How to plan the best American road trip across the western USA with a 3 week itinerary
Start planning an amazing 3 week American road trip with this day by day guide to the best destinations in the Midwest and American West
If you want to plan an amazing, once in a lifetime road trip to experience the states of the West and Midwest of the USA, this article will outline exactly how you can plan an epic roadtrip trip in just 21 days or three weeks.
You could have some memorable, bucket list worthy moments on this roadtrip! From exploring the famous natural attractions at National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and Grand Teton and important US historic sites like Mount Rushmore to fun stops in small towns like Bozeman and Jackson Hole and classic American roadside attractions like Wall Drug and the Corn Palace, and finally the chance to experience world class cities like Chicago and San Francisco to start and end your trip.
I went a roadtrip across the Midwest and Western states of America in the summer of 2018 to really get an in depth overview of this part of the country and I am sharing all the best advice and tips you need to plan the perfect 3 week USA roadtrip with plans included for every day of the trip.
You can use the table of contents below to jump directly to a particular destination that inspires you, or read through the entire article for detailed day by day plans you can use to map out your ultimate American roadtrip across the mid west and western states!
How to plan an American roadtrip
The Unites States is a vast country connected by a comprehensive Interstate highway system and planning a roadtrip can seem completely overwhelming with 50 states to choose from when planning a visit. This section will outline some considerations for using this itinerary.
What time of year are you going? This itinerary is meant to be used for a spring, summer or early fall road trip as it passes through some of the more northern states of the Midwest and American West. Several stops listed here, like National Parks and some tourist attractions and camp grounds only operate during the summer season and many roads, even major ones, may not be consistently open in the winter, which can require long detours.
Do you prefer big cities, small towns or do you want to focus on National Parks and nature experience? You can use this American roadtrip itinerary to get an idea of the experience you want and then add or remove days depending on which places are most of interest to you.
Be aware of advance booking: for several major National Parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, you will have to book well in advance to secure camp sites or climbing permits. These are sometimes issued by lottery or sell out within minutes of being released. You must check the National Park website typically in January or February to secure your desired campsites for peak season summer travel.
What kind of vehicle will you drive? Americans and Canadians may well drive their own vehicles for a USA roadtrip but international visitors getting a rental should be sure that it will fit all of their equipment and inquire if features like all wheel drive or snow tires will be neccesary. Most American rental cars will have an automatic transmission, manual is not common.
Keep in mind that RVs and large trailers or campers will require campsites or accommodation with suitable parking spaces.
You will likely also encounter toll roads on your journey, you will either pay a small fee in cash at a window or a fee will be charged to your rental company through a transponder or license plate reader and you will pay the charges when you return the car.
The good news is that gasoline for your vehicle is relatively cheap in the US compared to most of Europe!
Where will you stay and will you be camping? This USA roadtrip itinerary can be done entirely as a camping trip, or with stays at motels, hotels and lodges or cabins. Camping will be the lowest cost option but you typically still need to pay for campsites and you will need to bring or purchase equipment. There are lots of standard chain motels across the USA so if camping is not for you, this is also a lower cost choice. Remember that camp sites in popular destinations should be booked well in advance for peak summer season visits.
Tips for international visitors
This section is meant to help international visitors know what to expect - most of these tips may seem obvious if you are North American!
There are still places where tapping your credit card or even chip and pin isn’t used, or cards are not accepted, keep some American cash in your wallet just in case, but for most places a tap card should be fine.
Traffic signals, stop signs, road markings and parking restrictions are all meant to be followed and you can incur fines and tickets for disobeying these laws, the fines may get charged to the rental car company and you will still have to pay them even if you are not American.
Don’t assume you can camp anywhere you want in a National or State Park, check with park rangers if unsure to avoid fines. Certainly don’t expect to be able to hike or camp on private land without permission, while some countries have right to roam laws for hikers, the USA does not, with limited exceptions.
You may not get cell phone data coverage in remote areas even with a US SIM card especially in some big National Parks. Check a coverage map from your phone provider and be prepared with paper maps or GPS if needed.
