TVA's TRDP purchase and road trip thread
- Thread starter TVA21
- Start date
Great advice, thank you! Adjusted the route to jump off the 70 and on to 128 headed to Arches. We'll do some picture taking in Arches and camp for the night in Canyonlands. Just applied for a camping permit.
From Canyonlands we'd like to head to Zion, and then see the Grand Canyon from there. If you'd got better routes between those areas than Google has automatically given to me, I'm all ears!
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03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
The route I like to take after leaving Moab is to go back to interstate 70 and go east to rt 24. Stay on 24 when it turns west to Torrey and Capitol Reef national park (even though if you stay straight on rt 95 it is another amazing drive). From there take rt 12 south to Bryce canyon to rt 89. Go south on 89 to rt 9 to Zion or branch of to the north rim of the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell or to the South rim of the Grand Canyon. Rt 12 and parts of rt 24 are very scenic and are an easy relaxing drive. Also interstate 70 west of Denver is very scenic. It is worthwhile to drive through Rocky mountain national park if you have time. Maybe some Utah residents will have more ideas but you can not go wrong with these routes if you want breathtaking scenery. I learned these routes from a book I got several years ago called "Most scenic highways in America". Utah is awesome. Do not let your gas tank get to low. Sometimes it is a long ways between gas stations.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I was looking at your California route. I see what you are trying to do, hit all the big national parks. Unless there is something you want to see in Los Angeles I would avoid the area unless you like major traffic. To avoid it get off interstate 40 onto rt 58 west at Barstow. That will take you to Bakersfield where you would have ended up anyways. Remember the national parks are slow going but worthwhile. I hope you have a lot of time. If you are going to Sequoia national park you may as well go to Kings Canyon national park just north of there. The other option is keep going west from Bakersfield to go up the coast on rt 1 to San Francisco over the Golden State bridge instead of going to Sequoia national park.
So many choices so little time. The interstates highways in California can be brutal with all the traffic and trucks. They are a death trap at times. Every time I go there I swear I will never go back. I prefer smaller less traveled roads.
So many choices so little time. The interstates highways in California can be brutal with all the traffic and trucks. They are a death trap at times. Every time I go there I swear I will never go back. I prefer smaller less traveled roads.
I'll definitely take your advise on Utah. LA is part of the trip as we'll be spending several days there visiting a new born member of the family. I appreciate all the guidance!
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Here is a guide from this site about Moab. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/222658-trails-moab-4.html for easy scenic places I would recommend the first part of Kane creek right outside of Moab. Very easy graded road for several miles. Long canyon between Canyonlands and Moab (this goes under the big rock you see in pictures). Also the first part of Shafer trail in Canyonlands that goes down the switchbacks is interesting.
2nd Chance
New member
Subscribed and congratulations on the new Rig.
I am really looking forward to seeing pics of this trip as you are doing something I have always wanted to do.
I am really looking forward to seeing pics of this trip as you are doing something I have always wanted to do.
Thanks! I'll try to make the pictures reasonable.
Thanks to [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION] here is the updated route with the zoomed in section containing the campground in Canyonland, better route to Zion, and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
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03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Thanks! I'll try to make the pictures reasonable.
Thanks to [MENTION=336]03_4x4Runner[/MENTION] here is the updated route with the zoomed in section containing the campground in Canyonland, better route to Zion, and North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
You will be driving through Capitol Reef national park and going right by Bryce Canyon National park. You will see part of Capitol Reef just going down the road but it you have time Bryce Canyon is a worthwhile stop. It is kind of a long drive to the North rim but not as far as backtracking all the way to the South rim. There is a paved road at the North rim that takes you to some nice overlooks, also some dirt roads that go to various less popular overlooks. I found most of the dirt road overlooks less than spectacular unless you are into hiking to better spots. It seems like we drove a long ways on dirt roads for not as good a view as I hoped for. Have a good trip.
Unfortunately we're pretty pressed for time as is, so driving through those areas is going to have to do. I appreciate all the advice though, this route looks much better than what Google spit out and I'm sure the trip will be great!
Well you'll see at least one around Kailua. That's where she's headed.
K9trainer
New member
I'll keep my eye out for you, I'm also going in Kailua
2nd Chance
New member
Hell with that take as many as you can.
Mr Detail Auto Salon in downtown Seattle does amazing work!
mrdetailseattle.com 206.3839594
Awesome, I'll check them out. Thanks!
Jhalko
New member
Hey Ive driven your route from SC all the way to LA, just not in one trip! Last year I drove to Asheville from Denver then up to the Cove before heading back. This summer I did a trip from Denver to San Diego via the same route you have planned. I know we are planning to meet here in Denver for the cross bars, if you have any questions ahead just PM me. Are you camping or hoteling it along the way?
Outside of a night camping in Canyonlands we'll be hoteling the majority of the way. Anything that you can think of that's a can't miss would be welcome advice!
