Our BIG American/Canadian Road Trip

Not a virtual one this time either

I wanted to share with you our family's plans for a 100 days long road trip in the US and Canada in the summer of 2011. The plan is to arrive around May 20th and come back in late August (just in time for school!).

I've been working on the plans for months now. The road trip we've had here on TCS was an inspiration for me to include many places I would have otherwise skipped. Thank you all!

I'd love to get more feedback on our itinerary... I posted a map of it and some more info in my blog here.

Comments are welcome, either here or there (or in both places ).

1-3. San Francisco
4. Traveling to Yosemite, visiting the Jamestown and Columbia gold rush area.
5-7. Yosemite NP.
8. Traveling from Yosemite to Santa Cruz and visiting the beach boardwalk.
9. Monterey Aquarium.
10. Point Lobos nature reserve.
11. Highway 1 up to Big Sur.
12. Highway 1 up to San Luis Obispo.
13. Highway 1 to Los Angeles.
14. LA – Universal Studios.
15-17. LA
18-19. Anaheim (you know where…)
20. Driving from Anaheim to Kingman (Route 66).
21. Route 66 to the Grand Canyon NP.
22. Gran Canyon NP and drive to Page, Arizona.
23. Page and drive to Zion NP.
24. Zion NP.
25. Bryce Canyon NP and drive through scenic byway 12 to Escalante.
26. Continued drive on byway 12 to Moab.
27-29. Moab (Canyonlands NP, Arches NP and rafting on the Colorado).
30. Drive through Mesa Verde NP to Durango, Colorado.
31. Driving scenic road 550 (Million Dollar Highway) to Ouray.
32. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison and driving to Colorado Springs.
33. Colorado Springs.
34-35. Denver, Colorado.
36-38. Rocky MT NP.
39. Driving through Cheyenne, Wyoming to Custer, S. Dakota.
40. Custer State Park, S. Dakota.
41-42. Rapid City, S. Dakota (visiting the Badlands NP and a few other places).
43. Devilâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s Tower and drive to Thermopolis, Wyoming.
44. Thermopolis (hot springs state park).
45. Driving to Grand Teton NP.
46-47. Grand Teton, NP.
48. Drive from Teton to Yellowstone NP and visiting the southern part of Yellowstone.
49-51. Yellowstone NP.
52. Driving to Bozeman, Montana.
53. Lewis and Clark Caverns and driving to Great Falls, Montana.
54. Great Falls, Montana.
55. Driving to Glacier NP.
56-57. Glacier NP.
58. Crossing over to Canada, via Waterton Park to Calgary.
59. Calgary.
60-62. Banff NP.
63. Driving up to Jasper NP (Icefields road).
64-65. Jasper NP.
66. Driving from Jasper to Yoho NP.
67. Yoho Park.
68. Driving from Yoho NP to Kamloops.
69. Driving from Kamloops to Vancouver, BC, Canada.
70-78. Vancouver and then Victoria. Possibly a couple of days in the Pacific Rim NP.
79. Back to the US from Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington.
80-81. Olympic NP.
82-86. Seattle, Washington.
87. Driving to Portland via MT St Helens.
88-90. Portland, Oregon.
91. Driving from Portland to the Oregon coast and then from Astoria to Canon Beach.
92. Driving to Newport (Oregon beaches).
93. Driving to Bandon (Oregon Beaches).
94. Oregon and North California beaches to the Redwoods region.
95. Redwood NP.
96. Highway 1 in northern California to Mendocino.
97. Mendocino to San Francisco.
98-100. San Francisco.

Sounds great Anne, one thing you might consider, depends whether you're tight for time.

When you do the Durango - Ouray trip you could drive straight through to Ouray and book a trip on the Durango Silverton Railroad. The boys would love it I'm sure and the scenery is absolutely tremendous.

We did this trip with our daughter (she was 11 at the time) and LOVED it!

This is the link for the railroad http://www.durangotrain.com/

We stayed in Ouray for the night, took the coach (bus) down to Durango from Ouray station and then road the train back. An absolutely trememdous day that we won't forget.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is gorgeous!

Mesa Verde National Park is well worth stopping at - seeing the Anasazi (hope I remembered that correctly) Indian dwellings in the caves and cliff faces is amazing.

