trip out west usa

How To Plan A Trip Out West in 2024: Your Complete Guide

Oh, the wild west! Whether you want to road trip along the Kenai Peninsula, spot wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, or stroll through the vibrant Grand Canyon, there's much to explore. But with so much scattered around, is it possible to see it all? Let's break down the steps and start planning your next adventure out west.

From navigating the national parks and diving into history-rich museums to feeling the city buzz and dipping into the rugged coastline, you're spoilt for choice. Whether it's a peaceful retreat or an adrenaline-fueled vacation, there's no doubt you'll find it here. 

But with a hefty handful of things to do in the west, how can you squeeze it all in? Maybe you're heading out on a 7-day trip out west, or perhaps you're thinking about a 3-week road trip… This in-depth guide will take you through everything you need to know. Here's how to plan a trip out west! 

Step 1. Decide when you want to head out west 

How many days do you need for a road trip out west? The answer you're looking for depends highly on you. It's about your preferences, travel style, the attractions you want to see, and the activities you want to do. The best time of year to road trip out west can vary greatly depending on these factors. 

Planning a trip out west any time of the year can offer many pros and cons. Each season hosts unique experiences, like shredding on snowy slopes in winter or hiking in spring.  

The west is well-known for its sublime scenery, and an ideal time to explore is during the shoulder seasons. The springtime showcases a wealth of wildflowers as they surge across the snow-melted mountains. In contrast, the fall brings colorful foliage with a few raindrops. The low season offers backpackers more affordable prices on accommodation and flights too! 

The wintertime offers action-packed events and activities for both snow and sports lovers. If you're interested in skiing or snowboarding, now's the time to shine! Prices can soar around Christmas, so it's not ideal for budget travelers. 

The west's summertime boasts hot and dry weather, making it a stellar time for outdoor activities. Tourism is usually at its height this season, so it may not be ideal for those bound to a strict budget. 

Step 2. Create your ideal travel budget 

If you're planning a trip out west, you're probably left thinking, how much will this cost? Now's the time to construct your very own travel budget. It sounds simple and not so appealing, but it's a crucial step to get more bang for your buck. 

When creating your ideal budget, remember to factor in accommodation, transport, flights, rental car hire, food, etc. Every last detail counts! 

The standard daily budget for travelers out west can differ greatly, depending on your travel style. If you're looking to keep it low cost, stay just outside the popular tourist areas and find budget accommodation in advance. If you're planning to hire a car, remember the money for fuel and tollways!  

Traveling has become more affordable in recent years. You can make the most out of your adventures by using these comprehensive  budget travel tips .  

Step 3. Figure out the must-see destinations 

All right! The United States West is home to an inundating inventory of dazzling destinations. Whether you want to lay low in a coastal town or sweat it out in a national park, a lot goes on on this side of the country. If you're heading out on a road trip out west, here are some top destinations you could add to your itinerary: 

• Yosemite National Park 
• Museum of American West in Denver 
• San Francisco city 
• Rocky Mountain National Park 
• Jackson Hole 
• Getty Center in Los Angeles 
• Yellowstone National Park
• Space Needle in Seattle 
• Beaches in California 
• Zion National Park
• Grand Canyon 

Step 4. Establish your route  

How do you plan on getting around? Are you thinking about a 2-week road trip out west, or would you prefer a 5-day visit? Are you driving a car, campervan, or participating in a group trip? 

Whatever your preference is, there really is no right or wrong way to do it. Plan your route out west, and remember to calculate time, cost, and distance. 

Step 5. Figure out your accommodation 

Out west, there is a huge range of accommodation. Depending on your travel tastes, what you choose can vary greatly. When planning a trip out west, you'll encounter everything from budget hostels to luxury resorts. You can also choose between  Airbnb ,  Couchsurfing,  hostels , sharehouses, and hotels. 

Save yourself time by comparing different hotel options on websites like  Hotels.com . You can even sign up to score hotel deals alerts to save extra money.  

 Step 6. Research some activities and attractions 

Now's the time to ask yourself, what are some of the best things to do out west? Maybe you've seen a photo of a canyon you'd like to conquer, a beach you'd like to bathe on, or a desert spa that's calling your name… 

Whatever you're feeling, get it down on paper! Here are some activities to add to your itinerary out west: 

• Kayak through the Emerald Cove
• Hit the dunes of Las Vegas on an ATV tour
• See Palm Springs from above on the aerial tramway  
• Hike through Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park on a day tour  
• Tour the Grand Canyon 
• Hit the heights of Temecula on a hot-air balloon ride   
• Go on a Napa and Sonoma Wine Country full-day tour  

Step 7. Get down to the nitty gritty  

Now that you know how to plan a trip out west, it's time to get down to business. Get your travel visa and documents organized, and make sure you've got travel insurance too. Being prepared in case things go wrong can bring you great peace of mind. If you need help figuring out what's right for you, take a peek at this insider's guide on the  best travel insurance for 2023 .

Step 8. Start packing  

Packing doesn't have to involve running around your room, frantically fumbling through drawers, throwing clothes everywhere, and screaming, "I can't find anything"… In fact, packing can be quite the opposite. All you need to do is stay organized and pack ahead of time. 

Scan over all the items in this  complete vacation packing list  to ensure you've all the necessities. Keep your clothing organized with  packing cubes  and utilize all the room you have. Heck, even stuff socks and underwear into your shoes! 

When planning a trip out west, there are going to be some long hours spent on the road. To help make your life easier and not break the bank, don't forget these travel essentials: 

• Universal Travel Adapter
• Power Bank  
• Water Bottle  
• Travel Wallet  
• Noise-Cancelling Headphones  
• Hiking Shoes  

Why visit the west? 

This part of the United States is home to some of the most unique landscapes on earth. With rolling hilltops, sandy deserts, vibrant cities, and a whole lot more, there is something to satisfy every type of traveler. 

Rural escapes, stunning scenery, crashing coastlines, and more! 

Now that you know how to plan a trip out west, it's time to take off your serious shoes and slip into something a little more comfortable. Pilot can help you plan the most epic trip, so what are you waiting for? Start the countdown now! 

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

Satisfy your wanderlust

Get Pilot. The travel planner that takes fun and convenience to a whole other level. Try it out yourself.

Trending Travel Stories

Discover new places and be inspired by stories from our traveller community.

Related Travel Guides

Best Travel Insurance: Which Is Actually Worth Buying in 2024?

Planning for Disney: 6 Steps to Experience the Magic

How to Plan a Perfect Yosemite Trip: Make Memories

Make the most of every trip.

You won’t want to plan trips any other way!

The trip planner that puts everything in one place, making planning your trip easier, quicker, and more fun.

UponArriving

40 Places to See in The Western United States (Vacations, Landmarks) [2023]

This article will show you 40 (stunning) places to see in the Western United States.

These are pretty stunning destinations perfect for vacations, road trips, and for anybody interested in discovering these landmarks and points of interest.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Table of Contents

1. Moaning Cave –  Moaning Cavern Park (California)

Moaning Cave sounds like the title to an Indie film you’d probably want to avoid, but don’t be deceived. Discovered (modernly) during the Gold Rush, this cavern earned its name from the moaning sound that echoes throughout the cave. You can’t deny the intrigue of caverns, especially ones that emit moaning echoes. If you’re in the Gold Country area then try to stop by.

2. Paint Mines – Paint Mines Interpretative Park (Colorado)

Most people think about the Rocky Mountains when they think of Colorado. Here’s a lesser known spot worth your time called “Paint Mines.” This park is a cluster of hoodoos and sand-capped spires of all colors.

There’s an array of wildlife here, too. Everything from horned toads, mule deers, falcons, and coyotes call this place home. Definitely look into visiting.

3. Horsetail Fall in February – Yosemite National Park (California)

Ever seen a “fire fall?”

Better yet, have you ever even heard of a fire fall?

You’ll only be able to catch a glimpse of this elusive wonder at Yosemite National Park two weeks out of the year in February when the sun shines on the fall just right at sunset. But if you’ve ever wondered what a waterfall looks like when lit on fire, now you know.

4. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone – Yellowstone National Park ( Wyoming)

Everybody knows about the Grand Canyon. And everybody knows about Yellowstone . But not everyone knows that there’s a “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone” and that it is one of the most stunning places in the country.

5. Kanarra Creek – Zion National Park (Utah)

Now that Antelope Canyon is growing in fame and rightfully so, I felt the need to showcase another stunning slot canyon, Kanarra Creek. Unlike Antelope Canyon, you’ll actually have to do some hiking through the Zion backcountry to get to this picturesque location.

6. Hidden Lake – Glacier National Park (Montana)

Really, the entire national park of Glacier could be put on this list because so few people know about the many peaks, lakes, and (you guessed it) glaciers that make up this spectacular park. I figured Hidden Lake exemplified the unknown beauty of Glacier, in both its name and its scenery.

7. Rialto Beach – Olympic National Park (Washington)

Standing tall and shaped like the Pacific’s version of the “Burj Al Arab” (the sailboat skyscraper) in Dubai, this iconic beach is a photographer’s paradise. And as the caption below suggests, Rialto Beach may be the best “Kelped” secret of the Pacific Northwest coastline.

8. Painted Hills – John Day Fossil Bed National Monument (Oregon)

Here’s a scene right out of a Dr. Seuss book except it’s real life. I’ve seen a similar sight in Asia but who knew we had this here in the United States? The painted hills are a part of a larger area of the John Day Fossil Bed where you can find fossils of horses, camels, and even rhinoceroses. And by “you” I mean skilled paleontologists, of course.

9. The Subway – Zion National Park (Utah)

Going to or from the Subway, you’ll dive through emerald waters, rappel through multiple slot canyons, scramble over boulders the size of houses, and pass dinosaur tracks. Oh yeah, and you’ll catch a glimpse of this wonder.

10. Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)

Black Canyon of the Gunnison sounds like a place straight out of a fantasy novel and it looks like one, too. It’s one of the steepest mountain descents in the world and the photos here will leave you with no doubt of that fact.

11. Zabriskie Point – Death Valley National Park (California)

Here’s yet another location you’ll have to see with your own eyes to believe it’s actually earth you’re looking at. See the tiny black things on the left that look like penguins? They’re actually humans — that’s how vast this unique landscape is.

12. White Pocket – Arizona

White Pocket’s not really white but actually full of brilliant, vibrant color… and dragons, too.

13. Palouse Falls –  Palouse Falls State Park (Washington)

Not quite a hidden gem if you live in the Pacific Northwest, but Palouse Falls is a destination many outside of the photography and hiking world have not heard about. Not to mention most people can’t believe to find out this spot is in Washington state and not somewhere in the Southwest.

14. Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota

For those who always ask what there is to do in North Dakota, well now you have an answer. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is full of badlands just waiting to be explored. The park is also known for its abundant wildlife, which include feral horses, golden eagles, and elk among many others.

15. Hidden Lake – North Cascades National Park (Washington)

Another hidden lake makes the list. This one will take a few miles of hiking to get to capture the view but as you can see it would be worth it.

16. Cathedral Lake – Yosemite National Park (California)

While this point may be known to frequent hikers to Yosemite, it’s still a destination constantly overlooked by many for other destinations inside Yosemite Valley that are easier to access. If you’re planning on making it here be sure you to apply for a permit early or take your chances with first come, first serve.

17. Tent Rocks – Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (New Mexico)

I know what you’re thinking. These cones look like they were shaped by volcanic eruptions that likely occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. Well, you’re right. Stop by Tent Rocks to witness the artistic side of mother nature if you’re ever in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area.

Related: 18 Best National Parks in New Mexico

18. McWay Falls – Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park/Big Sur (California)

Can it get more beautiful than a waterfall (or “tidefall”) pouring into turquoise waters on a California beach at dusk? I don’t think it can. I really don’t think it can….

Okay, so maybe it can….

19. Goosenecks – Goosenecks State Park ( Utah)

A quick stop allows you to see this triple entrenched meander located close to Mexican Hat and not far from Monument Valley. Just be aware that your GPS on your cell phone will sometimes do some funky things in this region of the country. Make sure you’re actually headed to Goosenecks State Park and not an abandoned gas station 50 miles out of the way (not that it ever happened to me).

20. Garden of the Gods – Colorado

Visit the Garden of the Gods National Landmark and you will be blown away by the stark contrast between the Garden’s bright orange and the surrounding terrain. There are tons of photo ops around this place and it is easily accessible by car. Don’t miss it if you’re in the Colorado Springs area; it’s a perfect road trip pit-stop.

21. Mono Lake – California

In 2010, scientists thought they’d discovered a new “alien” DNA here, and can anyone really blame them? Just look at the formations happening here. Now, I’m pretty sure that “discovery” has been debunked, but I’m still holding out hope for aliens.

22. Bisti Badlands – New Mexico

Badlands never get old, especially when they look like giant petrified mushrooms. Here’s some badlands in New Mexico, not known to many.

23. The Window – Big Bend National Park (Texas)

Big Bend is one of the least visited national parks due to its location just west of middle-of-nowhere, Texas. But what it lacks in visitors it makes up in breathtaking views like this one.

The Window is one of those places where you have to just put life on hold, get comfortable on a bench and watch the vast Texas sky transform into a real-life painting at sunset. It’s one of my favorite national parks in Texas .

And after you get your sunset fix, head to nearby Marfa,Texas to see the sky get real freaky when the Marfa lights come out.

24. Green River Overlook – Canyonlands National Park (Utah)

A lot of people have seen images of the Canyonlands, but I still think Canyonlands National Park is overlooked so I included it. You’ll catch some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets you’ve ever seen at this park. And if you’re a movie buff, try heading to Blue John Canyon where you can see the site where the actual accident occurred in the movie,  127 hours .

25. Blue Mesa/Painted Desert – Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)

Now it’s back to Dr. Seuss land with more absurdly colored desert land. And what makes this place even weirder is that the brown stuff you’ll assume is dirt is actually little bits of petrified trees that are reallllly old. It’s one of my favorite national parks sites in Arizona ( read more about others here ).

26. Valley of Fire – Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada)

Don’t think you’ll ever be able to make your way to Mars? Well, luckily you can catch a glimpse of Mars at this state park in Nevada where Hollywood has also gone looking for the Martian terrain. There are ton of formations to check out here but the Fire Wave (seen below) is one of my favorites.

This place is only about 60 miles out from Las Vegas, so if you don’t want to drive all the way to the Grand Canyon this is the place you want to stop. If you visit this place in the summer, be sure to bring extra water because it gets HOT. Dry heat or not, it’s still the Valley of Fire .

27. Antelope Canyon – Arizona

While Antelope Canyon is becoming more known it still deserves a place on this list, because I meet tons of people who still don’t know about this sacred place. Witnessing the light beams in this canyon should be on everyone’s bucket list. Check out my write-up on Antelope Canyon for more info.

28. Inspiration and Bryce Point – Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

Well known to photographers, the average vacationer is probably more interested in seeing sites like the Grand Canyon when in the area but this sight is not to be missed, especially at sunrise.

29. Smith Rock – Oregon (Smith Rock State Park)

Smith Rock, located in central Oregon, is a frequent rock-climbing destination for professional climbers and known as the birth place of “sport climbing.” The best of the best are consistently developing the latest routes and climbing techniques out here. Even if you’re not a climber it’s a beautiful setting to watch the sunrise as it illuminates this huge rock, resembling a castle towering over a surrounding moat.

30. Bodega Head – Bodega Bay (California)

When bringing up California beaches, the names usually mentioned first are those like Malibu and Big Sur. But here’s one you probably haven’t heard: Bodega Bay. At Bodega, massive cliffs suited for whale-watching overlook rocky beaches, and trails will lead you all around scenic terrain and even down to secluded beaches where you’ll be the only human being walking on the sand.

Say hello to the seals at Seal Rock and then visit the tide pools that are among the most diverse in the world and have attracted the likes of National Geographic. Just watch out for the birds when visiting the nearby town of Bodega.

31. Paradise Valley – Mt Rainer National Park (Washington)

Paradise valley. The name really says it all…

32. The Racetrack – Death Valley National Park (California)

Just how did these rocks get there? Aliens? The prankster of the century? God? Nobody really knows . The Race Track is a true natural wonder because if you visit it you will inevitably spend all day wondering who really moved these rocks?

33. Horseshoe Bend – Page, Arizona

Horseshoe Bend is another spot growing with popularity but still often times confused with the Grand Canyon National Park. From a nearby parking lot, it’s a short hike to the overlook but be careful about getting too close to the edge — it’s a long 1,000 feet down to the Colorado River below.

34. B adlands – Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Badlands National Park is the place to see badlands. It’s also a perfect place to find unique wildlife, such as bighorn sheep, the swift fox, bison, and the most endangered mammal in North America: the elusive black-footed ferret. Try to catch the sunset or sunrise here and if you’re lucky you may even catch a sight of the Northern Lights.

35. Fiery Furnace – Arches National Park (Utah)

So everyone goes to Arches National Park just to see the arches, right? Not exactly. Here’s one “non-arch” spot worth checking out. Enter the furnace at your own risk, however. Inside, there are no signs, trails, or cairns and due to the height of the sandstone walls your GPS is likely to fail as well.

36. Spider Rock – Canyon De Chelly National Monument (Arizona)

Recently used as a backdrop in last summer’s record-setting flop, The Lone Ranger , Canyon De Chelly is another destination worth a visit. The taller of the two spires is said to be home of the “Spider Grandmother” who according to folklore is responsible for all of creation. There’s more breathtaking views like the one below to checkout so make sure you see them all. Also, be sure to bring some cash with you to purchase some local art that makes for great souvenirs.

37. Giant Sequoias – Sequoia National Park (California)

So trees are kind of boring to most people including myself, but giant sequoias are definitely an exception. Sometimes growing higher than 300 feet, many of these trees are over 2,000 years old and have up to three-feet thick of squishy bark.

Head to Sequoia National Park to see them as well as the largest tree in the world, The General Sherman Tree.

38. Rio Grande Gorge – New Mexico 

The Rio Grande gets a bad wrap sometimes but this view should change your mind. If you’re ever making the cross country road trip through southern New Mexico then check out the “Gorge Bridge” where you’ll be awestruck with views like this.

39. Hospital Reef Potholes – San Diego, California

Hospital Reef Potholes, near San Diego, is known for its potholes that kind of resemble the surface of the moon. Speaking of the moon, all you national park junkies may want to start gearing up because you may have one hell of a hike to get to one of the upcoming National Park sites, soon.

40. Mammoth Springs – Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

We end the list with another Yellowstone site that many wouldn’t be able to recognize and constantly overlook, leaving it ranked as low as the 23rd attraction for Yellowstone according to TripAdvisor. On your way to the hot springs and in nearby areas, you may run into some real wildlife.

I’m talking about grizzly bears, moose, bison, elk, that kind of stuff so watch out. But everyone seems to be blown away by these hot springs, which make a worthwhile destination in the summer or in the -20 degree winter.

Remember to tread lightly and do your best to preserve these wonderful locations by using common sense and having respect for the land, the locals, and other visitors when you visit.

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

Great website. Never knew some of these places existed. Will definitely be visiting some of these places.

I would like to receive info on hidden, historic and other destination and sight-seeing west of the Mississippi River locations for an out of shape late 60 year old and slightly younger wife and friends who are planning a possible driving tour for the future.

Did you find an answer? We are in the same boat!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Overview

Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

Home | Travel | North America | United States | Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary

When traveling abroad, get a policy from one of the  best travel insurance companies . Y ou can get a  5% discount   on Heymondo , the only insurance that pays medical bills upfront for you, HERE!

Traveling along the West Coast of the United States  had been in my head since the day I found out I’d be moving there for work. Who hasn’t dreamed about a road trip across the Western US? For me, the landscapes that automatically come to mind are the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Death Valley among others, as we have seen again and again in a bunch of movies.

Grand Canyon

In addition to nature, the American West Coast also offers you visits to symbolic cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

My favorite part of this trip was definitely the National Parks where natural wonders of this incredible country are concentrated within. I had been taking note of them on a  Western US  map   for a long time so that I could visit them as soon as I had the chance.

That’s how I started planning the 10-day West Coast USA road trip that we took in August.

THIS WAS OUR 10-DAY WEST COAST USA ITINERARY:

Our 10-day West Coast USA road trip itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Las Vegas.  Beginning of our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip.
• Day 2: Monument Valley + Antelope Canyon + Horseshoe Bend.  The most popular places in the Western USA.
• Day 3: Bryce Canyon National Park. One of the less touristic national park in the West Coast USA.
• Day 4: Zion Canyon National Park. One of the places we like the most during our 10-day West Coast USA trip.
• Day 5: Grand Canyon,  a must-visit place on the West Coast.
• Day 6: Mojave National Preserve + Death Valley,  the best of our 10-day West Coast Itinerary.
• Day 7: Yosemite Valley, the best attraction in the Western USA.
• Day 8: Upper Yosemite Falls,  the best hike of our West Coast America road trip.
• Day 9: Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. You cannot skip this highlight of West Coast USA:
• Day 10: Return flight from San Francisco.  En of our 10-day Western US trip.

If a Western US road trip is also one of your dreams, you will find everything you need to prepare your trip here:

• 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip

Best places to visit in West Coast America

• Our West Coast USA 10-day itinerary
• How to plan a self-drive trip to the Western US

How much does it cost a West Coast USA trip?

• Map of Western US

10-day west coast USA road trip

One of the first things I am sure you will be wondering about is how long a West Coast trip could take. My opinion is that you could be discovering the American West Coast for months and would still have things to do.

Death Valley – Zabriskie Point

When looking at a West Coast USA map, it may initially seem that the best tourist destinations are close to each other. However, distances in this country are huge, and you will spend a lot of time on the road during your trip.

Keep in mind that the US public transportation system is very scarce outside of the big cities, so the only practical option is to rent a car and prepare for a West Coast USA driving holiday.

On our West Coast USA road trip, more than ¼ of the trip was spent driving and still, along with the Canadian Rockies trip , it was one of the best trips of our life.

Another highly recommended option is to take a West Coast RV trip , as this country offers all kind of facilities for those who like to travel with their motorhome. You can check the best RV rental companies in the USA here.

Although it takes a long time to travel across the West Coast in depth, if you don’t have too many days or prefer to combine them, I encourage you to spend in West Coast America at least 10 days.

Grand Canyon – Plateau Point

There are thousands of West Coast USA tours you can take, so the first thing you have to choose is a few must-see places. It may seem complicated to plan this trip at first, especially when you do not have much time.

To help you choose your perfect West Coast America itinerary, you will discover the main tourist attractions in this section. Then, you can design the West Coast USA holiday itinerary that best suits your needs.

I suggest that as you read through this article, write down  the things to do in West Coast America  that interest you most on a map to help determine the best itinerary.

SAN FRANCISCO

If you like to visit cities, one of the places you cannot miss on the West Coast America is San Francisco. This popular city of California, is characterized by the steep slopes and the well-known Lombard street.

The most popular thing to do in San Francisco is visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in the US and a classic in many American films, as seen in Godzilla and Superman.

In addition, another interesting activity to do is visiting the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary whose best-known prisoner was Al Capone. It was said that nobody could escape from this maximum-security prison island since the only way was by swimming almost two kilometers in cold and treacherous waters.

If you are visiting this city, stay in one of the best hotels in San Francisco.

Las Vegas,  also known as “Sin City”, is one of the American classics famous for its countless casinos, open container laws (aka public drinking), and legalized prostitution in nearby counties.

The largest city in the state of Nevada welcomes both domestic and global tourism, where vice is a right. It is not surprising to hear the old saying: What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.

Welcome Las Vegas

Whether you like gambling or not, it is a must-see Western American city. It is also a good place to celebrate your (fake) wedding if being married by Elvis is also one of your dreams. Here you can find the ultimate list of things to do in Las Vegas.

If you are visiting this city make sure you know where to stay in Las Vegas , since its hotels are some of the most amazing in the World.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS to do in las vegas

• Los Angeles

Los Angeles , also known as LA, is the most populous city on the West Coast of USA. The City of Broken Dreams and Hollywood stars is located in California.

The Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign are probably the main tourist attractions in Los Angeles , although a visit to Santa Monica , the beach where Baywatch was filmed, is also recommended.

Another place of interest is the Warner Bros. studios , where you can visit the film sets of a lot of movies, as well as Venice , where the canals remind you of those from the Italian city with the same name.

LA is a stop that you cannot miss on your 10-day West Coast US trip if you happen to enjoy both cities and film. You can find where to stay in Los Angeles here.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN LOS ANGELES

Grand canyon.

If we had to choose just a single place to start, visiting the Grand Canyon  would probably be the first that we recommend to do in West Coast USA.

The Grand Canyon is in Arizona and was shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years. In some points, the Canyon reaches a depth of more than 5250 feet.

Grand Canyon – Helicopter Tour

If you don’t have much time, taking a Grand Canyon helicopter tour is a good option, as we told you in that article about our experience. However, if you have several days, I advise going down the canyon  through one of the many different hikes to discover the Colorado River.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO DO IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK and best places to stay in Grand canyon

Havasu falls.

If you like adventure, visiting the Havasu Falls is an essential of West Coast USA.

The Havasu Falls, along with others in the area, belong to the Havasupai Indian Reservation and are guarded by a tribe of Native Americans. They are inaccessible by car, so you must be in excellent physical condition to visit as you will be hiking in and out.

Plan well in advance for your visit, since you will need a permit that usually runs out shortly after the beginning of the  reservation  period which starts in February of each year. In addition to the permit, you will have to book a camping spot, as it is mandatory to stay there when visiting the falls.

SANTA BARBARA

Back at the coastal area, Santa Bárbara, located 150 kilometers north of Los Angeles, can be another interesting stop.

The main beach largely resembles Santa Mónica, except Santa Bárbara is not as popular.

However, Santa Bárbara is not just a beach: its architecture with Hispanic colonial roots is an important tourist attraction.

MONUMENT VALLEY

Between Utah and Arizona, Monument Valley is another one of the supernatural landscapes in the American West. It is a huge valley where very interesting geological formations rose with reddish colors. This was also a scene featured in many classic western films.

Monument Valley

This desert valley is located within the Navajo Nation, a territory that belongs to the Navajo natives who are responsible for both maintenance of the reserve and collection of entrance fees, which is not included in the US National Parks pass.

The best time to photograph the valley is during sunrise when the sun is behind the monuments, or during sunset when the monuments are illuminated by the last rays of the sun. In addition, there are different hiking trails that bring you closer to the main monuments of the valley, or you can even take a Jeep tour with one of the Navajo guides.

Do not miss our Guide TO THINGS TO Do IN Monument Valley and WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

Page: antelope canyon and horseshoe bend.

Page is a town inside the Navajo Indian Reservation, located in Arizona.

The most interesting attraction here is the Antelope Canyon , a geological feature formed by consecutive floods throughout history, which eroded narrow labyrinths of sandy rock into its terrain.

Antelope Canyon

Do not miss our Guide to antelope canyon TOURS

In addition, if you visit Page, you cannot miss a sunset in  Horseshoe Bend, which is named after its shape. It is probably the most famous bend of the Colorado River.

Horseshoe Bend

Do not miss our Guide to VISIT horseshoe bend

Here we leave you the best guide to know where to stay in Page.

The Wave in Arizona is another attraction to see in Western America.

To see this solidified wave-shaped dune, you must have a permit issued  four months in advance and by lottery (only 20 visitors per day are allowed).

It is one of the few virgin wonders that remain in the United States, so if you missed the date of the draw, it is always a good idea to check if someone has canceled his or her tour on the calendar. Visit this booking website both to participate in the lottery and to check the calendar.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Bryce Canyon National Park is a reserve located in Utah and is popular for the peculiar rock formations also known as “Hoodoos”. This park should be included in any Western US National Parks itinerary.

Due to the reddish color of the terrain, the best time to contemplate the main amphitheater viewpoint is at sunrise and sunset.

Bryce Canyon

There are also several hiking trails that will take you through the formations, where you can discover some with very interesting forms and names like Thor’s Hammer or Queen Victoria.

Do not miss THE BEST HIKES IN bryce canyon and the BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BRYCE

Close to the Mexican border, we will find San Diego, the second largest city in the state south of Los Angeles

This city is a good stop on your 10-day West Coast US road trip if you are more interested in beach areas. La Jolla Cove is the most popular beach and you can find all kinds of wildlife including sea lions there.

In addition to the beach, there are other places of interest, such as Old Town San Diego, where you can find original buildings of the first Spaniards that arrived here, and Balboa Park, where many museums are concentrated, or the Coronado Island , where you can find the best views of the city.

ZION NATIONAL PARK

In Utah, one of the most important landmarks of the state is  Zion National Park, where the main interest here is an 800-meter-deep canyon carved into the reddish terrain for 24 kilometers by the Virgin River.

There are different hikes that you can take in this park. One of the most popular is Angels Landing, where you can get a full view of the canyon after three hours of hiking and up the Via Ferrata section.

Zion Canyon

Another longer route is The Narrows , which can be completed in 8 hours or done over several days. The route goes through the narrow gorges carved in by the virgin river, so you always need to check river flow the day before at the visitor’s center, and also to get water shoes.

Do not miss THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO IN zion national park and WHERE TO STAY IN ZION NATIONAL PARK

Joshua tree national park.

Located in a desert area in southern California, Joshua Tree National Park stands out for its unique rocks and mountain shapes.

Although its name comes from the unique Joshua Tree , what makes this park really interesting are the infinite rock-climbing possibilities .

Whether or not you are a climber, if you decide to visit Joshua Tree National Park on your West Coast USA trip over 10 days, you will experience the feeling of finding yourself on another planet.

DEATH VALLEY

On your 10-day West Coast America self-driving tour, you cannot miss the Death Valley that is located in California.

Death Valley

This immense desert is famous for Badwater, a dry area with the highest negative elevation within North America, situated at 262 feet below sea level. In addition, it is one of the hottest places on earth during summer, with a maximum recorded temperature of 58ºC.

Zabriskie Point

If you are going to cross it, be sure to fill the fuel tank and bring plenty of water to survive the extreme desert temperatures during the day.

Do not miss tHE bEST tHINGS TO DO IN Death Valley and where to stay in Death Valley

Mojave national preserve.

The Mojave Desert  spreads across Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) and the Mojave National Preserve.

While you will find Joshua trees all over in this vast extension of land, the world’s highest concentration is located within the Mojave National Preserve .

Mojave Desert

In addition to the flora, the fauna is abundant and diverse, from reptiles like snakes, lizards, and turtles to mammals like bobcats or hares.

Do not miss WHAT TO DO IN mojave desert

Arches national park.

Arches National Park , located in Utah, has the highest concentration of stone arches in the world, however, there is no record of how many arches there are in this extension. This is the reason why it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Utah.

In addition, we can find another type of geological formations that defy gravity here, such as the Balanced Rock, a rock that seems to be falling at any time, yet has been standing for thousands of years in the same position.

The best way to go across Arches National Park is through a park ranger-guided tour that takes you to the purest and most virgin area of the park, where you cannot access on your own. You can book it here.

This park is one of the most acclaimed by photographers since the impossible shapes of the arches are very easy to use in any composition.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

An essential stop in West Coast USA is Yosemite National Park , located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California.

This park is remarkable for two of the most important climbing sites in the United States and the world: the big granite walls of El Capitan and the Half Dome. In addition, we can find the American Giant Sequoia, one of the largest trees in the world, as well as extensive fauna that includes raccoons and black bears in this park.

Yosemite Valley

If you are a lover of nature, outdoor activities, and camping , this is surely going to be one of your favorite places near West Coast of the United States.

Do not miss all you have to do in Yosemite and WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

Sequoia national park.

In Sequoia National Park, you can find the largest concentration of giant sequoias in the world. These are grouped within what is known as the Giant Forest.

The park is located about 10000 feet above sea level, a critical altitude for this type of trees to grow. However, it may be closed during the winter because of the snow.

In addition, here we can find the giant sequoia known as General Sherman standing at 275 feet. While it is the largest single-stem tree, the Hyperion , located in Redwood National Park, California, stands taller at 379 feet as the tallest living tree known in the world.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming is the oldest national park in the United States. It stands out for the incredible volcanic activity in the area and for the abundant fauna that inhabits the park: buffalo, grizzly bears, black bears, moose… If you want to enjoy the authentic American wildlife and landscapes with a smell of sulfur taken from another world, Yellowstone is an essential place to visit on the American West Coast.

I didn’t visit it during my first trip to the West Coast in the United States in 10 days, but during my next trip in which I toured Yellowstone and Grand Teton for 10 days, a great plan if you are looking for an alternative itinerary.

Check WHAT TO DO IN YELLOWSTONE and WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

Grand teton national park.

The mountains of Grand Teton National Park are one of the most haunted landscapes by photographers on the West Coast. If you like wildlife, hiking, and want to flee the typical 10-day US West Coast itineraries , I recommend visiting this national park that promises a quiet vacation away from the masses even in peak tourist season.

Grand Teton adjoins Yellowstone National Park, so taking a 10-day tour of the US West Coast combining these two parks is quite popular.

Check what to do in grand teton and WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

Our 10-day west coast usa itinerary.

As we stated above, our West Coast USA trip was focused on national parks and all the natural wonders of this area in North America.

Cities in the west coast are for sure some interesting destinations, but, without a doubt, if we had had more than 10 days to travel the American West Coast, we would have kept exploring the natural places that this country offers, each one so different and full of contrasts.

DAY 1 – West Coast America Trip: FLIGHT TO LAS VEGAS

We arrived in Las Vegas at noon, picked up the rental car and made a quick route to see the highlights of the city.

After a mandatory stop to make the classic photo with the Welcome Las Vegas sign, we headed to Monument Valley (6 hours driving) where we spent our first night.

DAY 2 – West Coast America Trip: DAWN IN MONUMENT VALLEY + ANTELOPE CANYON + HORSESHOE BEND

We photographed the sunrise in Monument Valley to see the incredible geological formations of the Navajo Reservation tinted in beautiful reddish colors.

Monument Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the morning we went to Antelope Canyon , in Page (2 hours driving) to take both the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon tours.

Antelope Canyon (Our 10-day West Coast USA Trip)

In the afternoon we had a rest at  Lake Powell. Then we went to Horseshoe Bend from where we watched and photographed an unforgettable sunset.

Horseshoe Bend (Our 10-day Western US Road Trip)

We drove 2.5 hours until our next stop on our 10-day route along the West Coast.

DAY 3 – West Coast America Trip: BRYCE canyon NATIONAL PARK

We woke up in Bryce Canyon National Park , where we took pictures of the twilight from Sunrise Point overlooking the amphitheater.

We hiked the Rim Trail, seeing different Hoodoos as Thor’s Hammer.

Bryce Canyon (Our 10-day WesternUSA Road Trip)

At night, we returned to photograph the amphitheater under the Perseid Meteor Shower, and camped inside the park.

Bryce Canyon – Sunrise Overlook

DAY 4 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: ZION NATIONAL PARK

We arrived in Springdale (2 hours driving), parked our car and took the shuttle to Zion National Park.

We did the Angels Landing trail to get the best views of the valley.

Zion National Park (Our 10-day West Coast USA Road Trip)

In the afternoon, we drove 4 hours to the next stop on our 10-day Western US trip.

DAY 5 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: GRAND CANYON

We watched the sunrise at the Grand Canyon from Mather Point in probably the most epic light display we have ever seen during a sunrise.

Grand Canyon (Our trip to West Coast USA for 10 days)

In the morning we take this tour , as we tell you in this article about Grand Canyon helicopter rides . Without a doubt, I enjoyed my visit the most.

In the afternoon, we descended the first section of the Bright Angel Trailhead trail.

In the evening we drove to the next stop of our 10-day Western US trip, Mojave National Preserve (4 hours driving), where we spent one of the best nights of our life camping in the wild desert.

Mojave National Preserve

DAY 6 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: MOJAVE DESERT + DEATH VALLEY

We photographed the first sun rays of the day through the branches of the Joshua trees in the Mojave National Preserve.

We filled the tank to cross the Death Valley and made stops at the main viewpoints.

Death Valley (Our 10-day West Coast USA Self-drive Trip)

We arrived at Yosemite National Park where we set up a bivouac to spend the night in order to get accommodation the next morning at the historic Camp 4.

This day we drove a total of 10 hours, more driving hours than any other day of the entire trip.

DAY 7 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Once settled in Yosemite National Park valley we went to discover the main viewpoints of the valley, from which we would photograph the last sunrises and sunsets of our 10-day trip to the West Coast USA.

Yosemite (Our 10-day West Coast USA holidays)

We took the opportunity to enjoy the real camp life,  cooked on the bonfire at night and raccoon watched with our campmates so they didn’t eat our food.

DAY 8 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On the eighth day, we did the most strenuous hike of our 10-day West Coast USA trip. We climbed to the Upper Yosemite Falls, where we had a bath in one of its natural pools.

Yosemite Falls (Our 10-day West Coast USA vacations)

In the afternoon we took refuge in the tent as a hail storm fell – remember that weather in Yosemite, like any high mountains, is quite unpredictable even during summer season.

DAY 9 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

On our 9th day, we decided to try one of the small hiking trails in Yosemite National Park, such as the hike that takes you to Bridal Veil Falls or the Taft Point viewpoint.

In the afternoon we visited Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, where we could see these giant trees.

Tuolumne Grove (Our 10-day West Coast USA self-drive holidays)

DAY 10 – WEST COAST AMERICA TRIP: FLIGHT BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO

We left Yosemite National Park to head to San Francisco , where we took our return flight home.

Our initial idea was to have the last day to discover the city. However, we liked Yosemite so much that we ended up leaving just enough time to catch the flight back. It took us 4 hours to get to the airport.

How to plan an self-drive trip to the Western US

Although many travel agencies offer West Coast USA holiday packages, this destination seems more appropriate to be planned on your own (unless you are interested in photography and decide to take a photo tour to the West Coast America ).

In any case, we will explain step by step how you can plan a trip to the West Coast USA on your own in this section:

• Choose your best West Coast USA itinerary
• Plan how to get to West Coast USA
• Get your US tourist visa
• Hire the best travel insurance for traveling to the United States
• Book a rental car
• Buy America the Beautiful Pass to enter the US National Parks for free
• Book the best accommodation  on the West Coast

HOW TO CHOOSE THE best West Coast USA itinerary

From the previous section where we highlighted the best places to visit in Western US, choose 8 (if taking a 10-day West Coast road trip) or 15 places (if taking a 20-day trip) that interest you most.

Jot them down on a map of  West Coast USA (I suggest using  Google MyMaps ).

Connect the different points and check on our map below to see if there is any tourist attraction that is on your way or that you can easily reach.

Finally, check that the driving hours are compatible with the itinerary or else leave them out of your list.

Driving in the West Coast USA

Do not be frustrated, no matter how long you stay on the West Coast, you will always leave something to explore for the next trip 😉

how to get to the West Coast of USA

In order to define our itinerary, we must know how to get to the Western US.

The best way is by flying to one of the following three airports:

• San Francisco

If you want to find cheap flights to the West Coast , the best time to book them is 3 months in advance. You can find here the best cheap flights hacks . My favorite search engine is Kiwi.com.

Also, if you want to visit too many places in the West and do not have much time, I suggest that you do a one-way trip , starting at a different airport from where you will return home through. This will increase the travel budget a bit, but you don’t get to travel to the Western US every day, do you?

VISA FOR THE UNITED STATES

There are two ways to travel as a tourist to the United States. If you belong to one of these countries you can travel to the US without a visa, but must obtain a travel authorization called “ESTA”.

HOW TO PROCESS THE ESTA

The ESTA is very easy to obtain. Simply fill out the application form on iVisa and you will receive the approval in about 6 hours by email.

We have a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the ESTA to the USA.

HOW TO PROCESS TOURIST VISA B2

If you do not have a passport from one of the countries mentioned above, you need a B2 visa to travel as a tourist to the United States.

This type of visa is more difficult to obtain. In addition to preparing the required documentation which proves that you are not going to travel to the United States with the intention of living or working, you will have to go through an interview at the embassy.

A more extensive explanation of how to process this visa can be found on the US Department of State website.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE UNITED STATES

Living in the USA, I know how important is to have good travel insurance for the USA. Since health care cost in this country is very high, hospitalization without insurance can easily make your bill rise above $100,000.

So when we moved here, we bought long-stay travel insurance , although we are currently using annual multi-trip insurance.

Death Valley dunes

Although I always recommend buying the best travel insurance wherever you go, you must have extraordinary coverage for the US (never consider hiring anything that covers below $30,000 if you travel to the United States).

You can get the best quality-price insurance with Heymondo .

5% OFF your travel insurance

western USA car rental

As we have said, the only practical way to travel the Western United States is by renting a car.

Driving in Death Valley

If you do not have too much time, consider taking a  one-way instead of a round-trip  along the West. We picked up the car in Vegas and left it in San Francisco. Although this meant an increase in the budget because of the drop off-fee, we were able to visit more places during our 10-day West Coast trip.

The cheapest way to rent a car is using DiscoverCars , where we hired the rental car in Las Vegas.

FIND CHEAP RENTAL CARS IN THE US

ANNUAL NATIONAL PARKS PASS – AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

If you are planning a Western US National Parks itinerary, I recommend that you buy an annual America the Beautiful pass.

This pass allows access to all US National Parks, as well as other state parks.

The pass is valid for one year from when it is purchased and covers entry for one vehicle with up to 5 passengers. Display pass by hanging it over the rear-view mirror).

In addition, the pass is issued for two owners who must sign behind the card to use. A very good option is to buy the annual pass, leave one signature blank, and resell it to a second owner at the end of your Western USA tour.

Even if you don’t resell the pass, you will get your money’s worth just by visiting 3 or 4 National Parks (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite …).

The pass can be purchased online from here or directly at the ticket office of the first national park you visit.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE WEST COAST US

It is difficult to find cheap and very good quality hotels at the same time on West Coast America. Therefore we will try to help you by listing the best places to stay, considering different budgets, tastes, and needs.

Best accommodation in West Coast USA

Keep in mind that accommodation will be one of the major expenses of your trip to  West Coast America. On the other hand, sometimes a good hotel can even be one of the best attractions you can enjoy during your trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO

• HI San Francisco Downtown Hostel: Hostel in the heart of San Francisco that has both shared and private rooms at a very low price. Free WIFI. Includes breakfast and a kitchen for those who want to cook.
• Buena Vista Motor Inn: Hotel with complimentary parking in the middle of Lombard street. Wi-Fi and breakfast included. Totally safe area to walk at night. Just a short walk from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Guide on where to stay in San Francisco

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS

• Venetian:  Venice-themed casino resort with gondoliers included.
• Circus Circus: Casino hotel with circus theme, with its own indoor amusement park that runs throughout the year.
• Stratosphere:  Casino hotel that includes vertigo attractions at 350 meters high.
• Bellagio: Inspired by Italy, it is one of the most luxurious resort and casinos in Las Vegas.
• New York – New York:   Resort casino inspired by the big city where we can find a miniature statue of liberty.
• Paris Las Vegas:   Perfect casino hotel for honeymoon or couple trips with miniature Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
• Excalibur:  You will find yourself in the Middle Ages in this casino resort within its castles.
• Planet Hollywood:  Modern hotel and casino where you will feel the essence of the West Coast.

Guide on where to stay in Las Vegas

WHERE TO STAY IN LOS ANGELES

• Hollywood Travelodge:  Located very close to the walk of fame. Includes breakfast, Wi-Fi and free parking.
• Samesun Venice Beach:  The best option if you want to enjoy the Venice boardwalk and its beach. They have bicycle rental service.
• Cal Mar Hotel Suites:  If you prefer to be close to Santa Monica beach this option is very well priced.

Guide on where to stay in Los Angeles

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND CANYON

If we visit the South Rim, the most touristic edge of the Grand Canyon, it is quite important to stay in the Grand Canyon Village, since two of the main attractions of this jewel of Western US is their sunrise and sunset. So, the closer we are to the edge, the easier it will be for us.

We camped in the Grand Canyon, at the  Mather Campground on the South Rim.

If you prefer to stay at a hotel, all accommodations at Grand Canyon Village are run by the company   Xanterra ,  and you can make reservations on whose website.

Guide on where to stay in Grand Canyon

WHERE TO STAY IN PAGE

• Hyatt Place Page Lake Powell: This hotel is located in the center of Page. As it is highly valued, you will have to book it well in advance, since rooms tend to run out being such a small and tourist place at the same time.
• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson: Without a doubt the best hotel in Page, both the price and the charm of its rooms. It is not in the center but is closer to Horseshoe Bend.

Guide on where to stay in Page

WHERE TO STAY IN BRYCE

Bryce is one of the best places to camp in the Western US. In addition to two conventional campsites ( North Campground and Sunset Campground ), there are 12 backcountry campsites.

If camping is not your thing and you prefer to stay in one of the best hotels in the West, then I recommend the Best Western Ruby’s Inn , a historic hotel at the gates of the national park that also has a camping area.

Guide on where to stay in Bryce

WHERE TO STAY IN ZION

• Bumbleberry Inn:  One of the few hotels near Zion whose price is below $200 a night and with a great value.
• La Quinta Inn and Suites : Another hotel that also has good prices and is highly rated near Zion, known for its buffet breakfast that includes delicious homemade waffles.

Guide on where to stay in Zion

WHERE TO STAY IN MONUMENT VALLEY

If you want to enjoy dawn with the best views of the valley, I recommend that you camp in the Monument Valley. The campground is called The View Campground and the only way to reserve it is by calling +1 435-727-5802.

This campsite belongs to  The View Hotel , a hotel run by the Navajo Indians with equally amazing views.

Guide on where to stay in Monument Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA BARBARA

• Hotel Santa Barbara: One of the best hotels in Santa Barbara with a great location in the city center and very close to the beach. Includes Wi-Fi, breakfast and free parking.
• The Eagle Inn:   On the beach of Santa Barbara and in a beautiful historic building. The price is a bit higher but it includes a jacuzzi in the room.

WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE

We decided to camp at Camp 4 during our visit to Yosemite. Here, the hippy movement was born in the 60s and spread throughout the United States.

However, if you don’t want to camp, don’t worry. There are very good hotels in Yosemite. Some of the best are:

• The Ahwahnee
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
• Curry Village

Guide on where to stay in Yosemite

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO

• Staypineapple at Hotel Z: One of the best hotels in downtown San Diego. Modern design and quite affordable. It offers free bicycles to its customers.
• HI-San Diego Point Loma Hostel: Hostel with shared rooms, very good price and located next to the beach. Ideal if you visit San Diego with the intention of meeting other travelers.

WHERE TO STAY IN JOSHUA TREE

The best place to stay in Joshua Tree is in one of its campsites. There are 4 campsites throughout the national park that can be reserved, and another 4 first-come, first-served campground. All the information regarding the Joshua Tree campgrounds can be found on the National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN DEATH VALLEY

• The Inn at Death Valley: This Oasis in the middle of the desert is the most luxurious resort you’ll find here. Refresh between your palm garden and its spring water pool and relax in your spa area.
• The Ranch at Death Valley: Run by the same company as The Inn at Death Valley, it is the familiar and informal complement of the previous one. If you want to relax in a unique environment but without too many pretensions, this accommodation is for you.
• Panamint Springs Resort:  This resort offers both tourist resorts and lodging in tents. It’s close to the west entrance of the national park, from where you’ll have stunning views of the sand dunes.

Guide on where to stay in Death Valley

WHERE TO STAY IN MOJAVE DESERT

There are no motels inside Mojave National Preserve. The only way to stay is camping. There are two family campsites, Hole-in-the-Wall Campground and Mid Hills Campground. Both are first-come, first-served campgrounds.

