Hi guys,

I am planning a trip around the states and Canada and wanted to ask for help. I am currently thinking about the route, putting aside Covid-19, costs, car rental etc.
The destinations I plan to visit in:
1. San Diego
2. Grand Canyon
3. Yosemite National Park
4. San Francisco
5. Seattle
6. The American Rockies
7. Yellowstone National Park
8. Denver
9. Washington D.C.
10. Boston
11. Niagara Falls
12. Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal

I plan to start with the West Coast, San Diego and the parks (because of the nice spring weather). My question is regarding the route - what's a recommended route for a trip including the destinations above? I did put it on a map but unfortunately I am not allowed to post URLs until I have at least 5 posts.
A. In which destinations should I rent a car and in which should I take a flight? (San Diego -- The parks -- San Francisco by car, San Francisco -- Seattle by plane, Seattle -- Rockies -- Yellowstone -- Denver by car, Denver -- Washington D.C. by plane, Washington D.C. -- Boston by car, Boston -- Toronto by plane/car and the rest of Canada by car. Is that a good idea?).
B. Should I exclude Seattle?
C. Should I include the Canadian Rockies between Seattle and Yellowstone?
D. Should I cut the ending Canadian part of the trip - Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal?
E. Is this too much? I know this is a lot, but I really want to experience these places - I have 4 months, it's on spring-summer time, and as you can tell, I want to combine both large cities and nature.

What is your take on this?
Help will be much appreciated.

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Travelboy007!

Since your questions are not related to Coronavirus and most of the destinations are in the US, I am moving your post to the USA forum.


NewbieRunner
Coronavirus and Travel forum co-moderator

Hi
Thanks

4 months is a good amount of time. I think a lot will depend on your budget.
The " American Rockies" covers a lot of territory as does Yosemite and Yellowstone.

What do you want to actually DO in any of these places? whitewater rafting? Amtrac train? museums? You left out Sedona/Flagstaff/Las Vegas where you could spend a couple of weeks just seeing the ruins and hiking the Grand Canyon.

I think you need to research each area you are interested in. See what activities you want to do in that area. Then start narrowing down a trip.

I am not sure if you can buy a car in your first place and get insurance to cover the trip. Then sell it at the end. This would give you the freedom to backtrack if you want, spend a week here or there or just keep going.

The one place I would not buy a car is California. California has some funny rules about becoming a tax resident for the State.

I'd start east and move west. Parts of the Grand Canyon and Rockies may still be snow-closed at the time.

Look at the car rental rates first, r/t (return to renting location) vs. o/w. And when looking at rates, check for unlimited mileage and whether there are any geographical limation.

Also don't know what citizenship you have as that will dictate how long you can stay in the U.S. (you cannot go to Canada and return to the U.S. if your stay (even in Canada) exceeds the limit for certain visa types.

Washington and Boston can be covered on transit and foot so car is not necessary.

I like the east>west suggestion.

Just a thought. I'm sure some will disagree.

I'd do Boston > NYC > Philadelphia > DC. You can do all of that using trains or buses between the cities and public transit within.
DC area would be a good spot to start the road trip portion IMO.
Then DC > Chicago > Minneapolis > west on I-94 into Montana.
Skip Yellowstone, way too touristy, go to Glacier National Park instead. Then up to Calgary / Banff.
Then over to Vancouver.
Then Seattle > Portland > Bay Area > Yosemite > LA > San Diego.
If you have time when in southern California, Death Valley & Las Vegas.

Just my $.02.