
quote:
Everyone in Europe wants to drive Route 66. It's hard to take seriously. Is that even a thing?
The famous Route 66 doesn't exist anymore.
US Highway 66 is what exists now. It'll take you to some of the same places.
That huge road trip map skips the Pacific Coast Highway. Huge omission.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:19 am to The Boat
The former route 66 goes through Flagstaff, AZ
That's about all I know about it. I stayed in a cheap motel technically on Route 66 once there.
That's about all I know about it. I stayed in a cheap motel technically on Route 66 once there.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:21 am to lsunurse
He should see as many slot canyons as possible
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:32 am to meeple
Almost skipped Alabama. Leave Mobile for your departure trip, drive up to Buminham.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:34 am to blue_morrison
Why would he drive to Alabama if he's headed west
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:49 am to lsunurse
I was looking at the trip around the US through every state.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:51 am to JabarkusRussell
If you're ever in Detroit:
The Tire
Seriously, I took a trip out west and saw Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite, Carlsbad and pretty much every National Park between NOLA and San Francisco and then down to L.A. and back.
Took 3 weeks.
The Tire
Seriously, I took a trip out west and saw Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite, Carlsbad and pretty much every National Park between NOLA and San Francisco and then down to L.A. and back.
Took 3 weeks.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 1:20 am to The Boat
quote:
That huge road trip map skips the Pacific Coast Highway. Huge omission.
I agree. Hwy 1-The Great Highway-is surreal. Bump that map route west just a tad to follow Hwy 1 from San Diego to at least San Francisco, then thats an amazing road trip.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 1:20 am to JabarkusRussell
If you're bringing a tent, stop your first night at Colorado Bend State Park. Bring what you need. It's a 30 min drive or so over unpaved roads. It can be closed at times if the river is up significantly. There's a spring fed pool a short hike away. It's best after a rain when the water is cooler.
Further west would be the McDonald Observatory near Ft Davis. Beautiful country and night skies for sure.
I agree with the earlier mentioned Carlsbad Caverns as well. Do the full hike in and out. Don't take the elevator.
For nicer accommodations, stop in Ruidoso and play golf, ski, throw a few dollars on a horse race, or visit the casino. Nice little town. The All American Futurity is held over Labor Day. The Kentucky Derby of Quarter Horse racing. It's a busy town at that time, but plenty to do for sure.
Further west would be the McDonald Observatory near Ft Davis. Beautiful country and night skies for sure.
I agree with the earlier mentioned Carlsbad Caverns as well. Do the full hike in and out. Don't take the elevator.
For nicer accommodations, stop in Ruidoso and play golf, ski, throw a few dollars on a horse race, or visit the casino. Nice little town. The All American Futurity is held over Labor Day. The Kentucky Derby of Quarter Horse racing. It's a busy town at that time, but plenty to do for sure.
Posted on 6/25/15 at 6:29 am to JabarkusRussell
Starting from New Orleans:
San Antonio and Texas Hill Country
Big Bend
Grand Canyon
Vegas
across Death Valley to base of Mt. Whitney
up Owens Valley to Big Bear, Yosemite, Tahoe, Lassen
San Francisco if you must
up Pacific coast to Redwoods and central Oregon coast
Bend, Mt. Hood
Mt. St Helens
Olympic Peninsula
Orcas Island
Mt. Shuksun/Mt. Baker area of Cascades
Grand Coulee dam
Coeur D'alene
Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Tetons
Medicine Bow Range
Rocky Mountain National Park
Telluride
Taos
Santa Fe
Ruidoso, NM
Carlsbad Caverns
LONG drive back
It's largely the route my wife and I did 2 years ago. 3 months on the road, was greatness.
I hate that it skips Utah but we've done that a few times. Utah is probably the best short road trip for flying in and renting a car.
San Antonio and Texas Hill Country
Big Bend
Grand Canyon
Vegas
across Death Valley to base of Mt. Whitney
up Owens Valley to Big Bear, Yosemite, Tahoe, Lassen
San Francisco if you must
up Pacific coast to Redwoods and central Oregon coast
Bend, Mt. Hood
Mt. St Helens
Olympic Peninsula
Orcas Island
Mt. Shuksun/Mt. Baker area of Cascades
Grand Coulee dam
Coeur D'alene
Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Tetons
Medicine Bow Range
Rocky Mountain National Park
Telluride
Taos
Santa Fe
Ruidoso, NM
Carlsbad Caverns
LONG drive back
It's largely the route my wife and I did 2 years ago. 3 months on the road, was greatness.
I hate that it skips Utah but we've done that a few times. Utah is probably the best short road trip for flying in and renting a car.
This post was edited on 6/25/15 at 6:33 am
Posted on 6/25/15 at 12:12 pm to blueboy
Meeple, your list is great. Thanks.
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