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Third week of July is a planned 14 day road trip through the States.
We are leaving from Winnipeg (middle of Canada) and wanting to go through Montana,Oregon, Wyoming, stop in Vegas for a 2 day rest. Then home through Utah,Colorado.
Looking for ideas for scenic drives. I don't want to track test this thing (wife is with me) I did that in a Z in Palm Springs on the short-cut road to San Diego (I forget the name of it but she wasn't happy with the constant chirpy tires)
So basically we have 5-6 days to get to Vegas and then 5-6 days to get home again (about 3,700 miles round trip)
If you are going into Colorado go to Colorado Springs and take in Pikes Peak. My wife and I will be there about June 23 as we are going on the Grand Canyon/Rocky Mountain tour with Corvette'NAmerica from June 17 through June 22. We start in Flagstaff, AZ and end in Durango, CO. Driving from southeast Florida we will cover between 5,500 and 6,500 miles by the time we are done.
While in Colorado take a look at HWY 34 between Grand Lake and Loveland. This stretch of road takes you through Rocky Mountain National Park via Trail Ridge road (peaks at 12183'), Estes Park, and the Thompson Valley. Very fun winding roads and exceptional scenery.
You must spend time in the Yellowstone, if you can. You 'can't' see it all in one trip.
Do the Beartooth, drive to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Go to both North Rim, and South Rim, for beautiful views of the Lower & Upper Falls, as well as the Canyon.
Drive through the Hayden Valley for Bison and wildlife (which are everywhere). Of course go to Old Faithful, and by all means do the FireHole Canyon drive.
Stay overnight at West Yellowstone (one mile outside the west gate of the Park). Stay at Grey Wolf Inn, or near it, right across the road from Grizzly Discovery area, and IMAX theater.
Leave the Yellowstone south through Grand Teton Natl Park, if you can.
I've been there 9 or 10 times, lost count. And can't wait to go back again.
If your leaving Las Vegas and driving north thru southern Utah, you definitely want to stop at both Zions Natl Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. They are approx 2 to 3 hours apart and well worth your time. Have a safe trip.
Last edited by rrichar2591; 05-29-2016 at 09:00 AM.
I second Zion National Park. While in Vegas, add Mount Charleston and Valley of Fire State Park to your list. Wish I'd had my vet when I lived there....
If you are planning to stay in any national park, 'specially Yellowstone, it is probably already too late to get a reservation. The interstate, I-70 west from Vail is probably one of the nicest roads I've been on to include a 10,662' pass. Mt. Rushmore would be on my list. Don't must Salmon, Idaho, birthplace of Sakaguea or however it is spelled . . . just kidding.
Wow! You got a lot of great suggestions for your trip, lots of different scenery. I'll second, or third, the suggestion for the Beartooth in Montana and the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, take your breath away majestic. If you should find yourself in northern Idaho check out Coure D' Alene, a beautiful town with everything on the shores of a magnificent lake. Hope your trip goes well, take care!
Don't know if time will allow but if you are going to Oregon the coast is beautiful. That time of year there will probably be a lot of vacationers though. Still a great drive.
Make sure to hit the Black Hills of South Dakota. Starting in Spearfish, SD drive breathtaking Spearfish Canyon (Hwy 14a) to Chyenne Crossing (stop for breakfast if you have time) where it connects with Hwy 85 and then head northeast to Deadwood.
Stop for some gambling if you're in the mood and then continue on Hwy 14a (Boulder Canyon) to Sturgis which is a beautiful drive. Get on I-90 at Exit 30 and head east for a 2 miles getting off at Exit 32. Head south on Vanocker Canyon (you can drive this sportily) to Nemo, SD and take Nemo Road southeast to county road 173. Take that to Johnson Siding. Turn west on Hwy 44 to get to Hwy 385.
Turn 385 and then south to Hill City. Just before Hill City stop at Prairie Berry Winery for a tasting of some pretty good wine.
Next, if you're inclined, take Hwy 244 to Hwy 16a to Keystone and then keep on 16a to Mt. Rushmore. Unbelievably awesome site.
When you leave Mt. Rushmore head back the way you came to Keystone and back on Hwy 244 to Hwy 385. Taking this the other direction will seem like a different road. Stay on Hwy 385 south to Crazy Horse Memorial which is another great site and place to visit.
After Crazy Horse stay on Hwy 385 south to Hwy 16. Either take 16 west into Wyoming or stay on 385 south to Nebraska.
Total driving of this route is only about 3 - 4 hours and really pretty. You can make a day of it by stopping at the sites or just view then from the highway and be done in a half day. Enjoy your trip.
Took a cross country trip in the Corvette with my son (13 at the time) two years ago. Best vacation ever. As noted above, taking the Bear Tooth Highway into the northeast entrance to Yellowstone and driving through Hayden Valley is driving into paradise. Going to the sun road in Glacier is a must - just spectacular - words/pictures can't do the place justice. Million Dollar Highway/Telluride loop in the San Juan's of Colorado - it's like these roads were made for a Corvette. Needles Highway by Mt. Rushmore is really cool too. So many places to visit - finding the time is my problem.
05-28-2016, 05:48 PM
USA road trip
