Why one-way RV highway journeys? Effectively, solely having to drive your rig a technique means you’ll be able to cowl extra floor in much less time, not having to order any of your off time, funds, or vitality for the return journey. When you’ve bought 10 days to take a trip, a one-way journey permits you to spend all 10 of these days deeply exploring the locations at both finish and any aspect points of interest alongside the way in which. One-way RV leases supply flexibility, selection, and comfort.
Beneath, we’ve gathered 4 routes that spotlight the American West, which many vacationers contemplate among the most basic road-trip areas. You’ll get to discover mountains, deserts, coasts, and forests — at your individual tempo and with out the stress of getting to circle all the way in which again to the place you got here. Let’s go!
1. Denver → Salt Lake Metropolis: The Rockies to Purple Rocks Route
If there’s a quintessential mountain west metropolis, it would simply be Denver. The Mile Excessive Metropolis is surrounded by among the most beautiful wildernesses in not simply the nation, however the world, starting from Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park to the Arapaho and Roosevelt Nationwide Forests, to not point out city points of interest together with Purple Rocks Amphitheatre, the Denver Artwork Museum, and Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station. Then, alongside the five hundred miles and eight hours it takes to get to Salt Lake Metropolis, you’ll get the possibility to discover unforgettable landscapes — we’ll dive into some highlights in only a second. It’s the right route for a 10-day journey.
Fast info:
- Landscapes: Mountains, prairies, forests, desert
- Mileage: 500
- Hours of driving: Eight
- Greatest time to go to: Fall for colourful foliage or desert exploration; summer time for greatest mountain climbing alternatives
- Greatest for: Outdoorsy households
Highlights alongside the route
When it’s time to go west out of Denver, you’ll have a number of totally different choices so far as routes — every with their very own distinctive highlights. We’ll break them down:
The Northern Route
As you observe I-25 north out of the town, you’ll quickly end up in southern Wyoming, the place you’ll cross via the city of Laramie and now have quick access to the Drugs Bow-Routt Nationwide Forest. As you proceed west via Wyoming’s prairies, it’s also possible to make a cease off on the White Mountain Petroglyphs, earlier than winding your manner into Utah’s capital from the northeast.
The Center Route
The center route between Denver and Salt Lake Metropolis — and essentially the most direct one when it comes to mileage — follows I-70 west till the city of Rifle, the place you’ll department off towards the north on CO-13. This route travels via among the least-visited panorama in the US, and likewise takes you inside a stone’s throw of Dinosaur Nationwide Monument, which younger youngsters are positive to obsess over. You’ll even be a brief detour away from the Colorado mountain city of Ouray, which is thought for each its out of doors journey alternatives and its sizzling springs, good for stress-free in as soon as your adventures are accomplished.
The Southern Route
The southernmost route follows I-70 west all the way in which throughout Colorado and into Utah, the place you’ll simply be capable of detour to Moab — and close by Arches and Canyonlands Nationwide Parks, the place you’ll possible need to keep a couple of nights to completely discover. From there, you’ll head northwest alongside US-191, which is able to take you straight into Salt Lake Metropolis through Provo. (Ashley Nationwide Forest is one other simple one so as to add to the route.)
Psst: Listed below are one of the best RV campgrounds in Denver and Salt Lake Metropolis.
2. Salt Lake Metropolis → Las Vegas: Nationwide Parks and Metropolis Lights
From one coronary heart of the desert to a different, a 10-day route between Salt Lake Metropolis and Las Vegas actually gives one of the best of each worlds. Together with the chance to go to among the most sought-after wilderness locations within the nation, you’ll bookend your journey with city adventures in two cities that would not be extra totally different from one another (regardless of their shared red-rock environment). This journey is between about 400 and 520 miles relying on the route you’re taking, or about six to eight driving hours ,which implies you’ll have loads of time to calm down and benefit from the highlights alongside the way in which. Together with Salt Lake Metropolis, Las Vegas additionally has some wonderful RV campgrounds.
Fast info:
- Landscapes: Purple-rock desert, cityscapes
- Mileage: 400 to 520, relying on route
- Hours of driving: Six to eight
- Greatest time to go to: Spring or fall to take pleasure in cooler desert temperatures
- Greatest for: {Couples} or solo vacationers seeking to steadiness metropolis ventures with outdoorsy pursuits
Highlights alongside the route
As soon as once more, this can be a journey that may be taken alongside a number of important routes. Listed below are our solutions for what to see alongside the way in which.
