Long Island to Colorado, Utah, Grand Canyon and Route 66 Trip Stops

[Steve Biegler]

Lori and I are planning our trip from Long Island NY to Colorado to visit some family.
On the way we will be stopping at various Harvest Host locations, one being the Auburn Cord Museum (I am a gear head) and another Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH.
Once we leave Colorado we are going to meander our way back to Long Island and hit Zion and The Grand Canyon, some sections of Route 66 and we also plan to visit The Indianapolis Speedway Museum.
This is our return itinerary (generated by Google AI ) and if anyone has any "must see" stops along the way we would appreciate the input.


Day 1: Morrison, CO to Green River, UT
• Drive Distance: ~330 miles via I-70 West.
• Route Highlights: You will climb through the Rocky Mountains, pass Vail and
Glenwood Canyon, and cross into the beautiful red rock desert of Utah.
• RV Stop Suggestion: Book a site at Green River State Park or a local RV park in
Green River.

Day 2: Green River, UT to Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: ~260 miles via I-70 West and I-15 South. [1]
• Route Highlights: Drive through the San Rafael Swell on I-70, then head south on I-15 past Cedar City to State Route 9 toward Zion. [1]
• RV Navigation Tip: If entering from the east via US-89 and Route 9, note that rigs over 11'4" tall or 7'10" wide require a tunnel escort fee at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Rigs over 13'1" tall cannot pass at all. [1]
• RV Stop Suggestion: Stay inside the park at Watchman Campground (has electric hookups, reservations required) or at an RV resort in nearby Springdale or Virgin, UT.

Day 3: Explore Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: 0 miles.
• Activity: Give your RV a rest and use the free Zion Canyon Shuttle System to explore Temple of Sinawava, the Narrows, and Angels Landing. [1, 2]

Day 4: Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
• Drive Distance: ~245 miles via US-89 South and AZ-64 West. [1, 2]
• Route Highlights: Head east out of Zion (or bypass south via Arizona State Route 389 if your RV is too large for the Zion tunnel). Drive past the stunning Vermilion
Clins and cross the Colorado River near Navajo Bridge before entering the Grand
Canyon's East Entrance (Desert View).
• RV Stop Suggestion: Park your rig at Mather Campground (no hookups but accepts large RVs) or Trailer Village RV Park (full hookups) right at the South Rim.

Driving from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Long Island is a roughly 2,400-mile crosscountry trip. At an RV-friendly pace of 300 miles per day, the journey takes about 8 driving days via I-40 East, I-44 East, and I-70/I-80 East, incorporating classic Route 66 segments through Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Daily RV Itinerary (Approx. 300 Miles/Day)

• Day 1: Grand Canyon South Rim to Albuquerque, NM (~320 miles)
o Route: Take AZ-64 South to Williams to hit historic Route 66. Hop on I-40
East past Flagstan and Winslow through the high desert into New Mexico to
Albuquerque.

• Day 2: Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX (~285 miles)
o Route: Continue on I-40 East, tracing old Route 66 alignments through
Tucumcari into the wide-open spaces of the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo.

• Day 3: Amarillo, TX to Oklahoma City, OK (~260 miles)
o Route: Stay on I-40 East. Stop by the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton
before parking for the night in Oklahoma City.

• Day 4: Oklahoma City, OK to Joplin, MO (~280 miles)
o Route: Transition from I-40 to I-44 East (the Turner and Will Rogers
Turnpikes), following the scenic Northeast Oklahoma Route 66 corridor
through Tulsa and Catoosa.

• Day 5: Joplin, MO to St. Louis, MO (~300 miles)
o Route: Take I-44 East straight across Missouri, passing through rolling Ozark
foothill scenery and classic roadside Americana stops like Cuba, Missouri.

• Day 6: St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN (~245 miles)
o Route: Cross the Mississippi River on I-70 East, enjoying a slightly shorter
mileage day to account for potential urban traffic around St. Louis and
Indianapolis.

• Day 7: Indianapolis, IN to Breezewood, PA (~360 miles or split near Wheeling,
WV ~290 miles)
o Route: Take I-70 East through Ohio and into West Virginia/Pennsylvania
mountains.

• Day 8: Breezewood, PA to Long Island, NY (~275 miles)
o Route: Take I-70/I-76 to I-287 around New York City, crossing the Verrazzano-
Narrows Bridge and heading east via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to
your final destination.

 

[youngnretired]

I would add arches national park and canyonlands national park. Note that with those two parks and zion, you will need to get timed entry tickets to get into the parks. May want to look at Bryce canyon too.

In Texas, stop at the Cadillac ranch right off the highway by amarillo.

If you are by Santa Rosa, NM, stop at the blue hole.