There is also the possibility of doing backcountry camping. If you want more information, check the US National Parks Service website.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARCHES

There are no campsites or hotels within Arches National Park. The best thing to do is to stay somewhere close to the entrance:

• Red Cliffs Lodge:  All rooms have views of the Colorado River. In addition, you have access to a private living room with a fridge and microwave. This accommodation is the best you’ll find if you visit Arches National Park from the west. Do not miss its western cinema museum.
• Under Canvas Moab:  This accommodation is located east of Arches National Park and offers already pitched tents, some with private bathrooms. If you are not a fan of the camps, but you would like to try, this is your place. In addition to the bed linen, the hotel will lend you towels and a flashlight. A very comfortable way to learn a little about the American camper culture.

WHERE TO STAY IN SEQUOIA

• Montecito Sequoia Lodge: This rustic mountain accommodation offers a place to relax, surrounded by lakes, forests and rugged peaks. It has a restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet.
• Bearpaw High Sierra Camp: This established camp has 6 canvas tents with wooden floors. The views of the surroundings are amazing. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price of the accommodation.
• Wuksachi Lodge:  It is the emblematic hotel of Sequoia, an amazing mountain hut made of stone and cedar located in the heart of the park, surrounded by a powerful sequoia forest and towering peaks of the sierra.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAVASU FALLS

As we commented, if you visit Havasu Falls, it is compulsory to spend at least one night in one of its campsites, since you cannot make excursions exclusively for one day. Book both the tour and the camping permit from the official website of the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

WHERE TO STAY IN YELLOWSTONE

There are only  9 hotels within Yellowstone National Park , so in peak tourist season, most travelers only find accommodation outside the park.

You can find the best options on our guide on where to stay in Yellowstone National Park, but my favorite hotels are:

• Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
• Yellowstone Gateway Inn
• Stage Coach Inn
• Al’s Westward Ho Motel
• Travelodge by Wyndham
• Absaroka Lodge

WHERE TO STAY IN GRAND TETON

There are many places to stay in Grand Teton National Park but my favorite ones are:

• Colter Bay Village 
• Jackson Lake Lodge  
• Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch 
• Jenny Lake Lodge

To calculate  how much a road trip along the West Coast cost, keep in mind that gasoline in the United States is quite cheap compared most European countries, so even though you will drive many kilometers, this is not something you have to worry too much about when planning your itinerary.

Regarding the food , going to restaurants or going out to have a drink is very expensive; especially when you are looking for somewhere that serve healthy and quality food. If you’re willing to eat fast food, your West Cost travel budget will decrease since the United States is the paradise for junk food.

Regarding accommodation , while it is more expensive in the US than other countries, there are ways to make it cheaper .

Consider camping during your West Coast America tour. In addition to being cheaper, it is very fun and do not forget that there is no country in the world with such an active camping culture as in the United States. You will enjoy watching all the American accessories that make camping more comfortable, and the amazing motorhomes that are better than many houses. You can check some tips for traveling by rv in the USA here.

If you want to know how much we spent during out trip, you can check our West Coast travel budget for 10 days.

West Coast USA combinations ideas

In case you have more time, you can combine the West Coast of the USA with other destinations. Some of the most popular combinations are the following.

West Coast America and Hawaii holidays

If you love nature, combine  West Coast USA and Hawaii to enjoy the most active volcanoes in the United States. These wild islands in the middle of the Pacific, offer a native culture totally different from any other place in the world, in addition to beautiful beaches. The Western US and Hawaii landscapes are an excellent combination for the more adventurous.

RIVIERA MAYA and WEST COAST USA honeymoon

Riviera Maya and West Coast America honeymoon trips are very popular.  With this travel itinerary, we can enjoy a mix of the natural American West Coast landscapes with turquoise water beaches and the history of ancient civilizations. This is the best combination for honeymoons or for travelers interested in a mix of all-inclusive vacation packages.

WEST COAST AND ROUTE 66 road trip

If you want to travel the most famous road in the United States, plan a Route 66 – Western US road trip. With this tour, you will have a chance to visit my favorite city in the US: Chicago. I don’t recommend this combination if you do not like driving since much time of this trip will be spent inside the car.

West Coast USA tours from New york

Another very popular combination, especially if you are traveling from Europe. A New York & West Coast America fly-drive itinerary mixes the Western US National Parks with the busiest city of the East Coast. This option is perfect for those who also enjoy visiting big cities, since there are plenty of things to do in New York City.

With any of these combinations, I recommend spending at least 10 days in West Coast America .

However, if you only plan to travel to the West Coast and can afford it, I would recommend spending 2 or even  3 weeks.

map of West Coast USA

Finally, it is very useful to plan your trip using a map of Western US , marked with your places of interest. Then check the following map to see if there is any other attraction on the way.

SEE you ON THE WEST COAST and do not hesitate to ask if you need help preparing your itinerary!

Don't miss a 5% discount on your HeyMondo travel insurance  

and the only one that pays all your medical bills upfront for you!

Ascen Aynat

80 replies on “ Planning a 10-Day West Coast USA Road Trip Itinerary ”

We are from Singapore and planning a 20 days trip in June to West Coast of US and would be our first drive trip to the US. We wanted to cover Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yosemite, route 66, UTAH but not sure if we are able to (or worth to) cover up till Seattle. We love your advise as it will be our first trip to West Coast of US and accommodation recommendations will be helpful plus itinerary. regards Melvin

Hi Melvin, Wow, that sounds amazing! There is so much to see the western United States. I think you’ll find our road trip itineraries from Las Vegas to be super helpful. As for accommodation, it depends on whether you’re renting a car or RV since an RV will take care of accommodation for you. Otherwise, the hotel recommendations above in this article are a great place to start. 🙂

Hi! Wow, relieved i came accross this blog. Thank you for sharing this.

I made an almost similar itinerary and posted it in trip advisor.

we are arriving early morning in Vegas on March 10 and flying out late night from San Francisco March 20. For the 10 day trip, we’d like to see Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Most of the comments says most of the time will be spent driving hence the trip might not be an enjoyable one. Some even suggested dropping Yosemite as this is too far from the rest of the places we’re hoping to see.

With all the driving you did on this trip, do you think you still spent a good time exploring the parks?

Thanks heaps!

Yes, it was a lot of hours driving but it was a trip of a lifetime. I won’t change any of the stops I did so I highly recommend it specially if you don’t mind driving at night and you don’t have more time to spend on the West Coast USA.

Hi, very informative post there ! May I know what route did u take to travel to yosemite from death valley ? I supposed you travelled when the tiogo road was closed ?

We traveled in August when the Tioga Road was open. So we just drove Nort through the Eastern Sierra and enter from the Northeastern part of the park 😉

i am planning to go to a trip with my friends but iam confused where should i go.

It’s difficult to choose when there are so many great options! My recommendation is to check the places and pictures and just pick the 4/5 places that you find more interesting 😉

Hi Martin from Australia here. I am busy planning an 8 day self drive tour in April starting in, and returning to Las Vegas. I stumbled on your website and found it to be a fantastic resource, full of very helpful information. One thing that is puzzling me with your route. Why did you go to Monument Valley first and then criss-cross south to Antelope Canyon, north to Bryce Canyon and then south again to the Grand Canyon. This appears to add an additional 400 miles (appx). I had originally been planning a circuit through Bryce Canyon, Monument Park, Antelope Canyon and Grand Canyon. Then Back to Las Vegas via Mojave Desert and Death Valley. Thank you

We did that itinerary because we were traveling in August (high season) and wanted to camp in Monument Valley and Grand Canyon, so we book the only days available hehehe

Your itinerary sounds great. Let me know how you do it finally.

Hi! I would love your help in planning my itinerary for my West Coast Roadtrip Honeymoon. We would love to check as many of the same locations off our list as you have in this post. Would love to get your thoughts on cost efficiency, glamping/camping vs. RV rentals and what we HAVE to see, and what we could skip. We definitely don’t want to spend the majority of our trip in the car. Thinking of flying into Vegas and then going from there. We would be going from June 12-20th. This is by far the most helpful article I have found online so far! Thanks for writing!

We will be happy to help. Let me know any questions you may have and we will help.

we are a couple, 60 years+ but able to drive and planning a trip next Sep. 2020. However we note that at some places you had to camp. I don’t think we are up to camping and wonder how to achieve the trip you made without camping.

You don’t need to camp if you don’t want to. There are many hotels where you can stay 🙂 Let me know your itinerary and I will give you some hotel ideas.

I wish more people would post valuable content like this. This is the first time I’ve been on your website, but after this, I doubt it will be the last time.

Thanks Robert!! You are always welcome 😉

Planning a trip in mid December. Is your 10 day trip feasible at this time of year ? Thanks.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine. Just bear in mind that you might find snow in some places like Bryce and Yosemite and the main roads to Yosemite from the east (Tioga road) is gonna be closed.

Hope you have a beautiful trip!

Have you ever thought of planning a trip of the Four Corners States of the Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado & Utah). There are so many sites that would be a tough decision. New Mexico has the Gila National Forest, City of Rocks in the southwest, Carlsbad Caverns to name just a few, Colorado, Arizona, Utah you could go on and on. This would also the sunrises and sunsets, rivers canyons. It is so vast that each state could provide what every photographer would want to see and shoot. Just think about it. if you more information, please contact me.

Sure! We still have a bunch of places we want to visit!

Thank you It was very useful

Thanks Isabel!

Great post, thanks for the info I’m considering doing this trip with my dad, how fit do you have to be to do this trip? He can’t really walk a whole lot at a time.

Hi Emiliano,

You don’t need to walk if you don’t want to. Just visit the main lookouts accessible by car.

Let me know if you have any other question.

Well, that was a pretty fascinating read, not going to lie. I really hope you continue to write. Probably one of the more informative pieces I’ve read on this subject. Thanks!

Thanks Justin! Glad to see our USA West Coast article was useful and you enjoyed it reading!

You know if you are not on Instagram, you should be. I know you can’t put text up, but just throw in a few pics and build an audience there. I think you’d find a ton of people who would be super interested in your blog here.

Thanks for the advice. We already use Instagram, our account is: @Capturetheatlas

Well… consider yourself added to my blogroll. I have like six other blogs I read on a weekly basis, guess that number just increased to seven! Keep writing!

Thanks Chris! and Welcome to Capture the Atlas! 😉

Way to go on this post man. Really killer stuff. I’ll be back to read your other posts.

Thanks Travis! Glad you found the information helpful!

Wow! What a scenery. I hope I can visit those place in the future too! People on your newsletter must love you. This content is pure 100% gold

Thanks Matthew for your kind words! I am sure you will be fascinated by the West Coast USA landscapes when you visit them.

Feel free to join our community and receive our newsletter 😉

Hi, My family of 3 will be travelling to West of USA for about 12 to 14 days this coming September month 2019. Can you help us to plan the trip visiting all the interesting places and also advise us the cost.

We give a lot of piece of advice on our blog. Please read it and let us know if you have any question.

I am flying from Toronto, Canada and am unsure which airport to arrive and leave in. I am planning on visiting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Cathedral Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Grand Canyon (South Rim). I am unsure whether to fly to Las Vegas and leave from Arizona, or vice versa, or do a loop. Any suggestions?

Amazing blog by the way!

Which airport in Arizona are you considering? Las Vegas in quite close to those places you want to visit and usually there is cheap flights to go there.

Let me know if you have any question

Thank you for your reply! I was thinking Phoenix airport. Just not sure the best route and will be renting a car!

Also, do you know if its possible to rent a car at one airport and return it to another?

Hi, i am traveling with 6 adults. Planning to arrive in New York, then fly to LA and hoping to have a glimpse of the city and its surrounding and fly to vancouver . We will fly back home from Vancouver.

How many days do you think is good for us? I am travelling with my parents aged 60yo.

Can you give me any recommendations

Hi Felicia,

I would say to book at least 10 – 15 days. As recommendations I would suggest hiring good travel insurance for the USA and check the different articles we have at the blog.

Let me know if you need something else,

Hello there,

We have about 8-9 days along the West Coast after a conference in Vegas. Looking at the following itinerary/places we want to visit. Do you think this is something workable/have any comments? Thanks so much!

Day 1: (From Vegas) Antelope Valley/Horseshoe Bend (Find somewhere to stay for the night – is there a recommendation where we can stay in that area?) Day 2: Grand Canyon Day 3: Travel back to Vegas, fly to San Francisco. Day 4: San Francisco Day 5: San Francisco -> Monterey, Big Sur (Find somewhere to stay?) Day 6: Travel to LA Day 7: LA Day 8: LA

Thanks very much for your message and for reading us!

Until day 4 your itinerary is gonna be very intense but definitely doable, as we made a very similar itinerary at the beginning of our trip. You can find recommendations for the night near horseshoe bend/Antelope Canyon in this section of our article.

As for the second part of your trip, We didn’t travel from SF towards the south so don’t know if that would be something possible.

Please let me know if we can help with any other questions.

Best regards,

Hi I am trying to plan a trip with my son for September 2019 have i left enough time to do this? And could you help us with an itinerary Also if we choose to camp do we purchase this in the USA as we are travelling from the UK Thanks

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for your message.

You are still in time for planning the trip, so I ‘d definitely try to do it!

You can see different itineraries in our US articles depending on your days and preferences. Hope that helps.

As for the campings it depends on the campsite, some accept online reservations like the one in Monument Valley while others are filled in a first-come first-served basis like Camp 4 in Yosemite.

Please let us know if we can help with any other questions.

Hi everyone! Could you help me to make a itinerary with the time and 10 destinations?

We will need some more information to help you. When and where are you starting your trip, days, preferences and so on.

Hi guys, Love your work. I’m a photographer and looking to do a road trip through the west cost of the USA, covering as much of the national parks as possible (Yellowstone a must). We only have a 2 week gap during July to do this. Do you have any tours available for July 2019 for 2 super fun people?

Me, along with spouse and 13 year old son, are planning for a 10 day trip to LA, LV & SFO from India during June last week.

Request if you could help build us an itinerary for First Timers to US. It would be with a driver if we have to hire a car.

Do you deal in hotel accommodations too – 4 star?

Could you please let me know a rough expenditure on all this.

Kindly do mention your charges too for helping us out with a good itinerary and any help on ground that you could provide during our stay.

Thanking You, MOHAN

I have sent you an email with our service rates.

Have a nice day!

I am planing with my boyfriend our trip in June to California for 10 days. We are landing in LA and we would like to visit Yosemite, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and San Diego. Could you please give us some tips? We are afraid that Tioga Pass might not be opened at the beginning of June..

Thanks a lot!

Hi Anabel, I think you have enough time in 10 days to visit the cities and NP you mentioned. You can do 2 days for LA, 3 days for Yosemite, 1 day for Death Valley, 1 day for Las Vegas, 2 days for Grand Canyon and 1 day for San Diego.

As you said, Tioga Pass maybe is still close in June, so I recommend you booking a hotel around Fresno (in case Tigoa Road is close) and other around Mammonth Lakes (in case it is open). And cancel the one you are not going to use once you know the Tioga Road status?

Let me know if you need anything else.

Hello, Thanks for the detailed analysis of west coast. We are planning to visit west coast from Philadelphia and would like to cover California/LA/SFO/Las Vegas. We would however fly to Seattle from PHL and take our trip to west coast from Seattle.

Please provide us with an itinerary.

We are planning 10 days for this trip and would like to over not just national parks but also Golden gate bridge/Hollywood/Alcatraz etc. We don’t want to do the theme parks.

Sure, I have sent you an email with our planner services rates.

Hi, Thanks for itinerary! We are going on a trip from LA in September for 16 days, and this helped a lot! If you could give some tips on showering…it’s not available in a lot of camp sites. Also, if you have some experience with laundry service, I would appreciate some info. Thanks!

Hi Soma! Thanks for your message and words!

You can check beforehand which campsites offer shower utilities and plan according to your needs. We booked camping with showers in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, taking a shower at least every 2 days. As for laundry service, I would suggest doing the same. We went just for a week and didn’t really need to do any washing but if you are staying 16 days some campings have some sort of place for washing. As an example again, you can find those utilities in Grand Canyon and Yosemite, and I am sure there will be more in other important campgrounds.

Hope that helps and have a wonderful US West Coast trip!

Hi we are planning a 15 day stay flying into LA hiring a car can you recommened a route then we fly back out from LA.Thanks

The US West Coast is huge and there are endless possibilities doing a round trip from L.A.

Depending on your personal taste and the number of miles that you are willing to drive, there are many itineraries.

I recommend that you check all the main attractions explained throughout the article and once you know your preferences, you can design your own route.

Hope it helps and you make the most of your trip!

Planning on driving to monument valley and staying at View hotel I need driving directions from Salt Lake City

Take I-15 S, US-6 E, US-191 S and US-163 S to Main Monument Valley Rd/Monument Valley Rd in Oljato-Monument Valley

Hi my husband and I are planning a trip to tour the west coast next June/July next year for 4 weeks starting in San Francisco driving down the coast then across to Vegas by car then possibly hiring a camper van to visit the national parks, would you be able to advise us of some places to stop and stay and give some advice as to how long we should stay at certain places, we would also like to spend a week in Washington and New York at the end of our stay but we will fly to the east coast, thanks Tracey

Sure, I have sent you an email more information about our trip planner services. I can also help you to plan your visits to NYC and Washington. I live in Philadelphia, that is 2hours from NYC and two hours from Washington, so I know these cities very well and I can help you too.

Hello Jaz, thank you for the useful information. I am planning for the west coast trip but could you confirm will it be too much to digest if I cover all/most of the destinations mentioned in your article above in just one trip?

Or shall I split the trip in multiple trips to enjoy and assimilate the delightful view which each destination has to offer?

That is up to you. How much time do you have? Where are you coming from? If I could, I would do it in one trip (3-4 months).

Let me know if you need something else, Ascen.

We are planning a tour of West Coast starting and ending at LA. Can you suggest a good travel itinerary for family of 3 or 6 pxs. for 8-12 days sometime in June or July 2019. Thanks Jaz

Hi Jasmine, I have sent you an email with our rates. Ascen.

Planning to gravel to west coast of USA Visiting friends & also travelling (self drive) . I have 14 days from Sep15 to Sep30 Would like to visit Yosomite, Death Valley Coastal Drive & Las Vegas and Grand canyon. Thanks for your help with an itinerary.

Sure! I will help you to plan your West America trip. I have sent you an email.

Hi, I am planning for west coast tour for 10 days in July. I would like to start from San Francisco . Could you please suggest road trip plan

Hi Rajan, I will be happy for helping you to plan your west coast USA itinerary.

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planner services.

Hi, I am planning a 15 days trip to USA with my family of 5 (2 sons aged 24, 25, Daughter 18). What route would you recommend us to take? We are looking to rent a car and drive around ourselves. Thank you.

Hi Sharon, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Thanks, Ascen.

Hi.. myself and 2 friends are planning a trip up the west coast from San Francisco in April.. We are renting an RV ..we would like to try and go as north to Portland maybe Seattle.. could you advise of the best route and places we should try to see.

Hi we are planning to Visit West coast in the month of June 19 . Not sure about self drive option but could u please suggest some best places to explore in 10 days . We are landing at San Francisco & leaving to New York from LA .

Would appreciate if u could help us to arrange our trip .

Thanks Sunil

I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi Loved reading your information on USA! My husband and I want to travel the west coast in September this year. We have booked so far return flights from Sydney to San Francisco. We would like to see Yosemite Bryce Zion Death Valley Redlands Lake Tahoe Sequoia and Grand Canyon. Not interested in Los Angeles or Las Vegas. We thought we would return via The big Sur to San Francisco. Do you think we can do this in a month? What would be the best driving route to do all this. Can we also purchase driving maps? Any help you could give I would be most grateful! Thanking you

Hi Cath, I have sent you an email regarding our travel planning services.

Hi, thanks a lot for your details itinerary which is very much appreciated. I’m planning my self-drive trip to west coast USA for about 12 days, in May 2019. Just wondering any tips on what to wear? Will it be cold in the Yosemite national park? I’m planning for Grand Canyon, Upper Antelope Canyon + Horseshoes band, Yosemite, is it still worth to get the annnual pass? There are total 6 of us.

Hi Joey, If you are only visiting two national parks (Yosemite and Grand Canyon ) it is not worth getting the annual pass. Pay just for the standard fee in each of them. Horseshoe Bend is free and Antelope Canyon is private, so you will have to pay the Navajo fee.

In 12 days you have enough time to visit Death Valley, Bryce and Zion too.

Regarding what to carry in the backpack, please check the camping and cold weather section of this post.

P.S: Next sunday we will be posting our Guide to Yosemite and I am sure you are going to find it interested!!

Best, Ascen

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Wandering Road

Usa rv road trip travel blog.

The Ultimate Western USA Road Trip Guide

Our 10-week rv route through montana, wyoming, and the pacific northwest – including detailed itinerary and expense breakdown.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Quick stats, cost breakdown.

The American west was made for road trips. We spent the better part of 10 weeks exploring this wonderland of big skies, open roads and small towns. Our early summer trek, first through the mountains and later along the coast, kept us in temperatures that peaked in the 70s. Such a difference from the summers of our recent past spent in the humidity of Washington, D.C. or the 100 degree+ temperatures of the Sacramento valley.

The route included some of our favorite places along with some new discoveries. While Montana will always have my heart, I have a new found appreciation for Idaho’s unsung beauty. And I think everyone should drive down the Oregon coast at least once.

Living in D.C. for so long, one of the small talk questions I got the most when people learned I was from California would be: “which coast is your favorite?” My default answer was always that I like the west, and I like the east, for different reasons. But if I am honest with myself, there is something that just feels right when I am in the western states. Maybe it’s the fresh air, maybe it’s all that space, maybe it’s the wild west and gold rush history that didn’t happen all that long ago. If you haven’t had a chance to get out there and see it for yourself, what are you waiting for?

Read on for a detailed account of our 10-week trip, including destinations, campground reviews, and costs to help you plan a road trip through the American west.

Looking for more travel ideas? Read my detailed coast-to-coast itinerary here or check out my other USA destination guides here .

• Days On the Road: 69.
• Miles Traveled in RV (not counting the additional miles put on the car when exploring): 3,427.
• States Driven Through: 6.
• National Parks Visited: Crater Lake National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Redwood National and State Parks.
• Number of Campgrounds Parked At: 21 (9 county/state/national parks, 9 private, 3 free camping spots).
• Visitors: 9, for a total of 20 nights. Life at The Chateau became like adult summer camp!
• Repairs: Oil changes for both vehicles, sealant for a leaky roof seam. The Chateau got its first road scars after we backed it into a campsite all wrong and scratched the back bumper. Nothing serious, thankfully.
• Grand Total Travel Costs for 10 Weeks On the Road: (read later in post for more details): $6,6775

Campground Price Guide:

$ = Free $$ = $10-$30/night $$$ = $30 – $50/night $$$$ = Over $50/night

Departure: We kicked off the summer road trip by rolling out of Sacramento at the end of May 2019.

Klamath Falls Four Mile Flat Quarry – GPS: 42.431503, -122.160638 $ Review: We started the trip with some free camping. It was hard to find info about this spot online but it exceeded my expectations. Kind of middle of the nowhere. A rocky parking lot by the water with more camping spots tucked along a rough road. I would stay here again for a night but wouldn’t make this a destination in itself. Local attractions: Crater Lake National Park (about an hour away). Miles from previous location: 360 miles.

Sweet Roystone Hot Springs – 7882 N. Hwy 52 Sweet, ID 83670 $$ Review: A very nice family-owned campground with renovated bathrooms and wifi. My favorite part was the hot springs that you can access for a minimal fee. Local attractions: Boise. Miles from previous location: 400 miles.

Bellevue Riverside RV Park and Campground – 403 Broadford Road, Bellevue, Idaho $$ Review: An older, small private campground with lots of long-term guests. Good wifi and close proximity to Sun Valley. Local attractions: The charming towns of Hailey and Ketchum (the nation’s first ski resort and the final resting place of Ernest Hemingway), Craters of the Moon National Monument. Click here to read about our visit. Miles from previous location: 195 miles.

Jackson Area

Spread Creek – Forest Road 30290 $ Review: This is our favorite boon docking spot to date! No amenities, unbeatable views and an unmatched location for exploring the northern part of Grand Teton National Park. We stayed in spot #3 and it was great for our rig. The road to spots #5-10 gets really rough so might not be a good fit for larger RVs. Read more about our visit here. Local attractions: Jackson and Grand Teton National Park. Miles from previous location: 267 miles.

