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Road Trip Advice

Newcastle, United...
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Road Trip Advice
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Hi Y'all

I'm planning on celebrating my big 50 next year by having a 3 week break in the USA. Having made the grand trip from Dallas to LA by Trailways when I was 18 I would love to re-discover some of that road trip wonder with my GLW and family. The plan is that we fly out to Las Vegas, spend about 3-4 days on the Strip and then book a hire car to drive down through the old cowboy towns, see the scenery and visit a few famous spots. I have planned a rough itinery using google maps but I realise that this isn't exactly ideal as it doesn't help much in the way of ideal spots to visit or stop overnight.

There will be between 4 and 6 adults, possibly two vehicles (i have hired a people carrier before in Orlando and would prefer something more exotic/comfortable for a long trip) and I am aiming on no less than 300 miles per day up to 450 miles per day.

I have allocated 5 days for travelling/sightseeing and would like to get to New Orleans if possible (although San Antonio is probably more realistic) with the only two requirements being I must visit Sanderson, Tx and Sheffield, Tx on route. We are then planning to fly to Orlando for our final week.

Any suggestions/Ideas would be deeply appreciated. I am not planning to travel until next October so still plenty of time to organise.

Tucson, Arizona
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Tell us your rough itinerary. For starters, it's 1800 miles from Las Vegas to New Orleans, or 4-6 days of driving per your preferences. This makes for a "drive by" vacation with little time to stop and see anything.

Is a people carrier what we call a "mini-van" in the US? For example, a Dodge Caravan or Chrysler Town and Country?

Not sure what "cowboy towns" you want to see. In Arizona you might want to visit Wickieup and Wickenburg northwest of Phoenix, and then Tombstone southeast of Tucson, but your schedule doesn't really leave time to actually see anything. With the exception of Tombstone, you'll not find the kinds of things you have seen in movies and on TV as the "Wild West." That's more myth than reality.

Google and Yahoo are good for making rough plans, but I would suggest that you buy a large format paperback road atlas of the US for detailed planning.

Uden, The...
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Sheffield and Sanderson are on the most southern part of Texas. We''ve been to both but just en route (of course). Won't ask what you are planning in those hamlets. Considering those place it seems best to drive from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon first which will be the highlight of your trip. Also I don't understand what you mean by "Cowbowtowns" You might visit Tombstone as mentioned. Also this route (Las Vegas-San Antonio) gives you the chance to see Big ben NP. Not often visited and a real gem.

This could be your route:

Las Vegas-Hoover Dam-Gtand Canyon NP-Phoenix-Tucson-Tombstone-Bisbee-Las Cruces-White Sands NM-Carlsbad Caverns NP-Guadalupe NP-Davis Mountains-Big Bend NP-Sanderson-Sheffield-San Antonio. This will be a 10 days trip at least.

Tet

Newcastle, United...
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Thanks Bobbear and Tet 14 for your responses. I appreciate that it is quite a distance and that most of the "sightseeing" will probably take place through the vehicle windows. Its actually the driving bit that I am looking forward to and at this stage I am looking to see if there are convenient places to stop overnight as well as interesting places to pass through.

My reference to "old cowboy towns" was not meant to be taken literally. As I said, I passed through Phoenix, Tucson and El Paso 30 odd years ago and they certainly were not one horse towns back then. Its more the fact that having been there I can then say to my kids and grandkids "I've been there" every time we watch an old cowboy movie! Mind, at my age they will probably think that I was there at the same time as the cowboys!

I shall have to accept that New Orleans is a destination too far on this occasion and settle for San Antonio (at least I can remember the Alamo).

I had provisionally planned my trip as follows:-

Las Vegas to Phoenix (via Hoover Dam)

Phoenix to El Paso

El Paso to Sanderson

Sanderson to San antonio (via Sheffield, Junction, Comfort etc.)

The visits to Sanderson and Sheffield have family connections relevant to back here in the UK. I'm hoping that they will have place names so that we can have photographs taken.

If anybody can advise on whether these aims are realistic and hopefully recommend stop over sites it would be appreciated.

Bobbear, I was refering to your Chrysler Voyager type vehicle. I would much rather prefer a big Lincoln.

Uden, The...
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Ok

For 6 people maybe 2 Lincoln Town Cars. My favorite car too!

To see most of some '" old" sights maybe take this route. 5 days it is:

Day 1: Leave Las Vegas on 93. Make a stop at Hoover Dam (parking at the Arizona side is free, if you can find a spot). Then drive 93 to Kingman. Take I40 for 5 miles to exit 53 and continue on the "Mother Road" R 66. Make sure to stop at Hackberry for a cold or warm drink and explore the old R66 outside museum. Amazing. Then to Valentine (maybe take a picture for your Valentine Card )and on to Seligman. Another must stop on R66. You'll see why. Great hamburgers at Delgadillo's and the show of the owner is for free. Then hit I40 again. Drive through Williams and continue to Flagstaff for the night. A good 300 miles via R66 from Las Vegas to Flagstaff. Find a hotel on R66 close to the trains,gives you the best Western feeling at night -lol-

Day 2: Drive 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona. A great route. Stop at Oak Creek Canyon for the overviews and maybe a short visit to Slide Rock SP. You won't have time to explore Sedona thoroughly but take an hour or so to admire the red rocks. Then take az179 and pay a short visit to Chapel of the Holy Cross on your left hand side in Sedona. Continue to Montezula Castle for a short visit and drive I17 towards Phoenix. Maybe a stop at the Rock Springs cafe (exit 242) for a famous pie. Pass through Phoenix and head for Tucson for the night.This also will be a good 300 miles Flagstaff-Tucson with the detours.

