Planning a Road Trip Southwest...

[Opus]

Just had an epiphany... fortunately for everyone I was alone at the time. The southern route we were planning to take home is actually very close to Route 66, or at least what used to be Route 66. It will add a few hours of drive time overall, but I think it's worth it. We can catch it heading south from the South Rim to Flagstaff and then pick it up along I-40 going east: Winslow, Albuquerque, Amarillo, Oklahoma City, Tulsa... at least to Joplin where we'll have to part company. That might be fun.

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[Drytellsr]

RT66 does run along I-40 and a good part of I-40 is the old RT66. There are tons of old gas stations and old trading post along that route. Stop and get a picture of the Twin Arrows trading post which has deteriorated so bad and don't know how much longer it will be there. Easily identified by the two giant Arrows along I-40. There is the jack rabbit trading post which is still operational. The yellow horse trading post near the border of AZ and NM on I-40.

 

[AZ Hella]

As posted above I highly recommend the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
Less people for sure and an expansive trail system to explore. You will be in the Kibab national forest as opposed to the south rim which is the “desert” side.

 

[MayThe4x4BWU]

If you do manage to give Winslow, AZ and Meteor Crater a look, I highly recommend going a bit more east to Petrified Forest National Park starting at the south entrance and make your way back to the interstate. Lots of walking/hiking trails that aren't too hard on your legs with some that take you down into old canyons.

These are from when I went there back in 2018 when I was living in the Las Vegas area

 

[Opus]

If you do manage to give Winslow, AZ and Meteor Crater a look, I highly recommend going a bit more east to Petrified Forest National Park starting at the south entrance and make your way back to the interstate. Lots of walking/hiking trails that aren't too hard on your legs with some that take you down into old canyons.

These are from when I went there back in 2018 when I was living in the Las Vegas area

I appreciate it and it looks fantastic. My wife, though, is recovering from breast cancer and the neuropathy means that hikes aren't really an option.

 

[jjvincent]

Jeep is great to get to the back side of devils tower. There's a bunch of alien things going on there. Documentary covered that back in 1977. Just remember, you might become obsessed with mashed potatoes and trying to recreate that tower.

I took my bone stock Jeep and off roaded it in Moab. Found out I was probably the only person there with a stock Jeep. I didn't die and my Jeep survived.

I've flat towed my Jeep with my Class C RV to laces that most people here would never take their Jeep. Call me adventureous or stupid. I like to go with the latter.

 

[Opus]

Jeep is great to get to the back side of devils tower. There's a bunch of alien things going on there. Documentary covered that back in 1977. Just remember, you might become obsessed with mashed potatoes and trying to recreate that tower.

I took my bone stock Jeep and off roaded it in Moab. Found out I was probably the only person there with a stock Jeep. I didn't die and my Jeep survived.

I've flat towed my Jeep with my Class C RV to laces that most people here would never take their Jeep. Call me adventureous or stupid. I like to go with the latter.

We did Devil's Tower last summer with the Renegade on our way to Yellowstone. We didn't actually go into the park at Devil's Tower, but it's so damn big your don't really need to.

But we had to make a stop at least because Close Encounters was one of my favorite movies growing up.

 

[AZJeepGuy]

Based on your itinerary I would add a loop south from Flagstaff down into Sedona on the 89A when you leave the Grand Canyon. You would end up on the 17, head north and then east on the 40 back on the route you penciled out. Would add a few hours but worth it. And if you were in the mood you could hit Schnebly Hill Road which is an easy Badge of Honor Trail.

 

[Opus]

Based on your itinerary I would add a loop south from Flagstaff down into Sedona on the 89A when you leave the Grand Canyon. You would end up on the 17, head north and then east on the 40 back on the route you penciled out. Would add a few hours but worth it. And if you were in the mood you could hit Schnebly Hill Road which is an easy Badge of Honor Trail.

Hmm. I'll check it out. Thanks.

 

[MayThe4x4BWU]

I appreciate it and it looks fantastic. My wife, though, is recovering from breast cancer and the neuropathy means that hikes aren't really an option.

I'm hoping to revisit that area next year (much longer road trip now though )

Best wishes for your wife during her recovery!

 

[variableknife]

Last year my wife and I loaded up the Renegade and took a six day road trip to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Devil's Tower, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and home again. We had a fantastic time. Other than our destinations, every other stop (Wall Drug for example) was done on a whim. When we got tired, we'd Google a nearby hotel. The only reservation we made in advance was at Yellowstone so we could get a room as close to the park as possible.

