Road Trip Across the United States
- Aimee Heckel
- May 10, 2021
- 5 min read
West to East Road Trip Overview
Total number of days: 27
States visited: 14 states. Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York
Highlights along the way: Las Vegas, Hollywood sign, Oregon Trail, Mount Rushmore, Taliesin, Navy Pier, Liberty Bell, New York
MORE INFORMATION
Major cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York City
Are you going through the desert, mountains, across the plains, and/or over any major rivers? Mostly mountains, desert and plains.
What time of year will you go? Summer
What will the weather be like? It depends on where we are.
How will you prepare for this? All sorts of different clothes (a variety), a swimsuit, all my necessities, etc.
What animals can you expect to find in the areas through which you will be traveling? Birds, rabbits, deer, elk, fish, lizards, etc.
How will you travel? Car, boat, train, bike, horse, or a combination? Car
Will there be any hiking? Yes
Canoe/kayaking? No
Skateboarding? Maybe
Where will you stay? Will you camp outdoors or stay in hotels?
Hotels.
Will you be alone or have other people with you?
Other people: Mom and Dad. (Maybe Grace)
What recreation and entertainment might you pursue on the way? Hiking, historical sites, shopping.
What state and national parks will you be traveling near?
Bryce Canyon National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Hocking Hills State Park, Niagara Falls State Park
Itinerary
Colorado
2 days
Attractions: Pikes Peak
Stay: Broadmoor
Eat: Ristorante Del Lago
Drive: 10 hours 5 mins (605 miles)
Stop in Grand Junction (5 hours each day): Maven Hotel
Utah
Attractions: Bryce Canyon National Park
The sun falls and the animals go to sleep. (Animals include, North American porcupine, mule deer, Uintah chipmunk, Rocky Mountain elk, the Utah prairie dog, common sage lizard, short-horned lizard, Green Basin rattlesnake, etc.) It becomes nightfall. The northern pygmy owls become one with the night. They can’t be heard nor barely seen. They sneak around the exquisite canyon, to only find the sleeping lizard family in a hole.
Stay: (30 minute drive to National Park) Sevier River Retreat
Eat: Showdowns Restaurant
Drive: 3 hours 40 mins (225 miles)
Nevada
Two days
Attractions: Vegas
Eat: Carson Kitchen, The Capital Grill
Drive: 4 hours 7 mins (269 miles)
California
Three days
2 travel stops
Attractions: Los Angeles, Hollywood sign and Rodeo Drive, Universal Studios, Venice Beach
The sun drops, no longer to be seen. Most lights flicker to a stop, but some are still partying. The 98 year-old Hollywood sign sits there all days and all nights, lit up by all the morning lights. Up comes the sun, it's early morning. The sign is still sitting there to greet you when you're waking.
Stay: Ritz Carlton
Eat: Plate and Petal, Perch, Bestia
Drive: 6 hours (382 miles). Stop in San Francisco for one night: Holiday Inn San Francisco-Golden Gateway
5 hours 46 minutes (363 miles). Stop in Medford, Oregon for one night: The Quarters
6 hours 49 minutes (423 miles)
Washington
2 days
Attractions: Mount Rainier National Park
Stay: Candlewood Suites Sumner Hotel
Drive: 8 hours 11 minutes (508 miles)
Stop in Kennewick, Washington, for the night: The Lodge at Columbia Point
Idaho
2 days
Attractions: Oregon Trail
Stay: The Grove Hotel
Eat: The Trillium Restaurant
Drive: About 14 hours (988 miles)
Stop in Salt Lake City, Utah: Salt Lake City Marriott City Center
South Dakota
2 days
Attractions: Mount Rushmore
There sits the 4 main kings, always there, always where? Always ready to make you smile, but only if you stay a while. George Washington, the first of the kings, his head always up high, where he lets the birds sing. On the other side, sits the 16th president. He was a gentleman, with all kinds. “Let them free, let them free” he said with great minds. In the middle sit Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt. Jefferson is always ready to write even if it’s worth a fight. Teddy loves nature, nature oh nature. Which is quite fitting, for him to be splitting this wonderful stone that he can call home.
Stay: Secluded Black Hills Retreat with hot tub and view in Hermosa.
Eat: Lintz Bros. Pizza
Drive: About 11 hours (750 miles)
Stop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (5 hours, 360 miles): Central Scandi-Inspired AirBNB
Wisconsin
Attractions: Taliesin
Stay: Silver Star Inn
Eat: The Kitchen at Arcadia Books Drive: 3 hours 31 minutes to Chicago (drive, no overnight stops)
Illinois
Attractions: Chicago (eat pizza in the Willis Tower), Navy Pier
The Navy Pier is one of Chicago's most viewed attractions; it is 3,300 feet of “pier fun,” such as nice restaurants to fulfill your stomach’s needs and buy some cool souvenirs to remember the awesome trip you went on.
You can't forget the fun activities you can enjoy with your family in the cool breezes of Lake Michigan.
Stay: InterContinental Chicago
Eat: Pizza at the Willis Tower
Drive: About 1 hour (about 50 miles)
Indiana
Attractions: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Porter
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter, Indiana is a magnificent place for finding rare birds; despite the soft sand and incredible foul and sights, it can be quite dangerous letting your children or non-swimmers out in the water.
There are deep holes and random drops in these sandy waters, so beware.
This is the only beach in Indiana that needs lifeguards just in case. And luckily, there are NO sharks.
Stay: Embassy Suites by Hilton
Eat: Eat at hotel
Drive: About 6 hours (338 miles)
Ohio
2 days
Attractions: Hocking Hills State Park
Eat: Hungry Buffalo (axe-throwing and food)
Drive: 8 hours 6 minutes (497 miles)
Stop in Pittsburgh: Embassy Suites by Hilton
Pennsylvania
Attractions: Liberty Bell, Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell was first rung on July 8, 1776. It was rung to announce that the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence would start soon. “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” is written on the Liberty Bell.
Stay: The Logan Philadelphia
Eat: The Rooftop Lounge at the Logan
Drive: 1 hour 46 minutes (98 miles)
New York
5 days
Attractions: Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, American Girl Store, Legoland, Times Square
The cool breeze whistles through my ears as my family and I approach the biggest American Girl Doll store. My eyes open wide as I dash through the open doors. My parents follow slowly behind me.
I touch everything in sight as my eyes keep getting bigger.
After we explore the bottom floor, we head up the escalators; I am in front. There are even more wonders to explore upstairs. I jump around as if I am riding a unicorn through a mystical forest with my talking dog sitting on the unicorn’s elegant horn with rabbits frolicking beside us and birds gliding through the breezy spring day. I am happy!
Stay: Baccarat Hotel
Eat: Grand Salon
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