Hi,

Im in need of help!! Trying to plan a trip starting in Las Vegas then on route to Montreal, after that bit of New England and then finishing in Boston.

IS this too big a trip for a month. Just not sure on how or what to do for best!!
Can anyone give advice before i pull out my hair... ta very much.

Go to www.mapquest.com or use google maps to enter destinations and get drive times and distances.

How much ground you cover depends on how you like to travel.

A month is more than enough time to drive that route.

It should be great as long as you avoid winter months. Sounds like plenty of time, and a great trip!

Ta very much. AS for when we are going... fingers crossed should be in March - April time.

At that time of year you need to watch weather reports and be prepared to avoid Minnesota and Wisconsin. We sometimes get dumped with snow at that time of year.

Try to make it April or even a bit later. Its still fairly cool and it could be down right cold up north that time of year... If you have a full month for your travels and plan on doing any driving try and plan some of your travels off the Interstate Highways. That way you will see something of the country besides all the big trucks. Getting there can be half the fun..

At that time of the year, I'd take a more southernly drive across to the East Coast and then head north to Boston, New England and Montreal depending on weather reports.

Maybe Las Vegas to Washington, DC and then head north?

It would be better to plan a trip to those destinations a couple of months later.

Ta very much one and all....

I will def double check on weather... although i would rather go when its colder than too hot... not good in heat plus places are always better when its chilly!!!

Isnt going too far off beaten track a dodgy idea in some places?? or am i being blonde agaiN!?!

Ta very much for help.

"Isnt going too far off beaten track a dodgy idea in some places?? or am i being blonde agaiN!?!"

~~

Only in the larger cities. Most natives in the country side are civilized and don't eat the tourist. A scalp or two our west is sufficient.

haha... i didnt mean for that to be rude!! very sorry....

although just incase i will make sure i keep my hair short!

In March or April the devil may be in the details. From Vegas you could go north through Utah up to Montana, then east; probably you'd avoid too much late snow in the Rockies (as opposed to going via Colorado) but the rest of the northern tier (Dakotas etc.) might be chilly or have some weather challenges.

I'd be more inclined to go south initially, see the Grand Canyon and some of the red rock country around the "4 corners" - Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley etc., then make your way north more gradually. Maybe even go as far as Memphis then follow the Mississippi north before cutting over to New England. You could also go all the way to the Atlantic coast (see Savannah and Charleston, for instance) then north to New England/Quebec from there. Many choices.

However the high rockies and places like Yellowstone may well be wintry still that early, so you probably should develop some contingency plans for various parts of the trip.

As for off the beaten path, no such thing.

Ta very much for help.... weather seems to determin alot of trip.... maybe should re think. Would May be better?

Not keen on summer months... none of us keen on heat plus my little man of 2yrs is coming along.

Ta very much. most appreciated.

May much better

It rarely snows more that a few inches in northern Minnesota in May and usually melts in a day or 2. Yes, May is a better time to travel.

It took us 16 days to do about 3/4 the distance you propose to cover in a MONTH! Yes I think you could easily pull it off. See what you want to and move on. (Milwaukee to Tadoussac north of Quebec City and back to Milwaukee in 16 days)

Get a big 3-ring binder and clear plastic pouches. It is a fantastic organizing tool to prevent getting overwhelmed. Reorganize, insert new data etc. Every detail of every day of a trip can eventually gel and come together in a very clear and fool proof itinerary.

You need to establish some guidelines or parameters.

The primary guide line should be The max hours you will drive and then take a break. (short or long break)
Then you look on a map and find sights to see at that general distance. I also type in the search engine every town I will pass through. It is quite a surprise what pops up now and then that would have otherwise been missed. I then fit in my stops to accommodate those things.

The second is an acceptable kind of attraction guideline. For my trips it is common to avoid museums. They are static displays requiring mental effort to appreciate etc. Usually not in harmony with my teenage companions desires. Exceptions are for those like the Henry Ford near Detroit. Figure out what type you will allow, prefer.

Next I prioritize on the basis of common or unique. Some are the only one like it in the world. Such as the Grand Canyon etc. One of my always rejected is "good restaurant in city xyz" I can get good restaurants at home. But if it is the birth place of the worlds greatest chicken dinosaur burger then I am interested. I always try to make each meal an attraction itself by seeking out the local or uncommon "thing" For example eating at the place with bumper cars and go carts. Or the "Cozy Dog", birthplace of the Corn Dog.

After compiling the attractions print outs in the 3-ring binder pouches I weed out those that just can’t be fit in. What I am left with is an itinerary of every detail of everyday (providing it was properly researched on the web)

Establish parameters and intentions then surf surf surf to fill in the gaps of the basic plan.

Ta very much... i dont think im all that organised to do that!!!

ok new idea... bought some new maps and books today!!!

what about starting in Las Vegas and doing a full circle - incl. Utah and Colorado. Dropping car back to where we started then flying over to Montreal and having a tour of there and New England?? IS that easier than driving all that way or would we just be better off with driving?!!

Plus in the areas of Utah and Colorado and those surrounding areas.... which are the best Indian Reservations to see, if any?!? only one of the people going would love to go....

Sorry for being a pain... just a big trip and i dont wanna get it wrong!

Ta yet again one and all.

Natalie.

Great plan. Two week traveling in the SW and then two weeks traveling in the NE out of Montreal.

GREAT plan!

jesus... didnt expect such a quick reply... ta speedy!!!

i might have to speak with my parents who are the other people coming with me... well its a surprise trip with my divorce settlement!! haha seems husband was good for something....

anyhow ta very much.

If you are traveling with your parents, I STRONGLY recommend the flight between the SW and NE. Gives you more quality sight-seeing time!

yes def think its best option... esp as its only my dad that drives! what with my mini monster coming along for the trip as well.

Last trip we did was easier as 2 drivers... but we didnt cover as much distance.

is it best to book internal flights before we go or once we get there?

Ta very much for help.