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Old 05-09-2017, 01:29 PM   #1
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New to RV'ing - Big Trip - Would LOVE some thoughts!!

Hello,

Have read a ton on here, but first post. I am new to RV'ing but got the last minute chance to take a two month trip - so heading out for a June/July trip west. My goal is to visit quite a few of the National parks and a few other places. I certainly realize we won't be able to get into the parks to stay but hoping we can stay nearby and drive in for the days.

I am driving a 35' class A and pulling a 4-door Jeep and traveling with wife and 2 kids (8 & 10). I feel pretty comfortable with everything in our shakedown trips, but still a little nervous about mountain driving with RV and TOAD.

Would welcome ANY advice on routes to take (less mountains the better since im new at this), places to go (not even the parks are set in stone at this point), and places to stay from this experienced group. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!!

Cincinnati St. Louis (1 night) 370 Miles
St Louis Hutchenson, KS (1 night) 461 miles
Hutchenson, KS to Colorado Springs (1 night) 449 miles
Colorado Springs to RMNP (3 nights) 168 Miles
RMNP to Great Sand Dunes (1 night) 258 miles
Great Sand Dunes to Durango (3 nights) 167 Miles
Durango to MOAB/ARCHES (3 nights) 161 Miles
MOAB/ARCHES to BRYCE Canyon (4 nights) 283 Miles
BRYCE Canyon to Vegas (1 night) 268 Miles
Vegas to Yosemite (4 nights) 409 Miles
Yosemite to Sonoma (3 nights) 240 Miles
Sonoma to Redwood NP (3 nights) 258 Miles
Redwood NP to Crater Lake NP (3 nights) 256 Miles
Crater Lake NP to North Cascades NP (4 nights) 542 Miles
North Cascades NP to Glacier NP (4 nights) 535 Miles
Glacier NP to Yellowstone NP (5 nights) 426 Miles
Yellowstone NP to Devils Tower NP (2 nights) 361 miles
Devils Tower NP to Teddy Rosevelt NP (3 nights) 228 miles
Teddy Rosevelt NP to Minneapolis (1 night) 570 miles
Minneapolis to Mackinaw, MI (3 nights) 510 miles
Mackinaw, MI to Cincinnati, OH
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Old 05-09-2017, 02:22 PM   #2
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I have two comments
1. That is a lot of driving and lots of moving every couple of days
2. If you don't have reservations at most of the NPs you will be out of luck
You might want to be a bit less aggressive and enjoy the trip instead of always be working on and thinking about the "next day and next stop"


We try to keep ourselves to a 2.5-3-3 rule. 250 miles a day, three day stops (min) and one day is ok once in awhile if long distance to next destination with nothing to do between stops. And try to be at camp by 3PM so we can enjoy the late afternoon and evening.


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Old 05-09-2017, 02:26 PM   #3
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This is all a matter of personal preference and style of travel, of course, but I'd go to half as many places and stay twice as long at each.
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Old 05-09-2017, 02:27 PM   #4
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That's an aggressive plan for a seasoned RV'er and you stated you are a newbie. Also since last minute I can see a lot of time spent just trying to find a place to stay.
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:00 PM   #5
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I think you maybe are wildly underestimating trip time between stops. I am from Colorado and have driven this area a lot. You are going to have to climb some passes that Will significantly slow you down. Stay away from 550 between Ouray and Durango. While it is open to truckers, Big Signs warning you to take another route. 1000 foot drop offs with NO shoulder.
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:40 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeepin911 View Post
Hello,

Have read a ton on here, but first post. I am new to RV'ing but got the last minute chance to take a two month trip - so heading out for a June/July trip west. My goal is to visit quite a few of the National parks and a few other places. I certainly realize we won't be able to get into the parks to stay but hoping we can stay nearby and drive in for the days.

I am driving a 35' class A and pulling a 4-door Jeep and traveling with wife and 2 kids (8 & 10). I feel pretty comfortable with everything in our shakedown trips, but still a little nervous about mountain driving with RV and TOAD.

Would welcome ANY advice on routes to take (less mountains the better since im new at this), places to go (not even the parks are set in stone at this point), and places to stay from this experienced group. Thanks in advance for any thoughts!!!