Kelly Gros Ventre Campground – 100 Gros Ventre Campground Rd, Kelly, WY 83011 $$$$ Review: After four nights of boondocking, we decided to try out our first National Park campground. We snagged a spot without a reservation. This is a nice woodsy spot with electric hookups but no showers. We found showers at the Colter Bay Campground and at a gym in town. There’s a great spot to see moose near the campground. Local attractions: Jackson, Grand Teton National Park. Miles from previous location: 44 miles.

West Yellowstone Baker’s Hole Campground – 3 mi NW of West Yellowstone on US 191 $$ Review: We were torn about where to stay during our visit to Yellowstone National Park. Our priorities were 1) staying as close to the park entrance as possible; 2) avoiding “parking lot” campgrounds and 3) paying a reasonable fee. This campground fit the bill! We found a first come first serve electric hookup site. No showers available. No cell service, either. Local attractions: West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park. Read my guide to help you avoid the crowds in Yellowstone here . Miles from previous location: 124 miles.

Cody Buffalo Bill State Park, North Fork Campground – near Cody, Wyoming off US 14 W/ US 16 W / US 20 W $$$ Review: One of the best state park campgrounds I have ever seen. Located about 15 minutes from downtown Cody. We were able to find a walk-up site with electricity but were told that it is hard to get in without a reservation later in summer. Nice views of the surrounding rocky cliffs (some of the formations reminded us of southern Utah). Coin operated showers. Local attractions: Cody is the quintessential wild west town. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 132 miles.

Livingston Osen’s RV Park – 20 Merrill Lane, Livingston, MT 59047 $$$ Review: We picked this campground for its proximity to downtown Livingston, which also made it a good launching point for exploring both Yellowstone and Bozeman, Montana. It is clean and well-maintained but the spots are pretty close together. Management closes the entrance gates at 9 pm each night but you can open and close them manually as needed. Local attractions : Ben and I love Livingston; it’s just about the perfect small town. It was the original gateway city to Yellowstone. Be sure to check out the Murray Bar and Neptune’s. Bozeman is about 30 minutes away. It’s a larger college town with a very walkable main street. Miles from previous location: 178 miles.

Helena Cromwell Dixon Campground – 15 miles west of Helena at MacDonald Pass off Highway 12. $$ Review: Quiet, rustic camping on the top of a mountain just outside of downtown Helena. Local attractions: The state capitol building is gorgeous. Visit quirky Lewis and Clark Brewery and Broadwater hot springs. Miles from previous location: 123 miles.

Great Falls Dick’s RV Park – 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT 59404 $$$ Review: This is an urban campground with older facilities and lots of long term guests. That being said, it is the most convenient place to stay while exploring Great Falls. Local attractions: Great Falls feels like a city on the rise. Read my guide to the Electric City here. Don’t forget to visit the mermaids. Miles from previous location: 121 miles.

Kalispell Rocky Mountain Hi Campground – 825 Helena Flats Road, Kalispell 59901 $$$ Review: Glacier country is a whole other (unbelievably gorgeous) world. This campground is spacious and has a full laundromat on site. It gets busy with families and kids on the weekends. Local attractions: Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Kalispell. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 227 miles.

*** If you want, add a stop in Wallace, Idaho on your way to Washington. It’s a much-celebrated small town with a big personality that I look forward to visiting in the future.

Spokane Area Peaceful Pines – 1231 W 1st St, Cheney, WA 99004 Review: We stayed about 20 minutes outside of downtown Spokane in the sleepy college town of Cheney. This private campground is small with recently updated bathrooms and showers. We had some issues with the wifi connection. Local attractions : Spokane is an under-the-radar city with a charming waterfront and beautiful architecture. Read my guide to the city here. Take a day trip to the nearby resort town of Coeur D’Alene. Miles from previous location: 250 miles.

Yakima Area Horn Rapids Park – 78410 Overlook Dr, Benton City, WA 99320 $$ Review: Inexpensive and spacious with electric hookups. Kind of in the middle of nowhere, yet convenient for exploring Yakima wine country. Local attractions: Highly recommend stopping by some wineries (like WIT and Col Solare) or breweries (Bale Breaker) and a trip into Yakima proper for some of the award-winning tamales from Los Hernandez. Miles from previous location: 154 miles.

The Dalles Area Rufus Landing $ Review: Free boon docking on the river. I was surprised by how busy this gravel parking lot gets! We stayed here two nights. Local attractions : The Dalles is a quaint small town; there’s hiking in a state park nearby; Hood River is a good stop for breweries and outdoorsy fun. Miles from previous location: 120 miles.

Tillamook Air Museum Grounds – 5005 Highway 101 South, Tillamook, OR 97141 $$ Review: A no frills and inexpensive camping spot next to the tiny Tillamook airport and air museum. Super close to town. Local attractions: Tillamook was our first stop on the Oregon coast. Be sure to visit the famous Tillamook Creamery – it lives up to the hype. From this home base we also explored Cannon Beach and Pacific City. Click here to read my complete guide to the Oregon Coast. Miles from previous location: 157 miles.

Yachats Cape Perpetua Campground – 2200 US-101, Yachats, OR 97498 $$ Review: This is it. The perfect campground in the perfect coastal town. (As long as you don’t need cell service.) I fell hard for Yachats. Local attractions: Redwoods, fresh sea food, and tide pools galore. Click here to read my full guide to Yachats. Miles from previous location: 93 miles.

Coos Bay Bastendorff County Park – 63379 Bastendorff Beach Rd. Coos Bay, OR, 97423 $$$ Review: We were excited to get a last minute spot at this campground but it came with serious pros and cons. It’s a great location for checking out Charleston, North Bend, Coos Bay, and the surrounding area. It’s also very busy and crowded and the bathrooms leave much to be desired. Local attractions: Be sure to check out the nearby adorable beach towns of Florence and Bandon. Click here to read my complete guide to the Oregon Coast. Miles from previous location: 74 miles.

Brookings Sea Bird RV Park – 16429 Highway 101 South Brookings, OR 97415 $$$ Review: Truth be told, we planned to state at Harris Beach State Park but turns out everything was full because there was a kite festival that weekend (true story). Sea Bird is a small private campground with a mix of travelers and long term residents. Local attractions: There’s no shortage of stunning views along Oregon’s southern coast. Be sure to stop by Crazy Norwegian’s Fish and Chips in Port Orford. Miles from previous location: 107 miles.

Trinidad Emerald Forest Cabins & RV – 753 Patricks Point Drive, Trinidad, CA, 95570 $$$ Review: What a wonderful campground, with camping spots tucked in among tall evergreens! Great for families. Just outside of the quiet fishing town of Trinidad. Local attractions: It’s a short drive to Redwood National and State Parks or Eureka. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 86 miles.

Fortuna Area Van Duzen Campground – Swimmers Delight – 12 miles east of Highway 101 on Highway 36 $$ Review: This was a last minute find for us. While we only stayed for one night, this would be a fun spot to spend a long weekend. The spots are large and quite literally surrounded by giant redwoods. Local attractions: Soak up the nature, and visit the charming Victorian village (and dairyland) of Ferndale. Miles from previous location: 40 miles.

Fort Bragg MacKerricher State Park – West Pinewood Campground – three miles north of Fort Bragg on Highway 1, near the town of Cleone $$$ Review: IMHO this is the best place to stay in Fort Bragg, by far. Huge campsites within walking distance to the beach and only a short drive to downtown. However, in our experience, California state parks are more expensive to dry camp in than other states, and the amenities are limited. Local attractions: Fort Bragg is a charming coastal town with shops, restaurants and North Coast Brewing Co.. Enjoy fresh seafood, beach hikes, and wildlife watching. Read more about our visit here. Miles from previous location: 117 miles.

Arrival: We returned to Sacramento at the end of July 2019, just in time to see friends and family and then fly back to Washington, D.C. for a work trip.

Just like “normal” life, you can pretty much spend as little or as much as you want while living the full-time RV lifestyle. I was very curious to compare our costs during this leg of the trip with our expenses from April 2019, our mad dash across the country. (You can read about that itinerary and why we had to travel across the whole USA in one month here .)

And you guys, guess what? I think we are figuring out this whole full-time RV thing! In June and July, we stayed at several pricey campgrounds out of necessity while visiting popular destinations like the Tetons or the California coast. But we also found some great deals at state park campgrounds and boondocked whenever we could. We found our travel speed sweet spot, moving every five days or so and limiting drive days to around three hours (most of the time). That schedule helped us balance time for work with time for fun. We are loving how RV travel allows you to experience an area the way the locals do.

I added a new “health” category to our expense tracker this month. We had our first dog health scare this month when Hobbes had a flare up of a past back injury. I shared more about how we keep Hobbes healthy on the road in this blog post for the Pet Food Institute. My top recommendation for RVers (or anyone traveling with their dog) is to keep a file of past health diagnoses and vaccination records with you. It was so helpful to be able to share this information with the new-to-us vet so they had some context for his symptoms.

Western Road Trip RV Travel Expenses At a Glance:

10 Weeks/69 Days on the Road

Gas: $1,497 This included fuel for both The Chateau and our car. Let’s just say the difference in gas prices between Montana and the California coast was “significant”. Ouch.

Campground Fees: $1,922 This breaks down to $28/day. Not bad. We stayed at a mix of free campsites, state and national parks, and private campgrounds. This total also includes parking fees in the few cities we visited with parking meters. In comparison, we spent $1,300 for just 30 days in April.

Eating and Drinking Out: $1,585 Mostly includes meals in the $15-30 range (and lots of coffee). We admittedly spend a lot in this area since trying new restaurants is one of the best ways to get to know a new city, IMHO.

Entertainment: $282 A minor league baseball game, bowling, the Cody Nite rodeo, and visiting a dinosaur dig.

Groceries: $1,288 This number also includes random household supplies purchased along with groceries at Walmart.

Health and Wellness: $165 Mostly day passes for gyms (and showers)!

RV and Car Maintenance: $213 Oil changes, etc. Also includes some organizational supplies and a new ottoman!

Connectivity: $451 My phone plan, a wireless jetpack for wifi, and our mail forwarding service.

Grand Total: $6,775

This breaks down to $98/day or $1.98 per mile.

Our primary goal in embracing the full-time RV lifestyle is to see and experience as many new places as possible (rather than saving money) – and clearly that shows. Adjusting your speed of travel or avoiding eating and drinking out are the easiest ways to save money on the road.

I hope this information is helpful if you are planning to jump into fulltime RV living or just an extended road trip across the American west. Feel free to send me a comment or an email if you have any questions about the itinerary.

I am currently planning the next leg of our journey : fall in the USA’s upper Midwest… your recommendations would be much appreciated! Be sure to click here to read my latest dispatches from the road and follow me on Instagram for more updates!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

The Best Road Trips in the American West

04/24/2022 by Kristin Addis 9 Comments

The more I travel the world, the more I have come to appreciate and fall in love with the American West. There’s nowhere in the world like it in terms of sheer beauty and diversity — both of landscapes and people.

Where else can you experience one of the hottest deserts on Earth, the tallest trees, the most famous coastline, world-class skiing, the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, and the sweeping canyons and rock arches of Utah — all in one region? It would take a lifetime to explore it all, and then some, but the following road trips can help you get a taste of each of these incredible places.

The following are some of the best road trips in the western USA, from state to state. These trips follow a somewhat logical loop, beginning in California.

Table of Contents

The Golden State is one of the most diverse in the nation, with a world-famous coastal drive, a wealth of national parks, and deserts that cover 25% of the state. There’s so much to see, but a few road trips cover the highlights:

➵ Rent a car in California here

Pacific Coast Highway

This might be the most famous road trip in the entire country. The Pacific Coast Highway takes you down the California coast, making for a wonderful road trip full of picturesque spots. You’ll cover nearly 800 miles, so spend about a week on this trip, minimum.

• San Diego:  Start your road trip in one of California’s southernmost cities, where surfers and great Mexican food abound.
• Los Angeles:  Cruise 120 miles north to LA, where you’ll find everything from skyscrapers to colorful sunsets over the Hollywood sign. Stop in  Orange County  on the way for spectacular beaches and Disneyland.
• Santa Barbara : Enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean on the 95-mile drive up to sunny  Santa Barbara , where you’ll camp overnight.
• San Luis Obispo:  Continue on another 95 miles to stop for lunch in San Luis Obispo or another destination in SLO County, like Pismo Beach.
• Big Sur:  Drive 110 miles to Big Sur, where you’ll admire seaside cliffs and waterfalls, and camp among the tall redwood trees.
• Carmel/Monterey:  Upon leaving Big Sur, drive 30 miles north to Carmel, where you can cruise the famous 17-Mile Drive through the Monterey Peninsula on the way to San Francisco, another 125 miles up the coast. If you don’t want to rent a car, consider this tour of the area , which leaves from San Francisco.
• San Francisco:  Spend a day in  San Francisco , where you can explore the funky Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, shop on Fisherman’s Wharf, walk around the Presidio, and much more.
• Humboldt County: Drive the last 280 miles of the trip up to Arcata in Humboldt County, often called “ the Lost Coast ” for its complete lack of tourism. Walk along empty stretches of beach and enjoy the peace and quiet. Stop in  Fort Bragg  if you have the time!

Check out the  full PCH itinerary  here!

California Deserts

Most people don’t go on a trip just to see deserts, but they’re missing out! This 430-mile, six-day trip is as varied as it is beautiful.

• Alabama Hills : This is the place of old Western movie sets and incredible stargazing. Mobius Arch, Boot Arch, and Movie Road are  must-sees .
• Death Valley : The Badwater Basin,  Golden Canyon , and sunrise at Zabriskie Point make Death Valley, 110 miles to the east, a stunning stop. You can take  a full-day tour  to see all of the (literal) hot spots.
• Mojave National Preserve and Mojave Trails National Monument : 150 miles southeast of Death Valley is the third largest unit of the National Park System in the contiguous US; highlights include Kelso Dunes; Amboy Crater, including a ghost town with the iconic Roy’s Motel Café; and the lava tubes. Find out what to do at Mojave here .
• Joshua Tree : Drive 90 miles south to see the famous (but dying) Joshua trees, Barker Dam, the Cholla Cactus Garden, and an incredible, starry sky. Find more ideas for what to do in Joshua Tree here.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park : Finally, drive 80 miles southwest to explore natural wind caves and take in amazing views stretching on as far as the eye can see at Font’s Point. Get more ideas on how to spend your time at Anza-Borrego here .

Read more about this California deserts itinerary here!

Nevada might just be one of the American Southwest’s most underrated states, simply because people don’t know much about it besides Vegas and Tahoe. While those are both awesome places, there is much more to explore. A road trip like this one is the best way to discover the Silver State for yourself. With every stop mentioned below, it covers nearly 900 miles and takes about five days:

➵ Rent a car in Nevada here

• Seven Magic Mountains:   Check out this art installation  of painted and stacked rocks lying between the mountains and Interstate 15, 25 miles out of Vegas.
• Las Vegas :  Vegas  makes a great  girlfriends’ getaway , so it would be a perfect stop for a day or two if you’re road-tripping with friends! You can also venture to the Nevada side of Death Valley on this day tour .
• Grand Canyon : The Grand Canyon is a no-brainer. You can even take a  helicopter tour from Vegas  like I did!
• Valley of Fire : Camp at this state park, 50 miles from Vegas, and check out Seven Sisters, Elephant Rock, Beehives, and Fire Wave Trail if time allows.  Join a hiking tour  for some scrambling fun.
• Historical ghost towns:  Nevada is home to countless  historical ghost towns , which make for cool stops. Be sure to check out Belmont Mill (north of Valley of Fire) and Gold Point (northwest of Vegas).
• Hot springs : Nevada has more hot springs than any other state, so be sure to incorporate a few of them into your road trip. Soldier Meadows and Black Rock (in the northwest), Spencer (dead center), and Gold Strike (down south) look especially cool.
• Tahoe : From the northwest hot springs, drive south 170 miles to go stand-up paddleboarding on the crystal-clear water of Lake Tahoe or hiking in the hills surrounding it.

Reno to Las Vegas

If you can’t do the entire 900-mile trip outlined above, consider traversing Nevada between Reno and Las Vegas instead. This is about half that length and features some exciting stops along the way:

• Fish Lake Valley Hot Well : This hot spring has some gorgeous scenery around it. You can swim and even camp nearby if you fancy.
• Tonopah : Halfway between Reno and Las Vegas, this historic town is a great spot to spend a night or two. You can even stay in the so-called haunted Mizpah Hotel , if you dare.
• Goldfield : This quirky town is definitely worth a stop to check out the wacky art installations at the International Car Forest of the Last Church.
• Rhyolite and the Goldwell Open Air Museum : This is another artsy stop, where you’ll find large statues and other head-scratching installations.
• Charleston Peak and Red Rock Canyon : Although it’s a bit off Highway 95, the detour is worth it if you want to get out and stretch your legs with a hike before arriving in Las Vegas.

Utah is one of the best destinations in the US for seeing the great outdoors. Here is a ten-stop itinerary for the lesser-known sights of southern Utah, spanning 550 miles and taking about five days:

➵ Rent a car in Utah here

• Dead Horse Point State Park : A unique road trip through Utah begins at Moab’s Dead Horse Point State Park, which is just as geographically impressive as the Grand Canyon, minus all the tourists.
• Canyonlands National Park : A short drive away, Needles Overlook at Canyonlands provides a scenic drive up to a 360-degree viewpoint of southern Utah.
• Bears Ears National Monument : Drive 115 miles south from Moab to just past and west of Blanding, where you’ll be able to check out the ancient cave drawings at Bears Ears.
• Valley of the Gods : Camp on the free public land at Valley of the Gods and wake up to awesome views of red-rock formations. It’s  gorgeous at sunset .
• Goosenecks State Park : Only ten miles away, Goosenecks State Park offers a panorama of the Colorado River winding through the canyon below.
• Natural Bridges National Monument : For your last stop near Blanding, hike the three major bridges at Natural Bridges National Monument.
• Goblin Valley State Park : You can stroll through the mushroom-like red rock formations 130 miles away at  Goblin Valley State Park .
• Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyon:  These two slot canyons, right next to Goblin Valley, resemble the more popular Antelope Canyon.
• Mystic Hot Springs: This beautiful and relaxing hot spring is just northwest of Capitol Reef and is the ideal place to rest for a night or two to soothe your sore muscles after all that hiking. Find out more about Mystic Hot Springs here .
• Capitol Reef National Park : Seventy more miles gets you to Teasdale’s Capitol Reef National Park, where you’ll see massive rock formations rising out of the ground.
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument : Your last destination is Big Water, where you can spend a day hiking  Coyote Gulch  in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Get  a self-guided driving tour  to discover some of the hidden gems in the area.

For more tips and tricks, check out the full itinerary for  Utah’s best secret places !

The destinations covered in this section, as well as some of the Nevada suggestions and the following Arizona ones, are included in my more in-depth  American Southwest road trip itinerary  as well.

Arizona’s abundance of natural sights means that you’ll see everything from waterfalls to massive rock structures on this week-long road trip, which covers almost a thousand miles.

➵ Rent a car in Arizona here

• Sedona : Artsy Sedona is famous for  energy vortexes , and with great hikes like Devil’s Bridge, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock, you could easily  spend a day or two here .
• Havasu Falls : 205 miles southeast lies the beautiful blue Havasu Falls, which is worth the permit and ten-mile hike required to reach it.  Here’s all you need to know  about making it happen.
• Grand Canyon : It’s a 200-mile drive to the  South Rim of the Grand Canyon , where you can enjoy the views along Desert View Drive, watch the sunset at Yavapai Point, and check out the lesser-known Lipan Point, spending the night in either Flagstaff or Cameron.
• Horseshoe Bend : Continue the sightseeing at  picturesque Horseshoe Bend , another 120 miles north towards Page, where you can get some stunning sunset photos.
• Antelope Canyon : A bit east is Antelope Canyon, the world’s most famous slot canyon. Check out  more info about Antelope Canyon here!
• The Wave/White Pocket : Sixty miles away, the Wave sits at the Arizona-Utah border and requires a permit, but its neighbor White Pocket is much easier to see. ( Read more about White Pocket here .)
• Monument Valley : Drive a couple hours east to  Monument Valley , where the rock structures seem to rise up out of nowhere.
• Canyon de Chelly : A hundred miles back down south lies Canyon de Chelly, a frequently overlooked destination, where you can take a guided hike through the canyon or head up to Spider Rock Overlook on your own for great views.
• Petrified Forest National Park : 110 more miles south toward Phoenix, the multicolored buttes full of fossils and wildflowers at Painted Desert are certainly a sight to see.

For more details on hikes, national parks and monuments, tours, and routes, check out this  full guide to an Arizona road trip !

New Mexico is perhaps the best destination to see both Spanish influence and Native American heritage, as well as incredible natural attractions like volcanic craters. This northern New Mexico road trip, which will allow you to enjoy a bit of everything this unique state has to offer, covers 475 miles and takes about five days:

➵ Rent a car in New Mexico here

Northern New Mexico

• Albuquerque :  Take a hot-air balloon ride  over Albuquerque with  Rainbow Ryders , explore the  ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden , see a show at the historic Kimo Theatre , or visit the  San Felipe de Neri Parish  to see the authentic Spanish influence still present in Albuquerque.
• Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument : Drive 55 miles northeast to spend the morning exploring  Kasha-Katuwe , a national monument protecting unique rock formations created by volcanic eruptions several million years ago.
• Santa Fe : Drive 40 more miles to New Mexico’s capital, nicknamed, “The City Different,” to see the  Georgia O’Keeffe Museum ,  Museum Hill , the Santa Fe Plaza at the heart of downtown, and plenty of art markets.
• Valles Caldera National Preserve: Drive 50 miles west to  Valles Caldera  to spend the morning hiking or biking the million-year-old volcanic crater. After you’ve explored, spend another day back in Santa Fe.
• Taos : Seventy miles northeast is Taos, and artsy adobe town with the best  whitewater rapids  in the state,  nearby hot springs , and cool shopping at the  Bent Street Shops .
• Aztec : 210 miles west is the Aztec Ruins National Monument, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains thousand-year-old  Aztec ruins , as well as hundreds of natural stone arches.
• White Sands National Monument: Head south toward Las Cruces to see the incredible White Sands National Monument . It’s not a particularly logical part of the rest of this road trip, but it sure is worth it to me! Finish off in Las Cruces and head west into Arizona or south into Texas.

If you want a longer trip to see more of New Mexico, this road trip will take about 2-3 weeks and covers more ground:

Full New Mexico

• Las Cruces: This is the southernmost large city in New Mexico, making it the perfect starting point to go from south to north.
• White Sands National Monument: For the same reason why this stop is mentioned on the previous New Mexico road-trip itinerary, definitely add this one to your list.
• Carlsbad National Park: Featuring over 119 caves, this is an interesting place to explore an underground natural wonder.
• Truth or Consequences: A small town with a gorgeous hot spring, this is the perfect place to relax and even see some wildlife.
• Albuquerque: If you’re not into stopping in a city, leave this one out. Albuquerque does have some interesting sights to check out though (see above), especially if you’re a Breaking Bad fan.
• Turquoise Trail, ttop in Madrid : Stopping in Madrid is a must on the scenic drive between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. It’s a quirky former ghost town that is now the home of many artists who gave it new life. There are some excellent art galleries and neat shops here.
• Santa Fe: Known for its artsy scene, Santa Fe is an incredible destination all on its own (see above).
• Jemez Springs: Whether for hiking, bathing in hot springs, and taking a scenic drive, Jemez Springs is the ideal spot to stretch your legs and spend some time in nature.
• Bandelier National Monument : Head here to check out some historic cave dwellings that date back over 11,000 years.
• Taos – Earthship Biotecture : This resourceful biotecture community includes over 70 earth houses that exist completely off grid. You can even stay overnight in one of these earthships !
• Bisti Badlands : This might be a bit of a detour, but definitely still worth visiting. This is one of the most epic places in the country to see unique rock formations.

Find out more about this full New Mexico road trip itinerary here.

