Travelling across America, possibly alone

Hi all,

I've been on a number of trips like this before both alone and as part of a group.

Basically I'm planning to to venture across America, west to east by any means possible. So this will include a mixture of hire cars, coaches and hitching. Probably in mid 2014.

I was planning on going on this trip with my boyfriend, however things aren't looking good for us at the moment. So I'll most likely go alone. Like I said, I've travelled alone before which was fine (excluding a few sticky situations which I won't mention here).

I'd generally like some advice about places to visit along the way. Any cities or landmarks people have visited and would recommend..?

I'd also like to hear from anyone that would be interested in meeting up during the trip, whether you live there or will be travelling too. I think meeting new people is what makes trips like this so special!

Looking forward to your insights and suggestions

Can I come?

Hey, sounds like an amazing trip! I'd recommend spending some time in Oregon - beautiful state. And Seattle is wonderful - quality music scene.

Hey I just got back like last week after travelling USA (mostly solo) as a female (21) for 7 weeks. BEST thing I've ever done Was really easy to meet people in hostels, and it doesn't feel scary there being alone (apart from LA). My favourite stops I made were Seattle, Memphis, Nashville and ofc NYC!!

Hard to imagine how you could do it without a car of your own, but if you can find a way, I really recommend exploring southern Utah. Far and away the most breathtaking part of the States when it comes to natural beauty, in my opinion. You could string together three national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. Some of the best landscapes are to be had in between the parks, though - if you were to take highway 12 across the Grand Staircase National Monument, well, you'd be in for a treat. The road takes you from alpine grassland to rocky desert and then all the way back to pine forest. Take some time for detours, too - there are some roads (like the Burr Trail) that'll take you through some spectacular landscapes, and about as far from civilization as you've ever been.

San Francisco is a must - greatest city I've been to.

Ah yes, I've thought about southern Utah. How did you do it? As in, how did you manage travelling it, getting there, and where did you stay?

Hire car. I don't think there would be any other way of doing it, tbh. There's nothing in the way of public transport in the area.

Getting there is easy enough. If you've coming from the west, head up the interstate from Las Vegas and turn off at St. George for the road through Zion.

We stayed at motels - the Colour Country in Panguitch and the Circle D in Escalante both come with my recommendation. Reasonable rates when we went there but no doubt prices have gone up since. You'll find similar places in most small towns over there, and depending on the time of year, you may not have to book in advance.

From what I remember there were hotels in the national parks themselves, as well. Probably much more expensive though.

EDIT: Here ya go - made a map of the route I'd suggest: link. Bit of a choice once you pass Capitol Reef though - you could go north-east to Moab (and two more national parks: Arches and Canyonlands), or you could go south-east to take in Monument Valley and Mesa Verde.

Ah yes, I've thought about southern Utah. How did you do it? As in, how did you manage travelling it, getting there, and where did you stay?



What did you do there that was so great?

What were your favourite things in all those cities?