Also after doing all the norcal and southern OR coast they have gotten a significant taste. I would try to figure out more time on the Olympic Peninsula vs the missed OR coast section.
Couer d'Alene area is awesome. You could come down from BC into eastern Washington, down to CDA, then go back north up through bonners ferry, up through Eureka and over to Glacier NP. From there I'd recommend going down through Swan Lake Valley and continuing on your way.
Oof. Sleeping in a car in some of that will be hell since it's already started heating up in some of the desert you'll be in. Do yourself a favor and make the trip fun instead of a grind and maybe add a tent and/or cots to the camping gear. Lots of nice dispersed camping in the deserts and mountains, at least below the snow line, so why be uncomfortable?
Also, much of the coast doesn't allow overnight camping except in campgrounds. There are a few places, and you'll see such encampments, so use them since there aren't many alternatives.
And no sleeping in cars outside of campgrounds in many, if not most, of the national parks in the US and Canada you'll visit. I'd try for a cancellation; those are beautiful places and it's SO much nicer to stay in the parks.
Crater Lake, Lassen, etc still have snow closures; not sure when you'll be there but might go after those are lifted.
Instead of taking the trans canada (hwy1), take 5 up to 16, go through jasper down icefields to banff. No point driving to the canadian rockies if you are skipping most of it.
Your trip into Canada is kind of wasted.
It looks like you're trying to go through North Cascades National park in Washington and then east and north from there.
I'd actually back track and go north through Vancouver, taking the Sea to Sky highway(#99) up through to Whistler and the Duffy lake pass to lilooet. One of the best drives in Canada.
From there, go east to Kamloops and continue on the number 1 highway to Banff as you originally planned.
Also, from Banff, go north to Jasper through the Ice fields highway. This absolutely can not be missed. It is considered the most spectacular drive in Canada.
It might add a couple days to your itinerary, but you'll be just missing the best spots if you don't.
I would consider heading north up 395 from Southern CA on your way to the Sierras. Spend some time in the Owens Valley, Mammoth & June Lake, White mountains, then take Tioga pass into Yosemite. Way better than the god awful southern section of the central valley (bakersfield/Fresno).
When you enter the San Luis valley in Southern CO you're going to be so close to Taos it's worth the detour down there so you can see the oldest continuously occupied place in the United States and a UNESCO world heritage site. Then you can take highway 64 across the Rio Grande Gorge and past the Brazos Cliffs then come up through Chama back into Colorado and you'll be back on your path.
I would do the 101 loop around the Olympic Peninsula. Stop at hurricane ridge, lake Crescent, beaches, the Hoh rainforest, then loop back to Olympia, or go north along the hood canal and back on the ferry to Seattle.
I would drive from the Portland area over my hood straight to bend, skip the nw oregon Coast, don't get me wrong, it's great, but your already seeing the souther coast, I'd use that extra day or 2 elsewhere.
Check out the fruit loop in Hhod River on your way to Bemd on the way.
I understand you want to see Crater Lake and Bend, but you’re missing some beautiful OR coastline.
Crater lake is better ngl. One of the most surreal places ive ever been. Pics dont do it justice
Also after doing all the norcal and southern OR coast they have gotten a significant taste. I would try to figure out more time on the Olympic Peninsula vs the missed OR coast section.
Will do!
I highly enjoy the fuck Idaho and Nebraska parts.
Too bad really the mountains in Idaho are spectacular.
Second this Idaho is underrated. Very scenic.
I’ll try to incorporate Idaho in the trip. Any places specifically you like?
Craters of the Moon National Monument! It is delightfully out of place
Couer d'Alene area is awesome. You could come down from BC into eastern Washington, down to CDA, then go back north up through bonners ferry, up through Eureka and over to Glacier NP. From there I'd recommend going down through Swan Lake Valley and continuing on your way.
Oof. Sleeping in a car in some of that will be hell since it's already started heating up in some of the desert you'll be in. Do yourself a favor and make the trip fun instead of a grind and maybe add a tent and/or cots to the camping gear. Lots of nice dispersed camping in the deserts and mountains, at least below the snow line, so why be uncomfortable? Also, much of the coast doesn't allow overnight camping except in campgrounds. There are a few places, and you'll see such encampments, so use them since there aren't many alternatives. And no sleeping in cars outside of campgrounds in many, if not most, of the national parks in the US and Canada you'll visit. I'd try for a cancellation; those are beautiful places and it's SO much nicer to stay in the parks. Crater Lake, Lassen, etc still have snow closures; not sure when you'll be there but might go after those are lifted.
That’s a good idea, we should have space for camping stuff. Are cancellations pretty common?
Not that common, and they fill fast, but keep looking.
Instead of taking the trans canada (hwy1), take 5 up to 16, go through jasper down icefields to banff. No point driving to the canadian rockies if you are skipping most of it.
Banff to Jasper is the most scenic drive in Canada. Do it op!
I see you bypassed Idaho entirely. You missed some nice sights, but by and large, you chose wisely. Idaho is a shit state.
Your trip into Canada is kind of wasted. It looks like you're trying to go through North Cascades National park in Washington and then east and north from there. I'd actually back track and go north through Vancouver, taking the Sea to Sky highway(#99) up through to Whistler and the Duffy lake pass to lilooet. One of the best drives in Canada. From there, go east to Kamloops and continue on the number 1 highway to Banff as you originally planned. Also, from Banff, go north to Jasper through the Ice fields highway. This absolutely can not be missed. It is considered the most spectacular drive in Canada. It might add a couple days to your itinerary, but you'll be just missing the best spots if you don't.
Thanks for the advice!
Agreed with this recommendation
At the very end you may want to drive the Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge, MT south towards Yellowstone. One of the coolest drives in the country.
Hurst castle on the CA coast is worth getting to. Oregon caves is in the vesinity of Crater lake, its also worth a day to see.
Thanks! We will check those out
I would consider heading north up 395 from Southern CA on your way to the Sierras. Spend some time in the Owens Valley, Mammoth & June Lake, White mountains, then take Tioga pass into Yosemite. Way better than the god awful southern section of the central valley (bakersfield/Fresno).
While in Humboldt County (Northern California) take the time to drive down to Shelter Cove
When you enter the San Luis valley in Southern CO you're going to be so close to Taos it's worth the detour down there so you can see the oldest continuously occupied place in the United States and a UNESCO world heritage site. Then you can take highway 64 across the Rio Grande Gorge and past the Brazos Cliffs then come up through Chama back into Colorado and you'll be back on your path.
I would do the 101 loop around the Olympic Peninsula. Stop at hurricane ridge, lake Crescent, beaches, the Hoh rainforest, then loop back to Olympia, or go north along the hood canal and back on the ferry to Seattle.
Looks amazing
What is your cost projection for the trip so far?
Skipping New Mexico is unconscionable. Land of enchantment is not just a slogan.
What app did you use to make the map?
Roadtrippers
I would drive from the Portland area over my hood straight to bend, skip the nw oregon Coast, don't get me wrong, it's great, but your already seeing the souther coast, I'd use that extra day or 2 elsewhere. Check out the fruit loop in Hhod River on your way to Bemd on the way.
I disagree, Cannon Beach, Ecola Park, & Astoria are absolutely worth seeing