Tipping is customary for restaurant meals, and other situations where people help you as a service, like hotel baggage porters or car valets. For sit down restaurant meals, tipping around 15-20% before tax is standard, though not mandatory.
Littering or throwing garbage and trash on the ground is typically prohibited and you can be fined for doing so in some cases. Remember especially in National and State Parks and other nature areas, to “leave no trace” and only take pictures, don’t bring any nature home with you.
The telephone number for emergencies is 911 and they will dispatch the correct service for your emergency like police service, firefighters, and ambulances.
Take the time to understand how your medical travel insurance works and have the phone number accessible. Being prepared with your insurance information can avoid extra complicated paperwork and other issues after receiving American medical care.
The drinking age in the USA is 21 and it is often seriously enforced for the purchase of alcohol in liquor stores and entrance to bars and night clubs. You may be expected to show your passport to prove your age.
Days 1 and 2: Chicago
Plan for Day 1: There is a major airport at Chicago O’Hare, so this city is a great place to start your amazing road trip through the American Midwest and Western states. Today you can secure your transportation and supplies by picking up a rental car and stopping by a major retailer like Target or Wal Mart for camping supplies if needed or general items like snacks and drinks for the car. Keep in mind whether you will need to purchase any clothing or footwear for national parks before you start your drive across the western USA. International visitors should pick up a SIM card today as well.
Plan for Day 2: You will have all day to explore the “Windy City.” Whether you would like to get an overview of the city on a walking tour or architecture tour or add in some shopping or a museum visits, try some traditional Chicago style pizza and enjoy some evening entertainment at the theatre, there are lots of options in this major city.
Try either a walking tour or a boat cruise of downtown Chicago to learn more about the history and the architecture of the city, which had some of the country’s first skscrapers.
There is some great shopping available in the Magificent Mile area, especially for international visitors, this is a good place to find stores you may not have at home.
If you have any interest in literary history, plan a quick stop at the American Writers Museum, which presents the legacy of America’s greatest writers through a number of interactive exhibits and special exhibitions. There are even old typewriters you can try out !
Visit The Art Institute of Chicago, which is a world class art museum, famously home of the “American Gothic’ painting and of collections that span a range of genres and styles.
Try some Chicago style deep dish pizza for lunch or dinner, it has the cheese and toppings at the bottom and the sauce on top!
End your day with some drinks at a roof top bar overlooking the Chicago skyline and the shores of Lake Michigan or you could consider booking tickets to a theatre or musical show, you can check what’s currently on here.
Day 3: Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Distance from Chicago, Illinois to Milwaukee, Wisconsin: approximately 100 miles or 160 kilometres and between 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours of driving.
Plan for day 3: Drive from Chicago to Milwaukee in the morning, spend the day exploring this mid size city in the Midwest and either stay in the Milwaukee area this evening or continue on further into the state around Eau Claire, Wisconsin or drive all the way to Minneapolis, Minnesota to get a head start on the next day.
Beer lovers should plan a stop at the Miller Brewery in Milwaukee, which provides tours to see the production process of various Miller products and includes sampling opportunities at the end.
Motorcycle enthusiasts can stop by the Harley Davidson Museum and if you are more interested in art, try the lakefront Milwaukee Art Museum, which features work by Pablo Picasso, and the American artists Georgia O'Keeffe and Andy Warhol.
Try some fresh or fried cheese curds with your lunch or dinner, these are small pieces of cheese that have not been pressed into big blocks yet and they have a rubbery texture and make a squeaking noise when fresh.
Day 4: Minnesota – Mall of America
Distance from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota: 335 miles or 540 kilometres and about 5 hours of driving.
Plan for Day 4: Either drive to Minneapolis area in the morning today or the previous night and spend the afternoon either at the Mall of America or in the city before continuing on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the early evening.
Explore the Mall of America, which is the 7th largest shopping mall in the world. It features about 530 stores, a food court, restaurants, the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park area and the Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium. Even if you are not an avid shopper, there are still lots of activities to enjoy. International visitors can keep an eye out for brands that aren’t available at home.
The ‘Twin Cities’ region of Minneapolis and St. Paul is known for lakes and parks, you an see nature in action at the Minnehaha Park and Falls, located right in the city.