On route 66 and if you go west of the grand canyon, stop at Oatman, AZ and see the town and burrows and read about the history. Climbing the hill from the east there's a natural spring where people could rely on water to add to the radiator back in those days. Shafer spring.

In MO, there are several caves to stop and go thru, most noted Onondaga, and meramec caverns and several others. There are also some natural springs that are of interest. If you have a sense of humor, stop at the town of Uranus.

In grand canyon last year when we were there, campgrounds were full. We overnighted in the castle overlook area parking lot and I know a few miles south towards kingman, AZ there's boondocking locations in trees areas.

We did all of route 66 last year, so if there's anything of interest, I could probably point out a few things depending on your area of interests.

 

[Steve Biegler]

I would add arches national park and canyonlands national park. Note that with those two parks and zion, you will need to get timed entry tickets to get into the parks. May want to look at Bryce canyon too.

In Texas, stop at the Cadillac ranch right off the highway by amarillo.

If you are by Santa Rosa, NM, stop at the blue hole.

On route 66 and if you go west of the grand canyon, stop at Oatman, AZ and see the town and burrows and read about theAmarillo. Climbing the hill from the east there's a natural spring where people could rely on water to add to the radiator back in those days. Shafer spring.

In MO, there are several caves to stop and go thru, most noted Onondaga, and meramec caverns and several others. There are also some natural springs that are of interest. If you have a sense of humor, stop at the town of Uranus.

In grand canyon last year when we were there, campgrounds were full. We overnighted in the castle overlook area parking lot and I know a few miles south towards kingman, AZ there's boondocking locations in trees areas.

We did all of route 66 last year, so if there's anything of interest, I could probably point out a few things depending on your area of interests.

Thank you! Adding to our notes.

 

[booster]

Be sure to check with the park about the timed passes or other reservations as the mass layoffs the park service got hit with has caused some changes in them. Getting a campsite in Zion, Arches, and Bryce can be challenging on short notice depending on the season. Bryce canyon was by far our favorite of the three mentioned.

 

[engnrsrule]

Sounds like an awesome trip! In 2023 we did 46 days/9000 miles cross USA and back across Canada. Used HH 3-4 days then a campground for a night tour 2 (to pump bilges).

 

[Nspekter]

I agree with Steve and Booster’s recommendations and would add Colorado National Monument just off of I-70 west of Grand Junction

 

[Nspekter]

Also would add Capital Reef National Park, Co. Hwy 550 from Montrose to Silverton. So much to see, so little time. You might consider the north rim of the Grand Canyon, it has reopened since the fire and is supposed to be much quieter than the south rim. Coming from Zion you’re already on that side. Check their closing date, when we went by it was already closed for the season.
You’ve got a great trip planned, enjoy!

 

[Mr. Merk]

Day 1: Morrison, CO to Green River, UT
• Drive Distance: ~330 miles via I-70 West.
• Route Highlights: You will climb through the Rocky Mountains, pass Vail and
Glenwood Canyon, and cross into the beautiful red rock desert of Utah.
• RV Stop Suggestion: Book a site at Green River State Park or a local RV park in
Green River.

Day 2: Green River, UT to Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: ~260 miles via I-70 West and I-15 South. [1]
• Route Highlights: Drive through the San Rafael Swell on I-70, then head south on I-15 past Cedar City to State Route 9 toward Zion. [1]
• RV Navigation Tip: If entering from the east via US-89 and Route 9, note that rigs over 11'4" tall or 7'10" wide require a tunnel escort fee at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Rigs over 13'1" tall cannot pass at all. [1]
• RV Stop Suggestion: Stay inside the park at Watchman Campground (has electric hookups, reservations required) or at an RV resort in nearby Springdale or Virgin, UT.

Day 3: Explore Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: 0 miles.
• Activity: Give your RV a rest and use the free Zion Canyon Shuttle System to explore Temple of Sinawava, the Narrows, and Angels Landing. [1, 2]

Day 4: Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
• Drive Distance: ~245 miles via US-89 South and AZ-64 West. [1, 2]
• Route Highlights: Head east out of Zion (or bypass south via Arizona State Route 389 if your RV is too large for the Zion tunnel). Drive past the stunning Vermilion
Clins and cross the Colorado River near Navajo Bridge before entering the Grand
Canyon's East Entrance (Desert View).
• RV Stop Suggestion: Park your rig at Mather Campground (no hookups but accepts large RVs) or Trailer Village RV Park (full hookups) right at the South Rim.

Driving from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Long Island is a roughly 2,400-mile crosscountry trip. At an RV-friendly pace of 300 miles per day, the journey takes about 8 driving days via I-40 East, I-44 East, and I-70/I-80 East, incorporating classic Route 66 segments through Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Daily RV Itinerary (Approx. 300 Miles/Day)

• Day 1: Grand Canyon South Rim to Albuquerque, NM (~320 miles)
o Route: Take AZ-64 South to Williams to hit historic Route 66. Hop on I-40
East past Flagstan and Winslow through the high desert into New Mexico to
Albuquerque.