Day 3: At least visit Sonora Desert Museum west of Tucson for a couple of hours. Best place to learn about the desert and you'll also see a lot of Saguaro Cacti. Hit the road again before noon and head for Tombstone for a visit. Back to I10 and drive to Willcox which has ample lodging. Short drive this day. Count on 175 miles.

Day 4: A long driving day. Start I10 east again into New Mexico. Pay a short visit to Steins Ghosttown just across the border on your left hand side before Lordsburg. Drive to Las Cruces, to El Paso and to Van Horn along I10. 16 hotels are waiting for you. Not much here.

You're on the road for app. 400 miles this day.

Day 5: This will be a long day to before you reach Sanderson.

Take us90 from Van Horn to Marfa. There's an old hotel (Hotel Paisano) with a lot of history and a fine County Courthouse. Then take us 67 to Presidio and tx170 along Rio Grande. This is a magnificent stretch of road. There's an old movie set just before Lajitas. Drive through Big Bend NP and north on us 385 to Marathon. Another classis hotel here (Gage Hotel). The last part of us90 to Sanderson is not bad at all. Count on app 375 miles between Van Horn and Sanderson. October is a great time of year to visit. No need to make reservations.(Unless you want to stay in Big Bend)

I did not mention about Grand Canyon NP. If you never have been there, it's top priorty but you were asking for a driving trip. Many more possibilities. This is just one of them and I'm sure others will provide more idea's.

Tet

Uden, The...
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For day three, from Tombstone maybe continue to Bisbee for the night. Great town. Then next day drive az80 back to I10 again and see Geronimo's statue along the road close to the NM border.

Tucson, Arizona
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Sanderson will definitely have a sign. There's a bit of a "Main Street" area with an ice cream shop and a bar at the least. I'm not sure there are motels there though. There are up the road in Marathon and Alpine, however. I think you'll appreciate Alpine.

Sheffield's pretty bleak though. There's a sign for it on I-10 I'm certain, but there should also be a sign when you enter (almost all Texas towns have one).

And, between Sanderson and Sheffield, you'll see a little road on the map that branches off 285, RM 2400. Strongly recommend this road for getting far off the beaten path without it getting too crazy (i.e. - unpaved).

On the way from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, try hitting Oatman, which is on the old Route 66 west of Kingman. It's famous for its wild burros that hang around the town looking for hand-outs, but is also an old mining town. Jerome, between Prescott and Sedona, is similar but more tourist-oriented.

And, for old cowboy nature, you may appreciate Prescott in that same area. They have what's called "Whiskey Row" which is, essentially, a string of bars that used to be mostly brothels. Prescott's also a gorgeous town.

Also, between Tucson and New Mexico is Willcox, known for being the home of the famous cowboy actor from the early 20th century Rex Allen. They have a Rex Allen Museum and a couple of other cowboy-oriented things in the town. Benson is also somewhat cowboy-oriented.

hth

Newcastle, United...
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2 fantastic replies, I shall certainly be poring over the maps and trying to fit those recommendations into my route. Keep them coming, I'm interested in any suggestions. Bear in mind that places of interest dont need to be cowboy orientated. Being a Brit it seems from a distance that these parts of the US are synonymous with cowboy and indian history so that is what I am expecting to find. Please bear in mind that my journey must also end near an airport that does direct flights to Orlando and needs to be no more than 5 days (6 at a push).

Tet14, how on earth do you have such a detailed knowledge of Arizona yet hail from the Netherlands?

I see from your profile that you have been all over the world, is this through your job or are you just very rich?

Tucson, Arizona
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There's cowboy and Native American history in the majority of the places of the Southwest, but it's not typically in a manner that lends itself well to the Hollywood idea of the two groups and their interactions during the frontier times. Even Phoenix and Tucson have their Native American histories laid out at museums. Two of the better sites related to that in this region for that would be Fort Bowie National Monument and Cochise Stronghold, both close to Willcox. They have to do with the Chiricahuan Apaches' long struggle against the US Army in the late 19th century.

Non-stops to Orlando can be had at Phoenix and Houston. Also available at San Antonio and Albuquerque, but only on Southwest.

hth

Uden, The...
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I used to be very rich Whoarallthepies, but after all that traveling not much left haha. And I'm just a tourist crazy about the SW. Just back from another 8000+ miles/8 weeks trip. Actually we passed Shieffield last month and yes, there's a sign and a Statepark. Didnot stop though (Stayed night in Ozona). It's 80mph on I10 between El Paso and Kerrville. Watch your speed in Juncktion!

Tet

Newcastle, United...
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Cool!

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