Art enthusiasts can stop by the Minneapolis Institute of Art or the outdoor Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens, which is adjacent to the Walker Art Centre and features the famous “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture.
Distance from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Sioux Falls, South Dakota: approximately 250 miles or 40 kilometres and 4 hours or driving time.
Continue on the the Sioux Falls area this evening so you will be in South Dakota and ready for your first stop at a major National Park tomorrow morning
If you are camping or in an RV, try the ‘Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park of Sioux Falls’, which is just over the border in South Dakota. This drive-in campground has amenities like a trampoline area, a pool and bar, and general store.
Day 5: South Dakota - Sioux Falls and Badlands National Park
Distance from Sioux Falls, SD to Mitchell, SD: 75 miles or 120 kilometres and 1 hour 15 minutes of driving.
Distance from Mitchell SD, to 1880 Town, SD: 160 miles or 260 kilometres and 2 hours 20 minutes of driving.
Plan for Day 5: Wake up in Sioux Falls this morning and have a short stop at the actual waterfall that gives the city its name before continuing on to a fun roadside attraction called the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD and another stop in a historic open air museum called ‘1880 Town’ before spending the rest of the afternoon at Badlands National Park. Stay in or around the park this evening.
Your first stop can be to see the actual falls on the Big Sioux River, which the city of Sioux Falls is named after.
Don’t miss the ‘The World’s Only Corn Palace’ , in the small town of Mitchell, South Dakota. This is a great example of a typical American roadside attraction and is an arena facility covered in murals and designs made from corn. There were historically more than 30 corn or grain palaces across the Midwest region, and this is the last one left.
To start your Western cowboy experience on this road trip, stop by ‘1880 Town’, which is a reconstructed Western frontier cowboy village with old buildings like a schoolhouse and a hotel, a train, and various museum exhibits to see how Americans lived here around the year 1880.
Distance from 1880 Town to Badlands National Park: 50 miles or 80 kilometres and a 1 hour drive to the entrance of the park.
Get ready for your first American National Park of the trip with a stop at Badlands National Park, which is well known for the distinctive striped geologic rock formations created by erosion.
You can do short walks or major hikes through this amazing landscape, consult the park website or a park ranger to learn more about suggested options.
There are many photo stop lookouts on the drive, don’t miss the Big Badlands Overlook on your way in and check for other great places to take pictures on Google Maps.
Don’t forget that the park rangers will often do interpretive sessions and presentations at night as well, you can hike all afternoon, then take a break for dinner and come back in the evening to learn something new from a park expert!
If you are not staying in the park, campers can try the Badlands/ White River KOA Holiday campground, which had good amenities like a pool, mini golf, a playground area and general store.
Day 6: South Dakota - Wall Drug and Custer State Park
Distance from Badlands National Park to Wall, South Dakota: 35 miles or 55 kilometres and about 40 minutes driving.
Plan for Day 6: If you really enjoy Badlands National Park you could consider watching the sunrise from a lookout point or spending the morning doing another hike before continuing on to some other attractions in South Dakota including the most famous road side stop of all, Wall Drug and ending your day at Custer State Park to see the hers of buffalo freely roaming around the park.
Make a stop this morning at ‘Wall Drug’, in the small town of Wall, SD. It is the most well-known roadside attraction in the country, founded as a little store that offered visitors free ice water, now it is a big complex of tourist shopping stores, restaurants, cafes and galleries.
If you want a beautiful souvenir of your trip, consider picking up some authentic silver and turquoise jewellery while you are in the area. These designs are often traditionally done by Native Americans, so make sure you are supporting an artist or business of this heritage with your purchase rather than buying a replica made somewhere else.
Distance from Wall, SD to Custer State Park : 80 miles or 130 kilometres and 1 hour and 20 minutes of driving.
Don’t miss your chance to see buffalo roaming free at Custer State Park! You can take a driving tour and they will cross in front and walk around your car since they are used to vehicles (but do not feed or bother them). Stop by the interpretation centre to learn more about them and their history in the American West.
There is a small lake in Custer State Park with options for kayak, canoe or paddleboard rental, this is a great way to get some exercise after long days on the road. Hiking or bicycling is also a good low cost choice.
You can even attend the round up of one of the world’s largest publicly owned bison herds if you happen to be here in the fall, learn more here.
Day 7: South Dakota to Wyoming - Mount Rushmore and Deadwood
Distance from Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore: 20 miles or 30 kilometres and a 40 minute drive.
Distance from Mount Rushmore to Crazy Horse Memorial: 20 miles or 30 kilometres and a 35 minute drive.
Plan for Day 7: Leave Custer State Park and start your day at the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial to see the Presidents’ faces carved into the mountainside. Continue on the the Crazy Horse Memorial, which is also a giant statue being carved into a mountain side near by. Head towards Wyoming this afternoon, stopping in the historic town of Deadwood just before the border, before arriving in your final destination of Devil’s Tower Wyoming, where you can spend the night.
First stop at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a unique American heritage site, which features four president’s heads carved into a the side of a mountain. You can walk around the site and there is a small museum and visitor’s centre. To get another perspective on this site, you can read this article by PBS, which notes that the land it was built on was important in the tradition of the Lakota Sioux people of the area.
A short drive away, you can watch the ongoing construction of the enormous Crazy Horse Memorial, one of the world’s largest statues being carved into the side of a mountain on privately owned land. It will eventually depict a Native American who was a leader of the Lakota people known as ‘Crazy Horse’, although there are differing perspectives on what this monument really represents, learn about it in this Wikipedia article. The site has a There shop and museum featuring artefacts, paintings and historical items.
Distance from Crazy Horse Memorial to Deadwood, South Dakota: 55 miles or 88 kilometres or a 1 hour and 15 minute drive.
Distance from Deadwood, SD to Devil’s Tower Wyoming: 75 miles or 120 kilometres and a 1 hour and 15 minutes drive.
The historic town of Deadwood was important in the Black Hills Gold Rush of the late 1800s and the main street still retains many architectural elements of the time. It is a great place to stop for an hour or two and have lunch. The dramatic scenery really makes you feel like you have reached ‘out west’ in the USA.
Deadwood has lots of tourist shops and casinos in addition to a historic train and museum and the nearby Mount Moriah Cemetery is the final resting place of Wild West figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.
Cross the border into Wyoming late this afternoon and arrive at the Devil’s Tower National Moument Rock formation in time to set up camp and have dinner before sunset.
You can camp directly across from the actual ‘Devil’s Tower’ rock. Try the Devil’s Tower KOA which has a pool, general stores and beautiful views right from your tent.
Grab your hiking boots for a sunset walk up trails around the rock to get great views of the surrounding countryside and don't forget your camera.
Day 8: Wyoming - Devil's Tower
Plan for Day 8: You will have been on the road for about a week now, so having a rest day and more time to explore this unusual rock formation will be a nice break from the busy pace of this itinerary. You should also be able to do some laundry at the campground if needed and end your day by roasting marshmallows around the campfire, and watching the sunset. If this stop is less of interest, consider adding an extra day to another National Park stop or in Chicago or San Francisco if you want more time in a major city instead.
The towering Devil’s Tower was formed millions of years ago by molten rock and rises notably above the Black Hills landscape. It was actually designated a the first national monument in the USA.
The hexagonal rock columns you can clearly see, are renowned for crack technique rock climbing. If you intend to climb, check the National Park website here for updated information about registering your club and permits and be aware that an annual climbing closure is in place during the month of June out of respect for the significance of the rock formation to local Native American traditions.
If you would like to experience Devil’s Tower with your feet on the ground, there are five hiking trails which range from 2.4 to 8 km in length.
Day 9: Wyoming to Montana - Bozeman
Distance from Devil’s Tower, Wyoming to the Little Bighorn National Monument in Montana: 230 miles or 370 kilometres and 3 hours and 30 minutes of driving.
Distance from Little Bighorn to Bozeman, MT: 205 miles or 330 kilometres and a 3 hour and 10 minute drive.
Plan for Day 9: Leave Wyoming this morning for a longer drive across the Montana border to arrive at the Little Bighorn National Monument, an important American historic site. You can stop in the city of Billings for lunch and to re-stock supplies in the early afternoon before continuing on to the college town of Bozeman for the evening.
