Based on feedback that I have received from fellow TA travelers, I have adjusted this schedule and wanted to re-post for additional feedback. I apologize for the long post (and posting it in multiple places). Not sure where to post something like this. In early April of 2008, I will start a three-week journey driving from Raleigh, NC ending in Sacramento, CA. I have bought a book called “120 Scenic Drives in America” and I am using this to help guide my route. The real purpose of the trip is to see the country, significant points of interest along the way, and just get away.
Below is what I have laid out– and is subject to additional change based on my fellow TA’s advice. I have attempted to split it up to drive around 200 miles/day. The places that seem a bit strange to stop are those places along my routes that have a TA highly rated place to stay that are in my price range (~$100/night). I frequent Hampton Inns and that class of hotel. I will need internet connectivity along the way as I will be working some. If you know of a “must see” close to my route, please let me know.
Any input or advice on my journey would be very much appreciated. I am very open to your suggestions – I have received awesome advice from you guys thus far.
Day 1: Raleigh, NC to Lewisburg, WV. One of the “scenic drives”, the Midland Trail, starts in White Sulphur Springs, WV to and goes to Charleston, WV. 244 miles.
Day 2: Lewisburg, WV to Morehead, KY. Finishes the Midland Trail. 225 miles.
Day 3: Morehead, KY to Cave City, KY. Route includes the “Bluegrass to Pennroyal” drive. 239 miles.
Day 4: Cave City, KY to Metropolis, IL. Finish the “Bluegrass to Pennroyal” drive and get a little gambling in Metropolis. 184 miles.
Day 5: Metropolis, IL to Mt. Vernon, IL via the “Shawnee Hills Scenic Byway” along the IL/KY border. 155 miles.
Day 6: Mt. Vernon, IL to Jefferson City, MO. Will start the “Missouri Rhineland” drive. 221 miles.
Day 7: Jefferson City, MO to Topeka, KS. 221 miles.
Day 8: Topeka, KS to Oklahoma City, OK. 285 miles.
Day 9: Oklahoma City, OK to Amarillo, TX. 275 miles.
Day 10: Amarillo, TX Raton, NM. 215 miles. (Via Clayon, NM to start one of the scenic drives along northern NM.)
Day 11: Raton, NM to Santa Fe, NM. 167 miles. (May stay in Albuquerque instead).
Day 12: Santa Fe, NM to Winslow, AZ. 325 miles.
Day 13 and 14: Winslow, AZ to Sedona, AZ. For two nights. (via Camp Verde). 149miles.
Day 15: Sedona, AZ to Williams, AZ early to catch the steam train to see the GC. 61 miles.
Day 16: Williams, AZ to Las Vegas, NV. Via “Route 66”. 217 miles.
Day 17: Las Vegas, NV to Stovepipe Wells, CA. 152 miles.
Day 18 Stovepipe Wells, CA to Mammoth Lake or Lee Vining, CA. 180 miles.
Day 19 and 20: Mammoth Lake or Lee Vining, CA to S. Lake Tahoe. For two nights. 138 miles.
Day 21: S. Lake Tahoe to Sacramento, CA. 110 miles.
Day 22: Fly back to NC.
Cross Country Trip%26ndash;Feedback on Route? (Updated/Reposted)
Hi, Wincherr,
I saw your post on the Taos board and evidently you have made some changes based on their recommendations. Of the areas I know, you have made some improvements.
Two comments:
1. the drive from Clayton to Santa Rosa is one of my favorites ---but you better like New Mexico ranch country to agree with me. :%26lt;)) We take a short cut from the east side of Amarillo. Post back if you are interested - might not work with your hotel plans.
2. If would be a real shame, IMHO, for you to drive so far and miss the city of Santa Fe.
I just must ask: are you sure you want to do that much driving every day??? That sounds rather exhausting to me -- twenty-one straight days of driving four to five hours.
And, have you been to the West before? I personally think the endless vistas and rolling hills of the prairie are absolutely beautiful, but you will have a lot of that, and if it%26#39;s not what you are expecting, it could prove to seem to be monotonous to you.
In any case, this sounds like a wonderful adventure. I sincerely hope you will post trip reports. Best of luck in planning and travelling!
