West - Pasadena, California, to Jackson, Wyoming: Driving versus Flying

So, I'm really just putting this out there for general thoughts and opinions. Anything anyone has to say that will help me decide one way or another would be greatly appreciated! :)

mrs. iapetus and I are going to be joining her mother and her brothers and their families in Jackson, Wyoming, from June 20th through June 27th. We've yet to decide how we're going to get there. And we're actually considering not flying! :eek: ;)

A lot of the reason we're not yet sure is that airfare is a little more than I'd like to pay right now. Of course, driving will take a lot more time; I'm expecting two full days behind the wheel. But, between motels along the way and an extra couple of days at the kennel for our puppies, I figure the net savings will only be ~$200. And I'll need to take Friday, June 19th, off from work (though I may be able to make up the time).

So, I'll just lay out my questions.


Would you fly or drive? Why?
Where would you stop? I'd like to make Provo, Utah, on the first day, but I'm worried that's too ambitious.
Are there any cool things (not too time-consuming) along the way?
What things should we not miss in northwestern Wyoming?


I suppose it's too much to hope for a late, late season snow, eh? I've always wanted to snowboard at Jackson Hole! :)

1. Would you fly or drive? Why? - I would fly but strongly recommend that you drive if you've never done this trip before. Some absolutely gorgeous country out there, especially if you make a diversion to Zion National Park.

2. Where would you stop? I'd like to make Provo, Utah, on the first day, but I'm worried that's too ambitious. - I recommend somewhere in or near Zion National Park on Day One, then a longer day to Jackson on Day Two.

3. Are there any cool things (not too time-consuming) along the way? - Las Vegas for an hour of slots? :D :D :D

4. What things should we not miss in northwestern Wyoming? - Um, there's this kinda famous park called Yellowstone...

Um, there's this kinda famous park called Yellowstone...OK, smarty pants, I meant aside from the famous national park. That one's kinda obvious. ;)

Stopping over in Zion or something is appealing. But we'll be on a mission to meet up with her mother; I'm not sure mrs. iapetus will have the patience for that big of a side trip ...

And I definitely would like to stop in Las Vegas, Nevada, for a bit either on the way there or on the way back. It may only be for a meal, but I'd like something better than a quick stop in at Denny's. If we can, I'd love to leave Wyoming early enough on the way back to make it into Las Vegas for a stay on Saturday night before we get home.

One time I drove from SFO-SMF-SLC continuing on through southern Wyoming. Not the same route you’re looking at, but it was a stunning visual experience with the change in scenery. I would definitely do it again.

Other than that park :D :D :D, and of course Grand Teton National Park, there's always the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson.

The most boring part of the drive will be between Cedar City and SLC.

I was actually more impressed (ooh and aah) at nearby Bryce Canyon than Zion, though Zion is certainly impressive in itself. If you have to choose just one, I'd go with Bryce.

Wouldn't Bryce and Zion be at least 3 hrs r/t off the route? Zion can't be fully appreciated unless you climb a peak in it (Angel's Landing being the lowest one). Add to that you need to take a shuttle bus into the park's main area (unless you're staying at the park lodge). Bryce is quite a bit further off the route? I think Cedar Breaks is less of a diversion (can see Cedar City from there).

Gawd, I hate driving. I'd never consider driving that. I can manage not more than about three hours in a car and then I want OUT OUT OUT.

Yes, it's beautiful country, but I wouldn't do it unless I was going to be intentional and stopping along the way to see the sights. Actually, after looking at the map, I'm not sure there are a lot of sights to see. St. George is the most Gawd forsaken place I've ever been. Driving through southern Wyoming isn't so great either. Just my opinion.

Fly.

Have you been to the Grand Canyon?

It sounds like the South Rim would be more of a diversion from your route, and I'd avoid it during the busy summer season. But the North Rim may not be as far, and is certainly not nearly as busy. There are very limited lodging options at the North Rim, but you may luck out and find an opening. Or stay in Page, and see Lake Powell also.

Since I'm in AZ, I just had to put in a plug for our state somehow....

Would you fly or drive? Why?

I'd fly. Possibly to SLC, as it's much cheaper, and drive from there. Unless you want to make a road trip with side diversions it's a boring drive with the exception of the last couple hundred miles. It is 1000 mi each way BTW - so count your gas money.


Where would you stop? I'd like to make Provo, Utah, on the first day, but I'm worried that's too ambitious.

Provo is manageable 9-10 hrs or so. A couple breaks (in Vegas and perhaps Zion side entrance) and you should be OK.


Are there any cool things (not too time-consuming) along the way?

Most are time consuming and require significant side trips.


What things should we not miss in northwestern Wyoming?


Parks.