The first major stop today is the Little Bighorn National Monument, and American historic site where the Battle of the Little Bighorn (sometimes called ‘Custer’s Last Stand’) took place. You can learn a lot here about the experience of Native Americans in the history of the western states through a video presentation, museum, and memorials to the groups who fought on both sides of the conflict.
Have lunch in the larger city of Billings, Montana and take some time to assess your supply levels and stock up before you enter Yellowstone National Park tomorrow, as you may not have access to a large supermarket or department store for several days.
For budget accomodation in Bozeman for campers, try the Bozeman Hot Springs Campground, which features tent sites and cabins, a cafeteria/restaurant area and a hot springs.
Have dinner in Bozeman, which has plenty of bars and restaurants. Check out what happening in Bozeman here on the city website, in the summer they have fun street and food festivals and other special events.
Days 10-12: Wyoming - Yellowstone National Park
Distance from Bozeman, MT to Yellowstone National Park, WY: 85 miles or 136 kilometres and 1 hour 30 minute of driving.
Plan for Day 10: Drive south today from Bozeman to cross the border back down into Wyoming to enter Yellowstone National Park from the north side. Stop at the Boiling River scenic lookout a few miles after the entrance. Have a picnic for lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying the unique and otherworldly landscape a the Mammoth Hot Springs before you set up camp for the night.
Today you will reach one of the major highlights of this road trip, Yellowstone National Park , which is mostly in the state of Wyoming, with a small area as part of Montana.
You will enter the park at the North entrance and shortly afterwards there is a good scenic photo stop at the Boiling River.
Arrive at the Mammoth Hot Springs area for lunch and explore the multiple springs here including Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Liberty Cap and Canary Spring which have unusual colours and steam rising from hot pools and strange mineral and rock formations. The area is connected by a series of boardwalks and pathways so you can walk between the springs.
Go for a hike this afternoon and stretch your legs. Inquire at the visitor’s centre or from a park ranger about what would be suitable for your group. Be aware that cell phone data may not work everywhere and wifi may be limited so do not rely only on your phone for information and navigation.
Remember that Yellowstone can get quite cold at night, even in the middle of summer due to high elevation. Don’t underestimate the temperatures here and pack clothing that can be layered, walking or hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket and hat, gloves and warm socks, even for a summer visit. You may want a comfortable day backpack for hiking as well.
Day 11: Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser Crater and hiking
Plan for Day 11: Leave your campsite this morning and make your first stop at the famous geyser called ‘Old Faithful’ right when it opens before it gets too busy and continue on to other well known natural attractions in the park like Great Prismatic Spring. Plan a hike of your choice for this afternoon and finish your day with a ranger presentation in the evening to learn more about American wildlife and the outdoors.
When you leave your campsite for the day, basic equipment can be left out but you may wish to keep valuables and personal luggage in your car with you during the day to keep it safe.
Stop by early at the Old Faithful geyser, which is known for its reliability and goes off every 45 minutes – 2 hours. It gets busy on the boardwalks in the summer and you will want a good viewing spot for photos and videos. The nearby Old Faithful Inn is a great example of a historic lodge type building.
Follow all park directions to stay on the designated pathways and to not chase hats or items dropped near the springs, since you can die if you fall in the extremely hot springs.
Visit Great Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in the USA and has rings of bright colours like blue, orange, yellow and red due to microbes in the water.
Check with the staff at one of the visitor’s centre to find a hike that will be suitable for your group.
Find the schedule for ranger presentations and see what is on in the evening, there are many very experienced rangers and staff with amazing stories and information about the park, often accompanied by a slideshow.
Day 12: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and additional nature activities
Plan for Day 12: For your last day in this amazing environment, plan a stop at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which has a walk leading to a major waterfall and amazing views. For the afternoon, try another hike or other activity you would enjoy after consulting with the park website or staff to see what’s available. End your stay with a campfire this evening and try making the American dessert ‘s’mores’ and roasting marshmallows over the fire.