Originally Posted by Anne

1-3. San Francisco
4. Traveling to Yosemite, visiting the Jamestown and Columbia gold rush area.
5-7. Yosemite NP.
8. Traveling from Yosemite to Santa Cruz and visiting the beach boardwalk.
9. Monterey Aquarium.
10. Point Lobos nature reserve.
11. Highway 1 up to Big Sur.
12. Highway 1 up to San Luis Obispo.
13. Highway 1 to Los Angeles.

Click to expand...

My only comment is you may want to go DOWN to Big Sur, and DOWN to San Luis Obispo

Just a warning, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk isn't particularly exciting, although I'm sure the kids will still enjoy it. I guess as long as you do it BEFORE Disney and the likes, it'll be fine

If you want a tour of Google while you're in the San Francisco area, let me know

Wow, that is a loooooooooong trip! Have fun! And good luck planning

If you are going to Banff, try to take the day trip on Via Rail through the Sprial Tunnels. Runs from the station at Banff townsite to Field in Yoho. Also try to get to the falls pictured on this page, it is incredible: http://www.friendsofyoho.ca/

I spent hours hiking in both Banff and Yoho and you can't see it by car.

Oh and check out Sulphur Mountain in Banff - you can ride in the gondola to the top and eat in the restaurant and either ride down or hike down. They have a herd of tame mountain sheep there.

When you come to Portland, let me know... I live just north of downtown...

Originally Posted by flisssweetpea

Sounds great Anne, one thing you might consider, depends whether you're tight for time.

When you do the Durango - Ouray trip you could drive straight through to Ouray and book a trip on the Durango Silverton Railroad. The boys would love it I'm sure and the scenery is absolutely tremendous.

We did this trip with our daughter (she was 11 at the time) and LOVED it!

This is the link for the railroad http://www.durangotrain.com/

We stayed in Ouray for the night, took the coach (bus) down to Durango from Ouray station and then road the train back. An absolutely trememdous day that we won't forget.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is gorgeous!

Mesa Verde National Park is well worth stopping at - seeing the Anasazi (hope I remembered that correctly) Indian dwellings in the caves and cliff faces is amazing.

Click to expand...

I read a lot about the train ride and I wonder if it's not overpriced (or at least not within our budget). Riding the train costs about $80 per person - and we'll be driving the road and visiting Silverton either way.

Originally Posted by sarahp

My only comment is you may want to go DOWN to Big Sur, and DOWN to San Luis Obispo

Just a warning, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk isn't particularly exciting, although I'm sure the kids will still enjoy it. I guess as long as you do it BEFORE Disney and the likes, it'll be fine

If you want a tour of Google while you're in the San Francisco area, let me know

Click to expand...

I confess, I'm the one who wants to go to the boardwalk - it sounds very "American", in a Connie Island kind of way. I'm more interested in the atmosphere and candy than in the rides

Would love to meet you guys in SF and a Google tour sounds awesome. Can't wait to see the room with all the pigeons!

Originally Posted by sk_pacer

If you are going to Banff, try to take the day trip on Via Rail through the Sprial Tunnels. Runs from the station at Banff townsite to Field in Yoho. Also try to get to the falls pictured on this page, it is incredible: http://www.friendsofyoho.ca/

I spent hours hiking in both Banff and Yoho and you can't see it by car.

Oh and check out Sulphur Mountain in Banff - you can ride in the gondola to the top and eat in the restaurant and either ride down or hike down. They have a herd of tame mountain sheep there.

Click to expand...

The Gondolas in Sulphur Mt are on my list of things to-do there! Thanks for the tip about the train ride - never heard of that one before!

Originally Posted by RubSluts'Mommy

When you come to Portland, let me know... I live just north of downtown...

Click to expand...

Sure thing! I'll be posting to my blog and visiting here as well - you'll know where we are at any point.

How will you be traveling? Renting a motor home? Renting a car and staying at hotels? However you're going, it sounds like an ambitious tour. I hope you've planned enough time to enjoy the various places along the way.


You might consider going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the South Rim. There are fewer people and the scenery is just as incredible as the South Rim. You could do Anaheim>Zion>North Rim>Page>Bryce. That would cut about 70 miles from your total trip, which may not sound like much in the scheme of things, but it would be one more hour at one of the parks instead of on the road.

It sounds like your going to have a jam packed holiday

sounds fun

I have to confess that I envy you!

I've actually been to all of those places. Or more accurately, a lot of them I've been past the exit for, since I was in a truck.

