USA Road Trip (2 Weeks) In January?
Discussion
Hey guys,
Thanks to the advice on here I had a fantastic five week West Coast road trip with the mrs last year in October, and I've been itching to go back to the USA ever since. I've got a mate who wants to go, and we're looking at going for 2 weeks - the soonest time we're both available being January. We've got no idea where we want to go, but I'd prefer to see some parts I've not seen before and which might be a bit different...I'm thinking some of the southern states etc might make a change from the touristy bits I've seen before? Or maybe some of the east coast - I've been to NY before but not much else on that side.
Basically, we've got completely no idea of where to go and whether we'd be better off waiting to go in April or something rather than January so that it's not just cold everywhere? Unless there are parts which are best seen then?!
I know it's all so vague but that's why we're after help - any/all much appreciated!
Cheers,
Dom
Thanks to the advice on here I had a fantastic five week West Coast road trip with the mrs last year in October, and I've been itching to go back to the USA ever since. I've got a mate who wants to go, and we're looking at going for 2 weeks - the soonest time we're both available being January. We've got no idea where we want to go, but I'd prefer to see some parts I've not seen before and which might be a bit different...I'm thinking some of the southern states etc might make a change from the touristy bits I've seen before? Or maybe some of the east coast - I've been to NY before but not much else on that side.
Basically, we've got completely no idea of where to go and whether we'd be better off waiting to go in April or something rather than January so that it's not just cold everywhere? Unless there are parts which are best seen then?!
I know it's all so vague but that's why we're after help - any/all much appreciated!
Cheers,
Dom
As Matt points out, a little more information would help the advice.....
But I will start things off with a couple of suggestions:
1 - Route 66 - We have done some of 66 and it really is very special, as well as all the towns along the way put in a big effort and there are always other groups driving along this stretch too. Although it will be very cold in some areas if you do this.
2 - East Coast - although I would recommend doing this in Autumn as well, despite the snow, we have always wanted to go from NYC up north into Maine. We did NYC into Canada recently (June) and it was spectacular and very enjoyable.
Chris
But I will start things off with a couple of suggestions:
1 - Route 66 - We have done some of 66 and it really is very special, as well as all the towns along the way put in a big effort and there are always other groups driving along this stretch too. Although it will be very cold in some areas if you do this.
2 - East Coast - although I would recommend doing this in Autumn as well, despite the snow, we have always wanted to go from NYC up north into Maine. We did NYC into Canada recently (June) and it was spectacular and very enjoyable.
Chris
I just got back from new York to LA, seeing loads. Done many road trips both winter and summer, again bit more info would be good. I am doing a mini road trip over Christmas, landing Vegas and motorhome for 18 nights, death valley palm springs a must for me, rest of the time, not sure yet.
Yellowstone in winter is an experience. IMHO its the best time to see the park, although you will have to do it in summer as well to see everything.
Zion I also felt was better in winter as you can drive up the canyon rather than take the bus. Bryce is also open and quiet, some roadside turnouts may be closed but all the major lookouts should be open providing your not there in the middle of a storm. The grand canyon south rim will be mostly open, probably some ice around so take care, but the west rim drive is open to cars in winter rather than bus only in summer. Yosemite valley is also quieter at that time of year and there will be water over all the falls as well, something that might not be the case in the summer.
Its cold though, but can be quite variable, entirely possible to be shirt sleeves one day and no amount of ski gear is warm enough the next. But as has been said, what do you expect from the holiday. Driving long distances, winter wonderlands, snowmobiling, skiing, sitting by the pool in the warm. if its the latter then you better book your flight to Hawaii as even southern California and Florida which can get warm enough for such activity could switch around to chilly in a matter of days.
I doubt April will make much difference than Jan to be honest, it might be a little warmer in the sun but if there's a weather system it can also be just as cold/snowy, access to the mountains wont be any better as most of the winter road closures don't clear until late May/June,
Zion I also felt was better in winter as you can drive up the canyon rather than take the bus. Bryce is also open and quiet, some roadside turnouts may be closed but all the major lookouts should be open providing your not there in the middle of a storm. The grand canyon south rim will be mostly open, probably some ice around so take care, but the west rim drive is open to cars in winter rather than bus only in summer. Yosemite valley is also quieter at that time of year and there will be water over all the falls as well, something that might not be the case in the summer.