First, stop by the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a narrow, deep canyon area with a waterfall created by an ancient volcano lava flow. There are different levels of viewing platforms accessible by stairs along with various walking and hiking trails.
For the afternoon consider visiting Yellowstone Lake, hiking to the top of Mount Washburn, or viewing wildlife in the Hayden Valley depending on your preference. Visit the official Yellowstone National Park website here for accurate information.
Some parts of Yellowstone have more limited amenities and for showers, you may need to drive to a larger facility and pay for a timed hot shower.
At night, roast marshmallows over the campfire or make ‘smores’ which are traditionally made with a roasted marshmallow and a piece of Jersey Milk chocolate pressed between two graham crackers. This is a traditional American camping snack.
Day 13: Wyoming - Grand Teton National Park
Distance from Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park: It depends on the season and what roads are open. In the summer, the John D Rockfeller Memorial Parkway should be open connecting the two parks in 27 miles or 43 kilometres, depending on your starting point and destinations within the parks. If that road is closed you will need to go around through Idaho, which could take 3-4 hours.
Plan for Day 13: Leave Yellowstone behind this morning and continue south for another amazing natural experience at Grand Teton National Park. Spend the morning hiking and have a picnic for lunch before continuing to Jenny Lake in the afternoon for water sports and activities or more hiking on to Jackson, Wyoming for the night. You could also choose to camp within the park, but wherever you stay around here, you will get great mountain views!
For a more difficult hike leading to a beautiful glacial lake, try the Delta Lake hike, for something shorter and easier, try the Taggart Lake hike which also leads to a lake with stunning views and reflections of the mountains on the water.
Jenny Lake or Jackson Lake are good options for trying a water sport activity like kayaking or stand up paddle boarding if you are ready for a break from all the hiking. Jenny Lake is the most popular stop in the park and has a visitor’s centre.
Grand Teton is also well know for the wildflowers that grow year round, so bring your camera if that is of interest.
As with other National Parks, check what ranger presentations are on and you can enjoy an evening talk with a knowledgable park ranger to learn more about this amazing natural environment.
Day 14: Wyoming - Jackson
Distance from Grand Teton National Park to Jackson, Wyoming: 5 miles or 8 kilometres and a 10 minute drive from the south end of the park or 30 miles or 48 kilometres and a 40 minute drive from the north end.
Plan for Day 14: Spend the morning in the town of Jackson, check out some shops and galleries and get a picture with the famous elk antler arches. In the afternoon you could visit the nearby Teton Village and take the gondola lift at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or try an extreme sport like white water rafting. Alternatively, you could return to Grand Teton National Park for more activities. Finish your day with a night out in Jackson at a brewery and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
Visit the town of Jackson this morning and get a photo in Town Square with the famous antler arches made from antlers shed each year by elk. There are also several souvenir shops and a few galleries in town.
Jackson hosts rodeos several times a year, you can check to see if this traditional American experience will be on when you are visiting.
There are several ski resorts nearby, you could take the Bridger Gondola lift at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for panoramic views. There are additional activities at the top like yoga, paragliding, dining and more hiking.
Have a fun night out in the town of Jackson after being in the National Parks for a few days, this will be a nice change. Have dinner at one of the many breweries in town and finish your night with some line dancing at the famous ‘Million Dollar Cowboy Bar’ it is very traditional inside, playing country western music, with pool tables and bar stools that look like saddles. Don’t forget your cowboy hat!
Day 15: Idaho - Twin Falls and Snake River
Distance from Jackson, WY to Twin Falls, Idaho: 250 miles or 400 kilometres and a 4 hour drive.
Plan for Day 15: Leave the National Parks behind for now as you continue making your way to California, arriving in Idaho in the early afternoon. Visit the Shoshone Falls Park just outside Twin Falls to see the might waterfall and camp for the night along the banks of the Snake River. This afternoon would be a good time for white water rafting if you are interested in that. You could alternatively choose to drive through Utah instead today, stopping in Salt Lake City tonight before continuing on to Reno tomorrow.
You will notice the scenery change as you leave the mountains and emerge into more farmland areas, when you cross a state border, there will usually be at least a small rest stop or visitor’s centre, with a large sign welcoming you to the state, these can be fun places to stop and take photos!