-READ NEXT-

38 Unique Things to do in New Mexico

While winter isn’t typically road trip season, it certainly can be in Idaho when it means hopping between hot springs! This itinerary leads you to some of Idaho’s best springs over nearly 250 miles and five days:

➵ Rent a car in Idaho here

• The Springs:  From Boise, drive 40 miles to Idaho City, where The Springs, one of the more spa-like hot springs, offers a private jacuzzi with a server to bring you snacks and drinks.
• Kirkham Hot Springs : Continue 40 more miles to Lowman, where the Kirkham Hot Springs on the Payette River offers steaming waterfalls and incredible mountain views.
• Mountain Village Resort:  The rustic Mountain Village Resort in Stanley feels like a winter wonderland when it snows. Staying at the hotel gets you free access to the spring-fed spa pools.
• Boat Box Hot Springs : A few miles outside Stanley, Boat Box — which isn’t a pool in the ground but a small metal tub that looks like a witch’s cauldron — sits right on the river.
• Sunbeam Hot Springs : Only ten minutes beyond Boat Box is a single pool with the potential for some peaceful solitude.
• Goldbug Hot Springs: Another 55 miles gets you to the famous Goldbug Hot Springs, different pools of varying temperatures, which all have incredible views.
• Sun Valley:  Back up toward Stanley, Sun Valley is a fun and friendly town with a few nearby hot springs.

Check out the  whole guide to Idaho hot springs here !

For a more summer-oriented road trip from Boise to Stanley, including Craters of the Moon, check out my  five-day Idaho itinerary ! This is the perfect segue into the next stop: Montana, or east to Wyoming!

There is a reason why Montana is called “Big Sky Country.” See it for yourself with this 530-mile, weeklong road trip:

➵ Rent a car in Montana here

• Big Sky : Big Sky boasts  scenic hikes ,  biking ,  zip-lining ,  whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River ,  horseback riding , a  variety of spas , and two gorgeous drives ( the scenic road through Gallatin Canyon  and the Lone Mountain Trail scenic drive).
• Butte & Boulder : Drive 120 miles north to Butte, once nicknamed “the Richest Hill on Earth,” to see the old mansions and Victorian business district, then head northeast 40 miles to Boulder to visit a  natural hot spring .
• Helena : Thirty miles past Boulder is the state capital, where you’ll see historic sites like  Reeder’s Alley , the ornate  Cathedral of St. Helena , and the  Women’s Mural . Then follow a  walking tour of the Mansion District  or hike to the top of  Mount Helena City Park  for a panoramic view of the city.
• Hamilton : Go west 160 miles to Hamilton, which maintains that small-town feel but is set apart by a  buzzing downtown  and bustling arts and music scene.
• Missoula : Drive north to the “Garden City” of Montana, where you can  raft Alberton Gorge , stroll along the riverfront walking trail,  hit up a food truck  or  Big Dipper Ice Cream ,  go shopping , or even  check out another hot spring .
• Libby : Libby’s main attraction is the nearby  Kootenai Falls , a waterfall under a long swinging bridge. Other adventures in Libby, 175 miles northwest of Missoula, include riding OHVs (off-highway vehicles) on miles of trails and cross-country skiing in the winter.
• Optional addition: Glacier National Park : If you’re feeling up to it, head to Glacier National Park to spend a few extra days taking in the incredible natural beauty of Montana.  Read more about Glacier here .

Wyoming is the least populated state in the US, leaving a lot of room for things like skiing and snowboarding in Jackson Hole, exploring the Teton Range, and visiting Yellowstone National Park . The perfect Wyoming road trip hits all three. This adventure spans about a hundred miles and takes six days (reverse the route if coming in from Idaho):

➵ Rent a car in Wyoming here

• Yellowstone National Park:  Spend two days here to catch an eruption from  Old Faithful , see Steamboat Geyser (the tallest in the world), check out the travertine terraces of  Mammoth Hot Springs , and visit two of Yellowstone’s best waterfalls:  Lower Falls  (which is nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls) and  Tower Fall . You can see them all on  a full-day tour .
• Grand Teton National Park:  Drive 60 miles south and spend three days in Grand Teton National Park . Visit  Mormon Row  (home to the widely photographed Moulton Barns) and the  Menor’s Ferry Historic District , take a few  picturesque drives ,  canoe  on Jenny Lake, follow a  scenic hike , and float or raft the Snake River. Be sure to enjoy a seasonal activity: swim at String Lake in the summer, take a horseback ride through autumn foliage, follow a ranger-led snowshoe walk in the winter, or watch elk, bison, deer, and moose migrate in the spring on  a safari adventure .
• Jackson Hole: Twenty-five miles past Grand Teton is Jackson Hole, where you can ski in the winter or take the  Jackson Hole Aerial Tram  up the mountain in the summer, as well as visit the  National Museum of Wildlife Art , which houses works by Andy Warhol and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Oregon is special for its unique array of forests, rivers, coastline, mountains,  and  cool cities. It is home to some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, and the best way to see it is on a road trip .

➵ Rent a car in Oregon here

Oregon coast

The beautiful Oregon coastline is dotted with countless charming seaside towns, making a perfect road trip. See a handful of them by starting at the top and working your way down, traveling 230 miles over a week:

• Astoria:  Spend a day in Astoria by strolling its  Sunday Market  (one of the largest in Oregon), following the  Astoria Riverwalk , riding around town in the  “Old 300”  trolley, and climbing up the  Astoria Column  for 360-degree views of the city.
• Cannon Beach: Twenty-five miles south lies Cannon Beach, known for colorful sunsets and towering rocks rising out of the ocean, where you’ll want to spend two days exploring the  four state parks , walking along the beach, and taking a scenic hike to watch the diverse wildlife.
• Newport:  Head to the friendly fishing city of Newport to go whale watching, grab a bowl of  famous clam chowder,  visit  Oregon’s tallest lighthouse , and stroll through the underwater walkways at the  Oregon Coast Aquarium .
• Coos Bay:  A hundred miles south of Newport, Coos Bay is a great base to explore Oregon’s diverse nature, as it is home to three state parks ( Shore Acres State Park ,  Cape Arago State Park,  and  Sunset Bay State Park ) and the Oregon Dunes!

Inland Oregon

Some of Oregon’s best cities are situated inland, also a great option. Start to finish, this road trip is sure to provide a balance of arts and culture, great food, and outdoor adventure! For this itinerary, you’ll be covering about 260 miles, and you’ll need about seven days to do it:

• Portland : Spend a day or two in Portland (the epitome of Pacific Northwest hipster cool) following a few of the amazing hikes , wandering through  Powell’s Books (which claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world), and hanging out in the gorgeous rose garden in Washington Park. (Oh, and eat lots of delicious food!)
• Salem : Head 50 miles south to Salem, the state capital, to stroll through the shops housed in the old Reed Opera House , take a  riverboat brunch cruise  on the Willamette River, or picnic in Riverfront Park.
• Corvallis : Thirty miles south is the college town adjacent to Oregon State University, where you can follow the  Corvallis Mural Map  to see the cool street art, or rent a bike to cruise some of the 60+ miles of trails.
• Eugene : A second college town sits 50 miles further south. Here, catch a  Ducks football game  at the U of Oregon, wander through the  Eugene Saturday Market , or swing by the  Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art  to see artwork from China, Japan, and Korea.
• Bend : Drive east to wrap up your trip in  Bend , a great mountain town with a fantastic food and drink scene; you can also try anything from  kayaking to  whitewater rafting  to a  helicopter aerial tour .

Typically, when Washington State comes to mind, people think of rain and the Space Needle, but from western cities on the water like Port Townsend to eastern ones like Spokane, its landscape and attractions are diverse. See all Washington has to offer with this 500-mile, weeklong road trip:

➵ Rent a car in Washington here

• Olympia:  Start in the state capital, at the bottom of the Puget Sound, by hanging out in West Bay Park and checking out the city’s unique food scene, which is quirky and progressive but not pretentious.
• Port Townsend:  Drive 100 miles north to one of the coolest small towns in the US. Check out the  Port Townsend Farmers Market  (one of the best in Washington), take a free boat tour with the Northwest Maritime Center , and finish out the day by browsing the independent stores housed in old Victorian buildings on Water Street.
• Seattle:  Drive 60 more miles to  Seattle , where you’ll want to check out  Pike Place Market ,  take a harbor cruise  to see the city from Elliott Bay, visit a unique museum like the  Museum of Pop Culture , and eat fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant.
• Bellevue:  Across Lake Washington, visit the  Bellevue Arts Museum  (where you can sometimes chat with the artists themselves), hang out in Downtown Park, and zip-line through Eastgate Park with  Bellevue Zip Tour .
• Leavenworth:  In this charming town modeled after a traditional Bavarian village, eat your way through the German sweet shops, hike the river trail at  Icicle Gorge , stroll along the Wenatchee River at Waterfront Park, or visit the town’s quirky  Nutcracker Museum .
• Spokane:  Drive the last 180 miles to the eastern side of Washington to the capital of “the Inland Empire,” where you can follow the  Spokane City Drive , a self-guided tour of the best spots in town, or the  Spokane Sculpture Walk  for an experience you won’t find in any other city.

Washington Hikes Road Trip

Looking to get outside as much as possible on your Washington road trip? Consider this quick itinerary to all of the state’s best hikes, where you can park your car and head out into the wilderness to see gorgeous mountain peaks, lush forests, and more:

• Seattle: Start your trip here, where you can rent a car for your journey.
• Maple Pass in North Cascades National Park: This leg of the trip is the longest stretch at over 5 hours along Interstate 90 East and Highway 97, but the scenery is on point the whole way. Stay the night near the national park and hike Maple Pass first thing in the morning.
• Lake Ingalls: Another long stretch back down south along Highway 97 will take you to Lake Ingalls where you can enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous alpine lake.
• Skyline Trail in Mount Rainier National Park: This trail gives incredible views of Mount Rainier, plus plenty of waterfalls along the way. It’s easily one of the best trails in Washington. Get there from Lake Ingalls by taking I-90 towards Tacoma (option to stay there for the night) and then Highway 161 down to the park.
• Pinnacle Peak in Mount Rainier National Park: While you’re near Rainier National Park, don’t miss out on this epic trail that leads to the Pinnacle Peak Saddle where you’ll have the most incredible view.
• Rialto Beach: Another long stretch will bring you to Washington’s rocky coast where you can hike from Rialto Beach to Hole-In-The-Wall which is a rugged and exciting affair.
• Hurricane Ridge: Before heading back to Seattle, Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park plus the breathtaking Sunrise Viewpoint right next to it are the perfect ending to a perfect trip.

The Perfect Washington National Parks Itinerary

From skiing in the mountains to hiking through hills and meadows, Colorado is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. This itinerary can be cut in half, between Breckenridge and Rocky Mountain National Park , if 12 stops is too long of a trip. (Each leg consists of half natural sights and half cities, so you’ll still get a full taste of Colorado with six stops.) All in all, this road trip covers more than 800 miles and takes about ten days.

• Mesa Verde National Park : See the mesa-top villages and cliffside dwellings of the Pueblo people from hundreds of years ago by driving the Mesa Top Loop Road and Cliff Palace driving loop, or head to Park Point (elevation: 8,500 feet).
• Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park : Highlights of this park, located 160 miles northeast of Mesa Verde, include Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View.
• Aspen : After you’ve driven 115 miles from Black Canyon to Aspen, hike Red Butte Trail for 360-degree views of the Aspen Valley, ride the  Silver Queen Gondola  to the summit of the mountain, stand-up paddleboard at  North Star Nature Preserve , and explore the waterfalls and ice caves along  Grottos Trail .
• Hanging Lake : Stop 50 miles down the road to follow one of Colorado’s most popular hikes to this magical  cliffside lake .
• Vail :  Raft the river ,  drive an ATV , catch a cool  seasonal event , check out a  farmers’ market , or hike to a waterfall in this fun mountain town 60 miles northeast of Hanging Lake.
• Breckenridge : One of Colorado’s friendliest small towns, Breckenridge offers  great hikes , tons of  biking trails , cool events like the  International Festival of Arts , and lots of sunny restaurant patios where you can grab a bite.
• Rocky Mountain National Park:  Take a scenic drive (especially on  Trail Ridge Road , the highest continuous paved road in the US), hike to one of the park’s  eleven waterfalls  and two cascades, go  four-wheeling , or take a horseback ride through Rocky Mountain National Park, located 100 miles north of Breckenridge. Click here for a complete list of things to do in the park.
• Boulder : Spend a day or two in Boulder by ordering beignets at  Lucile’s , exploring  Pearl Street  and the  Boulder Creek Path , hiking to the famous  sandstone Flatirons , and attending a show at the historic Boulder Theater.
• Denver : Drive 30 miles to the state capital, which has  plenty to explore , including the  Lower Downtown (LoDo)  neighborhood, Capitol Building, outdoor 16th Street Mall,  Larimer Square ,  Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre , and  Denver Art Museum .
• Garden of the Gods : Seventy miles from Denver is another national park, where you can take a tour on foot, electric bike, or Segway, as well as go rock climbing and check out  Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site .
• Colorado Springs : The last city of the road trip sits next to Garden of the Gods. Spend a day exploring  Seven Falls , hiking in  Ute Valley Park , and driving the Gold Belt Scenic Byway.
• Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve:  At your last destination, plan on camping for a night so that you’ll have the chance to stargaze with no city lights to obscure the view. But until the sun sets, sled down the sand dunes (some of which are hundreds of feet high) and (if your car permits) drive the adventurous  Medano Pass .

The perfect Colorado Road Trip Itinerary

While an area as vast as the American West is tough to cover in a single road trip, or even a single lifetime, I hope this post helps you to pick a trip you’ll love. The best news is, you really can’t go wrong, as all of these places are gorgeous, though some are better suited to certain weather and seasons than others.

Choose the best adventure for you!

*Some links in this post are affiliate links for products and services we personally use and love. Any purchase you make through them supports us at no extra cost to you. Thanks so much!

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

 subscribe to our newsletter

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

09/20/2019 at 7:38 am

Bravo! This is the most comprehensive post yet for a region. Literally a lifetime of things to see and all doable on a road trip! There is even more like Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Flaming Gorge, Devil’s Tower, grassland parks, and Bighorn in Wyoming for instance. Great job, your hard work has paid off with this amazing post. I will add this to the now long list of travel ideas you have provided me!!!

Hena Tayeb says

09/22/2019 at 6:53 pm

So much great information! We were in Washington and Oregon just last summer and loved it. We are trying to decide between Arizona and New Mexico for this coming spring.. you post will come in very handy.

Kristin says

09/22/2019 at 8:30 pm

why not both? 😉

10/28/2019 at 6:31 am

Thanks for the super write up! So many things to do in each of the locations. I visited Estes and the the RMNP in July and it was such a great experience. We did some river rafting and a fair bit of hiking in the park. Didn’t see any bears unfortunately was apparently still a bit early in the season for them. Not sure if you enjoy more Adrenalin fueled activities – have you ever tried doing a tandem jump? It’s actually a great way to experience the scenery of an area. And you’d be surprised just how many drop zones there are now in the US. It’s a great experience and totally worth spending half a day doing 😉

01/15/2020 at 11:21 pm

thank you so much for your helpful trips! one of the best sites around

Eileen Chu says

05/06/2022 at 11:01 am

Love the recommendations. I’m planning a road trip myself and I’m struggling to decide which month of the year to do this loop. Which month did you do it so that you didn’t encounter the snowy roads in the north and the blazing sun in the south.? April?

05/07/2022 at 8:28 pm

Which loop exactly? If you’re wanting to avoid winter, May is often a good month as is June.

Karla Smith says

07/04/2023 at 11:55 am

I like your site. Great info. Thank you. I’m taking a month long solo trip from Missouri out west. I’m 70 years young and bringing just my dog, Lovebug. Last road trip for this lady! Any thoughts about “the dog”? She a trained school therapy dog. National or state parks allow on leash? Dog friendly places? Thanks to you I’m going to Mystic Hot Springs. Tent camping some. Any advice is websites to read? Thank you so much! Karla

07/05/2023 at 8:44 am

Some national park trails allow dogs on a leash. I’ve got lots of solo camping advice on here! https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/outdoors-101/

Emergency Banner Component

Western United States

Welcome to the region of evergreen giants, painted deserts, and pink-hued stone citadels. Our Western USA tours immerse you in lands woven with legend and lore, cowboy culture, and steaming National Parks.

• ITINERARIES
• FEATURED TOURS

Welcome to the West

Here legends larger-than-life loom over landscapes sculpted in sand. Rivers tunnel through time leaving cavernous canyons in their wake. Geysers steam like clockwork precision and rocks balance, arch and bridge in whimsical formations. Go west with Tauck and you'll find evergreen giants, painted deserts, pink-hued stone citadels as you ride with cowboys, hike with naturalists and raft with guides passionate about the places they roam. 

Yellowstone national park, seriously... there's no other place on earth like it – yellowstone national park.

There's everything else, and then there's Yellowstone; it's truly like no other place on Earth. Why? Because it sits atop the largest "supervolcano" on the North American continent – one of the hottest spots on the planet. It's called the Yellowstone Caldera, and it lurks beneath the surface, giving rise to Yellowstone National Park's host of gushing geysers, steaming fumaroles, hot springs, mud pot and more – nothing less than the largest concentration of geothermal features on Earth, spectacular in winter or summer. In an amazing setting such as this, pretty much anything you do – from a wildlife safari in the summer, to a snowcoach ride in the winter… or hike, climb, horseback ride, ski, snowshoe, watch a sunrise or a sunset – is something you'll never forget.

Yosemite National Park

Through a lens, brightly and darkly – yosemite national park.

What a young Ansel Adams saw through his lens as he trekked into the California wilderness more than 100 years ago – as John Muir did a half-century before him – has inspired countless visitors to explore its chiseled landscapes. Celestial bodies trump electricity. Running water falls from rocks. Residents are furred, finned or feathered. And skyscrapers with names like Half Dome and El Capitan are nature-made. Adams iconic photographs need no words or explanation. Even in black and white, they capture what he felt about places now immortalized for future generations.

Grand Teton National Park

Big sky, big mountains, big picture... grand teton national park.

Out here in the Great American West, everything is "big." For starters, Wyoming comprises part of "Big Sky Country"... where the heavens ranging above the region's vast grasslands, winding rivers and jagged mountain peaks do indeed appear to stretch on forever and ever. Then there are the mountains themselves – in this case the Tetons, crowned by Grand Teton (that's the "big" one that gives the national park its name; other peaks in the range include Middle Teton, South Teton, Mount Owen and Teewinot) – seemingly bursting right up out of the floor of the glacial valley we call Jackson Hole, to loom majestically over everything below.

Grand Canyon National Park

Coming to grips with the impossible... at grand canyon national park.

Surely you have stumbled upon some other planet... or at least it feels that way at Grand Canyon National Park. Your first glimpse of the enormous Grand Canyon strains credulity. What giants have been playing with the rock here? Or what cataclysmic force of the universe? Then the drama starts. Clouds, shadows, and the shifting sun keep transforming the landscape. As the sun flames in the west, canyon walls turn red while the giants paint the sky, creating masterpieces so beautiful they freeze you in your tracks. The Grand Canyon sprawls wide open, carved out by the Colorado River, revealing two billion years of Earth's history; here is where air meets land, where you meet what feels like destiny, with just the white-tailed Kaibab squirrel, only found here, as witness.

Journey Collection

Experience the American West

Search Again

{{ title }}

{{shortDescription}}

{{longDescription}}

{{priceFrom}}

From Price, Per Person

Price shown is the lowest price per person, double, on most journeys.

No Tours Match Your Room Configuration

Itinerary Related Content

Take a look below for other tours

Please enter a valid search term

No results found for “ ”.

Make sure your words are spelled correctly or use less or different words.

We can't find any itineraries that match your departure date. Try broadening your search by choosing a different year or month.

The keyword's results do not contain the selected date. Please reset the date filter or choose a different date.

Featured River, Small Ship and Land Journeys

Land Journeys

Explore the Possibilities

{{whitepanel.eyebrow}}

{{whitepanel.title}}

{{whitepanel.copy}}

{{whitepanel.subtitle}}

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.landjourneys}}

LAND JOURNEYS

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.rivercruises}}

RIVER CRUISES

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.familytours}}

FAMILY TOURS

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.smallshipcruises}}

SMALL SHIP CRUISES

{{whitepanel.numberoftours.taucksevents}}

TAUCKS EVENTS

Treasures of the American West

Our passion for and experience in the national parks of the West goes back generations; we pioneered air-land tours to the Western parks in the 1960s and haven't looked back since. In Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton and more, we stay at coveted inside-the-park lodges, know the best places to visit and explore, and the best ways to share our passion with you.

America's canyonlands, california's gold coast, yellowstone & grand teton national parks, majestic california: san francisco, yosemite & the pacific, traveling with tauck, never settle for ordinary.

Travel Experiences that are as memorable as the places...

Leave Your Worries At Home

Tauck takes on all of details of travel – all of the planning, all of the logistics...

One Upfront Price

Get what you pay for and then some; no hidden costs, no options sold...

Travel In Good Company

Our Tauck Directors are the best in the industry, making every moment of your journey count...

Book Today... And Travel Dreams Begin

Discover The World

Call us, or call your travel advisor, to book your preferred departure date today – and explore our beautiful brochures to find your inspiration for your next journey.

• Destinations
• Antarctica & the Arctic
• Australia & New Zealand
• Israel & Jordan
• Latin America
• United States
• Tours & Cruises
• Exclusive Partnership
• Family Journeys
• Guest Favorites
• River Cruises
• Small Groups
• Small Ship Cruises
• Awards and Accolades
• Our History
• Tauck Impact
• The Tauck Difference
• The Taucker Blog
• About Tauck
• Media Center
• Tutorial Video
• Agent Connect
• Register Your Agency
• General Information
• Travel Protection
• Newsletter Sign Up
• Order an eGift Card
• Request a Brochure
• Tauck Forums
• Travel and Health
• Travel Updates

Sign Up to Subscribe to Our Emails

Nomadic Neen

Travel Blog

13 Amazing Days Out West: US Road Trip Itinerary

* Disclosure: Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and/or services I use myself. Your support helps keep this website running and allows me to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!

Looking to create a jam-packed itinerary and see a bunch of national parks out West in the United States? Look no further!

In May 2021, I took a road trip with my travel buddy, Doug, and one of his friends. We explored SIX different states and saw SIX different national parks in just 13 days. It was an exhausting but ever so rewarding trip.

To save you the time in creating a road trip itinerary for yourself, check out ours to use or use as a starting point to plan your own version of this road trip!

Day 1: Las Vegas, Nevada

Fly into Las Vegas, Nevada. Enjoy the Las Vegas Strip and nightlife for a fun and exciting start to the road trip!

Day 2: Las Vegas, Nevada

You’ll probably need a recovery day after your flight/nightlife adventures. Hang by the pool at your hotel and get that tan started.

To save yourself some time tomorrow when the road trip officially starts, go pick up your rental car. The LV Strip is extremely close to the LV airport, so you can take a cheap taxi or Uber there to pick up your car.

Day 3: Las Vegas, Nevada to Flagstaff, Arizona

Today is a jam-packed sightseeing day on the road trip! We’re going to make a few stops along our journey from Las Vegas to our final destination in Flagstaff.

When you’re leaving Las Vegas, make a quick stop at the infamous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign .

About a half hour from Las Vegas, you’ll be able to make a tiny detour and see the Hoover Dam ! Park your car, and take a quick walk over the pathway to take in the full sight. It’s quite marvelous.

Drive two more hours and welcome to Arizona. First stop in Arizona is Oatman . This town is something straight out of a movie. It is your typical old west town and there are donkeys roaming around the streets. Yup. Donkeys. This is one of the many stops along the famous Route 66.

About one hour further down Route 66 there is a cute rest stop called Hackberry General Store . They’ve got souvenirs and snacks and super clean bathrooms , which is a must while on a long road trip.

Three more hours in the car and you’ve arrived in Winslow, Arizona . Another town along Route 66. This one made famous from The Eagles’ song “Take it Easy”. This is the place to stop for some lunch. There is a 50s style restaurant called the Sipp Shoppe right across the street from the Eagles’ corner that has some great and affordable options.

Also in Winslow, there is the Meteor Crater , which is essentially just a giant hole in the ground, but still a pretty neat spot if you’re willing to spend $22pp on this giant hole.

Last stop for the day is Flagstaff, Arizona. There’s plenty to do here, but a must stop is the Lowell Observatory . This is a late night activity, so get a good nap in before, but it is a relaxing way to end your evening in Flagstaff.

Day 4: Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Village

Rise and shine! Hop in the car and drive two hours to the Grand Canyon Village. Grand Canyon Village is about 10 minutes from the South Rim Entrance of the Grand Canyon . This one is pretty self-explanatory. You can hike, eat, or just admire the beauty of the Grand Canyon for the rest of the day.

Day 5: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Another day in the Grand Canyon… Again, self-explanatory…

Bring Arizona to your home with these adorable succulents!

Day 6: Grand Canyon Village, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico

A decent amount of driving is on the schedule today, so plan to get up on the early side. We’re back on Route 66 now, and three hours of driving will bring you to Holbrook, Arizona , which is known for their dinosaurs. Basically there are dinosaur statues everywhere. Spoiler alert: they’re underwhelming.

Right outside of Holbrook is Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Dessert . Driving through and making stops throughout the park will leave you speechless.

Once you’re done staring at the colors of the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest, hop in the car and drive three hours east to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the night.

I recommend staying at Hotel Albuquerque Old Town. There is a Mexican restaurant right in the hotel that is to die for. You’ll thank me later.

Day 7: Albuquerque, New Mexico to Alamosa, Colorado

A fun morning in Albuquerque ahead, so fill your bellies with a delicious breakfast at Frontier Restaurant . Get anything with a tortilla. They’re made in house, and are perfect. Me and Doug still talk about them.

After breakfast indulge in a self-guided Breaking Bad tour . Starting at the Breaking Bad Store. Check out sites such as Dog House Drive In and Walter & Skylar’s house, but beware of the homeowners here. There is a woman who sits on a lawn chair on the front lawn with signs and threatening to call the cops at everyone taking pictures of her house.  

After the tour, drive approximately 4 hours to Alamosa, Colorado. Alamosa is the closest city to Great Sand Dunes National Park . This is the perfect late afternoon activity since the sun isn’t as strong. Pack your goggles and tie up your hair, because it can get WINDY.

Back in Alamosa, there is a delicious Thai restaurant called Siam Cuisine to end the evening at.  

Day 8: Alamosa, Colorado to Denver, Colorado

Alamosa has a bunch of chain restaurants to indulge in as well. One of my personal favorites, IHOP was our choice for breakfast before the four-hour drive to Denver, Colorado.

Spend the day enjoying the city. There is plenty to do. For lunch, enjoy a half-yard of beer at The Yard House with a delicious Bavarian pretzel too.

For dinner, head to Avanti , which is a pretty unique place in my opinion! It’s open seating, so first-come first-serve. There are waiters and waitresses wandering around to take your drink orders, but the food is all different stations/restaurants that you can order from by just walking over to whichever one you’re in the mood for! Pretty neat.

Day 9: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Another day another national park! Today is Rocky Mountain National Park , which is about 1.5 hours away from Denver, Colorado. It’s actually much closer to Boulder if you’re looking to stay in a closer city.

Take in the mountain views and hike around the trails and lakes. It’s one of the most beautiful, serene places out there. That’s coming from someone who doesn’t like snow and the mountains were covered in it.

Day 10: Denver, CO to Moran, Wyoming

Today is a road trip day. Pack the car with lots of snacks and make a good playlist. We have eight hours ahead from Denver to Moran, Wyoming, where we’ll be staying for our next few national parks.

The drive from Denver to Wyoming may be long but it is absolutely beautiful, so don’t dread it!

Once you arrive, settle into the Hatchet Resort , where you’ll feel nothing but comfortable. It’s a really homey little place, and I cannot recommend it enough. Hatchet is about 30 minutes from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. To get there you have to drive through Grand Teton National Park (don’t worry you’re not charged for this section), so the drive is unbelievably gorgeous and will leave you speechless.

Jackson Hole has some amazing restaurants to choose from and some great shopping. It’s a wonderful down to relax and wind down in after that long day in the car.

Day 11: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone is a bit of a drive from Moran, but Moran is the closest place to the Wyoming entrance. It takes about 1.5 – 2 hours to arrive at the Yellowstone National Park entrance .

Heads up!!!! You HAVE to drive through and PAY for Grand Teton National Park if you are entering Yellowstone through Wyoming. This isn’t a problem for the annual pass holders of course, but if you are paying per park, each one is $35 to enter, so that’ll be a $70 day just to enter the park. Plan wisely.

Visit the famous Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring ! Take in all of the colors and smells of the springs. That’s right, did you know sulfur smells terrible because if not, you’ll learn really quick.

There’s an abundance to see in Yellowstone, so ensure you pick your spots and plan it out well to not waste anytime.

Day 12: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming to Salt Lake City, UT

Grand Teton National Park is an absolutely majestic place to see, and even though you drove through it to get to Yellowstone and drove by it each trip into Jackson Hole, I recommend taking a few hours to drive around the park itself.

You can see some more bison wandering around, an adorable family of grizzlies , and even a fox or two!

Make a stop at Jenny Lake and admire the glacier-blue, crystal-clear waters. Your whole world will stand still when you see the beauty here.

Once you’re done in Grand Teton, hop in the car and start your 5-hour journey to Salt Lake City, Utah.

This part can be adjusted, and I honestly recommend it to be. Flights out of Jackson Hole were not doable for us this time around so we went to SLC for better flight options, but you don’t have to.

Day 13: Salt Lake City, UT

Before heading to the airport, make a stop at Red Butte Gardens . The colors and aroma of the flowers is the perfect relaxing activity before boarding that plane. There are plenty of different flowers and plants to see. You might even see a bunny hopping around!

Grab some lunch and head to the airport. It’s time to go home and tell all of your family and friends about your amazing road trip out west!! 

Build your own adventure with this A-Frame Cabin!

You may also like...

Rhode island road trip.

Road Trip Checklist

[Time] Traveling Road Trip through Virginia, USA

The Perfect Self-Guided Food Tour: Seattle, Washington

So glad you,re back!! You did something that I always wanted to do but didn,t. To this day I still regret it. however,you are keeping my dream alive with all your blogs and I sincerely want to thank you and say to you keep them coming!!

I am so happy that I can keep your dream alive for you! I promise to keep the content coming and interesting!! xoxo

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Complete 2 Week Road Trip Guide To The Western United States

Want to see the most beautiful landscapes in the US? Keep reading for the best Western road trip itinerary. While Highway 1 in California , also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, takes the cake as America’s best coastal road trip, The Grand Circle road trip is the ultimate National Park road trip. For everyone who enjoy road trips and there is no better place to visit in the United States than the West Coast, home to a majority of the National Parks. The Western United States is full of amazing landscapes ranging from deserts, mountains, amazing rock formations, coastal views and dense forests.

➳ Read More: The Ultimate Road Trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco

In this guide of how to plan a trip out west we include our favorite state parks, national parks and the best cities in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Some of the highlight destinations include the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon , Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Las Vegas , Death Valley, and the Valley of Fire .

There is no better way to explore the Western US than in a car or RV, so you can visit every destination at your own pace and stop at any hidden gem between. While you can honestly spend months exploring this region of the US, we have created the ultimate two week road trip itinerary to the Western United States.

USA Road Trip Travel Video

Important travel information to plan your west coast road trip.

The best way to explore the southwest and west coast of the United States is with an epic road trip. We recommend renting a campervan or RV instead of a car so you can have more freedom on planning your trip as you can sleep anywhere where it is allowed. If you already own a van make sure to have the perfect van accessories to make your trip even more fun and easy.

For this trip we rented a campervan from Travellers Autobarn and had a fantastic experience! We were able to sleep in gas station parking lots, camping areas and BLM land. Even though the upfront cost of renting a campervan is more expensive than renting a small car, you will save more money in hotels and being able to cook your own food. We spent around $500 USD in gas and $1,000 USD in the van.

Travellers Autobarn has three locations in the USA: Los Angeles , San Francisco, and Las Vegas , which are perfect starting points for your epic road trip to the Western United States. The campervan comes with free unlimited miles on all rentals, which is very convenient as road trips are full of fun detours and unexpected destinations.

If renting a campervan is not your road trip style can always rent a small car that consumes less gas, but requires additional camping gear or more hotel stays.

14 Days US Western Road Trip  Itinerary :

Day 1: arrive to las vegas, nevada.

Depending on where you are flying from traveling to Las Vegas Airport is often the cheapest option. It has been the best choice for us when flying from Europe, South America and even domestically.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to explore the city that never sleeps, check out our complete guide to the Las Vegas .

Use the first day of your western road trip itinerary to pick up the van, go grocery shopping and rest! If you prefer staying in a hotel in Las Vegas instead of sleeping in the van the first day look for hotels that offer free parking and that have free outside parking. If you want to start the road trip immediately you can sleep at the Pilot Gas Station, which is half way to Valley of Fire State Park and it is free!

Day 2: Las Vegas to Valley of Fire State Park

Wake up early in the morning and head to Valley of Fire State Park, which is located about 50 miles northeast from Las Vegas. 

Valley of Fire is one of the most beautiful state parks in the United States and the oldest and biggest state park in Nevada. The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset and the entrance fee is $10 USD per vehicle per day.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park

We recommend to spend a full day at the Valley of Fire State Park to complete the Fire Wave Trail and see Elephant Rock. If you book in advance you can even camp at the Valley of Fire that night or drive two hours to the campground near Vermillion Cliff. 

Day 3: Valley of Fire State Park to Vermillion 

The next morning wake up super early to head to the Vermillion to apply for the lottery to visit the Wave. Only 10 people will get the chance to go to this amazing natural spot and get their number drawn. 

The Wave is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and to protect this natural monument, only 20 people are able to do the hike per day. To hike the Wave you must have a permit and be on the list. Otherwise, if caught you face fines up to $10,000 per person. 

You can get the hiking permit by applying to the lottery online or by showing up to the visitor center office the day before you would like to hike. If you choose to apply online you do so through the BLM’s official website but to be honest you have lower chance to get the permit as thousands of people apply from around the globe for a handful of permits. The online lottery cost $5 per person and you can apply up to 4 months in advance for your desired date.

If you choose to apply in person it is free to enter the lottery and you will have higher chances of winning as there are normally at most 200 people applying. Keep in mind that the permits are dispensed for the next morning, not for the same day hiking! To apply in person you have to been in the office between 8:30 to 9:00 AM. 

Also apply to visit the South Coyote Buttes. It is as fantastic as the Wave but less popular, so you have a higher chance to win the permit lottery. Keep in mind that you will need to have a 4WD car to reach this hike as it is really sandy the way there. This is not possible in our campervan, but we made friends with other lottery winners who offered us a ride.

After the lottery, whether you were chosen or not to visit the Wave, we recommending spend the rest of the day hiking. We hiked the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch and loved it! You go through so many canyons and with so few visitors you have the opportunity to get fantastic photos.

Another great option is to visit White Pocket. It is a fantastic area with deep red and orange rock formations but can be hard to reach as you need a 4WD car. 

Day 3: The Wave or Coyote Buttes South

We unfortunately did not win the lottery to visit the Wave, but were picked for a permit to the South Coyote Buttes. If you have an extra day, you can always show up again to the permit lottery and test your luck.

Otherwise, spend the day hiking through the breathtaking landscapes of Coyote Buttes South or the Wave, if you won permits, or there is more time to visit White Pockets if your previous day was full.

Day 4: Coyote Buttes South to Grand Canyon 

A full day at the Grand Canyon is never enough to enjoy the majestic views of one of the most popular National Parks. Make sure to take the free shuttle bus to see some of the best viewpoints in Grand Canyon as well as drive along the Desert View Drive. In one day you will only have time to enjoy the views from the rim along with some short walks down into the canyon itself.

There is only so much time to spend at each destination during a complete two week road trip out West to the four corners states. While you do get a good view from each stop, this road trip itinerary can easily be extended to a full month if you have the time!

Day 5: Grand Canyon to Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Make sure to reserve a spot for Antelope Canyon as the tours are generally fully booked year round. Antelope Canyon has two spots you can visit the lower and upper slot canyons. Both sides are amazing, each with its unique features. The Lower Canyon is more tight and you cannot bring a tripod with you while the Upper Canyon is wider and they offer photography tours.

Either Canyon can only be visited with a tour guide. The best time to visit Antelope Canyon is during the summer the and it is recommend to get a tour between noon and 1PM to see the light rays shine through the canyons. The entrance fee for Antelope Canyon costs between $55 to $75 USD depending on the tour you choose. Antelope Canyon is a must on your western road trip itinerary.

For us, the best time to visit Horseshoe Bend is right before sunset to enjoy the rich colors of the sky. Please take a lot of water as it can get super hot! Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day but does not allow for re-entry as you will have to pay again.

As evening rolled in we kept on driving and slept in a Burger King parking lot, with permission, right before arriving to Monument Valley. 

Day 6: Monument Valley

Wake up early and head towards Forrest Gump Point to get the iconic photos from Monument Valley and avoid the crowds. It is spectacular to see the sunrise there! The entrance fee for Monument Valley is $20 USD per vehicle.

Spend the day exploring Monument Valley enjoying the vast red sandstone landscapes and dramatic viewpoints.

Day 7: Monument Valley to Arches National Park

Valley of Fire State Park is is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park located about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas. This is a popular place to witness the bright red-orange sandstone formations, the iconic Fire Wave hike and thousands of years of human history.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Arches National Park

Day 8: Arches National Park to Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is the largest national park in Utah and it is a short drive from Moab, where you should refill your car and stock up on supplies. This remote national park has three main sections: Island in the Sky, the easiest section to reach, the Needles and the Maze.

The Island of Sky  visitor center  is your last stop for water, as there are no services further into the park. The park offers many hiking trail from less than a mile to up to 17 miles and plenty of spots to just relax and enjoy the beautiful sunset.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Canyonlands National Park

Day 9: Canyonlands National Park to Capitol Reef National Park

A two hour drive west is Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah, encompassing the Fruita Historic District and the Capitol Reef scenic drive. Capitol Reef offers sweeping sandstone landscapes with iconic features including the Capitol Dome, Navajo Formation and Chimney Rock, a 400 foot tall sandstone pillar. Capitol Reef National park is definitely a stop you must include on your Western road trip itinerary.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Capitol Reef National Park

Day 10: Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful parks we have visited in the United States. It features an 18-mile scenic route to access 13 different viewpoints from the rim of the canyon over the bright red sandstone hoodoo formations. All of the viewpoints are on the left side of the road, making them easier to to reach by first driving all the way to the end of the scenic road and pulling off on the way back.

➳ Read More: The Complete Guide To Bryce Canyon

Day 11: Bryce Canyon to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is best known for the Las Vegas Strip, lined with iconic casinos for gambling and home to extravagant shows. Do not miss out on the historic center of Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience.

➳ Read More: The best things to do in Las Vegas

Day 12: Las Vegas to Death Valley

Death Valley is the lowest point in elevation in the United States and the holds the record for the hottest temperature on record. It might sound extreme environment, but this National Park offers beautiful and unique landscapes. With vast salt flats and colorful mineral rich mountain ranges, there is so much to enjoy. Just make sure to stay hydrated and cover up in the bright sun!

Camping within Death Valley is not for everyone as nighttime lows in the summer can remain over 100 F, but it does make for a beautiful night.

Day 13: Death Valley to Las Vegas

Unfortunately the end of your two week road trip to the Western United States is coming to an end. Drive back to Las Vegas and enjoy the last few hours of adventure.

Depending on the time of your departing flight, spend the last few hours of your road trip exploring the Las Vegas Strip. If you rented a campervan from Travellers Autobarn make sure to return it with enough time to get yourself to the airport. I hope this guide helped you plan your next Western road trip itinerary.

Save for later:

Sharing is caring!

Join our newsletter!

• Travel Guides Plan your adventure
• Destinations Our favourite places
• Tours Book a trip
• Travel Companies Independent specialists
• Travel Guides
• Destinations
• Travel Companies

Western US National Park Road Trips

Road trips to the best national parks in the west.

Stuart Thornton

Amy Balfour

• In this guide
• Rocky Mountain road trip
• Utah's national parks
• Grand Canyon loop
• California road trips
• Skyline & Blue Ridge Parkway
• Western North Carolina
• West Virginia To Shenandoah NP
• Great Smoky Mountains
• NC's Outer Banks
• White Mountains & Falls
• Coastal Maine's Route-1
• Fall foliage
• Lakes Michigan & Superior
• South Dakota
• Chicago to the Ozarks
• Renting an RV
• West coast national parks road trip

Grand Canyon to Rocky Mountains road trip

Western national parks driving loop.

Combining the awe-inspiring national parks of the Western USA into a single road trip makes for a true Americana adventure.

From the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, here are a few spectacular long-distance routes.

Larger than life in Yosemite National Park

West coast national park road trip route

Take in the magnificence of the western United States mountains, while also walking among some of the world’s biggest trees and get sprayed by a few of North America’s largest waterfalls on this route. This inland tour of the best mountainous parks in Washington, Oregon, and California includes crowd favourites Olympic National Park, Crater Lake National Park and Yosemite National Park.

Approx. distance: 1,700 miles

Duration: 14 days

Suggested route: Seattle, Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Los Angeles.

Just three hours from the northwest city of Seattle – including a ferry ride – is Olympic National Park, which is home to glacier topped mountains, rainforests and a wild and rugged coastline.

Another three-hour drive takes visitors from Olympic National Park to the year-round splendour of Mount Rainier National Park. The route heads south of Puget Sound and its tributaries.

Getting from Mount Rainier National Park in Washington down to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon is a more involved 6 ½-hour drive. Luckily, the route passes through both Portland and Eugene, where you can stop for a few hours or overnight.

From Crater Lake National Park to northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is a four-hour drive. Detour to Lava Beds National Monument to explore one of the preserved area’s 800 caves.

During summer, take US 395 alongside the eastern portion of California from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Yosemite National Park. It takes 5 ½ hours and passes through Reno in the state of Nevada, which is a perfect place for a stop or an overnight stay.

Less than three hours from Yosemite are the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, which is less busy than Yosemite but almost as beautiful. The adjacent parks are about four hours from both San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Featured Travel Company

RVShare  

If you’re thinking about going on a road trip, camping, or renting an RV for a special event, RVshare makes the whole process simple and fun!Getting behind the wheel of a motorhome is a great way to explore the country while still having all the comforts of home…

What to see

Olympic National Park

With nearly a million acres, Olympic National Park offers a variety of experiences including hiking, soaking in hot springs (Sol Duc Hot Springs and Olympic Hot Springs), and sliding down a snowy peak at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area. Port Angeles is the biggest city on the Olympic Peninsula and a great place to plan your trip into the park.

Mount Rainier National Park

While its namesake 14,410-foot-high (4,392m) peak dominates the scenery, Mount Rainier National Park also has worthwhile hiking in the Tatoosh Range and waterfalls in the Carbon River area. In springtime, the park has a profusion of blooming wildflowers and rushing waterfalls.

Try a day hike along the 5.5 mile-long Skyline Trail, which butts up against Mount Rainier. Check out the views at Panorama Point. Alternatively, take alpine lakes, mountain peaks and stunning views on the Snow Lake Trail, which is a much easier 2.5-mile round trip.

Mount Rainier National Park is well-known for its many waterfalls, but perhaps the easiest one to see is the 176ft high Narada Falls. It’s a short hike from the car park of the same name to the bottom of the waterfall.

Sierra Nevada mountain range

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s dazzling blue Crater Lake, a remnant of a volcano, is worth spending some time staring at. To see the water up close, take one of the park’s many boat tours. Another option is to do the 33-mile long (53km) Rim Drive for views down into the lake from different vantage points. Roads are generally open in the Crater Lake National Park between July and October. If you come in winter, the park’s North Entrance Road is excellent for snowmobiling, while some trails become passable for cross-country skiing.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

A hotbed of geothermal activity, Lassen Volcanic National Park has mud pots, boiling pools and fumaroles (an opening near a volcano which releases gas). There’s boating, kayaking, and fishing in the park, but hiking through a lava tube at Lassen is one of the park’s singular experiences. Try the wincingly-named Bumpass Hell Trail – so named for Kendall Bumpass who fell into scalding water here – for views of boiling mudpots, turquoise pools and Brokeoff Volcano. Alternatively, try the 4.2 mile Devil’s Kitchen Trail for steaming streams and alpine lakes.

Lassen is one of the best places in California to go star-gazing. Park rangers lead astronomy tours during the summer, and the annual Dark Sky Festival, held in August, offers nightly stargazing tours and talks by professional astronomers.

Bubbling sulphur pool, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Yosemite National Park

The most popular national park in California, Yosemite includes the world-renowned Yosemite Valley, which is beneath notable granite peaks including Half Dome and El Capitan – famous among rock climbers for their stunning views and difficult climbs. Head to the 7,214ft Glacier Point for views over Yosemite Valley, or head inside the granite Geology Hut for vistas of Half Dome. Come at sunrise or sunset, when the giant granite peaks turn a rosy pink. There’s more than just towering peaks in Yosemite. Mariposa Grove showcases giant sequoia trees, while Yosemite Falls is North America’s highest waterfall at 2,425 feet (739 metres). It is possible to hike up to the upper fall’s crest, but be aware that the water’s spray can be very cold.

Such is the diversity of activities in Yosemite National Park, that you can do anything from fishing and gold panning to spas and shopping.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

The adjacent parks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon are a fine place to take in the splendour of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the towering sequoia trees, and geologic formations like Moro Rock. Sequoia is where you can find legendary trees including the General Sherman Tree (allegedly the largest tree on earth) and the General Grant Tree.

Spring and summer bring wildflower blooms to both parks and bears are plentiful. This is a great stop for those looking for wilderness away from the busier Yosemite National Park.

Western US self-drive tours

San Francisco RV Rentals

1000+ rvs in san francisco.

Best of the West

A grand tour of the american southwest.

Southwest Highlights

Explore the best of the american southwest.

Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

Experience the dizzying peaks and deep canyons of the American southwest on this route. The drive includes the alpine scenery of the Rocky Mountain National Park and the mile-deep Grand Canyon, as well as stops to visit the tallest sand dunes in the United States (Great Sand Dunes National Park) and North America's oldest archaeological site (Mesa Verde National Park).

Approx. distance: 1,400 miles

Duration: 10 days

Suggested route: Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Grand Canyon, Phoenix.

Start your journey in Denver, Colorado, before driving an hour and a half to Estes Park, at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. After a couple of days hiking and marvelling at the Rocky Mountains, it is a five-hour drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Consider detouring into the pleasant city of Colorado Springs and visiting Garden of the Gods, where you can walk around fanciful sandstone rock formations.

It’s a four-hour drive across southern Colorado to reach Mesa Verde National park from Great Sand Dunes National Park. Just 40 minutes from the park, Durango is a pleasant city at 1,981 metres with a historic downtown.

The drive to the Grand Canyon from Mesa Verde takes four hours with much of it passing through the Navajo Nation. Fans of western movies should detour off US Route 160 onto US Route 163 at Kayenta, Arizona to make the 45-minute drive to Monument Valley, a butte-studded desert featured in many western movies.

From the Grand Canyon, it’s an hour and a half to Flagstaff, a pleasant college town, and a four-hour drive to Phoenix, where there is a major airport.

Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountains National Park

One of the highest national parks in the United States, the Rocky Mountain National Park includes the 14,258-foot-high Longs Peak (4,345 metres) and 300 miles of hiking trails. Much of the park can only be accessed during the summer months, with winter snows closing mountain roads. During peak season of mid-June to Labor Day, consider spending time in the less crowded western side of the park. In that area are opportunities to hike, picnic, and visit the Holzwarth Historic Site, a homestead from the early 1900s.