Anywho. Next summer, with any luck, we'll have the new Wrangler sufficiently broken in and we're thinking about another trip. This time we're thinking the Grand Canyon (South Rim, probably) with a stop at Monument Valley along the way.

If you've made that trip, and I'm guessing some of you have since the route we'll be taking goes through Denver and Moab, feel free to post any tips or things to avoid. Best times to go. Things to see (that aren't too far out of the way). Places to stay. Restaurant suggestions, etc.

Disclaimer: I should add that the Wrangler will be a stock Sport S:

so hardcore rock crawling off-roading won't be on our itinerary. I know, I know, that makes me less of a man, but I'll just have to live with it.

You may have your heart set on the South rim, but, having been there myself, I urge you in the strongest terms possible to give consideration to the North Rim instead. After leaving Denver, head west through Utah, and south, past Arches National Park; see Bryce Canyon on the way, and stay at or camp at the North Rim Lodge. Then plan at least one day to go off roading to point sublime, which is almost perfect for a Wrangler. It's a primitive trail requiring 4wd, is 18 miles long, and will take you a bit over 2 hours one way to get there (to clue you in on the terrain). The north rim has all the best views and scenic overlooks. You can spot the elusive California Condors in the air. And of all the visitors to the Grand Canyon, only 10% ever make it to the north rim! It's worth the trip, believe me! Then head out east where you can drive to Page, and see horseshoe bend, upstream from the grand canyon. There is also Antelope Canyon, as well as the waves rock formation if you're so inclined. You can pick up monument valley from there and head past Mexican hat, Utah, where the running scene from Forrest Gump was filmed, and back into Southwestern Colorado. This is a beautiful trip that I have done once with an old Grand Cherokee, and a few years back with my Ram pickup. I used to live just south of the Grand Canyon, but I want to go back again now that I'm in the Wrangler club!

 

[variableknife]

Doing a little mapping last night. Now we're thinking that rather than simply doubling-back for our return trip home we might take an alternate route. This would take us through Albuquerque. There's an interesting tram ride there up into the mountains we might check out.

Be careful not to make that left turn at Albequerque. That's what always did Bugs Bunny in!

 

[Opus]

We're now about 2 months away from the start of our road trip and we've made a few adjustments to the itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from home and try to get west of Denver before the end of the day... find a hotel somewhere along the route. Silverthorne maybe? I realized that Breckenridge is too far off the Interstate.

Day 2: Continue west from Silverthorne or wherever we stop for the night. If time allows we may swing in to Arches National Park since it looks like our route goes right by it... Went to the Recreation.gov site and saw they have one-hour windows for entering the park??? We purchased a pass because it was cheap, but I'm not sure we'll be able to make the one-hour window. If it doesn't work out, then, on to Monument Valley where we'll stay the night at one of the cabins at The View in Monument Valley. Hoping to get there in time to snap a few photos of sunset (which now guarantees it will be overcast)

Day 3: Catch the sunrise. Drive the 17 mile Monument Valley route, then head on to the Grand Canyon. Stopping at places of interest along the way. That night we'll be staying at Kachina Lodge on the Southern Rim for two nights.

Day 4: Explore around the Canyon. I'm thinking maybe a drive along the southern rim to the Desert View Watchtower. Night at the Kachina again.

Day 5: Start heading home. We'll swing south and hit HWY 40 / Route 66 at Williams, AZ. Heading east along 40/66 we'll take the detour and check out Meteor Crater then stop in Albuquerque for the night. If we can get to Albuquerque early enough I'm hoping to take the Sandia Tram ride up into the mountains if weather permits. Hotel at the Sandia Resort and Casino.

Day 6: Leave Albuquerque and drive east to Oklahoma City stopping at interesting Route 66 attractions along the way. Bedding down at a hotel somewhere close to HWY 40 in Oklahoma City.

Day 7: Drive the final leg home.

If I'm counting it up correctly: 10 states... roughly 2885 miles round trip not counting detours along the way. Can. Not. Wait.

For those of you who've done this kind of trip, what do you recommend in regards to packing beyond the typical trip stuff (clothes, h.b.a. items, etc.). I'm planning to add a case of water bottles as well as emergency equipment (e.g. battery booster, jumper cables, tow strap, etc.). What other recommendations do you have?