Stop at the Shoshone Falls Lookout to see a waterfall sometimes called the “Niagara Falls of the West.”
There will be options for white water rafting, canoe, kayak and paddle board rental in the area, check the Twin Falls Visitor Centre site for details.
There are several options for camping grounds around Twin Falls, you can choose one right on the water or you could opt to stay in a motel or hotel in the city tonight if you need a break from camping.
Day 16: Nevada - Reno
Distance fro Twin Falls, Idaho to Reno, Nevada: 460 miles or 740 kilometre and about 7 hours of driving.
Plan for Day 16: Today will be probably be the longest driving day of the trip as you cross most of the state of Nevada, continuing to make your way to California. There will be a few smaller towns and desert scenery to appreciate as you arrive in Reno in the late afternoon. This is a good place to spend a night in a hotel even if you have been camping since accomodation here is very affordable. If you have never been to Las Vegas, this is the next best thing, take some photos with the famous “Reno” sign and wander into a few casinos to check out the action.
After leaving Twin Falls, your first stop of the day can be in the town of Elko, Nevada which is home to the California Trail Visitor’s Centre or the Western Folklife Centre along with a few other themed museums and nature areas, learn more on the Elko Tourism website here.
Your next stop can be in Battle Mountain, home of the Battle Mountain Cookhouse Museum or Winnemucca for the Humbodlt Museum or Winnemucca Sand Dunes.
Upon arrival in Reno in the late afternoon, you can go on a walking tour of the downtown area or maybe use your phone for an audio tour to find visit the the famous ‘The Biggest Little City in the World’ sign and other attractions. The biggest museum in the city is the National Automobile Museum. Maybe try your luck at a casino, since there are many in the city.
This may also be a good stop to sort out your laundry and restock supplies before continuing on to Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park which have more limited shopping options.
Day 17: California - Lake Tahoe
Distance from Reno, Nevada to Lake Tahoe, California: 60 miles or 100 kilometres and a 1 hour and 10 minute drive.
Plan for Day 17: Have breakfast at your hotel then start the short drive to Lake Tahoe, when you arrive you will officially have made it to California! Today can be all about relaxing on the beach and trying new water sports. There are also several scenic hikes and other activities like horse backing riding along the shoreline.
Lake Tahoe is a freshwater alpine lake which is the largest alpine lake and second deepest lake in North America and it is known for having very clear water and being quite cold, even in the summer.
The Tahoe Rim Trail forms a 170 mile long loop around the lake, you could walk or hike a portion of this during your visit.
Water sports to try here include kayakng or stand up paddleboard to enjoy the crystal clear lake waters. Give parasailing a try for panoramic views or hop on a jet ski to go explore. Equipment for boating rentals and related activities like water skiing, wake boarding, tubing and fishing is available, try the King’s Beach area for rentals.
The town of South Lake Tahoe and the nearby campgrounds can be very busy in the peak summer season. There are hotels in the town, resorts along the shore and cabins available to rent, consider booking in advance for busy holiday weekends. Campers can try Emerald Bay State Park as a recommended option.
Find out what’s going on for the official Lake Tahoe tourism website here, in the summer there are fun events like boat shows and fireworks displays over the water on certain weekends.
Days 18- 19: Calfornia - Yosemite National Park
Distance from South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite National Park: 124 miles from Lake Tahoe via US-395 S and the Tioga Pass which is about 2 hours 34 mins of driving time. Be aware that this route to the eastern entry of Yosemite National Park uses the Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it is the highest mountain pass in the state. It is typically closed from October to May, you have to check if it is open before you try to drive it.
Plan for Day 18: Before you leave Lake Tahoe this morning, stock up on any groceries and last minutes supplies before you start the drive towards the scenic Tioga Pass through the mountains. Take a break at the Mobil rest stop in Lee Vining and continue from there into the Park. Get oriented in Yosemite with a driving tour with stops at at the Glacier Point and Tunnel View lookouts to see the famous ‘Half Dome’ granite rock formation. For the rest of the day you could try a short hike after getting advice from park rangers and then set up your tent for a two night camping stay.
