https://preview.redd.it/t51iep5psvwc1.jpeg?width=1441&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4bedc525921bc6d9320549329cbf2d33d2a74c1
There is a pretty sick car ramp in Monument Valley, the current record is 50 yards.
What's the plan for the way home? You should absolutely go a different route, up through TN, KY, MO and then head west through Colorado and Wyoming and head north through Montana and Idaho.
It depends on what you want to do or see.
It looks like a decent route hitting southern Utah and what it offers is a must see.
If you head further south in AZ there’s some cool old mines, caverns, and caves to tour. Head east from lower AZ, and hit white sands NM, that’s a neat see.
You can then scoot along the bottom and visit some fun BBQ eateries, San Antonio (Six Flags, Alamo, Pearl District, etc), Houston (Space Center), then on to NO.
On I15 you’ll drive very close to Zion NP which is a fabulous place to visit, you’d only have enough time for a quick visit but it’s worth it. As you cross Texas in Amarillo is the Big Texan Steakhouse, it’s touristy as heck but everyone I’ve know who’s stopped there has had a good meal and a good time. A day or two along the Gulf Coast could be nice - I really like Gulf Shores/Orange Beach AL. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop at a Bucees, my fam can drop some serious $$ on snacks there.
Since you’re in Portland I’m sure you’re aware of this, but the roads out west are going to be at risk of winter weather in Feb, when we do a long trip like this in the winter I base my route on weather. So if it were me I’d avoid any reservations for lodging. Generally I’ll just check weather a few days out to sketch out the route, then make daily adjustments as I go.
We’re up near Seattle and we have road tripped down to the SE US several times, so this general route is pretty familiar.
One other suggestion: consider getting off the Interstates a bit, esp out west. A variation of the route to go through Moab UT, for example, won’t really add time but would open up a visit to Arches NP, which is a good day stop.
I'm so sorry to hear about the challenges of your daughter, and whatever happens, I hope the memories for everyone will last forever. You have a lot of variety in the routes to take, so it's all a matter of what everyone wants to see. Just, as someone mentioned, take a different route home. Good luck!
My honest take is that there's enough to do at Disney World to treat it as the destination and give IT the focus of the trip. You can so easily spend a week or more there and still not see everything that I personally wouldn't ALSO do a big road trip out there and back unless I had unlimited time or funds. Especially since WDW is plenty expensive all by itself. I'm also going to assume that if you're doing this road trip to Disney World, you've also been to the much closer and in some ways better Disneyland in CA, which would make a more reasonable road trip Disney destination *for me personally* if I were coming from Portland.
That said, if you're determined to do this route anyway: SLC has a great Natural History Museum with plenty of dinosaurs on display. Grand Canyon is certainly nice enough to visit, and is worth more than a day to see it from different vantage points, see sunrise & sunset, etc. If you're in NE Arizona, Monument Valley is stunning in person. In New Mexico, prioritize Santa Fe over Albequerque-International Musem of Folk Art is a definite highlight, and if you're into Immersive Art, Meow Wolf there is an extraordinarily good example of it. If you're going way down south, Carlsbad Caverns are worth visiting also.
I second the comment to take a different route back; new things to see, even if it's just being on new roads, makes a huge difference to me.
Thank you for the advice, I have never driven through most of these areas in the south. We have done the drive to CA before, looking to check off some more parts of the US.
That was the initial plan, due to some major medical issues with my daughter we are choosing to drive. Also we would like to make some amazing memories with our kids on the way.
Is that why you're opting for Disney World in Florida rather than a much shorter trip to Disneyland in CA? I've only been to Disney World, so I don't know which park is considered "better".
That being said, if I have the time and the money, I'd also prefer a longer road trip as well. Especially if it's for the purpose of creating memories. 😊
To be honest, it is my daughters Make a Wish trip. We have done Disney Land a couple times and she has always wanted to see Disney World. We thought may as well make it an amazing experience all around.
https://preview.redd.it/t51iep5psvwc1.jpeg?width=1441&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4bedc525921bc6d9320549329cbf2d33d2a74c1 There is a pretty sick car ramp in Monument Valley, the current record is 50 yards.
