Cross Country Trip Planning Thread

[Dark Lord]

Starting April 3rd in Austin, TX, my girlfriend and I are headed out west to go adventure seeking. We are taking the 4runner of course. We have until April 21st. Feel free to add any suggestions if it is somewhat on the the way between any of these destinations. I know somewhat is a very subjective word to choose, but if you deem it necessary to point out a suggestion, then by all means!

This is what our itinerary looks so far:
UPDATE: Keep in mind some of these destinations are to visit family members (Denver, Sacramento). Not to mention my girlfriend has not seen a lot of these cities.

1. Austin, TX, USA

2. White Sands, NM, USA

3. Denver, CO, USA

4. Imogene Pass Rd, Uncompahgre National Forest, Ridgway, CO 81432, USA

5. Moab, UT, United States

6. Highway 63, Bryce Canyon, UT, United States

7. Hurricane, UT, United States

8. North Rim, AZ 86052, USA

9. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area Alan Bible Visitor Center, Nevada 89005, USA

10. Yosemite National Park Rd, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA

11. Sacramento, CA, USA

12. Salt Lake City, UT, USA

13. Mount Rushmore

14. Badlands National Park

EDIT: I left out #13 and #14

 

[NateMob]

I live 10 minutes from White Sands NM, in Alamogordo. Message me the day yall are coming thru here! Maybe grab a beer and talk 4runners.

Nate

 

[downpour11]

One suggestion, take pictures lol
Sounds like a fun trip man I'd love to do something like that someday. Have fun!

 

[Dark Lord]

I live 10 minutes from White Sands NM, in Alamogordo. Message me the day yall are coming thru here! Maybe grab a beer and talk 4runners.

Nate

Haha! For sure man! That's actually our first stop!

One suggestion, take pictures lol
Sounds like a fun trip man I'd love to do something like that someday. Have fun!

My girlfriend has a Sony NEX-5N she is going to take pictures with.

 

[SCRunner12]

I'd skip Sacramento unless you have family there or something. Go to SF instead, you won't regret it.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Starting April 3rd in Austin, TX, my girlfriend and I are headed out west to go adventure seeking. We are taking the 4runner of course. We have until April 21st.

This sounds awesome! BTW if you don't breakup then your probably compatible for life

 

[BrianSD_42]

1. Austin, TX, USA
WHY?


2. White Sands, NM, USA
Sounds interesting


3. Denver, CO, USA
WHY?
I say why because aren't there like a lot of other cooler things in CO then the major cities? Some of those mountain trips look freaking insane. Check out BigFishAllDay or Dirtco's thread.

4. Imogene Pass Rd, Uncompahgre National Forest, Ridgway, CO 81432, USA
Sounds interesting


5. Moab, UT, United States
Sounds awesome



6. Highway 63, Bryce Canyon, UT, United States
Been there ... Sounds awesome


7. Hurricane, UT, United States
Never been, sounds interesting


8. North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
Sounds awesome

What about Sedona, AZ ? I went there last year with my GF and it was awesome. Really look it up, I cannot stress enough how great Sedona is if you like to hike or bike ride or whatever. They have awesome Canyons and much of it is actually a forest (surprised me) with just amazing views. Also the town is very cute and not mega touristy. They have great bed-n-breakfasts with nice small town restaurants.


9. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area Alan Bible Visitor Center, Nevada 89005, USA
YES! And pay the $20 for the "better" tour under the dam. The regular tour is like $10, upgraded tour is about $20 and you need to get there 1+ hour ahead. It is worth it.


10. Yosemite National Park Rd, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
H3LL FREAKING YES
Seriously ... you should spend at least 3 days in Yosemite Park area. You can stay in a hotel in Oakhurst just 45 mins from the valley for only $70 / night. Get up in the morning and go hiking (assume you are up for it). WOW I went to Yosemite and climbed Yosemite Falls and Nevada Falls in the last week of March in 2009 and it was one of the most amazing outdoor adventures of my life. It is the best time of year to go, hands down.


11. Sacramento, CA, USA
AHHH no way bro. Sacramento doesn't flat out suck but it is far from worth visiting. I've lived 3 hours from there most of my life and still never visit. YES I have been there.

Seriously dude I think you meant to type LAKE TAHOE, for at least 2 days and I don't mean Reno, I mean visiting Tahoe!


12. Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Again ... why? I've been there and it isn't exactly the "coolest part of UT"

 

[Stick Figure]

Looks like your off to a good start for planning. We were in or near a few of those places over our last trip. Feel free to take a look at some of our photos and write ups and maybe you can add some places to your list. Arizona strip is also an amazing place to see, and I really would like to head back out there sometime soon.

I also agree with SCRunner12 about Sacramento. Not that its a bad place but for sight seeing there is a lot better a bit farther to the coast. If you need anything while your out this don't be afraid to ask.

 

[4-Ripcord]

If You roll through ABQ on a sunday I can guarantee I can get a tacoma offroad meet setup by then.

 

[Blackdot]

If your passing by Hurricane Utah please please please take the time to go to Zion national park. The front country is beautiful and the park itself offers a lot of backcountry experiences if you desire and have the time. I would suggest the Angles Landing hike.

