I don't know. I had this crazy idea of the Big Trip for long time. Something like NYC-New Orleans-LA-Seattle-NYC. I like driving long distance. I even test run my MINI to FL and Midwest and back this year. Looks like it's time to decide either Go or No. A while ago I was obsessed with the idea, now not so much. Many factors need to be counted for this more than 100 hours driving journey. Asking opinions here on NAM - what would you do? If you go how would you plan YOUR perimeter? How many hours would you drive daily? Would you go at all?

 

Well Vlad,
Glad you are thinking about another see the USA trip. This is certainly an ambitious plan, but I would like to suggest to a few alterations. Departing NYC make sure you take time to do the Dragon run, and you do want to take in New Orleans, of course the route will take through Atlanta, Mobile and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, all interesting country. Now it is time to detour, head north from N.O. up to Memphis west into the Ozarks maybe up to St. Louis and see the Arch then west across Kansas to Denver on I-70 continuing on thru the Colorado Rockies and the Wastch Mountains to Salt Lake then southwest on I-15 to Las Vegas and on to LA. From there up the Pacific Coast Highway US-101 to Frisco (don't call it Frisco, residents hate that) then North on 101 thru the wine country, up the Oregon coast to Portland and into Seattle. If you want an international trip continue north to Vancouver BC and east into the Canadian Rockies or east on I-90 to Montana, take in Glacier Park and down to Yellowstone then continue east across Wyoming or Montana to So. Dak. to see Mt. Rushmore and Custers Battleground. Then head EAST TO HOME!

I see no good reason to drive from New Orleans to LA via I-10 West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona and eastern So. Cal. are boring desert and very hot 6 months out of the year. The only ''biggies" left out of my routing are the Grand Canyon, Zion Natl. Park and Bryce Canyon NP. These could be covered by some detouring off I-15 between SLC and Vegas. The trip across Kansas and eastern Colorado is BORING but necessary. You can however in Kansas take the scenic journey off I-70 to Mount Sunflower the highest point in Kansas (its about 3 miles and is a slight rise in a wheat field).

Well thats my suggestion and if you do decide to visit Salt Lake, please let me know and we will get together.

BEN

 

Those are great ideas! Ben thanks for your time planning this. The year is almost over and I am thinking of starting sometime March-April-May of next year. That Dragon thing got me rolling. I will PM you the details of the trip. Visiting Salt Lake City is on my priority list.

 

Vlad, to be on the safe side wouldn't plan on March out in the West, too much of a chance for snow above 3500 feet. Mid April, May would be best and probably beat the heat in some of the low lands along the Gulf Coast.
Ben

 

I wish i had the time available to make a trip like this. It sounds like a good time

 

If you have time and stamina for such a project (your signature ) the perimeter is a piece of cake for you.