Be aware that altitude sickness can be an issue in the Rocky Mountains, even when driving. For example, Trail Ridge Road is more than 3,500m above sea level, so go slow, drink plenty of water and pay attention to the signs of altitude sickness, such as headaches and shortness of breath.

A couple of hiking trails to consider are an easy two-mile hike through Dream, Nymph and Emerald Lakes (extend to Lake Haiyaha for an alpine lake surrounded by boulders and ancient trees), or a waterfall hike to Alberta Falls near Glacier Gorge Junction. Before starting any hike, it's worth heading to the Park's visitor centre to get maps, find out about road and trail closures and to speak to rangers.

Be aware of wildlife while hiking on more remote trails. The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to elk, deer, mountain lions and bears, and you are likely to encounter wildlife on your trip. If you see a bear, stand still and stay calm, giving the bear the opportunity to leave. If it doesn't leave, make yourself look as big as possible and throw small rocks to try to scare it away. If the bear charges, the advice from the US National Park Service is to fight back.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

One of Colorado's lesser-visited parks, Great Sand Dunes National Park has 30 square miles of dunes including one that is 750 feet tall (228 metres). You can hike up the towering dunes (it is a five hour round trip to the summit), or even better, ride down them on a sleigh, even in the summer. Also, the park is a great place to take in the Milky Way stretching across the night sky, with the park open all day and night.

Mesa Verde National Park

The reason to visit Mesa Verde National Park is to see one of its ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Ranger-guided tours of the unique structures including Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, are offered in the park.

The park also has hiking trails including the 7.8-mile round-trip (12.5km) Prater Ridge Trail and the 2.4-mile round-trip (3.8km) Petroglyph Point Trail that goes to a petroglyph (rock carving) panel.

Grand Canyon National Park

Once in Grand Canyon National Park, there’s much more to do than stare into the amazing chasm. The Rim Trail offers different views from the top of the canyon on a mostly paved path. Though it’s 13 miles long (21km), hikers can utilize the park’s shuttle bus system in place of doing the whole hike. The Bright Angel Trail (12 miles round-trip, 19km) is one of the US national park system’s best-known trails. It heads to the bottom of the canyon, a marvellous experience for those with plenty of water and stamina. It is recommended that hikers do just a portion of the hike down Bright Angel and back up to the rim as there are many rescues each year for underprepared hikers who overestimate their abilities.

Western US RV rentals

Grand Canyon RV Rentals

50+ rvs near grand canyon national park.

Las Vegas RV Rentals

400+ rvs in las vegas.

California's Death Valley National Park

California has more national parks (nine) than any other state in the US The Golden State is diverse, and its national parks reflect that diversity with national parkland that preserves offshore islands, starkly beautiful deserts, and temperate rainforests with redwood trees. This route is designed to hit all nine national parks in a loop around the state.

Approx. distance: 2,000 miles

Duration: 18 days

Suggested route: San Francisco, Redwood National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Pinnacles National Park, San Francisco.

Start in San Francisco and make the drive six hours north to Redwood National and State Parks. Make sure to detour off US 101 just north of Garberville for a drive along the Avenue of the Giants, a roadway amongst redwood forest along the Eel River. The North Coast towns of Arcata and Trinidad are worth a stop on your drive too. Arcata, 45 minutes south of Redwood National Park, is a great place to stock up on groceries, especially at Wildberries Marketplace.

The drive to Lassen Volcanic National Park from Redwood National Park heads east for four hours and passes through miles of national forest land. Stop in Redding, an hour out from Lassen, for supplies.

In the summer, it’s a 5 ½ -hour drive from Lassen Volcanic Park to Yosemite National Park. Stop in Reno, Nevada for some gambling or a night’s stay.

Three hours from Yosemite is Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The drive dips into California’s Central Valley and passes through the city of Fresno.

Driving from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to Death Valley National Park involves a 5 ½ -hour route around the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The route passes through Bakersfield, where country music fans should stop into Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.

To reach California’s other desert park, Joshua Tree National Park, from Death Valley, it’s a four-hour drive through the Mojave Desert.

For a wildly different experience, drive four hours from Joshua Tree National Park to Ventura Harbor, where you can reserve a ride on a boat run by the concession Island Packers out to one of the Channel Island National Park’s five islands.

From Ventura Harbor, it’s a four-hour drive to Pinnacles National Park in the Salinas Valley. If possible, stop in the pleasant California coastal cities of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara for a meal or to view some worthwhile sites including the historic Santa Barbara Mission.

To close the loop, drive from Pinnacles National Park 2 ½ -hours to San Francisco.

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks are home to the world’s tallest trees, which grow more than 350 feet tall. See them from the national park’s Lady Bird Johnson Trail or within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on Cal-Barrel Road or the Cathedral Trees Trail. Head out of the redwoods for a hike in Prairie Creek State Park’s Fern Canyon for a different kind of hike: a walk through a gorge with fern-draped walls that was the backdrop for scenes in Jurassic Park 2 .

Once you’ve worked up a thirst, head to Lost Coast Brewery for drinks and dinner.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of volcanic activity including bubbling pots and lava tubes. Hikers should attempt to hike up 10,457-foot high (3,187 meters) Lassen Peak. A different way to experience the park is to kayak or stand-up paddleboard around Manzanita Lake.

It’s well worth seeing the world-famous Yosemite Valley. Some of the valley’s best hikes include the 2.4 miles (3.9 km) hike up Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall or the mile hike up to Columbia Rock for superb valley views. Head to the park’s Hetch Hetchy region or Tuolumne Meadows off Tioga Road for more solitude.

For a self-guided tour, hire bicycles at Curry Village and take a two-mile ride to Mirror Lake, or hire them at Yosemite Valley Lodge for a more strenuous 5-mile ride to Half Dome Village.

As ever, the climbing hotspots of El Capitan and Half Dome offer stunning walls of granite, which are best viewed at sunset or sunrise.

Giant Redwood tree in Redwood State Park

Sequoia National Park has forests of giant sequoia trees including the world’s largest, the General Sherman Tree. In addition to hiking through giant sequoia trees, visitors can go horseback riding or rock climbing in the park.

Death Valley National Park

In Death Valley, you will be in the largest national park in the continental United States. Take a scenic drive along Badwater Road to Badwater Basin, located 282 feet below sea level, or take a tour of the Star Wars filming locations within the park.

For hiking, take on the moderate two-mile Golden Canyon trail, or for something longer, head to Dante’s View for lookouts across the Valley to Telescope Peak and Badwater Basin below.

Death Valley’s arid climate and range of elevations mean it is home to lots of different animals, including roadrunners, lizards, coyotes and even bobcats. Visitors in spring to Salt Creek can see the pupfish – the only landlocked fish in the United States.

Joshua Tree National Park

Named for a unique looking desert plant, Joshua Tree National Park offers hiking, birding, and horseback riding along with climbing, bouldering, highlining, and slacklining on its many rock formations. Take the short Indian Cove walking trail for the best views of the eponymous Joshua tree, or head to Keys View – the highest point in the park – for views across the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs and peaks as far as Mexico. Come at sunset for orange and red hues that spread out across the desert.

Be sure to visit the nearby Pioneertown, a hip community built around a 1940s movie set, or cut short your California National Park loop by heading to Los Angeles, a two and half hour drive west.

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Whether you visit the tiny Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa Island or Santa Cruz Island, you’ll experience a California coastal landscape devoid of development. Recreational opportunities abound from hiking to sea kayaking to snorkelling and scuba diving.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park was formed from the eroded sections of an old volcano. Its unique scenery includes rock spires and talus caves. One recommended hike from the park’s western entrance is the 4.3-mile Juniper Canyon Loop, which includes a section of trail with stairs cut into a ridge of rock. Look out for the endangered California condor flying overhead. The condor is the largest land bird in North America.

Best times for Western US road trips

Climate, seasons, and how to avoid the crowds.

The seasons greatly affect travel in the national parks of the western United States. During the summer months between May and September, temperatures in desert parks like Death Valley can soar to 110 degrees and higher. These months are also the busiest times for visitors to national parks like Yosemite National Park and Crater Lake National Park.

Meanwhile, winter snowfall in mountainous parks (Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park) results in facility closures and limited access, particularly between November and March. Destinations including Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows and Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road are closed during this time of year.

January and February are ideal times to visit Death Valley National Park. Daytime temperatures in the park hover around 60 degrees (15.5 Celsius), while nighttime brings cool but not freezing temperatures around 40 degrees (4.5 Celsius). February is when the desert’s many wildflowers begin to bloom, painting the park with colour.

Nearby Joshua Tree National Park is prime for visiting in March due to that month’s mild temperatures and wildflower displays. It’s also the best time to go hiking or rock climbing on the park’s granite rock formations.

With snow on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains melting, April and May is when Yosemite’s famed waterfalls roar to life. Though the park’s higher elevation areas will still be closed, visitors are treated to Yosemite Falls and Vernal Falls at their grandest along with blooming wildflowers and smaller crowds.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the country and ranges from 7,680 feet (2,396 metres) to 14,259 feet (4,346 metres) in elevation. The park’s popular Trail Ridge Road, which gives visitors access to alpine tundra, is only open from June to September. Likewise, the summer months of July and August are the best times to visit Olympic National Park due to less rainfall in the region and the park offering more activities to the public.

September and October are prime visiting times for Grand Canyon National Park, when there’s both cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The autumn months also offer a window to visit rugged Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California. Before the winter rains come, the islands are warm and dry.

November and December bring cooler temperatures out west and snow at high elevations. For the unique experience of ice skating in a national park, head to Yosemite to glide around on the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink. Or, wait until mid-December to enjoy skiing or tubing at Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area.

Festivals and events

In the summer months, western US national parks have a full schedule of guided hikes, talks, campfire presentations and more. The offseason find the parks hosting more specialised annual festivals and events meant to draw people into the parks during less busy times.

Spanning six sessions in January, Chef’s Holidays brings world-renowned chefs to Yosemite National Park’s Majestic Yosemite Hotel for cooking demos and multi-course meals. In February, Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park puts on a Winterfest, where visitors can explore the park in moonlight while being warmed up by hot chocolate and hot cider.

At the height of summer, Grand Canyon National Park throws the Grand Canyon Star Party in June, one of the best times of the year to see the night sky in all of its glory. Throughout the park, volunteer astronomers set up telescopes to bring stars, planets, and more into focus for visitors.

Celebrate the old, wild west at the Death Valley 49ers Encampment and Western Music Festival at Death Valley National Park in early November. Expect music, scenic horseback rides, blacksmithing, and gold panning at Furnace Creek inside the park.

Step back in time for the holiday season at Yosemite National Park’s Bracebridge Dinner, which has been going on since 1928. The December festivities in The Majestic Yosemite Hotel are meant to evoke Christmas Day in England in 1718 with song and a seven-course feast.

The Best East Coast USA Road Trips

About the authors.

Stuart is a California-based travel writer and guidebook author. His books include Moon California Road Trip , Moon Coastal California and the forthcoming Moon Northern California Road Trips . For more about Stuart and his books, visit his website.

Amy has authored or co-authored 26 books on the USA for Lonely Planet. Her articles and essays have appeared in Backpacker, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Houston Chronicle, Redbook, Southern Living, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post.

Featured travel companies

RV rental across North America

Featured travel companies view all, why horizon guides.

Impartial travel guides

Our guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice.

Expert itineraries

Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey.

Specialist advice

Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the world's best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book.

Our guides are 100% impartial and are written by independent, professional travel journalists. We make money by charging carefully-screened travel companies to list their business on our website. Our advertisers have no influence on our editorial content and we never accept payment for positive coverage.

Read more about how we work and what we believe in here .

• Travel guides
• Work with us

Sitemap , Privacy Copyright © 2024 Horizon Guides

APRIL SALE:   Book now and get   up to 60% off!

Budget Tours & Trips to Western USA

Discover a varied offer of Western USA budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.

52 cheap Western USA tour packages with 1,325 reviews

• Mountain Hikes

Yellowstone & Rocky Mountain Explorer

Joe is fun and passionate

• 5% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Overland Truck
• Hiking & Trekking

Alaska Adventure - 20 Days

I highly recommend Infinite Adventures in general and this trip particularly. If you want to see the best of Alaska you have to join the team and their bus, In 20 days I have seen more from Alaska than I would ever have expected. Dave and Tory are amazing and I would travel with them any time. 5 stars all the way!!!

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Alaska Denali Expedition - 12 Days

Infinite adventures is the way to go if you’re wanting a true Alaskan adventure. Everything was so wonderful. We felt well cared for and felt the crew really cared about us getting a true adventure. You won’t be disappointed and will be so amazed by what infinite has to offer. Would love to join them again for another one of their offered expeditions! Nat and Dave, thank you for sharing your love of adventure with us and for offering such an authentic and beautiful Alaskan experience. We will never forget it it!

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

USA - The Western Deserts

We have chosen the tour specifically because it was in German and also in other languages shown. Also on our voucher was again confirmed the tour with professional, German-speaking tour guide. Unfortunately, the tour guides did not speak German. We were able to help ourselves a bit with the translation app but we also missed a lot of information. We are very disappointed about this and expect compensation. The tour guides have tried and were very nice also the tour was very nice.

• Coach / Bus

Exploring America's National Parks

Many places covered well... And the tour director had good knowledge of the places we visited

Canyons, Cities & National Parks: 14-Day West Coast Adventure featuring Grand Canyon, LA, Yosemite & San Fran

I’ve just come back from the Coyote West Coast tour and it was brilliant! The itinerary covered everywhere we wanted to go (and a little bit more) and got the balance right between seeing enough different places without feeling too rushed. Equally, it was cool to have the opportunity to see a more rural and local side to the states as opposed to well known destinations. The accommodation at each stop was great and always central enough to wherever you were. Jessa, our tour guide, was great and recommending local restaurants and bars away from the tourist traps. She’s was also on hand at all hours if we needed any advice or help getting things booked. We had a really good group and all got on well together. Highlights were visiting the Grand Canyon (with Whisky tasting after), Santa Monica which is stunning and cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an added bonus not having to think about transport and activities as this was all organised for you. Epic trip, 100% recommend! Thanks Coyote!

USA Road Trip — Grand Canyon, Vegas & Death Valley

Canyons to California: 8-Day Group Tour Thrilling Journey Through Grand Canyon, Las Vegas & Los Angeles!

Great tour. We were a group of 7 and had lots of fun. Tour guides were really nice and friendly and itnwas a great combination of nature and the big cities.

Golden West Adventure

The trip from start to finish was excellent. I enjoyed every minute and would highly recommended the trip.

4 day Alaska Seward Camping Adventure from Anchorage

Amazing experience with Bindlestiff Tours! WOW - so much daylight! Especially in June!! We were a party of 4 - mom, dad and kids (teenage) traveling from Minnesota. This was our first trip to Alaska - and one of the first ""group"" trips we did in this style with the kids. We enjoyed integrating our kids into this way of travel, along with other travelers, in such a beautiful nature settings. It was really a hit - our kids LOVED the guide (Joe) - he was young (20's) and energetic and kept them entertained, and they loved helping with daily tasks around camp. About the tour - really inclusive and packs a big punch for 4 days! The daylight into midnight was really wild - we are happy we listened to the great packing list Bindlestiff provided (telling us to bring eye masks) - they really help! This tour company is awesome. They know what they are doing, and we always felt prepared from day 1 meeting the group and guide. Tons of sites on this tour - but our favorite was hiking to the Harding Icefield on day 1. We had good weather and had a clear shot of EXIT glacier - and even hiked in a little bit of snow! A big thank you to our guide and Bindlestiff for the organization and effort that goes into these trips. We are thinking about coming back next year for the 11-day Interior AK tour - it looks great!

USA Road Trip — Joshua Tree & the Southwest Parks

USA - The Golden Experience

• Sightseeing

Epic American West

Yosemite Escape Camping - 3 Days

3 Days aren‘t enough. If you‘re there everything is so peacefull and breathtaking!!

Hiking and Camping in Yellowstone

Budget tours & trips to western usa reviews.

Mesmerizing Grand Tetons! I've been with Bindlestiff before and they did not disappoint the second time! Grand Tetons was mesmerizing and I am so glad I got this done through Bindlestiff!

Jump on the bus with Infinite Adventures for a magnificent Alaskan expedition! Dave and Tory are excellent guides and will keep you informed about the areas you visit and give expert advice. I found this to be a truly joyful experience!

Western USA Tours starting in:

• Los Angeles (11)
• Las Vegas (10)
• Anchorage (6)
• Budget Group tours (40)
• Budget Fully Guided tours (39)
• Budget Explorer tours (31)
• Budget Family tours (25)
• Budget In-depth Cultural tours (19)
• Budget Hiking & Trekking tours (15)
• Budget Christmas & New Year tours (11)
• Budget Active tours (10)
• Budget Personalized tours (7)
• Budget Coach / Bus tours (6)
• Budget Self-Guided tours (6)
• Budget Camping tours (5)
• Budget Private tours (5)

Travel Styles

• Singles and Solo (401)
• For Couples (317)
• Young Adults (10)
• Seniors (413)

Amtrak Guide

By train travelers for train travelers, amtrak trips out west: 7 amazing train vacations.

For an adventure with Wild West towns, Spanish missions, national parks and historic landmarks, book a trip on Amtrak for an epic experience. Multiple long-distance trains travel across the Western United States, so you can choose the route based on your sightseeing interests.

To start planning your Amtrak vacation, here are seven must-do train trips out West.

This website is reader supported and not affiliated with Amtrak. We may earn a small commission from links on this page .

1. Glacier National Park

Take a trip on the Empire Builder from cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Portland and Seattle to experience Glacier National Park and Great Northern Railway history.

Founded in 1889, the Great Northern Railway connected Saint Paul, Minnesota with Seattle, Washington. To increase ridership, the railroad company petitioned the US government to create Glacier National Park, which was near their railroad tracks.

The effort paid off. Glacier National Park was established in 1910, and the railroad company built lodges and chalets that you can still stay in today:

• 1910 Belton Chalet (next to the West Glacier Station)
• 1913 Glacier Park Lodge (next to East Glacier Park Station)
• 1939 Izaak Walton Inn (former railroad employee lodging next to the Essex Station)

The Great Northern Railway also built several lodges inside Glacier National Park (Granite Park Chalet, Lake McDonald Lodge, Many Glacier Hotel and Sperry Chalet), but you’ll need a car to get there. Exit at the Whitefish Amtrak Station for rental cars or to reach an airport .

2. Route 66

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief travels near Route 66, the first all-weather road that connected Chicago with Los Angeles. Board the train in Chicago to officially kick of the journey from the start of the highway, but once you are outside of Chicago, the train doesn’t connect with Route 66 again until Las Vegas, New Mexico.

For a trip that’s all along the historic road, start in Albuquerque and travel to Los Angeles. You can also get off the train for one night or more at one of the below Amtrak stations to see Route 66 up close:

• Las Vegas, New Mexico
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Gallup, New Mexico
• Winslow, Arizona
• Flagstaff, Arizona
• Kingman, Arizona ( Historic Route 66 Museum )
• Needles, California*
• Barstow, California*
• Victorville, California*
• San Bernardino, California
• Los Angeles, California

*Westbound trains arrive in these cities after midnight

3. Colorado Rocky Mountains

The majestic Colorado Rocky Mountains straddle the Continental Divide and separate the Western US from the Great Plains. The California Zephyr will take you there from cities including Emeryville (near San Francisco), Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Omaha and Denver. It’s one of the most scenic Amtrak routes with beautiful views all year long.

If you start the trip in Chicago, you’ll spend a night on the train before reaching the Rockies, but you’ll get to see the massive mountains rise in the distance on the approach.

To experience just the mountain journey, we recommend starting in Denver. From there, you can take a day trip to Salt Lake City, or travel to one of the Amtrak stations in the mountains so you can hike, ski and visit local attractions. See Colorado train trip ideas to learn more.

4. Donner Pass and Lake Tahoe

If you recall from history class, the Donner Party was a group of pioneers that traveled out west in a wagon train in 1846. They got caught in a blizzard and almost half of them died after spending months next to what is now Donner Lake (pictured above).

Amtrak’s California Zephyr train travels through this area today from cities including Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, Sacramento and Emeryville. You can view Donner Lake out the windows along with the Sierra Nevada mountains, which made the last leg of the journey west difficult for many settlers.

To visit Donner Memorial State Park and enjoy outdoor activities at nearby North Lake Tahoe , you’ll need to rent a car. Exit the train in Truckee, California, which is a historic town that was originally built along a wagon road. You can arrange for a taxi or rideshare service to take you to the nearby Enterprise Rent-A-Car office .

With the car, you can choose from many different lodging options in the mountains or near the water. Plan to say at least one night in the area.

5. Old West Towns

Dodge City, Kansas and Las Vegas, New Mexico (pictured above) are two great places to experience the Wild West on the Southwest Chief route.

In Dodge City, Boot Hill Museum is one of the top attractions to visit, with interactive displays, artifacts and activities that recreate the town’s past. You can also check out the Gunfighers Wax Museum and walk the Dodge City Trail of Fame .

Las Vegas, New Mexico is eight hours away from Dodge City via train and has over 900 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. It hasn’t changed much since Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Jesse James and other outlaws walked the streets. Be sure to check out the Plaza Hotel that opened in 1882. Former President Theodore Roosevelt visited here in 1899 as part of a Rough Riders reunion.

Both cities have hotels and downtown districts in walking distance of Amtrak stations. Holiday Inn Express & Suites is closest to the Dodge City Amtrak Station and the Castaneda Hotel , which was formerly a Harvey House for railroad passengers, is closest to the Las Vegas, New Mexico Amtrak Station.

If you’re looking for a flight for the return trip, Albuquerque and Kansas City are the closest Amtrak stops with major airports. To start the trip, you can begin in and near Los Angeles or cities including Chicago and Kansas City.

6. Spanish Missions

San Antonio, Texas is just one of many places where you can view historic Spanish missions in the United States. The Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited Amtrak routes stop here, with departures from cities in Texas, as well as Chicago, St. Louis, Little Rock, New Orleans, Tucson and Los Angeles.

The must-visit destinations include The Alamo (also known as Mission San Antonio de Valero ), Mission Concepción , Mission San José  (pictured above), Mission San Juan  and Mission Espada . View the missions trip guide to learn more or plan to go on a guided tour .

After you’ve seen all the sights, you can return home on Amtrak or book a flight out of San Antonio or another major city on the Texas Eagle or Sunset Limited routes. Note that The Alamo is in walking distance of the San Antonio Amtrak Station along with the San Antonio River Walk and several hotels ( Staybridge Suites is closest to the station).

7. Grand Canyon and Flagstaff

For views of an amazing natural wonder, plan a trip to the Grand Canyon via Amtrak’s Southwest Chief . The closest station is Flagstaff, and you’ll need to rent a car (pick up service available during office hours), book a shuttle or go on a tour to reach the Grand Canyon from there.

Perks of renting a car include being able to visit other top area attractions including Walnut Canyon National Monument , Lowell Observatory , Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument and the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort .

Even if you don’t rent a car, you can explore Historic Downtown Flagstaff and Route 66 , check out the many art galleries , visit the Clara M. Lovett Art Museum and go on an electric bike tour . Lyft and Uber services are also options for getting around, although all the above activities are walkable if you stay at a hotel or vacation rental downtown.

Tip : Train arrival time in Flagstaff is better if you are traveling west vs east. To travel west, you can start the trip in Chicago, Kansas City or Albuquerque, which all have major airports.

More Information

• 10 most scenic Amtrak routes
• 5 best Amtrak sleeper car routes
• Amtrak roomettes vs bedrooms
• 7 things to pack for an Amtrak trip
• 10 attractions on the Sunset Limited route to plan a trip around
• 10 attractions on the Southwest Chief route to plan a trip around

Top photo courtesy Pxhere

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

How to Plan a Road Trip Out West

Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Grant

Despite the fact that Grant and I live just outside Atlanta, GA, we have done MANY road trips out West. Some of those have been relatively short (1-2 weeks), while others have been a month or longer. So, let’s talk about how we plan a road trip out West (or anywhere else) and give you tips on how you can plan a similar adventure of your own.

