Just started thinking about next years holidays.. Same as most people I guess.

I am lucky in having 21 days available in September 2012

I want to come back to the States but can only fly single flights from here in the UK. Would love to go to Yellowstone park but also have a hankering for Route 66 - Chicago to LA ( see as much of the of road as will allow) and GC of course

Now if you had a choice which would you do??

Thanks for any replies that might come -- not really that hopeful but lets see

regards

J

I'd be interested to know what your expectations are for Route 66. Much of it is theoretical these days, abandoned alongside the highways that replaced it. Some sections remain a ghost of itself and I understand there are a few spots that are celebrated with diners and other businesses operated by fans of the Mother Road. My husband was part of a team that did a survey of the route years ago for the National Park Service.

Possibly the best use of your 3 weeks would be to find a section of 66 that most interests you to drive and then finish off your visit with a week in Yellowstone. I think 66 alone might prove a disappointment. If you contrived to finish 66 around Flagstaff you could then drive north through canyon country to Yellowstone for more iconic American scenery.

There are a slew of threads here on same subject; do a search using the box above and simply type in Route 66.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...st-to-west.cfm

http://www.historic66.com/

I am thinking you will have to choose between Grand Canyon and Yellowstone.
My thought is to fly from UK to Chicago, rent a car and drive as much of Rt. 66 as you can from Chicago to Albuquerque NM.
From Albuquerque head north on I-25 all the way to northern Wyoming and then head west to Yellowstone. From Yellowstone, head back to Chicago. You could also see Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore on the way back to Chicago.
Some future trip could be to LA and making a loop to see the Grand Canyon and parts of Rt. 66 west of Albuquerque.

If I had a choice, I would arrange my trip around the great parks of the West: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, Bryce, (Death Valley), Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite.

HTTY