kosvines

I'm planning a road trip starting from Phoenix, AZ. I continue north towards Montana, and then turn south until I reach Denver (I'll be visiting the Grand Canyon, Salt Lake City, Yellowstone, Bozeman MT, Mount Rushmore, Southeast Wyoming and Colorado.)

How's the climate in late september/early october. I will rent a car in Phoenix, and I'm a little concerned that I might hit snow or slippery roads in Montana and Colorado. Being from Norway I'm used to driving in a colder climate, but I would assume I would not get any snow tires with the AZ rental.

So would you recommend traveling Aug 20th-Sep 8th, and postpone this 3-4 weeks later? It would also be more hassle hitting 100 degrees in AZ and then below freezing later on. I would like to pack light.

DenverBrian

Can't beat the heat for packing light- you can drive in a tank top and shorts.

Aug 20-Sep 8 is your best chance to avoid snow, although the odds are not zero, especially in Montana.

If you stick with late September - early October, rent a four wheel drive vehicle - that is more important than specific snow tires. Your odds of hitting snow in Montana or the Colorado mountains in that time frame is probably 20% or so. It could also be sunny and dry for the whole trip - such is the weather out here.

Being from Norway, you may not be prepared for the massive drive ahead of you. Phoenix to Bozeman is over a thousand miles or 1,600 km.

darthbimmer

A few thoughts for the OP:

1. I would not worry about snow and ice while driving in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming in September. Yes, it's certainly possible to experience temperatures below freezing at the higher elevations. A driver familiar with snow in a common front-drive car should be able to handle it. (Of course, "knowledgeable" includes knowing to minimize driving should a blizzard occur!)

2. If you're trying to plan your trip for cooler temperatures (below 35C) in Phoenix you'll have to delay it until October. By then, though, you are very likely to encounter snow and ice at the higher elevations.

2a. It seems like part of your plan is to visit the great national parks such as Yellowstone. Be aware that many of them switch from "high season" to "off season" schedules sometime in September. If you go too late you will find that parts of the park are closed (e.g., for maintenance) or have shortened hours.

3. As DenverBrian said above, consult a map to gauge the distance between locations and be realistic about how far you can drive in a day. Underestimating the distance between towns is the #1 mistake foreign visitors make when planning a trip to Western US.

kosvines

Thanks to both of you for great replies. Seems like my best bet is to schedule arrival in august. Especially if a lot of national parks switch to off season in september.

Distance shouldn't be a problem. I drove from Dallas to Chicago last year (east through the southern states until I hit Georgia, and then north towards Chicago). I've found that AAA's Trip Planner is a great tool for planning road trips.

Thanks again, guys!

Consultette

Also, remember a jacket - something waterproof but not necessarily warm if you visit AZ in August. You'll be smack in the middle of monsoon season.

Nothing to be afraid of - I've never felt threatened in one, but I have been much happier with a jacket+hood vs. an umbrella.

EAR111pt2

I would highly suggest a drive through Spearfish Canyon while you are in the Black Hills. It is worth it.

DenverBrian

Dallas to Chicago is about the same distance...but it's much denser in overall population. You're never more than the next exit, a few miles or km, from gas, soda, food, restrooms, and all that civilization has to offer.

There will be stretches on your Western drive where you could easily go 50 mi/80 km or more without seeing any substantial services. For those of us who live here, it's glorious. For some foreign tourists, it's terrifying.

CMK10

I did the Mount Rushmore thing last year and had a great time stopping at Wind Caves National Park. I'd suggest seeing that for sure.

Also, if you're starting in Phoenix, I suggest I-17 to AZ-260 in Camp Verde (stop at the casino if that's your thing) and then AZ-260 to AZ-89A up to Flagstaff. It's a beautiful drive that will take you up through Sedona and some gorgeous country.

djp98374

What sort of sites are you seeing? over a 19 day trip

1 day arrive in Phoenix.
2 days grand canyon
2 days drive...
4 days yellowstone
2 days Grand Teton
1 day drive....
3 days black hills, SD
1 day drive...
2 days Rocky Mountain national Park
1 Denver

If I counted right I have about 19 days.