As to the national parks, be sure you have reservations if you're planning on staying in them. That is particularly true in Yellowstone. You DO want to stay at the Old Faithful Inn. NOW is not too soon to book those rooms!

Old Faithful Inn

There are also cabins available in Yellowstone.

The same thing is true at the Grand Canyon. THE place to stay is the El Tovar, which is an old Harvey House hotel. If you're not acquainted with them, find "The Harvey Girls," starring Judy Garland. It has the memorable song, "Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe" on it!

El Tovar

A less expensive way to see the Grand Canyon is to stay in Williams, AZ, and take the steam train to the Grand Canyon and back.

Another really nifty hotel is the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Very nice hotel. Even if it does have a truck stop (which it also owns) right behind it.

A lot of the National Parks are now restricting car traffic and encouraging the use of public transportation. There are places in many of them to which you could drive just a few years ago, but no longer can.

Here are a few more links for you.

You're going to enough national parks that it will be cheaper for you to get an annual pass instead of paying the fees at each park. You can order the pass in advance or purchase it at the first park you visit.

If you want to check in at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Lodge is the place to stay. It's right on the rim. Last summer six of us squeezed into one of the Pioneer cabins. Can you say COSY? The cabins are very basic (rustic) but there was a refrigerator and microwave. Food is somewhat limited at the lodge. The dining room had very good food at very high prices. The deli prices were more reasonable but the food was just so-so. You'd do better to bring in your own food.

The next closest place to the North Rim is Kaibab Lodge just outside the park entrance, about 18 miles from the rim. After that there's Jacob Lake Inn, about 45 miles from the rim. I stayed there two years ago with a friend. It wasn't really all that nice and the drive was prohibitive. We ended up spending only one day at the Grand Canyon instead of the two we had planned because we just didn't want to do the 90 mile round trip a second time.

For a visit to Zion, the closest place to stay is in Springdale, Utah. There are a lot of motels, hotels, and B&Bs. They run a free shuttle every 10-15 minutes that will take you from near your hotel to a parking lot just outside the park entrance. You walk across a bridge to get to the visitor's center and the shuttle that runs up the canyon. You can also drive your own car and park in that parking lot. You're not allowed to drive in the canyon, but the free buses are great. You can sit back and enjoying the scenery while listening to a tour guide tell you about the history and geology of the park. You can also get off at any of the stops to go hiking or eat a picnic lunch. When you're ready, you just hop on the next bus going either further up the canyon or back to the beginning.

Wow - how old are your kids, Anne? That's a lot of time in a car, train, etc with kids. Sounds like a grand time!

Wow, that is one neat trip! I hope you all have a fantastic time!

Sounds like a fantastic trip of a lifetime!

Originally Posted by Anne

39. Driving through Cheyenne, Wyoming to Custer, S. Dakota.
40. Custer State Park, S. Dakota.
41-42. Rapid City, S. Dakota (visiting the Badlands NP and a few other places).

Click to expand...

I have visited this area a few times and it's really quite interesting and fun. I was just wondering, will you also be visiting Wall Drugstore and the Corn Palace?

I did forget to mention that you CAN visit (and you would certainly be very welcome, especially if you tell them about your forum here) at Best Friends, which is near St. George, Utah. That is sort of the entry to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. They are the largest no-kill animal shelter in the world, I believe.

Best Friends

By the way, most of the tourist stuff at the Grand Canyon is on the south rim.

Thank you all for the tips and well wishes!

Time for some answers! Sorry I didn't get back to the thread earlier.

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

How will you be traveling? Renting a motor home? Renting a car and staying at hotels? However you're going, it sounds like an ambitious tour. I hope you've planned enough time to enjoy the various places along the way.

Click to expand...

We'll rent a largish car and sleep in hotels/motels. Looked into the RV option but it's about 50% more expensive, plus we're not sure we're into the RV lifestyle. Let's hope a couple of years of planning time will be enough

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

You might consider going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the South Rim. There are fewer people and the scenery is just as incredible as the South Rim. You could do Anaheim>Zion>North Rim>Page>Bryce. That would cut about 70 miles from your total trip, which may not sound like much in the scheme of things, but it would be one more hour at one of the parks instead of on the road.

Click to expand...

Have considered it, but the south rim is where the Tusayan visitors center is and I think we need the "touristy" intro. This way we'd also be traveling on route 66 as well.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I have to confess that I envy you!

