dlos
raleigh, nc
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Hi All,
I'm planning, trying to anyway (!), a family trip (wife, 15 yr old daugher, 14 yr old son) this summer from NC to sites out West. The more I get into it, the more I feel like we may be biting too much off for the time we have.
Travel Time -
Leaving Raleigh, NC June 8th and taking about 3 weeks to travel, need to be back in NC by July 1st, so about 23 days total.
Tentative Itinerary:
Day 1 - Raleigh to Goshen, KY (stay with family for night)- 571 miles
Day 2 - Goshen to Kansas City (1 night at TBD GG)- 530 miles
Day 3 - KC to Colorado Springs - 574 miles
Day 4 - Colorado Springs/Garden of Gods
Day 5 - Drive to Mesa Verde (360 miles)
Day 6 - Mesa Verde
Day 7 - Mesa Verde in morning - Head to GC (292 miles)
Day 8 - Grand Canyon
Day 9 - Grand Canyon
Day 10 - Drive to Bryce/Zion (292 miles)
Day 11 - Bryce/Zion
Day 12 - Drive to Idaho Falls (484 miles) overnight before Yellowstone
Day 13 - Drive to Fishing Bridge (177 miles)
Day 14 - Yellowstone
Day 15 - Yellowstone
Day 16 - Yellowstone
Day 17 - Yellowstone
Day 18 - Yellowstone
Day 19 - Drive to Rushmore/Badlands (548 miles)
Day 20 - Rushmore/Badlands
Day 21 - Drive to Forest City Iowa (or nearby - roughly 460 miles)
Day 22 - Drive to Indianapolis (about 560 miles)
Day 23 - Drive to Charleston, WV (300 miles)
Day 24 - Drive home to Raleigh (325 miles)
So, there are some long driving days in the mix there. You can see our rig info in my signature.
Is this too much? Feeling like it is since I'm asking! One of the major questions I have for those more experienced, is, how many miles per day can I expect to cover pulling an RV? Expand that question to set realistic expectations for pulling through CO, UT, ID, WY and SD?
I've planned shorter distances in those states with the exception of the one day from Bryce/Zion to Idaho Falls.
Nothing has been set in stone but I am anxious to get reservations made at the bigger parks, especially Yellowstone (I fear I may already be late in doing so).
All advice appreciated, thanks!
Post moved from TT Forum to General Forum
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K Charles
Connecticut
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That's 11 or 12 hr a day for the first 3 days and then your kids and your wife will want to go home. You can do that for a day or two but then you need to stop and smell the roses.
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2chiefsRus
USA Somewhere
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I like what you have for Day 7 and after but you might want to try to find a little something fun to throw in for days 1-3. I haven't been to Mesa Verde or Colorado Springs so can't speak to those places. If you can, I might reverse the order of your trip to hit the Badlands, Rushmore and Yellowstone first. Front Loading the trip and having some time in one place at Yellowstone after the long push west might be helpful. Plus I'm thinking it will be the toughest place to get reservations. After leaving Yellowstone, you could adapt a little easier as you see how it goes.
Dave & Kathy
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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You need more time at Bryce and Zion. If you cannot make more time on your schedule drop one.
I would drop Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands.
I loved the Badlands will go back another time. I was a history teacher so thought I would like Mt. Rushmore but an hour was enough for me.
We hike so did not see everything that we wanted to see at Yellowstone in twelve days. If you are not into long walks you can probably cut a day or two from Yellowstone.
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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Why not turn that into two trips, one this summer and one next. Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and the National Parks in southern Utah one summer and the rest another year. Your family will have more fun and you will all have time to relax and see things along the way.
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sdianel
Tampa, FL
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we did a whirlwind 9 day trip with our family and found that if we have long miles to drive if we get up very early and leave we don't mind the 10 hour drive. We like to be at the next location before dark. Many park offices close at sunset. We also found that if we stay 2 nights at each stop it wasn't so bad. The kids liked it more than the adults. They were never bored. (we have a class A).
Lonny & Diane
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Even traveling 500 miles a day without a TT is going to be rough on the family. Throw in the TT and you get slower travel speeds and longer hours on the road. Not much of a relaxing vacation.
I've pulled some 500 miles in one day towing my fiver and I was beat by the end of the day. I won't do it anymore.
Is it too much? I think so. Keep it to around 300 miles a day. Take the time to stop along the way and check out some sites. Get off the Interstate and travel some U.S. highways, usually a much prettier drive with more to see; the family will apretiate it more.
Best of luck and have a safe trip.
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donn0128
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You are planning to drive about 50% of the time! Yikes that's a lot of miles. Cut your plans in half would be about right. Also remember summer is HOT season in the desert SW. Might want to drop that portion and stay in the cooler northern tier.
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Taplep
Atlanta, GA
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We just did a trip from Atlanta to Yoesmite in 15 days this year in June. I wish I had been able to take more time to "stop and smell the roses" as I drove like a bat outta of h*** and was sooo tired at the end of the day from driving. And I like to drive!! Hindsight, I wouldn't drive anything more than 500 miles a day, keeping it more around 350-450 a day. I can honestly say I have become an expert setting up and tearing down camp in short order!!
We did Mesa Verde as well--we found that 1 day was plenty to see the more popular ruins (especially when the rangers would give out the same info on each tour!) From there we stopped at the Four Corners on the way to the NR Grand Canyon. Glen Canyon dam was cool, too! Could've stayed longer than 2 days at the North Rim. Be sure to watch the sunset from the lodge--get there early to get a good seat. You won't be disappointed!
My two sons 15-13 loved the trip, but hated the long drive, even though they were plugged in to the DVD player.
Good Luck! Let me know if you want any more insight on our trip--I'd be happy to share.
Ted & Lauren
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Pokey2
Bel Marin Keys, CA
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I agree that your planned first 3 days could be a killer. Would you do all the driving, or would DW share with it?
Much as I love the Grand Canyon (North Rim, I assume), I think one day might be enough there unless you plan to hike down into the canyon; that would put a different complexion on it. (I’ve never hiked down from the North Rim but, years ago, I did hike up there from Phantom Ranch)
I think you’d not be disappointed if you could fit in a day at Arches National Park on your way to Idaho. There are several decent places to overnight in Moab.
Good luck, and have fun!
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