how would you plan a cross-country route?

[arrfep]

In light of arguments made in this thread, I've changed my answer to this:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/google-delivers-grand-canyon-panoramas/

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

In light of arguments made in this thread, I've changed my answer to this:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/31/google-delivers-grand-canyon-panoramas/

Thanks, that made me laugh. Fortunately, most of the folks who live on the latest technology, aren't the kind to visit our National Parks anyways.

 

[crashtestdummy]

I've taken quite a few trips cross country and usually plan them by the National Parks/Monuments I want to see.

This. If you've not seen them, I'd recommend the following, in my order of preference (bolded I've been to, all the rest I want to):

Glacier
Grand Canyon
Zion
Grand Tetons
Yellowstone
Olympic
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
King's Canyon
Yosemite
Mt. Rainier
Crater Lake
Bryce Canyon

Work out a path covers a few of these, and you won't be sorry. If you're going to Seattle, for example, it'd be easy to ht the The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Rainier, Olympic, or Glacier as you go. (I wouldn't recommend doing all of these, but they're all in the area.)

For SF, the Black Canyon, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion and King's Canyon are all doable.

It all depends on how much time you have. Spend at least a few days in each place you go (I prefer a week, but it's hard to have that much time on a road trip).

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

This. If you've not seen them, I'd recommend the following, in my order of preference (bolded I've been to, all the rest I want to):

Glacier
Grand Canyon
Zion
Grand Tetons
Yellowstone
Olympic
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
King's Canyon
Yosemite
Mt. Rainier
Crater Lake
Bryce Canyon

Work out a path covers a few of these, and you won't be sorry. If you're going to Seattle, for example, it'd be easy to ht the The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Rainier, Olympic, or Glacier as you go. (I wouldn't recommend doing all of these, but they're all in the area.)

For SF, the Black Canyon, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion and King's Canyon are all doable.

It all depends on how much time you have. Spend at least a few days in each place you go (I prefer a week, but it's hard to have that much time on a road trip).

Yep, that's a good list, don't forget Monument Valley. Definitely try to spend more time in the Park(s) than driving.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

OP, if you think you'd like to do any camping, State parks rock! Don't even consider a KOA.

HA! Not true!

Sometimes a hot shower, pool, hot tub, wifi, laundry is needed! With no showers and being packed in like sardines at Bryce & Zion campgrounds - we said F-It and went right off the front gate and camped in a very nice park outside of Bryce.

Well worth it as we camped in Zion and had not had a shower in a few days. Although bathing in the river is an option.

 

[sjwaste]

Oregon trail?

 

[iamwiz82]

I like MS street and trips for planning routes. That being said I'd also bypass the freeway system as much as I could. I like backroads. 2 lanes and so much to see.

 

[SandEagle]

keep a ham radio, cb radio, extra batteries, blankets, flares, food, water, etc. never know when you'd get stuck in a blizzard hundreds of miles from home, in the middle of nowhere, with death looming at every corner. oh and take a book in case u get bored

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

HA! Not true!

Sometimes a hot shower, pool, hot tub, wifi, laundry is needed! With no showers and being packed in like sardines at Bryce & Zion campgrounds - we said F-It and went right off the front gate and camped in a very nice park outside of Bryce.

Well worth it as we camped in Zion and had not had a shower in a few days. Although bathing in the river is an option.

Yep, nuthin' says camping like astro turf over concrete.
There may be some decent KOA's, I've just never seen them. Besides, many State parks have hot showers.

 

[zanejohnson]

i would start by spelling it crosskuntry..

 

[nageov3t]

OP, if you think you'd like to do any camping, State parks rock! Don't even consider a KOA.

camping intimidates me a bit... namely because I've never done it, but also, if we're doing a one-way car rental, that limits us on what we can bring (outside of stuff like food, coolers, etc that would just get thrown out before hopping on the plane back home)

 

[randomrogue]

I've done it a few times. Go to google maps and type in a hodge podge route with the things you personally HAVE to see. Then start filling in the blanks. You should start to see a pattern on what to see on the way the Pacific Ocean and what to see on the way back.

There's nothing in the middle. Once you get past the Rockies/Badlands it's boring for days. The eastern side I defer to others.