During your drive, why not listen to a podcast or learn more about the history of the park itself along with John Muir and the establishment of the US National Parks System.
Stop by the Glacier Point Lookout to see the famous ‘Half Dome’ granite rock formation. Glacier Point also has a museum, visitors centre and amphitheatre. Another famous viewpoint is the Tunnel View Lookout which features El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.
If you are interested in climbing Half Dome, you can do a day hike along a pre-made trail with cables, but you need a special advance permit, check the park website well in advance.
Be aware that camping reservations are very competitive in high season and may need to be booked months in advance through a lottery system, otherwise you will need to stay outside the park. Check the official government reservations website here to learn more.
Plan for Day 19: Today you can spend an entire day in the park doing whatever activities interest you. More serious hikers and climbers may want to do some advance research to see what available trails suit their skills while there are plenty of fun options for more casual hikers and those looking for an easier walk. Plan to pack a backpack with supplies you can use for the whole day since you may be away from your campsite and vehicle for a while.
Many visitors will choose to spend the day exploring the Yosemite Valley, which is served by a shuttle bus system and also has access to a museum, cafeteria/restaurant, visitor’s centre and shop. For an easier walk, try the flat Valley Loop Trail.
For a more difficult walk with rewarding waterfall views, try the slightly harder, and very popular, Mist Trail (Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall Trail) which is almost entirely uphill, climbing a lot of stairs. You can stop at the Vernal Fall Footbridge area, where most casual visitors turn back or continue on for a harder hike.
Maybe do some stargazing, as this will be your last night in a national park, away from the big city lights before you start your journey to San Francisco tomorrow morning.
Day 20: Calfornia - Yosemite National Park to San Francisco
Distance from Yosemite National Park to San Francisco: 200 miles or 320 kilometres and a 4 hour and 30 minute to a 5 hour drive.
Plan for Day 20: You can decide today if you really enjoy Yosemite, you can spend the morning in the park and arrive later in San Francisco, but if you are eager to get back to the big city, you can start the drive early across California out to the coast. Upon arrival, you may need to return your rental car. You can then enjoy the sunset from a boat cruise to get a new perspective on the Golden Gate Bridge and try dinner in the touristy but fun Fisherman’s Wharf area, where the boats depart.
For international visitors, remember that this may be your last chance to try restaurants found only in certain regions of the USA, for example In-N-Out Burger can only be found in California and the south west.
Be aware that accomodation in San Francisco is just expensive because there is such high demand, if you can’t afford to stay in the city look out to the neighbouring cities for alternatives.
Besides the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco also has the Bay Bridge, which looks similar but isn’t red, it is easy to get them mixed up!
Even if you been or will walk over the Golden Gate Bridge, going underneath it on a sunset sailing cruise is a completely different experience and perspective, and this is a nice way to feel like you have finally arrived at the end of your road trip by getting out on the ocean!
Day 21: San Francisco
Plan for Day 21: Your last full day in San Francisco can be planned around your interests. It is not really worth trying to drive around between the sites as parking is limited, it will likely be easier to use public transportation and the airport is well connected by a rapid transit system when you are finally ready to fly home after your epic 3 week road trip across the USA.
Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and learn more about how it was built at the Golden Gate Bridge Park.
You could jump on a cable car in the morning and cruise down the steep hills on the city and past eh zig zag Lombard street, maybe stopped at the Cable Car Museum to learn more . Wander through Chinatown or the Ferry Building Marketplace for some food and then up to the Coit Tower
San Francisco is home to several major museums, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the de Young Museum and the Asian Art Museum.
You could also consider a themed walking tour of the The Castro or The Mission District to learn more about the heritage of these neighbourhoods.
You could end your day with a visit out to Alcatraz, which requires a boat trip and try to prebook Alcatraz tickets online since they sell out quickly. It takes around two hours to walk around the site and do an audio tour. It really is a unique experience with lots of history and stories, and you get nice views of the city, especially around sunset.
Pin it or share it !
Check out some more USA travel inspiration!
New on the blog !
Taking part in the New York City Village Halloween Parade was such an amazing experience, find out whether I recommend this costume silent headphone party activity with Quiet Events in NYC.