TRRed

FWIW, after Grand Canyon, I would suggest driving to Las Vegas and flying to Jackson (JAC) or Bozeman (BZN). Use the extra 1-2 days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Maybe an extra $200 for the flight, but you get 1-2 extra days in one of the greatest parts of the US and save 500 miles of gas. Especially if you were not planning to spend time in Zion NP after Grand Canyon, I think it would be a good trade off. And you will still have plenty of miles on the road.

On YSNP, my experience is pretty much all facilities are open through the Labor Day holiday (1 Sep this year). After that they start closing for the winter in stages. The park's website should have details of planned closings.


TRRed

Lost

In 2009 I did a Phoenix to Seattle road trip taking the scenic route. Day one was:

-Phoenix
-I-17 to Flagstaff
-US 89, 160, 163 thru the painted desert and Monument Valley
-US 191 thru Moab
-I-70, US 6, I-15 to Salt Lake City. Overnight.

Day two:
-I-15 to Blackfoot, ID
-US 26, US 93 thru Salmon, ID to Missoula, MT
-I-90 to Spokane. Overnight

I had to be in Seattle on day three, so I didn't make many stops along the way. The drive was absolutely stunning the whole way. You sound like you'll have more time to take in the sights, so I'd recommend stopping and taking your time to experience it all.

Gas: I'd recommend refueling when you reach half a tank. As others said, there are long stretches with absolutely nothing.

Maps. Get paper road maps or electronic maps that don't need a cell connection. Lots of areas with no cell coverage AT ALL.

Weather: August and early September is monsoon season in the southwest, especially in Arizona and New Mexico. Thunderstorms are likely most afternoons and along with them there can be some epic flash floods. Every summer here in Phoenix there are news stories of someone who tried to drive across a flooded wash (usually in a SUV) and started floating away. Highs in Phoenix are usually 95-105 on days with thunderstorms; closer to 105-112 on dry days that time of year.

Snow in the higher elevations is possibe that time of year in the northern parts but unlikely. I wouldn't worry about getting a car that's not winter ready, Cool temps, yes, but snow, probably not.

The weather can be variable from below freezing to 120F (especially over this big of an area), but if you're looking to pack light I would recommend the 8/20-9/8 time rather than later. It's more likely to be variable as we get closer to autumn.

Also remember to keep water and a charged cellphone in the car. There's some places that you do not want to get stuck. And know where you are at all times just in case you need to give your location to a highway patrol dispatcher/tow truck driver.

US 89 was washed out in a landslide between Tuba City and Page Arizona about 14 months ago and it's still not open. They have built US 89T around it, but I believe non-locals can only use it during the day so take this into consideration when planning your route. It sounds like the normal highway will not be open anytime soon. I haven't been up there in quite a while so things may have changed.

Lost

I second this. Doesn't take too much more time over the freeway and Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon are spectacular!

Edit: A side trip in this are would be to take AZ 89A south from Cottonwood up Mingus Mountain to Jerome. Very interesting little mining town built right into the side of the mountain.

CMK10

Indeed, Jerome is fun. I stayed at the Grand Hotel once (supposedly haunted!) which was a good time, plus the restaurant there is fabulous.

mlshanks

One tip I often offer to travelers who might hit snow on their vacation.....or might not.

After picking up your rental car, go into a national chain store (Pep Boys Automotive and Walmart are good choices) and buy a set of tire chains that will fit the car. SAVE THE RECEIPT. If you haven't had to use them, return them for a refund before flying out from your destination. If you have had to use them, count your blessings that you *were* prepared, didn't have to be towed out of ditch (or pay an extortionate price in the rural hinterlands to get a set)....and you can either leave them in the car trunk or donate them to a used-goods charity like Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

Dieuwer

Definitely do the trip late September, early October. You will hit the peak of Fall Foliage. Terrific sight.