 

[wibornz]

We're now about 2 months away from the start of our road trip and we've made a few adjustments to the itinerary:

Day 1: Drive from home and try to get west of Denver before the end of the day... find a hotel somewhere along the route. Silverthorne maybe? I realized that Breckenridge is too far off the Interstate.

Day 2: Continue west from Silverthorne or wherever we stop for the night. If time allows we may swing in to Arches National Park since it looks like our route goes right by it... Went to the Recreation.gov site and saw they have one-hour windows for entering the park??? We purchased a pass because it was cheap, but I'm not sure we'll be able to make the one-hour window. If it doesn't work out, then, on to Monument Valley where we'll stay the night at one of the cabins at The View in Monument Valley. Hoping to get there in time to snap a few photos of sunset (which now guarantees it will be overcast)

Day 3: Catch the sunrise. Drive the 17 mile Monument Valley route, then head on to the Grand Canyon. Stopping at places of interest along the way. That night we'll be staying at Kachina Lodge on the Southern Rim for two nights.

Day 4: Explore around the Canyon. I'm thinking maybe a drive along the southern rim to the Desert View Watchtower. Night at the Kachina again.

Day 5: Start heading home. We'll swing south and hit HWY 40 / Route 66 at Williams, AZ. Heading east along 40/66 we'll take the detour and check out Meteor Crater then stop in Albuquerque for the night. If we can get to Albuquerque early enough I'm hoping to take the Sandia Tram ride up into the mountains if weather permits. Hotel at the Sandia Resort and Casino.

Day 6: Leave Albuquerque and drive east to Oklahoma City stopping at interesting Route 66 attractions along the way. Bedding down at a hotel somewhere close to HWY 40 in Oklahoma City.

Day 7: Drive the final leg home.

If I'm counting it up correctly: 10 states... roughly 2885 miles round trip not counting detours along the way. Can. Not. Wait.

For those of you who've done this kind of trip, what do you recommend in regards to packing beyond the typical trip stuff (clothes, h.b.a. items, etc.). I'm planning to add a case of water bottles as well as emergency equipment (e.g. battery booster, jumper cables, tow strap, etc.). What other recommendations do you have?

I looked at the suggestions on this thread and I have been to almost all of them. I think if your plan is to just get in the Jeep and drive, you will have a decent time and if your goal is to just throw down the miles as you want to be in 10 different states in 7 days. Your goal will be met.

I think that you are driving right by hundreds and hundreds of awesome spots to stop at the sacrifice of trying to be ambitious in visiting ten states. You could cut your driving in half and see way more cool stuff. Literally 7 days in Moab would not scratch the surface of cool things to do. 7 days in Colorado can easily be filled up. 7 days in Utah, would be so easy to fill up.

Sticking to your planned route, I would at least add Valley of the Gods that is north of Monument Valley to your trip. I have been through Monument Valley five times. Valley of the Gods is prettier and right on your way. It is just north of Monument Valley about 10 or so miles. Well worth the detour.

Others are right about the Grand Canyon. Been there at least seven times in the last few years. The thing with the Grand Canyon is it is huge. Meaning, when you visit an overlook, you literally have to drive many miles to get a different view. from an overlook, you can see for twenty miles or so. So if you want a different view, well drive twenty miles..... There are much better views in Zion NP. or in the Moab area. Still if you have not seen the Grand Canyon, go. Also stop at Horse Shoe Bend up by Page.

The good thing about your route, is it is going to give you sample of the potential of things to see. I would give you many suggestions, but I think you are already planned so tight that you do not have a half day here or there where you have the time to explore and stick to your plan. The last thing you want to happen is be out in Arizona and be like, dam, I have to drive 19 hours straight to get back home on time.

 

[Opus]

The tricky part for us was trying to balance the overall time (one week is what we can afford to take off work) with things we wanted to see and the miles/time it will likely take to get there and back. Once we knew the big things we wanted to see we needed to book reservations for a few anchor points along the way and we figured we should do that sooner rather than later before they filled up for the season. At that point, though, we were pretty much locked into a schedule. So, the goal for us isn't necessarily to cover X number of states, but to see as much of the area as possible knowing we won't have time to do a deep dive and explore much of it. That will have to wait until after we've retired and have the luxury of time...

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