We’ve done road trips both with and without our RV. Many aspects of planning an RV road trip are the same as a road trip with just a normal passenger vehicle. But there are some logistics that you should consider if road-tripping with an RV.

I’ll use our 2017 RV road trip that took us all the way to California as my example. This particular trip was about seven weeks long. Yours may be longer or shorter, but the planning stages are the same, regardless of the amount of time spent on the road.

Planning any trip can feel overwhelming, at least in the beginning. Even I get nervous when I start thinking about planning a trip and I’ve planned many trips and generally enjoy doing it.

The key to planning your road trip is to take it one step at a time. Do what you can, when you can and don’t stress about the details until the time comes to think about the details. You can’t figure out what hotel or campground you’re staying at if you don’t know where you’re going. Start with big ideas and then narrow things down from there.

(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our  Review Policy   for more information.)

Choosing Your Road Trip Itinerary

When choosing your itinerary, choose a few big stops that really fuel your passion and get you excited. Then add additional stops in nearby places along the way.

This 2017 itinerary had us on the road for 50 days. That beat our previous “longest road trip to date” by a whopping 12 days. Since then, we’ve typically spent about 6-7 weeks on the road every summer. Yes, both of us being teachers has its advantages when it comes to travel!

We chose this itinerary for several different reasons. Traveling West is truly one of our favorite directions to go. Almost all of our long-term trips have taken us west of the Mississippi River.

In 2016, we forced ourselves to New England for a new adventure. While we loved it, we quickly realized it had been three years since we explored the western frontier in the summer. Quite simply, we were ready to return to our “happy place.”

In planning our itinerary, we considered just about all destinations “out West,” focusing on the West Coast. We considered California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah… You get the idea. Ultimately, we had to narrow things down so that we wouldn’t be moving too much! We decided our main two stops would be Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks.

We chose Yosemite because we had not traveled to California together. Not only did we get to add another state to our list, but we got to add one of the most amazing national parks as well. Who wouldn’t be excited about that?

We chose to return to Yellowstone because it is truly one of our favorite destinations in the world. This was our fourth trip there together and we were still very excited. We always love seeing geysers, canyons, wildlife and so much more! It truly never gets old.

Wherever you decide to go, make sure it is something that you are really excited about!

Determining Your Road Trip Route & Details

Once we made the decision on the big stops, it was time to fill in the details and find additional sites to visit. National Park sites fuel many of our road trip routes. We try to string together several sites to make an interesting route, both on the way out and on the way back.

Suggestions for planning your route:

• Use Pinterest to search for interesting ideas.
• Ask coworkers and friends for suggestions.
• Visit family or friends in the area.
• Retrace the steps of a memorable childhood vacation.

Our first real stop after leaving our home in Woodstock, GA was in the Flagstaff, AZ area (after three days of driving). A work colleague told us about Meteor Crater and, with a few Google searches, we were sold!

There are several National Park sites nearby as well, which is always a plus for us. We, of course, also spent some time “standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” while we were in the area.

Another big stop, after Yosemite , was Great Basin National Park . We had considered Great Basin for a few years. Since it is more-or-less between Yosemite and Yellowstone, this worked out perfectly for this trip!

After a trip I took with my dad and sister many years ago, I knew driving the Extraterrestrial Highway across Nevada would be interesting. My research with Google and Pinterest searches also brought up information about Cathedral Gorge State Park. And, just like that, we had an interesting route across Nevada from Yosemite to Great Basin!

Another big stop was western Colorado. It was “on the way back” and allowed us to visit several National Park sites we haven’t seen and see some family.

• Hardcover Book
• National Geographic (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 560 Pages – 10/18/2022 (Publication Date) – National Geographic (Publisher)

Campground or Hotel Reservations

Once you have the route mapped out, it is time to start making reservations. We sometimes struggle with how detailed we should plan things out. When we were tent camping, we could be a bit more spontaneous and wait until the last minute for campgrounds or hotels. We have found we are not comfortable doing that with the trailer and, especially when our cat, Alee, traveled with us.

First, we simply had to find a place with hookups so we could leave Alee during the day. Second, when pulling a trailer, hotels are pretty much off-limits unless they have ample parking. Even if we could park, many hotels do not accept pets, much less cats.

Sadly, we lost Alee, our camping kitty to a tumor in 2019. We miss having her with us at home and on the road.

So, we used to find ourselves planning the details a bit more rigidly than we might really want to. Now that we are traveling without a cat, we do have a little more flexibility. Still, with the rise in popularity of RVing and camping, we often find ourselves making reservations fairly far in advance.

I typically use campground reviews on RV Life , along with Tripadvisor and Campendium to research campgrounds and find us the best place to stay. I also created this document to help me compare campgrounds and pick the right one .

For hotels, we prefer the Hilton chain, where we love earning and redeeming Hilton Honors points . If there isn’t a Hilton hotel in a particular area, we use Tripadvisor to find hotels.

Once I start making campground reservations, I keep a record of everything using my Campground Reservation sheet . This allows me to know exactly what I booked and all the pertinent information of the reservation. This is especially useful for campgrounds, which are less likely to send an email confirmation than a hotel.

National Park or Other Attraction Reservations

Even when visiting national parks these days, you do have to think about timed-entry reservations. There are a few parks, like Arches NP, Rocky Mountain NP and Glacier NP that require reservations to enter some of all areas of the park. Many other sites require reservations for house tours, cave tours or other types of guided tours.

Even some museums and other attractions have begun requiring timed-entry reservations.

As you begin planning your road trip, be sure to check the website of each park or attraction to find out if you need to make advance reservations. Finding out early on that you missed your opportunity to get tickets for a specific park or tour could affect your entire trip.

When it comes to national park reservations, it is important to note that many times only a fraction of tickets are released initially, which is often several months in advance. Additional tickets are often released 1-2 days prior. We had to rely on these “last minute tickets” when visiting Arches in 2022 after the historic flooding forced us to completely cancel our entire summer trip to Yellowstone.

Read my full guide on national parks trip planning here.

When to Make Reservations

If you have more flexibility, you could certainly wait and make at least some of these decisions on the road. How much you plan in advance is totally up to you, your travel style and where you are visiting.

On that note, some places fill up quickly. Do your research and know if you need to book in advance. Yosemite is very popular in the summer, so I made those reservations in December. Others weren’t made until April.

Every destination is different, so do your homework early and know what to expect. And, if you aren’t making reservations in advance, be ready to not have as many choices or possibly even miss a desired stop because there is no availability.

That actually happened to us on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park a few years ago when we were tent camping. We didn’t have a reservation. We visited several campgrounds and hotels and found no vacancies. Cell phone coverage was basically non-existent, so we couldn’t call or do much research.

We ended up driving all the way to the other side of Denver and skipping Rocky Mountain altogether. That is always a risk when you don’t have a reservation.

On the flip side, we once had a three-night reservation at a state park in southwest Montana. Bad conditions, along with the remoteness of the campground, led us to leave early. We ended up moving on after just one night and forfeiting our payment for the other two nights.

That’s one of the fun things about travel: you never know what will happen!

A big consideration for any road trip is the budget. Your budget will often dictate, or at least influence, where you go, how long you are gone, where you stay and much more.

Hopefully, you think about your budget before you start planning. Grant wrote an in-depth article on travel finance, which covers many aspects of budgeting for travel. If you have questions on budgeting, start at Travel Finance 101 .

Budgeting for a long road trip can seem overwhelming. But there is one benefit to a long trip that is sometimes easier to deal with than on a shorter trip: You are able to use your “normal” monthly budget.

Of course, you have fixed bills at home which have to be paid even when you’re away.  Mortgage, car insurance, and electric bills are still due, even when traveling. Sure, you could turn off your cable or internet if you’re gone for a while, but that may not be worth it if you’re just gone a few weeks.

What you can use is your food, gas and entertainment budgets. Those are costs you don’t have to worry about too much (assuming your income is still consistent) since you would be spending money on them anyway. You may even find food or gas costs are lower on the road.

Traveling in a trailer allows us to keep food in a refrigerator and cook meals “at home” even when on the road. This allows us to save money by not having to eat out every meal.

If you want to compare costs on different travel styles, check out this article: Road Trip Styles – A Cost Breakdown . In this article, Grant compares the costs of staying in hotels, tent camping and RV camping.

Read more about how we save money on the road.

Leaving Your House

Of course, leaving your house for several weeks can be nerve-wracking. That is one reason we now live in an apartment (and, previously, a condo). We feel much more at ease when we are traveling knowing there are other people living in the building. If anything goes wrong, they can notify us easily.

If you don’t live in a condo or apartment, you just need to make sure you have a neighbor or friend set up to come by once or twice a week to check on things. How often will depend on what you might need to be done at home and if you are leaving behind any pets.

Even in an apartment with no pets at home, we still need someone to check the mail and just make sure nothing crazy happens. As a thank you, we generally pick up a bottle or two of a local spirit for whoever helped us out.

Complications on the Road

Of course, complications can always happen when you are traveling. That is especially true during a road trip. We’ve had several instances when our truck or camper needed service on the road. We also had to delay a trip because our truck needed service the day before our scheduled departure.

When we visited the Great Lakes region in 2019, we had to cut our trip short because the camper needed substantial repairs. Unfortunately, the same issue caused us problems again in 2021 when in Salt Lake City. Both of those were frustrating, but we handled it.

As mentioned previously, we also had to replan an entire summer trip on the road in 2022. We had made it halfway to Yellowstone when the historic flood of 2022 happened. The park was still closed to all visitors the day we were supposed to arrive for our month-long stay at Fishing Bridge RV Park. Sadly, we had to scrap the entire trip and come up with a new itinerary.

Most recently, our engine had difficulty as we approached Shreveport, LA while returning from a road trip to New Mexico. The good news is that we found a service center to squeeze us in for diagnostics the next morning. The bad news is that we had to leave the truck in Shreveport and rent a car to get us home. On top of that, we had to reschedule a planned trip to Chicago so that we could drive back to pick up the truck.

Complications while road-tripping can always happen. It’s all part of the adventure. You just have to roll with it and make the best of a difficult situation.

Need Help Planning Your RV Road Trip?

If this sounds overwhelming, consider ordering our upcoming book: Moon USA RV Adventures . That’s right! We wrote our first book and it will help simplify this entire planning process!

Moon USA RV Adventures include 25 RV routes all over the country. The itineraries range from less than a week to more than a month and include stops at many of our country’s best national parks, landmarks and other attractions.

Each route includes step-by-step driving directions along with what you should see and do along the way. We provide campground suggestions and reviews, restaurants, grocery stores and more!

• Sinclair, Bonnie (Author)
• 560 Pages – 02/28/2023 (Publication Date) – Moon Travel (Publisher)

Final Thoughts on Planning a Road Trip

We always love a good road trip. But there’s truly something special about a road trip out west. The wide open spaces that you find when you get west of the Mississippi River just aren’t the same on the east coast.

Yes, planning a road trip can be difficult. But it is absolutely worth it.

Not only can you see and do a lot on a road trip, but the drive itself is a huge part of the adventure. We never tire of watching the scenery change as we make our way across the country.

Travel Resources

What do you use to find a flight.

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start. Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties , so we use the Hilton website . You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express. Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way. Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN , or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them. Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia . Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct . We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper. Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip. Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first. Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J. Click here to get a Good Sam membership. We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there. Click here to get a AAA membership.

11 thoughts on “How to Plan a Road Trip Out West”

Great article! I have now done 13 big cross-country summer road trips with my family and you covered the planning process very well.

Did you like Great Basin? We stopped there a couple years ago and loved it. The pure silence away from the usual sounds of civilization was simply amazing.

Thanks so much! To say we loved Great Basin NP is an understatement. Baker is a neat town to visit and hiking the trails was something to behold. We went out to the nearby archeological site one night to watch the stars come out. WOW! That’s something we just don’t see in the east.

Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and fantastic style and design.

Wow! Thanks so much! We are glad you are enjoying the blog Please let us know if you have any questions… We love talking about travels and helping folks out!

Great article.

I actually had some complications of earlier cars and trucks from Enterprise rent an automobile provider, however lately, together with James assisting me with my own reservation I’ve received everything I desired. Amicable and prepared to support. That’s exactly what I can say regarding their employees. Many thanks and keep on being successful!

Thanks so much, Myrah! I have used Enterprise and Hertz in the past for rental cars. In the past, at least, Enterprise has had a restriction on crossing too many state borders, which would not work for our longer trips. That said, both companies are great in terms of service from my experience.

WOW just what I was looking for.

Excited finding your blog on long road-trips! My husband and I will leave for our first 35 day trip next week and are planning a possible 3 mo trip next summer. We’ve motorhomed for 12 day and less trips but just curious what you’re experience has been moving often. Our upcoming trip has several 3 night stops mixed in but also many harvest host one nighters and lots of 2 nighters. Concerned about how it will feel moving that much. Any thoughts from your experience?

From our experience, the longer we stay in one location, the more we enjoy it. That said, crossing the country means one night stays. We would just say to make sure you build in rest time after long driving days and overnight stops.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

I accept the Privacy Policy

13 Road Trips To Take In The USA That Are Bucket-List Worthy

• Stunning coastal views and charming towns make the Pacific Coast Highway a bucket-list-worthy road trip in California. (100 characters)
• Route 66 is perfect for history buffs, connecting small towns and offering iconic landmarks along the way. (102 characters)
• The Great River Road, spanning 10 states, provides a scenic route along the Mississippi River for an ultimate bucket list road trip. (129 characters)

There's something inherently alluring about the open road. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the freedom to explore new destinations and experiences. From adventures on the rugged coastline of the Pacific Northwest to the stunning vistas of the Southwest, the United States is home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking road trip routes in the world. This article lists some of the best bucket-list-worthy road trips to take in the USA for a memorable adventure. So, grab those keys, buckle up, and get ready for an experience of a lifetime on one of America's most scenic roads .

UPDATE: 2023/12/07 11:27 EST BY AARON SPRAY

Even More Great Road Trips To Take In The United States

The United States is famous for being one of the best places for road tripping. There are plenty of potential road trips to take all through the United States (and not only in the Lower 48). This list was expanded to include even more excellent road trip ideas to explore the nation.

Related: 10 Of The Most Scenic Byways In The U.S. (Perfect For A Road Trip)

Pacific Coast Highway, California

Staggering sheer drops and coastal views are what make this pacific coast adventure stand out.

The Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most famous road trips in the US , stretching along the California coastline between Orange County and Mendocino County, covering a distance of approximately 655 miles. The highway is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world, offering breathtaking ocean views with stunning beaches, rugged cliffs, and charming coastal towns.

Some of the must-see spots along the Pacific Coast Highway include the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Bixby Bridge, the Hearst Castle, the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Pfeiffer Beach, and McWay Falls. The drive also takes you through the spectacular Big Sur region, overlooking the coastline and the Santa Lucia Mountains.

• Length: 655 miles
• When To Go: September through October
• Bucket List Stop: Pfeiffer Beach to see the falls

Route 66, Illinois to California

Perfect for history buffs, route 66 tells stories of america's midwestern glory days.

Stretching from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica in California, covering a distance of approximately 2,448 miles, Route 66 is one of the most iconic highways in the US and offers plenty of places to visit along the way. The highway is a popular route for travelers, as it connects many small towns and rural areas in the Midwest and the Southwest.

Some of the must-see attractions and landmarks along the highway include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri; the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas; the Grand Canyon in Arizona; and the Santa Monica Pier in California.

• Length: 2,448 miles
• When To Go: May and September
• Bucket List Stop: Blue Whale of Catoosa to add a quirky, famed landmark to the trip

Great River Road, Mississippi River

This route covers 10 states in total, making it an ultimate bucket list road trip.

The Great River Road is a national scenic byway that follows the course of the Mississippi River from its headwaters in northern Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. The road passes through 10 states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Tennessee, and Louisiana, covering a distance of approximately 3,000 miles.

Some of the highlights of the Great River Road include the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri; the Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi; and the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. The road also passes through several national and state parks, such as Itasca State Park, Effigy Mounds National Monument, and Natchez Trace State Park.

• Length: 3,000 miles
• When To Go: During the fall months , September through November
• Bucket List Stop: The French Quarter in New Orleans for an authentic Crescent City experience

Related: 10 Bucket List Road Trips To Take In The US This Fall

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

Known for being the most scenic mountain road in the south, the blue ridge scenery is unparalleled.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic drive, spanning 469 miles through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The road is among the best road trips US states have to offer, especially due to the fact it provides breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling hills, valleys, and various opportunities for hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most popular scenic drives, offering visitors a variety of attractions, including overlooks with panoramic views, hiking trails, picnic areas, and historic sites. Some of the most popular stops along the parkway include the Peaks of Otter, Linville Falls, Craggy Gardens, and the Linn Cove Viaduct.

• Length: 469 miles
• When To Go: Mid-May through Mid-September
• Bucket List Stop: Shenandoah National Park to take in the beauty of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains

Discover the best stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway when planning a road trip adventure along this road.

Overseas Highway, Florida Keys

Seven mile bridge connects travelers to bahia honda state park, making it perfect for nature lovers.

The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile scenic road that connects mainland Florida with the Florida Keys , a chain of islands stretching southward into the Gulf of Mexico. The highway, which is easily among the best road trips in the US in terms of ocean scenery, offers stunning views of the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean - thereby also providing opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and wildlife watching en route.

Some of the highlights of the Overseas Highway include the Seven Mile Bridge, Bahia Honda State Park, and the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, which features hundreds of colorful butterflies and exotic birds. Other popular stops along the highway include the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, the Dolphin Research Center, and the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.

• Length: 113 miles
• When To Go: Between January and April
• Bucket List Stop: Bahia Honda State Park to appreciate the untouched beauty of this Florida Keys landscape, and any spring season festivals

The Pacific Northwest

In stark contrast to other pacific roads, the northwest scenic byway offers dense woods, mountain views, and scenic waterways.

The Pacific Northwest Scenic Byway, also known as the Cascade Loop, is another one of the most beautiful road trips in the US. It's a 440-mile scenic route that winds through the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, offering stunning views of snow-capped peaks, rushing rivers, and lush forests, allowing travelers to enjoy various outdoor recreation and cultural exploration along the way.

The Scenic Byway is dotted with charming mountain towns such as Leavenworth, and Winthrop, offering a Wild West vibe with wooden sidewalks and historic buildings. Other highlights of the Pacific Northwest Scenic Byway include North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan, Methow Valley, and the Columbia River Gorge, a stunning river canyon, a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, and waterfall viewing.

• Length: 440 miles
• When To Go: During the spring or summer months
• Bucket List Stop: North Casades National park, where travelers can cross off bucket list hikes, wildflower viewing, and scenic waterfalls off their list

Related: A Road Trip To Remember: The 10 Most Scenic Drives For Your Spring Vacation In The U.S.

The Grand Circle, Southwest USA

This route takes travelers through scenic rocky canyons between utah, arizona, new mexico, colorado, and nevada.

The Grand Circle is a scenic route that takes visitors through some of the most iconic national parks and monuments in the American Southwest. The route includes the states of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada, stretching over 1,400 miles of stunning desert landscapes, ancient ruins, and geological wonders.

The Grand Circle route typically starts and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada, passing through iconic national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands, known for their towering red rock formations, stunning canyons, and unique geological features. Other highlights of the Grand Circle route include Monument Valley, Mesa Verde National Park, and the Hoover Dam.

• Length: 1,400 miles
• When To Go: April to May, or September to early November
• Bucket List Stop: Monument Valley to explore hoodoos and other unique geological formations

The Great Lakes Circle Tour

Perfect for small town lovers and scenic lakeside views, this route promises all the beauty of the great lakes.

The Great Lakes Circle Tour is a scenic road trip taking visitors around the five Great Lakes. The route is approximately 6,500 miles long and passes through eight US states and the Canadian province of Ontario, allowing travelers to enjoy a variety of landscapes, from urban areas to small towns and rural countryside.

Along the way, visitors can explore national parks like Isle Royale, Pictured Rocks, and Niagara Falls, with various historic lighthouses, beaches, and scenic overlooks. One of the highlights of the tour is the Great Lakes Seaway Trail and the St. Lawrence River, offering stunning views of the Thousand Islands, known for its charming waterfront towns.

• Length: 6,500 miles
• When To Go: During the summer months , between June and August
• Bucket List Stop: Niagara Falls for those who have never been, or Pictured Rocks for those who have

The Black Hills and Badlands, South Dakota

Early america can be seen on this route, in the form of several landmarks and even a former midwest mining town.

The Black Hills and Badlands route is a scenic driving route passing through some of the most iconic natural landmarks in South Dakota. The route covers approximately 150 miles, taking visitors through a variety of landscapes, including the rugged badlands, towering granite peaks, and pristine forests, including several iconic attractions, such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park.

Some other notable stops along the route include Custer State Park, Deadwood gold-mining town, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, which celebrates the history and culture of motorcycle enthusiasts.

• Length: 150 miles
• Bucket List Stop: Badlands National park to witness some of the most famous landmarks in American history

Related: Hit The Road: 10 Unforgettable Adventures Await With These U.S. Road Trip Ideas

The Texas Hill Country

Small towns and country that span for miles exude the true charm of the texas hill country route, offering the best views in the state.

The Texas Hill Country route offers picturesque views of beautiful rolling hills and charming small towns of central Texas. The route is approximately 200 miles long, extending between Austin and San Antonio. The region is known for its stunning landscapes, historic sites, and unique cultural attractions. The road through Texas Hill Country takes visitors through several scenic small towns, such as Fredericksburg, Gruene, and Luckenbach. These are some of the best towns in the Texas Hill Country , each particularly known for its charming shops, restaurants, and live music venues.

One of the highlights of the route is the scenic drive along the winding roads of the Hill Country. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the landscape from the many lookout points and scenic overlooks along the way.

• Length: 200 miles
• When To Go: During the months of April, May, and October
• Bucket List Stop: Fredericksburg, which is a bucket list destination for small town lovers

The Dalton Highway, Alaska

With this route being the only one that crosses the arctic circle, the dalton highway is the definition of "bucket list".

The Dalton Highway is the northernmost highway in the United States and the only road trip in this list that crosses the Arctic Circle. The Dalton Highway is an all-weather road but also incredibly remote and one that requires extensive planning (be prepared for breaking down in the remote Alaskan wilderness).

The Dalton Highway runs from Fairbanks (the main city in Interior Alaska) and ends at Deadhorse in Prudhoe Bay (near the Arctic Ocean).

• Length: 414 miles
• When To Go: June to mid-July , when the highway is usually dry
• Bucket List Stop: Finger Mountain Wayside, which also has an interpretive half-mile hiking trail for those seeking more scenic overlooks

Hawaii Big Island Circuit Drive

While hawaii might seem out of the way, the big island circuit drive is worth the flight to see active volcanoes and stunning coastal landscape views.

The Big Island of Hawaii is by far the largest island in the Hawaiian Island Chain and is home to some of the world's most active volcanoes and some of the most stunning landscapes. One of the epic drives to consider is to drive around the Big Island. The two main roads on the Big Island are Highways 11 and 19 and taken together they create one big loop around the whole island.

• Length: 300 miles
• When To Go: During the months of April, May, August, September, and October
• Bucket List Stop: Pepe'ekeo Scenic Drive is at the start of Highway 19, just north of Hilo

Seattle To Fairbanks North American Drive

It wouldn't be a bucket list trip if it didn't have a unique route, and the drive from seattle to washington and fairbanks, alaska, also brings travelers through canada.

This suggested road trip from Seattle in Washington to Fairbanks in Alaska is the only American road trip to also pass through Canada. This is a mammoth 2,150-mile road trip passing through some of the remotest landscapes of North America (including British Columbia and the Yukon Territory). Alternatively, to keep it an all-American 'road trip', consider taking the Alaska Marine Highway - a ferry network that is part of the American highway system that bypasses Canada.

• Length: 2,150 miles
• When To Go: During summer months, preferably early June and July
• Bucket List Stop: While Fairbanks is the ultimate bucket list stop, saving some time to explore Canada can also add a unique aspect to this road trip