Cali/Vegas trip this summer

**budgetracing** · 03-04-2012, 09:05 PM

Looking to go for a fun ride to cali. We have 21 days. Right now the total is just over 9K KMs We are looking for some input on the route to take. This is the map, feel free to make suggestions on where to visit or ways not to go. We will be camping as many nights as we can. I know we have to pack light ad all that. I haven't really been down to the states much so don't know what to expect as far as cops, camping and hotels.

Here is the map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=207742217644948019374.0004b8816b1f136e3dfdb

**Wadadli** · 03-04-2012, 10:26 PM

I couldn't open your route for some reason. I did Vegas last year in 2 weeks but 3 weeks would have been better. Here is my route. I only camped once.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Aja...23&vpsrc=6&z=5

Something is weird in the map above between Billings and Jackson Hole. Here is the actual route I took. It was an amazing ride through Yellowstone. (Highway 212 not to be missed)

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Bil...,2,3,4&t=m&z=9

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...dtrip-to-Vegas

**budgetracing** · 03-05-2012, 12:15 AM

You went way farther north than we were planning to go. Is there a reason to go up that way?

Try this one http://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=0&...m&z=10&vpsrc=6

**Wadadli** · 03-05-2012, 07:18 AM

I wanted to ride in the Rockies, Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore plus I was meeting my brother in Billings.

**Jax** · 03-05-2012, 12:31 PM

when are you planning on heading out? dates?

**BeastieGirl** · 03-05-2012, 01:01 PM

21 days is a nice window. Last year I only went as far as Williams, Arizona, but my route out and back to that point was pretty similar to yours. I'm going back to Colorado/New Mexico the end of June, but this time I'm doing a lot less interstate. I'm going cross most of Missouri and Kansas on US-36 going out, coming back I'm keeping a little further south and spending some time in Arkansas before coming back. If you're not heading out until later in the summer, you can check the forum, I'll post a comparison, re time, scenery, riding experience.

As for cops, camping and motels - you can find pretty cheap camping in the U.S. - alot of the State parks run $15/18 - I camped in a municipal campground in Gothenburg, Nebraska for $10.00 and that included a shower (lukewarm trickle - but ya know- 10 bucks).

Cops - as far as I can tell, non-existent in Colorado and Utah - but running down 89 from Utah into Arizona, I saw three within the first hour of hitting the state line - probably wouldn't have noticed if they hadn't been so noticably absent until that point.

Highlights for me in Arizona were my 89A run through Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona and to Jerome - ghost town on the side of the mountain, and a little sidetrip to Petrified Forest National Park - $5.00 to get in and really unique scenery of the Painted Desert. Utah - from the moment I rode in to the moment I rode out - loved it. Arches, Bryce Canyon, Scenic Route 128. Colorado - highlight last year was the Peak-to-Peak Highway to Estes, then Trail Ridge Road through the Rockies - I didn't do the Million Dollar Highway last year, but this year I'm camping there for 2 days.

Wheelie Boy has done a route similar to yours and posted a interesting ride report you might find helpful.

**revrandy** · 03-05-2012, 01:17 PM

Quick comment - if you refer to California as Cali down here, you will get laughed at and summarily ignored. Cali is a city in Columbia, California is the state.

**budgetracing** · 03-05-2012, 02:36 PM

Maybe July or August depending on how things work out with my friends vacation time.

**Wheelieboy** · 03-06-2012, 12:10 AM

You're missing a lot if you take the interstate through Utah. Here are some recommendations.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Nor...,5,6,7&t=m&z=8

Grand Junction through Highway 141 (must do)
Canyonlands National Park
Arches National Park

I have not been through the parks west of Canyonlands but I heard really good things about Bryce Canyon which the route goes through.

Highway 89A in Arizona is a very nice ride, even if you have to go out of your way, it is worth it.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=I-4...via=1&t=m&z=10

While in California, go through the Malibu hills, you're going past anyways.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=...38173&t=m&z=12

In Colorado, you pass by many mountain passes. May be worth checking them out.

As for hotels, you can easily find them if you have a GPS. For my trip, I started looking for a place to stay in my GPS around dinner time. Almost every major town along the interstate will have a motel/hotel. Whether there is vacancy is another question.

Lots of cops in Michigan, Nebraska, and California.

If you want to see my complete route, its in this thread: http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...ack-in-15-days!

**budgetracing** · 03-06-2012, 02:13 PM

OK i changed the route a bit in Utah and Colorado. I was planning to ride the hills in Malibu i just didn't plan anything. The map was mostly a general direction. We were planning on stopping to see things along the way or make changes as needed.

Your trip was actually the inspiration for our trip.

**Wheelieboy** · 03-06-2012, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by budgetracing

OK i changed the route a bit in Utah and Colorado. I was planning to ride the hills in Malibu i just didn't plan anything. The map was mostly a general direction. We were planning on stopping to see things along the way or make changes as needed.

Your trip was actually the inspiration for our trip.

Its definitely going to be a trip of a lifetime.

Oh, I forgot to mention...Zion National Park, UT and Valley of Fire State Park,NV are apparently pretty nice too. Its just a small detour on the way to Vegas.