dalm

I'd like to take my parents (80's) to the balloon fiesta in Albuquerque in October and spend a couple of days there. From there was thinking of driving and spending a couple nights at the Grand Canyon....and I hear the North Rim is the place to be. Hopefully a couple nights there and on to Las Vegas for another couple of nights. That's 6 nights accounted for and I'm figuring we may need to make a stop on the road somewhere in between the "destinations."
Does anyone have experience with this type of schedule and could advise whether it's too optimistic a plan? Are there problems with snow on these routes in mid-October? Any suggestions, comments, thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

sonofzeus

In the last fortnight, I've read about folks considering taking AMTRAK Left Coast to Right Coast and back with kids and an unspecified demographic that wants to drive from BOS-Yellowstone and back. OP's idea seems equally "impractical".

Has US air travel become too expensive, too hassle ridden...?

Does time have no value?

Don't people know the true cost to operate their automobiles?

AZ_MISMAN

First, enjoy Balloon Fiesta. Make sure that, on the days you want to arrive, you get there about 5:00 a.m. (earlier to avoid the bulk of the traffic.) It gets really congested.

ABQ to the North Rim is about 9-hour drive, but the North Rim officially closes on 10/15; you'll be cutting it close. Between Flagstaff and the North Rim, there are not many services, so make sure you fill up in Flagstaff. I'd suggest a night in Flagstaff just to break up the trip. (Holbrook or Winslow, AZ, an hour east of Flagstaff may be cheaper for lodging...)

North Rim to Las Vegas is about 5 hours (going via St. George, UT.)

AZ_MISMAN

Actually, I just enjoy the "away" time. In the past year, I've done all of my vacations driving... up to Cheyenne, WY, over to the Black Hills of SD, down to Nebraska, and back home. 8-hours up and 10-days back. Will be doing something similar this year through Utah, and to Kansas City, MO.

Yes, air travel is hassel ridden, and I have the time to spare. I also know the "true cost" to operate my auto, but want a more relaxed mode of transportation. To each his own, I guess.

dalm

Thank you for your thoughts. I love to travel by air but there are some things you miss along the way. This trip does have its problems, however. I've found you must reserve about 13 months in advance for a room at the lodge on the north rim. Also, the drop off charge for renting a car and dropping it at another location is pretty expensive. I may need to make some modifications.

gardener

Really? I just booked a cabin for this September with no problems.

dalm

You were lucky. I had them check from September 20 through October 15 and the agent said there was no availability....though I could call periodically in case there was a cancellation.

AZ_MISMAN

Check Jacob Lake to see if they have anything. (I honestly can't remember what is there, but it would be worth checking.)

sonofzeus

With 2 octogenarians in tow??

dalm

AZ_MISMAN - thanks for the driving times. I think they're quite do-able.

AZ_MISMAN

almost as bad... a wife with fibromyalgia

Ben Murphy

Don't stay in Jacob Lake. Last time I spent a night there the rooms were awful and there was black mold in the room. I suggest googling "private grand Canyon Tour" and seeing if a tour provider can get you some better options.

SoCal

We stayed at the Jacob Lake Inn 2 years ago. Nothing special (basically a motel), but no mold. Your only other practical choices, for more than one in-and-out are the lodge at the rim, http://www.grandcanyonlodgenorth.com/, and the Kaibab Lodge, just outside the park boundary. Tripadvisor.com has reviews of all. Read them first. North Rim is quieter and cooler than the South Rim, but does have fewer options for lodging. At the South Rim you could choose between the hotels in the park, and the nearby town of Tusayan. I prefer the North Rim, but if you can't find anything, then perhaps the South Rim is the way to go. For the North Rim, if you will spend just one day in the park, then hotels or motels in the towns of Fredonia, Arizona or Kanab, Utah could be practical.

cblaisd

The choices there appear pretty grim, and it's an ugly little town.