The Northern Route
Heading due west on I-80 out of Salt Lake Metropolis, your first must-see cease is the Bonneville Salt Flats, the stays of Lake Bonneville, the a lot bigger, then-freshwater physique from which current-day Nice Salt Lake developed. (You’ll be able to even drive on the flats.) From there, you’ll flip south on US-93 when you cross the state line into Nevada, touring via small desert communities like West Wendover and Ely. You’ll cross proper by the Desert Nationwide Wildlife Refuge earlier than you end up in Sin Metropolis.
The Southern Route
If as an alternative you select to go south instantly out of Salt Lake Metropolis alongside I-15, you’ll end up primely positioned to discover all kinds of Utah nationwide parks and wildernesses. These embrace Ashley Nationwide Forest, Fishlake Nationwide Forest, Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, Bryce Canyon Nationwide Park, and Zion Nationwide Park, which might be the simplest of those to get to alongside this route. Then, you’ll finish your out of doors exploration beneath the brilliant lights and tall buildings of the Vegas Strip.
3. Los Angeles → San Francisco: The Pacific Coast Freeway Basic
If there’s such a factor as a basic western highway journey, the trek between Los Angeles and San Francisco is it. And whereas essentially the most environment friendly solution to make the journey is alone I-5, everyone knows that essentially the most lovely manner to take action is alongside the Pacific Coast Freeway — which is an journey you’ll undoubtedly need to spend 10 full days on in a single path. (So few individuals get to completely discover this beautiful a part of the world, missing the time it deserves as a result of they need to make the return journey.) Listed below are one of the best spots to remain in each LA and San Francisco!
Fast info:
- Landscapes: Redwood forests, coastal cliffs, Pacific marine estuaries
- Mileage: 450 to 500
- Hours of driving: 9 or extra
- Greatest time to go to: Late spring for wildflowers or early fall for clear views (and each for smaller crowds than summer time)
- Greatest for: A romantic getaway or a solo, find-yourself journey
Highlights alongside the route
Though heading straight alongside I-5 is an choice, we’re going to imagine you’re making the journey for the exploration of all of it — so we’ll maintain to solutions alongside CA-1 and US-101. Beginning in Los Angeles, you’ll wind your manner north via the seashores of Santa Barbara and the forest stands of Los Padres Nationwide Forest. (Psst: Lots of California’s nationwide forests and state parks are wonderful campground alternatives.) As you proceed north, you’ll have the chance to cease in San Luis Obispo and discover Bubblegum Alley, and naturally take within the awe- (and art-) inspiring sights at Pfeiffer Large Sur State Park. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is well-known to be one of many most interesting not simply within the U.S., however the world — and then you definately’ll pull into San Francisco and end up surrounded by all method of city adventures to pursue.
4. San Francisco → Seattle: Northern California & The Pacific Northwest
Lots of those that’ve explored the Pacific Northwest contemplate it essentially the most compelling panorama in our nation — a lot in order that some guests even resolve to maneuver there. (That features your author, who’s primarily based, after years of RV travels in Portland!) The 800-plus miles and 13 or so hours it takes to journey from San Francisco to Seattle by highway are dotted with among the most unforgettable wilderness experiences and loads of candy, distinctive communities. Actually, you might even flip this journey into two or three weeks slightly than 10 days and nonetheless not really feel such as you had fairly sufficient time. After you begin your journey in San Francisco, take a look at these Seattle-area RV parks.
Fast info:
- Landscapes: Previous-growth forests, lakes, mountains, waterfalls
- Mileage: 800+
- Hours of driving: 12 to 14 or extra
- Greatest time to go to: Summertime for clear skies and lengthy sunny days of exploration
- Greatest for: Outdoorsy households or anybody seeking to see among the prettiest landscapes within the nation
Highlights alongside the route
It might, frankly, be not possible to focus on all of the stuff value seeing alongside this route. However we’ll point out a couple of unmissable choices, and you’ll cobble collectively one of the best journey to your private journey model and wishes:
(I might make suggestions for Portland, however we’d be right here all day! Ask an area; they gained’t steer you incorrect.)
The underside line: Regardless of which of those one-way RV journeys you’re taking, and even in the event you cobble collectively your very personal, you’ll discover that driving in a single path frees up a lot time, area, vitality and cash to completely discover the path to the fullest. Whereas these are 4 of essentially the most basic scenic highway journeys within the American west, one-way RV leases unlock prospects all throughout the nation. And irrespective of the place you end up, we’ll be there each step of the way in which to make it one of the best journey you’ll be able to bear in mind!