I've actually been to all of those places. Or more accurately, a lot of them I've been past the exit for, since I was in a truck.

As to the national parks, be sure you have reservations if you're planning on staying in them. That is particularly true in Yellowstone. You DO want to stay at the Old Faithful Inn. NOW is not too soon to book those rooms!

Old Faithful Inn

There are also cabins available in Yellowstone.

The same thing is true at the Grand Canyon. THE place to stay is the El Tovar, which is an old Harvey House hotel. If you're not acquainted with them, find "The Harvey Girls," starring Judy Garland. It has the memorable song, "Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe" on it!

El Tovar

A less expensive way to see the Grand Canyon is to stay in Williams, AZ, and take the steam train to the Grand Canyon and back.

Another really nifty hotel is the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Very nice hotel. Even if it does have a truck stop (which it also owns) right behind it.

A lot of the National Parks are now restricting car traffic and encouraging the use of public transportation. There are places in many of them to which you could drive just a few years ago, but no longer can.

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by GoldyCat

Here are a few more links for you.

You're going to enough national parks that it will be cheaper for you to get an annual pass instead of paying the fees at each park. You can order the pass in advance or purchase it at the first park you visit.

If you want to check in at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon Lodge is the place to stay. It's right on the rim. Last summer six of us squeezed into one of the Pioneer cabins. Can you say COSY?

The cabins are very basic (rustic) but there was a refrigerator and microwave. Food is somewhat limited at the lodge. The dining room had very good food at very high prices. The deli prices were more reasonable but the food was just so-so. You'd do better to bring in your own food.

The next closest place to the North Rim is Kaibab Lodge just outside the park entrance, about 18 miles from the rim. After that there's Jacob Lake Inn, about 45 miles from the rim. I stayed there two years ago with a friend. It wasn't really all that nice and the drive was prohibitive. We ended up spending only one day at the Grand Canyon instead of the two we had planned because we just didn't want to do the 90 mile round trip a second time.

For a visit to Zion, the closest place to stay is in Springdale, Utah. There are a lot of motels, hotels, and B&Bs. They run a free shuttle every 10-15 minutes that will take you from near your hotel to a parking lot just outside the park entrance. You walk across a bridge to get to the visitor's center and the shuttle that runs up the canyon. You can also drive your own car and park in that parking lot. You're not allowed to drive in the canyon, but the free buses are great. You can sit back and enjoying the scenery while listening to a tour guide tell you about the history and geology of the park. You can also get off at any of the stops to go hiking or eat a picnic lunch. When you're ready, you just hop on the next bus going either further up the canyon or back to the beginning.

Click to expand...

Thanks for all the tips! I am working on booking the places in the big NP's these days. Have a cabin inside Yellowstone for four nights booked. Couldn't find anything within our budget inside Yosemite for May, so we'll settle for a motel in Oakhurst - unless something opens up in the park (I'll keep checking). Also booked a cabin in Kachina lodge in the Grand Canyon (a bit pricey at $180 a night! good thing it's just the one night). I'm working on our itinerary for Glacier NP now, and I think I finally know where I want to find accommodation and where - two days right next to the park in the East Glacier village and another two inside the park, in the Many Glacier area. It's not easy booking nights so early in advance, as most places don't even show the openings in their websites for a year into the future.

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Wow - how old are your kids, Anne? That's a lot of time in a car, train, etc with kids.

Sounds like a grand time!

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The kids will be 7 and 9 respectively. They're actually quite good in long car rides and flights. I am sure we'll have many challenging moments, no worries there but really, our worst times at home are when we're stuck at home doing nothing. Once we're on the road together, especially hiking and doing some sightseeing, we're doing fine.

Originally Posted by Lorie D.

I have visited this area a few times and it's really quite interesting and fun. I was just wondering, will you also be visiting Wall Drugstore and the Corn Palace?

Click to expand...

I don't think we'll had that far east, I'm afraid I think the Badlands NP and the nuclear silo there will be as far east as we can go this time.

So, perhaps 2012 or 2013 you can come back and visit the eastern and midwestern portions of our beautiful continent!

Sounds really exciting!

Sounds Puuuurrrrrrfect My friend!...
I would wish to make the same some day and Meet all members of TCS!... it would be great!...

Wow, thats quite the amazing trip!