• Day 2: Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX (~285 miles)
o Route: Continue on I-40 East, tracing old Route 66 alignments through
Tucumcari into the wide-open spaces of the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo.

• Day 3: Amarillo, TX to Oklahoma City, OK (~260 miles)
o Route: Stay on I-40 East. Stop by the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton
before parking for the night in Oklahoma City.

• Day 4: Oklahoma City, OK to Joplin, MO (~280 miles)
o Route: Transition from I-40 to I-44 East (the Turner and Will Rogers
Turnpikes), following the scenic Northeast Oklahoma Route 66 corridor
through Tulsa and Catoosa.

• Day 5: Joplin, MO to St. Louis, MO (~300 miles)
o Route: Take I-44 East straight across Missouri, passing through rolling Ozark
foothill scenery and classic roadside Americana stops like Cuba, Missouri.

Day 1: If it's late and you just need to stop, we recently stopped at the eastbound Crescent Junction rest stop. Just a pretty quiet rest stop with a nice view at sunrise. You're above the highway on a mesa overlooking the road south to Moab.

Day 2: I have, and would recommend, going down through Hanksville, Torrey, Escalante stopping at the Hollow Mountain Gas Station and the Hogback overlook. Just points of interest and a pretty scenic route.

Day 2 headed home: Rt66 through Tucumcari. There's a couple good restaurants on the strip. Cadillac Ranch, obviously.

Day 3: Shamrock Texas Gas Station

Day 5: If you take I44 you will be missing 100% of the Ozarks. Better yet, bring I40 from OKC into Arkansas and stop at the Oark General Store for Burgers and Pie, then take the Pig Trail highway 23 up towards Bentonville. Stop at the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, the Walton 5&10 museum. We now have Michelin recommended restaurants downtown. Visit Eureka Springs Arkansas. Continue east and jump on the Peel Ferry and drive windy highway 125 up into the Mark Twain National Forest.

 

[Nspekter]

Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs is worth a visit.

 

[Steve Biegler]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Steve Biegler]

Day 1: If it's late and you just need to stop, we recently stopped at the eastbound Crescent Junction rest stop. Just a pretty quiet rest stop with a nice view at sunrise. You're above the highway on a mesa overlooking the road south to Moab.

Day 2: I have, and would recommend, going down through Hanksville, Torrey, Escalante stopping at the Hollow Mountain Gas Station and the Hogback overlook. Just points of interest and a pretty scenic route.

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Day 2 headed home: Rt66 through Tucumcari. There's a couple good restaurants on the strip. Cadillac Ranch, obviously.
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Day 3: Shamrock Texas Gas Station
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Day 5: If you take I44 you will be missing 100% of the Ozarks. Better yet, bring I40 from OKC into Arkansas and stop at the Oark General Store for Burgers and Pie, then take the Pig Trail highway 23 up towards Bentonville. Stop at the Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, the Walton 5&10 museum. We now have Michelin recommended restaurants downtown. Visit Eureka Springs Arkansas. Continue east and jump on the Peel Ferry and drive windy highway 125 up into the Mark Twain National Forest.
View attachment 2493003
View attachment 2493008
View attachment 2493004
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View attachment 2493007

Thank you! You should be a tour guide!

 

[youngnretired]

If you do Capital Reef National Park, we did that about 5 years ago. We drove east out of Boulder, UT (turn at the 90 degree corner), down thru the Burr Trail Switchbacks, down into Capital Reef then north thru Capital Reef to highway 24.

If you do this, go as described as you'll be going downhill for the first 1/3 of it, and do NOT do this drive if it's raining, storming upstream, or recently rained. You drive down a paved road thru slot canyons, turns to gravel with 1000' of switchbacks and stunning views, and once you reach the valley floor, for us, it was a hard packed clayish dirt road. This lower road would have been a nightmare if it was wet in a 2wd vehicle. Probably inquire with someone in Boulder for current road conditions first.

If you have the time, talk a walking tour thru a narrow slot canyon somewhere in Utah. Very interesting if you've never been in one.

 

[Pam G-ClassB]

Lori and I are planning our trip from Long Island NY to Colorado to visit some family.
On the way we will be stopping at various Harvest Host locations, one being the Auburn Cord Museum (I am a gear head) and another Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH.
Once we leave Colorado we are going to meander our way back to Long Island and hit Zion and The Grand Canyon, some sections of Route 66 and we also plan to visit The Indianapolis Speedway Museum.
This is our return itinerary (generated by Google AI ) and if anyone has any "must see" stops along the way we would appreciate the input.


