Swiss Family Road Trip -- Route 66 & more!

Dear Jamie

just found the website and I think it is a great idea. We are from Switzerland and we will be three months in the US as a family (with two boys, 6 and 4).

Early March we will land in Dallas and rent a Camper/Motorhome (with 5500 free Miles :)). At last, we will fly off from L.A at the end of May. We are not only traveling but also visiting friends on the way. We have to stop in Edmonds (OK), Albuquerque, Phoenix and Redding (CA).

For the road-trip in between we have about 1 1/2 months left. We thought about taking our time. We would like to come through Las Vegas as well and by the end we planned driving Highway1 down the coast.

What would be the best route?

Where should we drive through from Albuquerque? Up North through the parks or down south?

PS: I have already been on a half-year roadtrip as a young man across the country and more. And we've been in the western part for one month as a couple.

Thanks for your advice...

Greetings from Switzerland (where you should one day plan a roadtrip... :) You would be welcome at our place!)


Michael

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Dear Michael --

Many thanks for writing in to Road Trip USA, and I would love to do a road trip around the Swiss Alps! I have seen the Matterhorn at Disneyland many times, and suspect the "real one" is even more impressive!

:-)

I am very glad to hear you have enjoyed your previous trips here, and hope I can help you show your kids what fun it can be to see the USA.

From Oklahoma City (home to the most exciting NBA basketball team -- the Thunder!), your choice of route is pretty easy: Route 66. A classic, and well worth savouring. I'd encourage to take Route 66 as far as Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, with a detour down to Phoenix to see you friend there. And if the weather cooperates, I;d recommend taking a trip north to see Monument Valley and the wonderful national parks of Utah -- Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, Zion and more.

With your young boys, you will enjoy the many chances for great views, amazing scenes and many short but invigorating hikes.

Then you can loop back via Las Vegas, and perhaps Death Valley, on to Redding in northern California, then wind down Hwy-1 along the California coast.

Magic!

Depending upon what routes you follow, there are a couple of special places I'd recommend. The main one that came to mind is the old "ghost town" of Bodie California, north of Death Valley on the shore of eerie Mono Lake. It is a state park, and should be lovely in April (depending upon weather).

Also, make sure you see the northern California coast -- the coastal village of Mendocino, and the giant redwoods of the "Avenue of the Giants" near Arcata in Humboldt County. These massive, towering trees (the tallest on the planet!) will be lodged in any young memory, for sure.

Also fun are Tombstone Arizona (where actors stage regular "Wild West" gunfights on Main Street!), and of course Disneyland.

Hope this helps.

Happy Trails,



Jamie Jensen
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Road Trip USA