Cross Country Trip%26ndash;Feedback on Route? (Updated/Reposted)
2.5 to 3 hours a day driving doesn%26#39;t seem too bad to me. Even with stops for gas, food and breaks, it still won%26#39;t be more than 3.5 hours (except the Topeka to OKC leg.) And from the way you%26#39;ve stated it, there will be long breaks on ech leg.
It sounds ambitious, and overall it is a long drive. But it also sounds like fun the way you are planning to do it.
Good luck!
Thanks for your feedback Sofibella. I would be interested in that shortcut - I haven%26#39;t made any hotel reservations. I do plan to over night in Santa Fe.
I have been to the West Coast - but never the plain states. I decided when planning this trip that I had rather drive 4 hours every day than drive 8 hours and skip a day.
Again, thanks!
Oh, I see this itinerary lists a night in Santa Fe. Sorry! Perhaps I was going off your previous itinerary.
As for the Amarillo shortcut:, if you wish to overnight in Amarillo, it might not be what you want to do, as the nicer hotel areas are on the west side of the city.
It%26#39;s just one suggestion for you to consider.
What works for us in driving to Santa Fe is to spend the night in Dalhart instead of Amarillo (as far as distance and hours are concerned).
I will post the cut-off highway numbers and directions after I consult with my husband. He is the navigator in the family. :%26lt;)
Please forgive me: the cut-off does not apply to your route to Santa Fe. I was confused: thinking of the route we take to Colorado Springs. I am so sorry and embarrassed.
If I haven%26#39;t lost total credibility, you might enjoy a scenic drive from I-40 to SF instead of turning north at Clines Corner.
Again, need to confer with husband for exact info.
Again, my apologies!
You%26#39;ll find almost nothing between OKC and Amarillo, unless you are a fan of Route 66. And, IMHO, Amarillo is a place not to stay unless you have to. I would suggest heading on toward Clayton, where you will find a wonderful old hotel, the Eklund http://www.theeklund.com/ This would give you a head start on the scenic drive in northern NM.
I would then by-pass Raton and either spend a night in Taos or head into Santa Fe early. By driving a long day out of OKC, you could add some time in NM. And trust me: western OK and the TX panhandle don%26#39;t offer a lot of scenic or historic diversions. Personally, I would much rather drive a long day to have more time in north central NM than meander across the great spaces between El Reno and Clayton.
Thanks TwoProfs. I am reworking my schedule in this area so your timing was great. I will take your advice and repost in a few weeks.
Hello, again,
Here are the details on the scenic drive I mentioned.
East of Clines Corner where we usually turn north to Santa Fe is a state highway going to Ribera.
We went this way on one occasion and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery. It%26#39;s a rather winding road; crosses the Pecos River three times; offers many picturesque vistas; and gives you a wonderful view of rural New Mexico.
In the village of Ribera is a cafe I recommend: La Risa. We had a delightful lunch there on the patio. We appeared to be the only tourists - lots of locals. A pleasant time and a great contrast to the Santa Fe experience.
elvalle.com/larisa/
I would like for a local to confirm the following as my map is hard to read with certainty: I believe it is State Highway 3; Exit 230; twelve miles before the Clines Corner; it forks and you would take the northwest fork to Ribera.
You would then pick up I25 and head west to Santa Fe.
Have a wonderful time!
Thanks SofiBella!
A few recommendations for things to see along your route:
(1) Between Topeka and Oklahoma City stop at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve for an hour or so. It%26#39;s off the freeway a few miles. The most beautiful rolling grassland you can imagine.
(2) Near Amarillo go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. A mini-grand canyon well worth seeing.
(3) Between Amarillo and Raton, visit Capulin Mountain which is an old extinct volcano, and then take the back road from Folsom to Raton across Johnson Mesa. Great scenery, remote area.
April is the month that the Ocotillo blooms in the deserts of southern Arizona. A lovely orange bloom. April is probably the best month to visit the desert. Tucscon and the Saguaro National Monument are probably the best places to go.
I would go to the Arizona desert rather than Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. Too cold in April at Tahoe and California is overcrowded. Fly back to NC from Tucson or Phoenix
