niftyfifty

Hi,

Am traveling to the U.S form Australia for 2 months, doing the east coast with friends. Then going west.
Going to be in San fransisco for 3 days then driving wherever to eventually end up in Chicago. I have 2 weeks for this trip and would appreciate any suggestions.
Will be traveling alone for this part of the trip.
Am not the fittest person so camping and long walks definetly out.

Thanking you in advance.

Niftyfifty

PaulRabe

What time of the year will you doing this trip?

During summer and early fall, the national parks between SF and Chicago are some of the best places the US has to offer. You can visit all of them and barely leave your car seat.
During the winter, some are not so inviting.

> appreciate any suggestions

Other than "no long walks," what are your interests? Culture? Museums? Desert beauty? Mountain overlooks? Wildlife? A specific aspect of USA history?

niftyfifty

Thanks Paul,

Traveling in summer late July early August. Love a spectacular view of just about anything and am starting to get into photography.
History and culture of different areas interest me.
Looking forward to the architecture of the cities but in between small towns are the main attraction.

Cheers for reply am a first time user/reader and am enjoying reading lots of threads.

PaulRabe

If traveling in summer, then take (what I and others call) the Northern Route. With two weeks, you won't have time for all the great national parks, but you can hit some of the best.

This would mean Yosemite NP; then north to Portland, Oregon; then east through the Columbia Gorge and on to Yellowstone and Grant Teton; Glacier NP if you have the time; then the Black Hills and Badlands NP; and then on to Chicago.

You will note that the only city I'm recommending is Portland. That's because the best of what to see between these two cities is in the national parks.

niftyfifty

Thanks will research above and try and map out a rough plan.
Was going to wing it and just get in the car and drive wherever, but reading other threads looks as if it may be very busy at this time so might need to book a few places in advance.
Your input is very much appreciated as have no real idea what I want to do in these 2 weeks.
Have been to the states before many many years ago when I was much younger and a really good bar would have made me happy.
Have matured a bit since then, still enjoy a very nice wine now and then so may try some Californian Red.
Have not been to this area so am really looking forward to getting away and experiencing your wonderful hospitality.

easytraveler

I'm looking at your time allotment: one and half months on the East Coast, 3 days in San Francisco and then about 10/11 days for everything between SF and Chicago? or are you planning on spending a few of those days in Chicago?

It takes about three days just to drive straight from SF to Chicago.

Your schedule really doesn't leave you much time to enjoy even a few places.

Not trying to discourage you, but wouldn't it be better to fly to Chicago from the East Coast? Then fly to whatever destination in the Western States that you choose and do a smaller drive/less time driving around a few great national parks?

niftyfifty

Original plan was to have 2 weeks to drive San Francisco north but have now decided to meet up with friends in Chicago,( where I will stay 4 days but have 14 days to get there).
Not doing 1 1/2 months east coast. Starting in Vegas actually then flying to NYC, doing that with sisters should be a blast. They will return home to Oz after 3 weeks and I stay to enjoy what ever takes my fancy.
Realize there is a lot to see but would like to do as much as I can, assume this will be my last big trip away from home.
I am not much of a planner more "fly by the seat of my pants" type of person, drive somewhere and if I like it stay until I want to move on. As it is summer and holiday season whilst I am in this area I assume this might be a bit difficult. So m trying to get some idea of what to see, do and book before I arrive.
All very daunting!!!
Thanks so much for everyone's thoughts and ideas, if I miss some places I really should see it may be incentive to continue saving and come back.
It has taken me years to save for this so can't see that happening. 3 months is a long time to have off work.

easytraveler

OK, but I'm (and probably others are) still sketchy on your exact itinerary. You are correct that you need to make reservations (far) ahead of time in some places, so it's really not a "wing it" kind of trip.

Not pressing you, but if how wisely you spend your hard-earned and hard-saved dollars is important, then a bit more planning needs to happen to get the best bang for your buck.

If you are starting out in Las Vegas, then that would be the logical place to drive to several of the best national parks in the West, such as Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon as well as getting into the Navajo Nation and visiting Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly. You should allot a minimum of about 10-14 days for this portion, depending on how many places you want to visit. Additionally, returning the car where you picked it up - Las Vegas - will also save you quite a bit of money in drop-off charges. (Some visitors are able to rent a car without those hundreds of dollars in drop-off charges, maybe some other Fodorite can help you out on this).

Next fly to East Coast/Chicago.

Next fly to some part of the West that you want to visit - Yellowstone, Grand Tetons or Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia or California. Rent a car, drive around, return car to same airport.

Lastly, fly to San Francisco, enjoy SF, then fly home.

Once you have an outline of your trip, you can start making reservations at the critical locations.

Good luck on your planning - it's half the fun of travel!

niftyfifty

Thanks for the reply, yes just working out winging it maybe not best option on this one!
Really appreciate your input, and if I was tavelling alone for all of my trip things would be very different. I am the lucky one who has 10 weeks of travel whilst others have only 2 or 3.
Hence the west/east/west/east etc
Just to confuse you even further flying home via Hawaii leaving from San Diego.

Am now thinking of going north from San Francisco along coast for 4 nights then head east to YNP and will try to get to black hills and badlands national park also then into Chicago as planned 14 days after I leave San Francisco.

Cheers for everything on Foodors would really be stuck if I had just turned up as originally thought I could.

Planning part fun? Interesting yes fun I am not so sure will keep a very open mind about it though.