Do you like road trips?! Well here’s what to see in the Western United States. I love road trips, though I don’t go on them as often as I’d like. I think once we start to grow our family past the two of us and our dog we may take more road trips as flying can get pricey for a whole family (even with travel rewards). So I planned out this road trip for my husband and I to go on. This trip would be 2 weeks or more depending on how long you want to stay in each place! So here are places to go and things t
o do on your western United States road trip.
You begin your journey in beautiful San Francisco, California
You can stay in a good place in the city ranging from $215-$350 a night, while there are cheaper options I don’t like staying at dives.
After San Fran’, head south to Santa Maria!
Hotels in Santa Maria run from $130 to $200 per night
Next on your journey, head east to Las Vegas, Nevada!
Your trip continues… head north to Zion National Park
From Zion continue north to Salt Lake City, Utah
Next stop Missoula, Montana!
Video Credit: http://destinationmissoula.org
So this is actually where I live which is why I added it to the road trip list. For one Missoula is an adorable little town that is over looked in (my opinion) which is why I think you should stop here and putts around for a day before you go to Glacier National Park. Go to Big Dipper Ice Cream, go hike the famous “M” trail, talk a walk along the Clark fork River and grab dinner at one of the many places downtown. I would recommend staying at the Holiday Inn downtown, grading dinner at Tamarack, drinks at the Montgomery Distillery or Draught Works Brewery (its the best one in Missoula hands. down.), and grab breakfast at either the HobNob or Catalyst (they both tend to be busy, but are worth the wait).
Drive North and explore Glacier National Park for a day!
Glacier is home to the most beautiful views you will ever see! I would recommend staying at the Timber Wolf Resort, they have cabins you can stay in, you can pitch a tent, or you can stay in their bed and breakfast (runs between $30-$120 depending one which one you pick). This is just outside of the park and usually has availability while a lot of the stuff in the park is booked way out and thus always full (like a year in advanced). There is a ton of hiking in Glacier, but you can also drive all day and check out the park, you can hangout by Lake McDonald, and you can stop at the top of the going to the sun road and look at the views and the Logan Pass Visitor’s Center (at the top of this road) which is a little museum too.
After your wonderful last day in northern Montana head west to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Next stop Seattle, Washington!
Heading three hours south to Portland, Oregon
I love Portland, it is such a lively city. Take a walk along the river, rent bikes to sight see, go bouldering at the largest indoor climbing place in the area, eat at the Red Onion (they have the best Thai cuisine), and if dessert is your thing then you should stop by Voodoo Doughnuts or Salt and Straw (an amazingly unique yet delicious ice cream place). You can stay at a nice hotel in the area for about $150 per night.
Onward! Bend, OR is calling your name!
Last stop… Redwood National Forest.
So you’ve been all over the west at this point, have been to many national parks, but nothing compares to this! Camp and hike in among some of the worlds’ largest tree species.
Last part of your drive is t bring it full circle and head south back to San Francisco! I hope you have a blast!
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed my post! As always I would love to hear from you. Please comment below!
Where have you road tripped? Have you been to any of these cities and which was your favorite, what dod you do while you were there?