Lots of free camping outside of the park my favorite spot is a small area along this road. Kolob Reservoir Road, Zion National Park, Utah

The Kolob reservoir road is also a fantastic road to drive which offers some backcountry views of Zion. They also filmed parts of butch Cassidy and the sun dance kid in this area, truly feels like the wild Wild West on this road. Although the upper portion of this road my be covered with snow still.

Good luck and have fun. If your in southern Utah and run into problems helps not to far away.

 

[Dark Lord]

I'd skip Sacramento unless you have family there or something. Go to SF instead, you won't regret it.

Yeah, half my family lives in Sacramento, so we were thinking of stopping through and saying hi. I was born there, and my girlfriend has never been to California, so yeah..... (I'm personally not a big fan, but it's whatever).

1. Austin, TX, USA
WHY?


2. White Sands, NM, USA
Sounds interesting


3. Denver, CO, USA
WHY?
I say why because aren't there like a lot of other cooler things in CO then the major cities? Some of those mountain trips look freaking insane. Check out BigFishAllDay or Dirtco's thread.

4. Imogene Pass Rd, Uncompahgre National Forest, Ridgway, CO 81432, USA
Sounds interesting


5. Moab, UT, United States
Sounds awesome



6. Highway 63, Bryce Canyon, UT, United States
Been there ... Sounds awesome


7. Hurricane, UT, United States
Never been, sounds interesting


8. North Rim, AZ 86052, USA
Sounds awesome

What about Sedona, AZ ? I went there last year with my GF and it was awesome. Really look it up, I cannot stress enough how great Sedona is if you like to hike or bike ride or whatever. They have awesome Canyons and much of it is actually a forest (surprised me) with just amazing views. Also the town is very cute and not mega touristy. They have great bed-n-breakfasts with nice small town restaurants.


9. Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area Alan Bible Visitor Center, Nevada 89005, USA
YES! And pay the $20 for the "better" tour under the dam. The regular tour is like $10, upgraded tour is about $20 and you need to get there 1+ hour ahead. It is worth it.


10. Yosemite National Park Rd, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, USA
H3LL FREAKING YES
Seriously ... you should spend at least 3 days in Yosemite Park area. You can stay in a hotel in Oakhurst just 45 mins from the valley for only $70 / night. Get up in the morning and go hiking (assume you are up for it). WOW I went to Yosemite and climbed Yosemite Falls and Nevada Falls in the last week of March in 2009 and it was one of the most amazing outdoor adventures of my life. It is the best time of year to go, hands down.


11. Sacramento, CA, USA
AHHH no way bro. Sacramento doesn't flat out suck but it is far from worth visiting. I've lived 3 hours from there most of my life and still never visit. YES I have been there.

Seriously dude I think you meant to type LAKE TAHOE, for at least 2 days and I don't mean Reno, I mean visiting Tahoe!


12. Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Again ... why? I've been there and it isn't exactly the "coolest part of UT"

Austin, TX is our starting destination. I just got a job there, and we are going there to apartment hunt. After that, we begin our trip. We are going to Denver because I have family there, and I used to live there (haven't been back in years).

Sedona, we were considering stopping through. My girlfriend originally did not include Arizona since she has seen the Grand Canyon twice. I have never seen it, so we are going. I would like to stop through Sedona or Flagstaff if we get a chance.

Sacramento I'm visiting family. A lot of those big cities are really just going to be one nighters, or a couple hours. Sacramento, probably spend a night and say hey to family. By the way, good call on Lake Tahoe, I haven't been up there since I was in high school.

My girlfriend wants to see some cities whether they are exciting or not. Salt Lake City looked pretty cool when I drove through there once upon a time. We don't plan on staying there long, maybe just stop in and grab lunch or something similar. Those destinations are there for guidance, so wherever we can stop on the way is the main goal.

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate it!

EDIT: By the way, I just added two destinations. I thought I copied and pasted it from our itinerary, but apparently I didn't. They are two very important destinations, ESPECIALLY the last one. Very specifically the last one. I think we are saving the best for last, but I could be wrong.

 

[GSPRunner]

Sounds awesome man. Jealous.

 

[4Runner4TW]

If your going to do Arizona, you have to come to Sedona! I actually just moved from their and now my girlfriend and I want to move back! It really is spectacular and there are a lot of great trails. If you decide to go there, PM me and i will give you some travel advice (offroad spots, food, hotels).

 

[Forrrrest]

Those are a hood bunch of destinations, I would like to add something for you to think about. The Pacific North West! Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. If this is your one big trip I would definitely head up that direction. The worst mistake I ever made was moving back to California from Alaska. Trust me its a must see!!!

 

[farmerjon]

Too bad Yellowstone won't be open when you come through... sequester and the fact that it is still spring... and such...

If you do swing up to Northern WY or Southern MT, let me know! Though I doubt you'll get that far north.

some suggestions listed here for the region I mentioned above.
hiking - Thinking about a road trip out West - The Great Outdoors Beta - Stack Exchange

 

[masphx]

Hit up Sedona and go on the famous 'Broken Arrow trail'. That is the one the pink jeeps go on. SF and Napa Sonoma area is pretty cool also.

Try to take your time and take the back roads. Interstate is fast but boring. Slow down and take the back roads EX> start: Flagstaff and go down HW 89A. You will pass though Sedona, Jerome, Prescott and end in Wickenburg. It is a nice drive and can be done in a day or a few days if you check out things.