Day 1: Morrison, CO to Green River, UT
• Drive Distance: ~330 miles via I-70 West.
• Route Highlights: You will climb through the Rocky Mountains, pass Vail and
Glenwood Canyon, and cross into the beautiful red rock desert of Utah.
• RV Stop Suggestion: Book a site at Green River State Park or a local RV park in
Green River.

Day 2: Green River, UT to Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: ~260 miles via I-70 West and I-15 South. [1]
• Route Highlights: Drive through the San Rafael Swell on I-70, then head south on I-15 past Cedar City to State Route 9 toward Zion. [1]
• RV Navigation Tip: If entering from the east via US-89 and Route 9, note that rigs over 11'4" tall or 7'10" wide require a tunnel escort fee at the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. Rigs over 13'1" tall cannot pass at all. [1]
• RV Stop Suggestion: Stay inside the park at Watchman Campground (has electric hookups, reservations required) or at an RV resort in nearby Springdale or Virgin, UT.

Day 3: Explore Zion National Park
• Drive Distance: 0 miles.
• Activity: Give your RV a rest and use the free Zion Canyon Shuttle System to explore Temple of Sinawava, the Narrows, and Angels Landing. [1, 2]

Day 4: Zion National Park to Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
• Drive Distance: ~245 miles via US-89 South and AZ-64 West. [1, 2]
• Route Highlights: Head east out of Zion (or bypass south via Arizona State Route 389 if your RV is too large for the Zion tunnel). Drive past the stunning Vermilion
Clins and cross the Colorado River near Navajo Bridge before entering the Grand
Canyon's East Entrance (Desert View).
• RV Stop Suggestion: Park your rig at Mather Campground (no hookups but accepts large RVs) or Trailer Village RV Park (full hookups) right at the South Rim.

Driving from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Long Island is a roughly 2,400-mile crosscountry trip. At an RV-friendly pace of 300 miles per day, the journey takes about 8 driving days via I-40 East, I-44 East, and I-70/I-80 East, incorporating classic Route 66 segments through Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Daily RV Itinerary (Approx. 300 Miles/Day)

• Day 1: Grand Canyon South Rim to Albuquerque, NM (~320 miles)
o Route: Take AZ-64 South to Williams to hit historic Route 66. Hop on I-40
East past Flagstan and Winslow through the high desert into New Mexico to
Albuquerque.

• Day 2: Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX (~285 miles)
o Route: Continue on I-40 East, tracing old Route 66 alignments through
Tucumcari into the wide-open spaces of the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo.

• Day 3: Amarillo, TX to Oklahoma City, OK (~260 miles)
o Route: Stay on I-40 East. Stop by the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton
before parking for the night in Oklahoma City.

• Day 4: Oklahoma City, OK to Joplin, MO (~280 miles)
o Route: Transition from I-40 to I-44 East (the Turner and Will Rogers
Turnpikes), following the scenic Northeast Oklahoma Route 66 corridor
through Tulsa and Catoosa.

• Day 5: Joplin, MO to St. Louis, MO (~300 miles)
o Route: Take I-44 East straight across Missouri, passing through rolling Ozark
foothill scenery and classic roadside Americana stops like Cuba, Missouri.

• Day 6: St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN (~245 miles)
o Route: Cross the Mississippi River on I-70 East, enjoying a slightly shorter
mileage day to account for potential urban traffic around St. Louis and
Indianapolis.

• Day 7: Indianapolis, IN to Breezewood, PA (~360 miles or split near Wheeling,
WV ~290 miles)
o Route: Take I-70 East through Ohio and into West Virginia/Pennsylvania
mountains.

• Day 8: Breezewood, PA to Long Island, NY (~275 miles)
o Route: Take I-70/I-76 to I-287 around New York City, crossing the Verrazzano-
Narrows Bridge and heading east via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to
your final destination.

If you have time to eat in Williams,AZ, I highly recommend the Pine Country restaurant. The food is really good, reasonable prices, and they have a big display case of pies and some cakes that are really impressive! I ate there for both breakfast and dinner twice each. Williams also has a nice shopping area near the restaurant. On my way back home from there, I stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park and really enjoyed it. I stayed at a campground close to the park the night before. Nothing fancy but they did have a good restroom and a great view of the sunset. There's a great restaurant in Gallup, NM called the Route 66 Diner. Really nice red and white 1950's style decor. The food is classic diner food, plus Mexican and Native American food. The staff are really friendly too. I stayed at a campground near there called Red Rock. It's definitely nothing fancy, but it was inexpensive and it's next to red hills. I stayed there one night on my way to the Grand Canyon and one night on my way back.