Not to be a PIA but if time is the issue skip Denver and go from I-70 Limon to Rt 24 to Colorado Springs, it will save you at least an hour if not more with traffic.
Taos will be Beautiful.
BOL,
Busskipper
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
We did the "big circle" tour of the western US two summers ago (2006), more or less doing the outer circle route similar to what you described only in reverse (counter clockwise). For us, it was just over 8,000 miles (7,200 on the MH and 1k+ on the toad) in four weeks, and cost a bit over $4k total back when gas averaged $3 for the trip (the further you go west, the more expensive gas gets). Specifically, 900 gallons for $2,700 (8.0 mpg average - not bad for a 33' gas MH pulling a toad).
In CA, we did Sequoia and Redwoods National Parks (NPs), which we enjoyed very much. Since you're planning on sticking to the PCH (plan on lots of extra drive time for traffic and etc, btw), Sequoia would be too far out of your way, but you'll go right through Redwoods NP north of SF. We highly recommend spending a couple of days there, if possible.
SF Bay was completely fogged in (and very windy and cold) both days we were there in July (the city was clear, however), so much so that even though we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, we couldn't see it. We've been told that's pretty typical for that time of year.
Last summer we did a three week, 3,000 mile tour of Philadelphia, NYC, and New England (loved Massachusetts, btw :-)). It was wonderful and quite a counterpoint to our 2006 trip (big cities vs. amazing nature).
This summer we plan on doing the "inner circle" route out west, to get to some of the things we couldn't work into the 2006 outer circle trip. Namely, Colorado and Utah NPs, and then back up to Teton, Yellowstone, and the Black Hills (we did those last three in 2006 but want to see them again). We'll be doing "only" about 4,000 miles this time in the MH, but who knows how much in the toad.
As another poster pointed out, Colorado and the Utah NPs are something to see, but we couldn't work everything in to our 2006 trip, and the more I studied it, the more I decided back then that Colorado and Utah would be a trip all its own. This summer we're going to spend over a week just in southern Utah alone, and I'm sure that won't seem like enough.
Not at all nuts. We plan to leave Lee, Fl taking old US 80 west to Carlsbad, Nm week after Labor day this year. Two brothers and wives in a FW. We'll decide at Carlsbad, or before, whether we go to Santa Fe or keep heading due west to Ca. Planning about six weeks on the road, sure hope that will be enough time.
SF Bay was completely fogged in (and very windy and cold) both days we were there in July (the city was clear, however), so much so that even though we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, we couldn't see it. We've been told that's pretty typical for that time of year.
... .
It is typical for summer along the Northern California coast, but it doesn't take may miles inland before the fog clears and it's warm (or hot, depending on your point of view). Bring your jackets for that area. We can spot the tourists - they're the blue ones in shorts and tee shirts.
We must be nuts too. We just started a 3 1/2 mo. trip a week ago, going the opposite direction. Visiting areas in CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, MO, TN, GA, SC, NC, VA, PA, KY, IN,IL, KN, CO, and home Even with that much time, I know we will miss alot and probably feel rushed. We tried to do a similar trip twice before and family obligations prevented it. This time, we decided to do it anyway despite the high fuel costs. If we don't do it now, we may never get to. I don't know how much longer we will be driving an RV on such long trips.
You're going to have a grand time! We did a cross country from No. Ca to Tampa Fla two years ago and had the time of our life! We just kept our speed reasonable and enjoyed each new sight! Remember you're saving on electrical, water, whatever else you won't be using at home...to offset a small bit of the gas cost! (Something to think about anyway!)
We're planning a trip to Niagara for our next BIG adventure!
Dave & Brenda
Angus & Shadow, Faithful Compatriots
2008 Itasca Sunrise 35L
Nascar24, a little humor/fun here: Correct spelling is Grand Teton NP. Per wikipedia, the mountain range was originally named by French fur trappers, "les Trois Tetons", the three breasts.... Very approriate!
Hoover Dam is right next to Las Vegas. You can't drive an RV over the dam since 911 but you can take the bypass bridge. Be sure to go on the dam tour and visit the dam gift shop. Spend the night on the lake and rent jet skis or other watercraft to beat the heat. The desert is very hot in the summer. You will need your AC all night long in Vegas. See other posts on this site for camping there.
Las Vegas to San Diego is about 6 hours to 8 hours on Interstate 15. It is a good wide super highway however it can be a parking lot on Sunday nights when the Californians go home. And of course all southern California freeways are pure hell at rush hour, actually hours, evenings from 3 - 7pm.
While still in the desert you could stop at the ghost town of Calico. It is near Barstow, where Santa Fe has a big rail yard. You can take the old Route 66 from Barstow to world famous Cajon Pass where it rejoins I-15. From the High Desert side, Cajon Pass is hardly a climb but after you crest the summit you drop off the edge of the North American Plate and onto the much lower, Pacific Plate. The down grade is very step and you may smoke your brakes. If you do there is a runaway truck ramp to save you. Cool your brakes half way down the pass by taking the hwy 138 exit and have a picnic lunch at the scenic Mormon Rocks geological formations right next to the freeway. You are right in the middle of the San Andreas Fault. If you're lucky they might be shooting a movie or TV show there. It is a popular spot for sci-fi and westerns. Take a big deep breath of fresh air because once you drop down into the valley it will be smoggy. There are other posts which describe the campgrounds in southern California. While near Los Angeles there are several good spots close to Disneyland. You can't come all the way to California without stopping there. If you're into movies then you have to go to Universal Studios.
You will need reservations to camp at the beach. There are several state parks along the whole coast from San Diego up to the bay. Take Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy. Along the way take a side trip to see Hearst Castle and the wine country. In San Fran you have to go to Fishermen's Wharf. Bring a sweater. Cold even in summer.
We did most of that circle last spring and fuel was $3500, we are going to Canada this year and expect the fuel to be $6000. We aren't getting any younger but next year think we will stick to bike trips. We get 50 mile to the gal on Red. lol
Bea PA
2004 Winnebago Journey
2008 Saturn Vue
1998 Venture Van
Brake Buddy/Remco Pump
2003 Gold Wing 1800 (Big Red)
The post above that says you can't cross Hoover Dam in an RV since 9/11 is incorrect. We crossed it in July of 2006 in our MH and toad with no problem. There is a security checkpoint area prior to crossing the bridge. We were required to open our side compartments and allow the officer to look inside the coach (he literally stepped inside, said hello to the wife and kids, glanced around, and walked out). The whole process took about five minutes. I even asked if they wanted to look inside the big plastic tubs we keep in some of the side compartments, but they declined.
A bypass highway and bridge is under construction just downstream of the dam. The four-lane bypass (US 93) will eventually avoid the dam crossing and the twisty-turny two-lane road going down to and up from the dam, but it is not scheduled for completion until 2010. Once the bypass is completed, public traffic across the dam will be prohibited entirely. Therefore, if you want to cross the dam - and I recommend it if you're in the area - you should do so before the bypass opens.
Here is a link to the government web site concerning the dam. Click on "Crossing Hoover Dam: A Guide For Motorists" for more information.
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