I suppose it's too much to hope for a late, late season snow, eh? I've always wanted to snowboard at Jackson Hole! :)

Other than that park :D :D :D, and of course Grand Teton National Park, there's always the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson.Thank you!!!! :cool: :cool: :cool: ^ This is exactly the kind of information that I wanted when I started this thread! :D

Wouldn't Bryce and Zion be at least 3 hrs r/t off the route? Zion can't be fully appreciated unless you climb a peak in it (Angel's Landing being the lowest one).Yeah, that's basically what makes all of that sort of thing off-limits for this trip. We can't take that much time out for a diversion. The first two days of driving would be a straight shot to meet up with the BIL.

(Oh, yeah. Now we're thinking about departing on Thursday night, stopping for an evening in Las Vegas, Nevada, and meeting up with the MIL in Salt Lake City, Utah.)

Gawd, I hate driving. I'd never consider driving that. I can manage not more than about three hours in a car and then I want OUT OUT OUT.And I just checked tickets on UA. They've come down. Given the voucher we have to spend, the balance of cost and effort seems to be swinging back in favor of flying.

Driving through southern Wyoming isn't so great either. Just my opinion.Ugh, I agree with you there; it's horrible ... with the possible exception of the southwestern part of the state near Evanston, Wyoming. Pretty much anything east of there is some of the most godforsaken turf, IMO (more so than either Nebraska or Kansas).

Since I'm in AZ, I just had to put in a plug for our state somehow....Well, if we do drive, we'll nick the very northwestern corner of the state on I-15! ;)

Thanks for all of the replies thus far. We're still in the planning stages, so please keep them coming! :)

I was actually more impressed (ooh and aah) at nearby Bryce Canyon than Zion, though Zion is certainly impressive in itself. If you have to choose just one, I'd go with Bryce.

Wouldn't Bryce and Zion be at least 3 hrs r/t off the route? Zion can't be fully appreciated unless you climb a peak in it (Angel's Landing being the lowest one). Add to that you need to take a shuttle bus into the park's main area (unless you're staying at the park lodge). Bryce is quite a bit further off the route? I think Cedar Breaks is less of a diversion (can see Cedar City from there).

from I-15 Cedar Breaks is your best sight-seeing destination. Nice view of Brian's Head from there as well. And as I recall I-15 doesn't touch AZ....

And as I recall I-15 doesn't touch AZ....It does (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+I-15+Arizona&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=Sgg4Sp_5LIjosQONz6jZBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1).

Ugh, I agree with you there; it's horrible ... with the possible exception of the southwestern part of the state near Evanston, Wyoming. Pretty much anything east of there is some of the most godforsaken turf, IMO (more so than either Nebraska or Kansas).Well, I don't recommend you go through southwest Wyoming to get to Jackson. Go north on I-15 from Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls, then US 20/ID30/ID33/WY22 through Victor and over the pass. Much prettier overall, and Google Maps indicates it's shorter/faster that way as well.

Well, I don't recommend you go through southwest Wyoming to get to Jackson. Go north on I-15 from Salt Lake City to Idaho Falls, then US 20/ID30/ID33/WY22 through Victor and over the pass. Much prettier overall, and Google Maps indicates it's shorter/faster that way as well.Y'know, that's exactly what I was thinking!

However, the MIL and BIL decided to go through Evanston, Wyoming. :rolleyes: That's also how mapquest suggest one goes.

Oh, well. I think we've decided to fly anyways (though we don't yet have our tickets in hand). :) But I will check out the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. ^

It does (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+I-15+Arizona&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us&ei=Sgg4Sp_5LIjosQONz6jZBA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1).

Imagine that...I missed an entire state while driving I-15...:o

Wouldn't Bryce and Zion be at least 3 hrs r/t off the route? Zion can't be fully appreciated unless you climb a peak in it (Angel's Landing being the lowest one). Add to that you need to take a shuttle bus into the park's main area (unless you're staying at the park lodge). Bryce is quite a bit further off the route? I think Cedar Breaks is less of a diversion (can see Cedar City from there).


Bryce is way off the I-15, HOWEVER, there is a part of Zion that has its own exit from I-15 and almost right on the Road. The Kolob Section of Zion National Park is the part that few people know of. It still has dramatic scenery. And if you really want to, the Kolob has trails that connect to the main trails in the main part of the Park.

Also, I-15 follows the Virgin River thru Arizona. It is kinda cool itself. Used to be an AZ Welcome Station located in the Canyon.

Unless you hate driving long distance I have to add another vote for the car.

The proper specifics have already been posted, but if you've never done the drive through those regions it's a worthy experience. Great scenery out there!

Given enough time I ALWAYS choose to drive anywhere in the western US unless flying is substantially cheaper (almost never is once rental car costs are factored in). I figure if a day is lost to flying then at worst you only lose one more since two days is enough for almost any two points west of Denver.