Cincinnati St. Louis (1 night) 370 Miles
St Louis Hutchenson, KS (1 night) 461 miles
Hutchenson, KS to Colorado Springs (1 night) 449 miles
Colorado Springs to RMNP (3 nights) 168 Miles
RMNP to Great Sand Dunes (1 night) 258 miles
Great Sand Dunes to Durango (3 nights) 167 Miles
Durango to MOAB/ARCHES (3 nights) 161 Miles
MOAB/ARCHES to BRYCE Canyon (4 nights) 283 Miles
BRYCE Canyon to Vegas (1 night) 268 Miles
Vegas to Yosemite (4 nights) 409 Miles
Yosemite to Sonoma (3 nights) 240 Miles
Sonoma to Redwood NP (3 nights) 258 Miles
Redwood NP to Crater Lake NP (3 nights) 256 Miles
Crater Lake NP to North Cascades NP (4 nights) 542 Miles
North Cascades NP to Glacier NP (4 nights) 535 Miles
Glacier NP to Yellowstone NP (5 nights) 426 Miles
Yellowstone NP to Devils Tower NP (2 nights) 361 miles
Devils Tower NP to Teddy Rosevelt NP (3 nights) 228 miles
Teddy Rosevelt NP to Minneapolis (1 night) 570 miles
Minneapolis to Mackinaw, MI (3 nights) 510 miles
Mackinaw, MI to Cincinnati, OH
Think about it a little more IMHO just not going to be FUN.

Possible first thirty days with very little time in any of the 12 stops;

https://binged.it/2qoBCho

Could easily add more and burn all of the second month and just do More Colorado More Utah and Yellowstone - Custer and Home.
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Old 05-09-2017, 03:42 PM   #7
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If you want to add a Historical stop in your busy schedule, I would suggest Little Big Horn in Montana on your way from Yellowstone to Devils Tower.
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:13 PM   #8
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If you want to add a Historical stop in your busy schedule, I would suggest Little Big Horn in Montana on your way from Yellowstone to Devils Tower.


I second this.
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Old 05-09-2017, 04:21 PM   #9
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I second this.
He's got plenty of time ..........so I'll add a few for Colorado - RMNP - Great Sand Dunes NP - Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - Browns Canyon NM - Dinosaur NM - The Collegiates - the San Juan's - Crested Butte - Marble - Maroon Bells - Silverton - Grand Lake - Lake City - Ouray - Telluride - Dunton - Trout Lake - Alpine Loop - Engineer Pass - Independence Pass - Steamboat Springs - Golden - Estes and Mesa Verde NP.

Could add some 4x4 trails - and a bunch of great drives.

Plenty of time,
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Old 05-09-2017, 09:28 PM   #10
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I'd at least forget about Nevada, California, Oregon and Washington. Waaaay too much!
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Old 05-09-2017, 09:38 PM   #11
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Time for plan B.

Plan A is too much.

I've been coast to coast five times and you couldn't pay me to try that trip you have planned. Way too much driving and too many 400 plus mile days.

You are going to need reservations, especially on the 4th of July.
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Old 05-10-2017, 03:47 AM   #12
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Your kids are not going to be very happy with all that driving time and everyone is going to be tired and grumpy with this schedule. Try to be in camp by 3 PM to give everybody a chance to relax. Your schedule is just too much. You need to add in gas and potty breaks, food shopping. We figure on averaging 50 MPH which includes stops. We stop by 2 or 3 on a long day. You want everyone to enjoy this trip and the MH, not come home and never want to go again.
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Old 05-10-2017, 05:56 AM   #13
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Thanks

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

It is clear i need to revise the plan and slow down a bit. I was pretty intent on getting to Yosemite but also trying to see the northwest vs. southwest parks. Seems too much - lol. Should have seen my first iteniary, thought 3-4 days at the key parks was enough.

I do not currently plan on long term RV'ing (doing multipe trips), but rather taking this two months is a one time luxury for me most likely until i retire.

ok - back to the drawing board. Thanks again for all the feedback, really is welcomed.
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Old 05-10-2017, 06:33 AM   #14
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Our routine when on a short trip is to go to our furthest point first and then work back. If you really want to go to Yosemite, drive there first, plan a couple of break days as you go cross country, get to Yosemite, take as much time as you think you need and then start working back toward home. We have found this worked well when our kids were young.

Now we are heading to full time in a few months but normally are out 6-7 months a year.
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