jwstipes

hey everyone, taking my first road trip across the states in march and looking for any advice.
ill be going alone, and doing my best to stay with family/friends or camp out wherever possible to save money. i live in santa cruz california and so far my plan is to drive to boise to stay with an old friend for a few days, then to denver for a couple days where i have another friend who will show me around. im thinking of stopping through yellowstone or grand teton on my way to denver rather then driving through salt lake. from denver ill be heading to chicago where i plan to stay in a hostel. then to nashville to stay with family.from the start of the trip until nashville i only have 10 days to spend. any suggestions how to spend them? i then head to texas where ill stay in a hostel, then to durango where ill be staying with family. i will end my trip in san diego. after nashville i have no time limit. this is my "rough draft" https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Felt...37.0513374!3e0

thanks for any suggestions or input :]

Gretchen

No reason to miss Salt Lake City from Yellowstone/Grand Teton--just drop straight south. Certainly much better than driving across Wyoming.
There is a drive through that part that is one of the most beautiful we experienced on a trip west--_____Canyon. I'll find it for you.
By doing this, you then will reach the Rockies from the west driving to Denver on I70 for one spectacular drive.
You can also access Rocky Mountain National Park from the west entrance for another beautiful drive through that beautiful park on the way to Denver. Do NOT miss this part of Colorado.

On your way to Chicago, take a look at the Badlands.

steve1526

Just an FYI - weather is an important factor for the route and time of year you are describing. For example, the only section of Yellowstone that you would be able to visit that time of year is the road between Mammoth and Cooke City. Everything else will be closed www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm Is there anyway of reversing the order of your plans to start with San Diego, Durango, Nashville and then swing north for the last part? I know what could wreak havoc on family and friend politics.... If not, be prepared.

janisj

March is still pretty early in snow country. Are you experienced driving in snow, putting on chains, etc. ? And what sort of car are you taking?

If you have no time limit I'd maybe consider starting out a bit later and then following steve1526's suggestion to reverse the order of things.

tomfuller

I agree with janisj on this one. US 95 through the SE corner of Oregon is rather desolate and could be snow covered (packed ice).
If you want to see Yellowstone, use US 20 over the Targhee Pass and go through West Yellowstone.
If the roads in Yellowstone are still snow covered, you might be able to get a snowcoach tour from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful.
The HI hostel in Chicago (on Congress) is the largest in the US. I don't think there are any HI hostels in Texas.

jwstipes

thank you i hadnt considered the issue of road closures due to snow. i will be making the trip in a scxion xa. being from ca i dont drive in the snow very often, but i do have chains. i will look into reversing the trip, but im not sure its possible. i might skip yellowstone and save it for a future trip and just head straight through salt lake to denver, and then i can make a day trip out to the rocky mountain national park with my friend in denver. any suggestions for secluded hot springs that are swimable?

jwstipes

looks like i will be able to avoid the southest corner of oregon by heading to my cousins near portland for a day or two, before heading east to boise. thanks for the advice, very appreciated.

fmpden

Anytime you are going through the mountains of CO and surrounding area in March you need to be prepared for snow and ice. Remember March is the height of spring skiing. The two biggest snow storms that we have had for the past 35 years in Denver came the week of Christmas and the third week of March. It is rare but it can happen so you need some preparation. My attitude is that if it is bad enough for you to need chains, then you should stay put a day or two. A storm in March will clear fairly quickly and roads will be passable within a day.

The road through Rocky Mt National Park will not open till Memorial day weekend. If the road is not open, there will be little to see in RMNP. Driving to the western approach from Denver is long drive with min benefits. The east approach is closed just pass Estes Park. Your friends in Denver will know what is open and closed.

The road between Salt Lake and Vail is generally pretty dry. From Vail into Denver the potential for snow is greater.

WhereAreWe

>>any suggestions for secluded hot springs that are swimable?>If the road is not open, there will be little to see in RMNP. The east approach is closed just pass Estes Park.

fmpden

It is not bad information, just your opinion and I have mine. We are not talking about a summer but a March trip. Still be a lot of snow. There is a reason that Trail Ridge road doesn't open till Memorial day.

Speaking of questionable information. There are no hot springs in Glenwood canyon. These is a big public hot spring pool in Glenwood itself.

WhereAreWe

No, actually saying the road is closed just beyond Estes Park IS bad information as it is factually incorrect. Please stop telling people that, you've done it before and it is plain and simple wrong.

There is plenty to do in a day trip to the park in March. A lot of snow does not change that, nor does the closure of Trail Ridge Road change that...unless you are inactive and don't get out of the car.

jwstipes

thanks for all the advice, not really sure who to believe about the rockys :/ but im sure ill be able to figure something out once im there. my main concern is whether i should take the longer drive from salt lake and take 70 to denver for the scenic route, or if it will be closed should i just cruise through wyoming on 80 and then approach denver from the north.

fmpden

The common route between Denver and SLC is to take I-15 south past Provo, pickup US6/191 to Green River. Commonly referred to as the "Cut Off."From there I-70 into Denver. Also US 40 all the way through Vernal, Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, then I-70 into Denver. It is good road, four lanes many places, and three lanes on the big climbs. It is not much slower, less than30, 45 minutes. I-70 is no more likely to be closed because of weather than is I-80.