Its cold though, but can be quite variable, entirely possible to be shirt sleeves one day and no amount of ski gear is warm enough the next. But as has been said, what do you expect from the holiday. Driving long distances, winter wonderlands, snowmobiling, skiing, sitting by the pool in the warm. if its the latter then you better book your flight to Hawaii as even southern California and Florida which can get warm enough for such activity could switch around to chilly in a matter of days.
I doubt April will make much difference than Jan to be honest, it might be a little warmer in the sun but if there's a weather system it can also be just as cold/snowy, access to the mountains wont be any better as most of the winter road closures don't clear until late May/June,
Edited by ViperDave on Thursday 8th August 07:18
Hey guys,
Firstly my apologies for not replying to this sooner - I've been away in Devon for a few days!
Many thanks for all the input, it's great to hear some suggestions and there's certainly some bits I hadn't considered.
To give a bit more info, we're both 26 and enjoy typical bloke things so I'd imagine things like hovercraft rides, NASCAR, quads/karts, skiing, snow tubing etc would be our kind of thing, though we do also want to eat in some cool places (authentic, not expensive chic!) and will certainly be drinking fairly heavily. I did a west coast road trip fairly recently where I went to San Francisco, Laguna beach, Vegas and Hollywood etc (amongst a few others) so ideally I'd explore somewhere new this time. We'd kind if been thinking about places like Chicago, New Orleans, West Virginia etc just because they seem a bit different to us - wed quite like to experience slightly different cultures to the more "normal" places like I went on the west coast, but that's based on absolutely nothing so may be rubbish! I guess I'm picturing us having proper old American food in an old fashioned bar and then getting drunk with the locals dancing to live music in the evenings, after a day of exploring a bit of culture together with some fun activities!
Any help?!
Dom
Firstly my apologies for not replying to this sooner - I've been away in Devon for a few days!
Many thanks for all the input, it's great to hear some suggestions and there's certainly some bits I hadn't considered.
To give a bit more info, we're both 26 and enjoy typical bloke things so I'd imagine things like hovercraft rides, NASCAR, quads/karts, skiing, snow tubing etc would be our kind of thing, though we do also want to eat in some cool places (authentic, not expensive chic!) and will certainly be drinking fairly heavily. I did a west coast road trip fairly recently where I went to San Francisco, Laguna beach, Vegas and Hollywood etc (amongst a few others) so ideally I'd explore somewhere new this time. We'd kind if been thinking about places like Chicago, New Orleans, West Virginia etc just because they seem a bit different to us - wed quite like to experience slightly different cultures to the more "normal" places like I went on the west coast, but that's based on absolutely nothing so may be rubbish! I guess I'm picturing us having proper old American food in an old fashioned bar and then getting drunk with the locals dancing to live music in the evenings, after a day of exploring a bit of culture together with some fun activities!
Any help?!
Dom
Doing something around Washington and the smokies may make a difference between Jan and Apr, We did Shenandoah NP the blue ridge parkway and Smokey mountain NP in March/April and for the most part the weather was pretty good, Cool but not cold. Most of the touristy bits were just opening up for the season (it was Easter weekend) and not too busy. There is defiantly a different culture in that part of the US to the west coast, but then its different between California and Oregon and they are neighbours, although to be fair, once a town gets to a certain size they are all pretty much the same no matter where they are.
If you want to meet some character's then January snowmobiling in west Yellowstone will see you with the cream of red neck petrol heads. They flock there in winter as there are miles of pretty decent snowmobile trails in that part of ID/MT, and most use snowmobile's to get around town as well. Best access to the park is by snow coach though.
If you want to meet some character's then January snowmobiling in west Yellowstone will see you with the cream of red neck petrol heads. They flock there in winter as there are miles of pretty decent snowmobile trails in that part of ID/MT, and most use snowmobile's to get around town as well. Best access to the park is by snow coach though.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff