Trip Planners

[Colliemom]

Like Donna always says, God willing and the creek don't rise", I am hoping to get out west this summer to SD and then onto Yellowstone/Grand Tetons and back home. Being a person who loves to curl up in a chair with reading material, I ordered a pile of travel literature from the different states and am starting to read through it in the areas I want to go.

I've planned trips to various places over the years including a trip to AK with friend in 2000, using trip software, but this is the first time I will be doing it, planning for an RV. So was wondering what you gals use when you lay out your routes and so forth. I know about Microsoft Streets and Trips, but I'm sure there are other things out there. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts. Also, for those of you who live out west, especially you Pat in SD, whens probably the best time to venture forth out there? JudyJB gave me a link to the RV campsite review information, but I know there is a website that a lot of you use to find campground along the route too besides hauling along that big Good Sam book.

[mitch5252]

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Colleen, do you have an iPad? If so, there are really good apps out there to for the trip planning process. I always use Streets & Trips to some degree, even if it's only to get the routing after telling it (the program) an area to avoid. But the news apps are really great.

Have fun! The planning is a big part of it!
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[BarbaraRose]

Not sure why Colleen needs an ipad But maybe Sue has one

[mitch5252]

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LOLOL - DUH!
Sorry, SUE.
I got it now.

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[dpf]

Sue, My son spent nine summers working in Custer during and says the heaviest tourism in the Black Hills doesn’t start until about the second or third week in June. Up until that time you see more couples rather than families. Personally I try to stay away during the Rally! I hate driving in the Hills with all the motorcycles...not the people...it's just a lot of traffic all the way across the state. So I try to stay away during the first week and a half in August. The family vacations usually end around Labor Day and then it’s back to couples on vacation until the end of September. There is usually something going on somewhere in the area. Personally I like the Custer, Hill City, Keystone area the best. But there is a lot of history in the Deadwood/Lead area which I enjoy but I’m not a big gambler so the casinos aren’t on top of my list. I’m willing to lose a little but not sit in one all day! I want to go to the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up the end of September someday just have never had the chance to get there. I hate working!

[snowball]

also Sue one thing to think about in Yellowstone and GTNP that it's always very busy during holidays so try and work around 4th of July 24th of July and Labor day Memorial day is also but not as much as school is still on for the most part...and remember that snow was heavy so if you want to do anything that the snow might impede might go later in the summer...and remember that I'm just outside of Jackson over in Idaho...and I was born and raised in Jackson just saying...would love to meet up with you
sheila

[Colliemom]

You know Mitch, I was always thinking about a name change. Colleen doesn't sound too bad.... And not, I don't have an Ipad, but have been considering one.

Thanks for the info ladies. Pat, I would like to see the Badlands but don't have to spend a lot of time there as Custer is the main focus of this trip unless my friend can't go, then I will do what I please on my time. Snowball, I will keep you in mind when I get out that way. It's too bad one has to work around vacations, holidays, snow, etc. out that way, but every part of the country has it's own time frame to visit and see. Same here in MI. Peak vacation time is July and August. Not that you want to avoid those times, it's just more busy.

Thank you for that info ladies.

[SoCalGalcas]

Sue, I love maps...the old fashioned paper ones. AAA has dotted lines on their maps for interesting routes. I'm working on my route to Kansas this September. Planning is half the fun. Going and seeing is the other half. Hoping to meet up with you along the trail. lyn

[Queen]

Sue, I love maps...the old fashioned paper ones. AAA has dotted lines on their maps for interesting routes. I'm working on my route to Kansas this September. Planning is half the fun. Going and seeing is the other half. Hoping to meet up with you along the trail. lyn

My honey LOVES maps, she will have them spread all over the car when we're driving... I have to remind her to look up once in a while so she doesn't miss the trip!!

[JudyJB]

The Badlands can really just be a drive through. Get off the expressway at the east entrance, drive through, and then rejoin the freeway at the west entrance. Would take an extra 2-3 hours at the most. Not many places to hike or even walk anyway, and most stuff is visible from road pull-offs.

[MelissaD]

I like to trip plan 1st with a map so I can see the whole trip. Then I move to state maps and start looking at details. Still enjoy the Rand truck atlas you can get at any truck stop. Normally buy the old ones in January so I get them for 1/2 price They have other info I find helpful like truck routes and low clearances. Since I tow a beast, I tend to follow truck routes so I know I'll fit. Now with that said I enjoy the US roads when I can. Like seeing the towns and sites you just can't see from the interstate. Out west they are normally good roads just 2 lane instead of 4 lane. When traveling in the east there are to many low clearances and some really steep hills, so I run interstate in the east.

The other thing I like is a truck stop guide that includes the US routes to find fuel and a good ole diner. The other is a book called "Next Exit" or something like that which tells you everything at every interstate exit. Handy for finding diners, Walmarts and the like. There are probably app versions these days but I still like my book so I can make notes

Also don't try to drive too far in a day. Don't know what you have in mind but we try to limit our days to 400 miles max. 300 miles is good, after that the GB gets grumpy Tried 200 - 250 mile days but after you pack everything up to move what's 2 more hours on the day? 300 miles is 6 hours drive plus a lunch/play stop I can still be in by 4 pm and in my lawn chair by 5pm

[Bethers]

Except when I have to be somewhere in a short period of time, my driving can be really short as I find so much to see along the way. As fir planning, I start with an atlas and Streets and Trips. And then I keep a very open mind as I change my mind on as much as a daily basis.

[JanetA]

I guess im remiss in reporting in and for that I apologize. We took Beatrice (our 21' Born FRee) on her maiden voyage last summer,, exiting Tx on AUg 24 and returning on Oct. 1.

We logged almost 5000 miles and began by heading up thru west Tx to whistle by my kids places and then on up thru New Mexico. The first night on the road was spent in Santa Rosa NM> a nice little rv park nd was great except that they had stickers(goatheads) instead of grass for a lawn. Im sure its difficult keeping those in check but the bad part for that was the dogs getting the in their feet and also us tracking the into the RV. Live and learn. was reasonably priced for full hookups. Never paid more than in the 30's for any place to camp except the tetons. They shocked us by charging over $50... and it was the worst parking space we experienced.. unlevel,, rocky,, etc. Our jacks were on the fritz so we had to take boards and it was a pain,, but hey,, nothing worse than that so no gripes really. ALso the bathroom was very close and was clean and comfy. our bath is a wet bath (sit on the pot and shower) so we only did that once in 6 weeks. Wherever there was a shower,, we partook.

I just say Beatrice did us a wonderful job w/ only one minor belt problem heading down the mountain from Meeker into Rifle Colorado.. and we were fortunate to find an autoparts place right on the road as we came into town on the north side. Was a cheap fix..

Went thru Wyoming,, spent 3 nights in COdy,,, that is a must see for anyone who likes western art, indian history,, and guns. My husband was in heaven in the gun museum. THey had every gun used from the beginning of guns,,,and then Buffalo Bill Cody's memorabilia of his wild west show.. and a natural history museum of all the indigenous animals from the area. We stayed in a campground near the museum that was delightful and had a wonderful bathroom and laundry room. Don't remember the name..sorry.

I just wanted to say,, we found all three natl parks (Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier) that we visited, FULL of people,, mostly adults and a LOT of foreigners... in rented RVs aand busses. I was disappointed to find it that way. Was hoping that we would have it to ourselves but noooo! Crowded!!!!. We found that the Going to the Sun Highway only allows rigs 21' and under to go over the divide. I sure was glad that we were under/at the limit or we would have been 2 very disappointed ppl. I guess the big rig folks take their toad over the pass.

It was still warm during the day up there so no wrap was needed until evening. We spent 6 days w/ my cousin in Kalispell Mt. and we used a fan every night there. We camped in their backyard which is on the banks of the Flathead River. was lovely!!

[Colliemom]

When it boils down to it, I love maps too. It's what we (my parents and I) gave always used and then got those neat AAA triptiks. that's probably what I am going to do on this trip. I am only planning to drive no more than 300 miles a day and some days it might even be way less. A lot will depend on weather, roads, sightseeing etc. And I know some places I will just park in the campground and use it as a base to run out from. It usually doesn't take me long to get moving in the morning as I have a habit of putting stuff away the night before I leave, like when I am in a campground for a few days. Roll up the old awning so it's dry, unless of course it's a rainy day, back my truck up to the hitch so it's ready to go under it and all that stuff. Then just a matter of battening down the hatches, pulling in the jacks, backing up the truck, hitching and off we go. Figuring out expenses is the biggest challenge for me as this is the first time I will have taken a trip via RV. So plan to budget on the high side. Planning is half the fun anyway, right

[Rufflesgurl]

Janet - you sure had an adventure and sounds like you really enjoyed yourselves! A few years ago spent July 4th at a campground (KOA I think) across from Flathead Lake - pretty awesome time. I love that whole area. Where is your next trip??

Linda