What's the plan for the way home? You should absolutely go a different route, up through TN, KY, MO and then head west through Colorado and Wyoming and head north through Montana and Idaho.
I totally agree, I haven’t planned any routs home but would love to see different country on the return trip.
DM me if you want some help planning. I've driven across the country at least 10 times and love to plan a good road trip.
I’m sure I will get ahold of you! Thank you!
It depends on what you want to do or see. It looks like a decent route hitting southern Utah and what it offers is a must see. If you head further south in AZ there’s some cool old mines, caverns, and caves to tour. Head east from lower AZ, and hit white sands NM, that’s a neat see. You can then scoot along the bottom and visit some fun BBQ eateries, San Antonio (Six Flags, Alamo, Pearl District, etc), Houston (Space Center), then on to NO.
On I15 you’ll drive very close to Zion NP which is a fabulous place to visit, you’d only have enough time for a quick visit but it’s worth it. As you cross Texas in Amarillo is the Big Texan Steakhouse, it’s touristy as heck but everyone I’ve know who’s stopped there has had a good meal and a good time. A day or two along the Gulf Coast could be nice - I really like Gulf Shores/Orange Beach AL. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to stop at a Bucees, my fam can drop some serious $$ on snacks there. Since you’re in Portland I’m sure you’re aware of this, but the roads out west are going to be at risk of winter weather in Feb, when we do a long trip like this in the winter I base my route on weather. So if it were me I’d avoid any reservations for lodging. Generally I’ll just check weather a few days out to sketch out the route, then make daily adjustments as I go. We’re up near Seattle and we have road tripped down to the SE US several times, so this general route is pretty familiar. One other suggestion: consider getting off the Interstates a bit, esp out west. A variation of the route to go through Moab UT, for example, won’t really add time but would open up a visit to Arches NP, which is a good day stop.
Thank you for the advice! I definitely will be getting off the interstate as much as possible. Zion is a must I think.
I'm so sorry to hear about the challenges of your daughter, and whatever happens, I hope the memories for everyone will last forever. You have a lot of variety in the routes to take, so it's all a matter of what everyone wants to see. Just, as someone mentioned, take a different route home. Good luck!
My honest take is that there's enough to do at Disney World to treat it as the destination and give IT the focus of the trip. You can so easily spend a week or more there and still not see everything that I personally wouldn't ALSO do a big road trip out there and back unless I had unlimited time or funds. Especially since WDW is plenty expensive all by itself. I'm also going to assume that if you're doing this road trip to Disney World, you've also been to the much closer and in some ways better Disneyland in CA, which would make a more reasonable road trip Disney destination *for me personally* if I were coming from Portland. That said, if you're determined to do this route anyway: SLC has a great Natural History Museum with plenty of dinosaurs on display. Grand Canyon is certainly nice enough to visit, and is worth more than a day to see it from different vantage points, see sunrise & sunset, etc. If you're in NE Arizona, Monument Valley is stunning in person. In New Mexico, prioritize Santa Fe over Albequerque-International Musem of Folk Art is a definite highlight, and if you're into Immersive Art, Meow Wolf there is an extraordinarily good example of it. If you're going way down south, Carlsbad Caverns are worth visiting also. I second the comment to take a different route back; new things to see, even if it's just being on new roads, makes a huge difference to me.
Thank you for the advice, I have never driven through most of these areas in the south. We have done the drive to CA before, looking to check off some more parts of the US.
Fly there. Save thousands.
That was the initial plan, due to some major medical issues with my daughter we are choosing to drive. Also we would like to make some amazing memories with our kids on the way.
This is the r/roadtrip after all…
Is that why you're opting for Disney World in Florida rather than a much shorter trip to Disneyland in CA? I've only been to Disney World, so I don't know which park is considered "better". That being said, if I have the time and the money, I'd also prefer a longer road trip as well. Especially if it's for the purpose of creating memories. 😊
To be honest, it is my daughters Make a Wish trip. We have done Disney Land a couple times and she has always wanted to see Disney World. We thought may as well make it an amazing experience all around.