Traveling the USA & Canada by car

“Thanks to the Interstate Hwy System, it is now possible to travel across the country, from coast to coast, without seeing anything.” Charles Kuralt

 

 

Driving near Sedona, Arizona

Since I retired from my job as a travel agent, we have had the time to take more road trips. As much as I love seeing other countries, I realize that our country also has a lot to see. And I don't want to miss all the wonderful things there are to see here. Traveling by car does allow you to see things that you miss while on a plane or a train. But it can also be tiring. Long hours of sitting in a car can take a toll on you as much as a long plane trip can. But if you take your time, it can be very rewarding.

Driving near Stowe, Vermont

I remember a group of Japanese tourists that came to see me when I was working at AAA. They asked me to map out a trip for them and to book hotels. They wanted to see some of our national parks and some of our more famous sights. They had 2 weeks, and they planned to go over to the Grand Canyon, then to the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore, then across to Yellowstone, and then back to California and down through Yosemite and Sequoia. 

A stream in Sequoia NP

I told them that the trip was impossible in that short of a time. They didn't understand how big our country is, and how much distance would be between those locations, they would be in the car all day, every day. They said that they knew, and it wasn't a problem. They just wanted to see those things, and take pictures, they didn't need to spend any time there. I guess, if that is how they wanted to travel, who was I to talk them out of it. But that is not my idea of a good trip.

We all want to cram too much into vacations some times. You think, “when will I ever get back here, I need to see it while I'm here.” But no matter what the urge, we need to plan road trips out so that we have time to see what we are going to see. And as the quote at the beginning points out, that means getting off the interstate and seeing the actual county.

Yosemite National Park

TIP: If going to see several National Parks, consider purchasing the Annual pass at the entrance to the first park. The cost of the annual pass is $80 and will give you and the passengers of your car, entrance to any National Park in the USA, for one year. Since most National Parks charge an entrance fee of $20 per car to enter, if you are traveling to several parks on one trip, it would pay for itself at the 4^th park, and you would still have the pass for the rest of the year, to use for future adventures.

The Senior Pass is an even better bargain. Once you turn 62 you can purchase a Senior Pass for $10. This will get you and any passengers in your car into all the National Parks, and the pass is for the lifetime of the person who purchases it. You must be a citizen of the USA to purchase this pass.

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Consider becoming a member of AAA. They will plan your trip out for you on a TripTix. You tell them where you want to go, what stops you would like to make, and they will map it out for you, and give you books on the areas where you are going. I know that with todays GPS systems and the internet, you may not feel this is necessary, but for a long trip, the TripTix is a great tool. And if you have children traveling with you, it gives them something to follow along on. They can flip the pages as you go, and they can see how close they are getting to their destination.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Here are some other travel tips that we have come up with during our years of traveling by car:

• Don't wait until your gas gauge says empty, especially when traveling in rural areas. Fill up when you see a gas station available, you may get into an area where there are no open stations.
• Take snacks with you from home, or stop at grocery stores for snacks. Gas stations and convenience stores are more expensive, and have less healthy choices.
• Know the driving laws for the states you are going through. Laws vary from state to state. For example - not every state allows for a free right hand turn.

• 

  New Hampshire

  Do not drive while talking on a cell phone. It is against the law in most states, unless using a hands-free device.
• Consider joining AAA, they will provide towing and emergency road service in all 50 states and Canada.
• Keep your suitcases and camera equipment, and any valuables locked in the trunk and out of sight when you are parked. 
• Take your own music with you for entertainment. You will not have to keep finding new radio stations every few miles. We travel with our IPOD and CD's.
• If you have kids or dogs traveling with you, make sure you stop often for potty breaks and to stretch their legs.
• Take turns driving if there are several drivers on the trip.
• Make sure you have a good co-pilot to follow a map and get you to your destination, but don't be afraid to wander off the path and see something that wasn't in your schedule.

Near Sedona, Arizona

And the most important rule is to enjoy the scenery, stop and smell the roses, see the sights, and have fun!

Does anyone remember the old Burma Shave signs along the highway?  They used to be everywhere, for those of you old enough to remember.   They were amusing, and gave us something to look for while traveling.  Recently, while driving in Arizona, we came across a couple.  They brought back some nostalgia.  Here are the 2 we saw:

You can drive    A mile a minute      But there is no     Future in it        Burma Shave

Big mistake      Many make            Rely on horn        Instead of brake    Burma Shave