Look at:

San Diego
Death Valley
Mohave Desert
Las Vegas
Hoover Dam
Lake Mead
Sequoia National Park
Kings Canyon
Yosemite
San Fransisco
PCH for at least a day North of San Fransisco
Santa Cruz, Carmel, Monterrey
Napa/Sonoma County
Sierra Nevada/Lake Tahoe
Avenue of the Giants
Maybe go past Mt Shasta on your way up into Oregon
Crater Lake
Through the Bend Oregon area
Obsidian Fields and Caves in Oregon
Maybe Mt Hood when you're around Portland
Mt Rainier
Seattle and maybe a side trip up to Vancouver
Olympic Peninsula. See the rain forest. I think there's vampires here if you're a girl.
Everything in Idaho and Montana seemed to be nice. Head towards Yellowstone.
Cody Wyoming. Around this area and anywhere towards Colorado will have some of the darkest skies I've ever seen outside of Africa
Grand Tetons
Badlands
Mt Rushmore
Grand Canyon
Zion National Park

Look I could keep going. Arches, maybe Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Ghost towns, Poppy fields, Elephant Seals, Light Houses, Surfing, Salt Flats, Devils Tower, etc. There's just so much.

 

[Ns1]

"The map is not the territory." Why not just sit home and "connect" to the world on your tablet? This is at the heart of traveling by car across the country. The planning of a route, enjoying the sights and, enjoying the occasional unplanned side trip due to an incorrect map (paper or web based) is the whole point.

That's the exact point...just sit on the tablet with gMaps on and pinch to zoom/expand while you drive along and stop by anything that interests your eye. I find lots of great shit that way.

You seem to think that I use technology as a replacement for seeing the real world, it's not; but it is a helpful tool. I got some great stories for when gMaps sends me down the wrong dirt road.


Also to the OP: If you get to CA, Death Valley is fucking awesome (except in the Summer).

 

[randomrogue]

Camping is the best. It really is. Word of caution though. Keep your car clean so that you can easily camp in Bear Country. Bring a good air mattress pump that can inflate the mattress very fast. Have a large cooler with you. I'd bring a GPS but also old fashioned maps from AAA. Don't bring a beater since the deserts can get very hot and your car might not make it through them. Good gas mileage will save you TONS of money. Nothing worse than having something with you that gets 8 mpg. I did that once. Big mistake. Bring a squeegee and window cleaner. The bugs can get really big and will clog up your windshield very fast. Have repellent with you. Satellite radio or a really big playlist would be a plus.

 

[randomrogue]

camping intimidates me a bit... namely because I've never done it, but also, if we're doing a one-way car rental, that limits us on what we can bring (outside of stuff like food, coolers, etc that would just get thrown out before hopping on the plane back home)

Buy at Walmart. Return at Walmart. Not the most ethical. Tent, Mattress, Cooler, Light, Pump, etc though really won't run you that much and you can consider it a part of the trip expenses and donate it to a youth hostel before flying home.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

camping intimidates me a bit... namely because I've never done it, but also, if we're doing a one-way car rental, that limits us on what we can bring (outside of stuff like food, coolers, etc that would just get thrown out before hopping on the plane back home)

I think you should definitely give camping a try but, not on this trip. Dealing with camping issues in addition to traveling across the country by car would put a strain on everyone. When you do try camping, make sure you go with someone who knows what they're doing. I also recommend leaving the electronics at home with the exception of a camera. You really can survive without checking email and FB.

Prioritize. Make the parks and the drive the most important thing not, the hotel at the end of the day. Learn to enjoy your travel companions without the help of electronics, national food chains or, computer games.

 

[Ns1]

Buy at Walmart. Return at Walmart. Not ethical at all.

ftfy

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

That's the exact point...just sit on the tablet with gMaps on and pinch to zoom/expand while you drive along and stop by anything that interests your eye. I find lots of great shit that way.

You seem to think that I use technology as a replacement for seeing the real world, it's not; but it is a helpful tool. I got some great stories for when gMaps sends me down the wrong dirt road.


Also to the OP: If you get to CA, Death Valley is fucking awesome (except in the Summer).

Gotcha, I just appreciate paper maps more.