MyEmily

Going through some rough time due to the economy and marriage separation. May have to give up my driving love. So before I do so, I'm going to take a long drive in my P-Car, maybe a week with my son to have some father/son bonding time. Any recommendation on routes to take? Starting from Los Angeles, heading East to Maybe Pheonix, Grand Canyon, than up to Utah, Idaho, Mount Rushmore, than west back to California, Yosemite, Redwood city, anything with nature and a fun winding road. So, guys and gals..Suggestions of out of place and majestic sites are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...

My Emily

Sun Ra

north rim
coral sands park in UT
uinta dome
top of the world MT
chief joseph highway WY
sunlight basin WY [try 7D ranch]
the beartooths
wind rivers WY [Darwin ranch]

Edgy01

You're covering a lot of territory.

Colorado: Go over Independence Pass (12,096 ft) east of Aspen.
Wyoming: Devil's Tower
South Dakota: Custer (S. of Rushmore)
Wyoming: Jackson, N. to Yosemite (E. of Grand Titons)
Idaho: N. out of Craters of the Moon, to Ketcham, Sawtooth Wilderness
Calif: Yosemite, Rt 1 N. of SF (don't bother S.)
Arizona: Sedona

Gaspasser19

Depends on when you are going. For example, access to the north rim of the canyon is closed until May 15.

egress91506

I'd try to spend some time around southern Utah in the parks (Zion, Bryce and Cedar Breaks). Springdale Utah is just outside of Zion (near St. George) and a nice place to stay for part of the trip. I don't have the route in front of me, but there is a great road outside Brianhead Utah (near Cedar City) that covers Cedar Breaks and goes toward Bryce.

autoboy70

Highway 1 between San Luis Obispo and Monterrey. Then you can head out east over roads like 41 and 46. Try it early so there is no traffic on 1. The tourists like that road for good reason. Also, make sure it is open. It closes sometimes due to landslides.

Rob in WA

Southern Oregon along 101 is beautiful.

Dave in Oregon

While in Utah, don't miss Arches Nat'l Park near Moab. Spectacular scenery and rock formations. It's where THELMA AND LOUISE was filmed.

DPorcella

1. If, as someone suggested, you happen to find yourself on 41/46 cutting over from the coast inland or vice versa, don't miss the James Dean shrine outside Cholame, where he bought it in a Porsche 550 Spyder. Kinda camp, but you should know it's there if you happen to be driving that road anyway. Learn to say something in Japanese to the tourists! http://www.jamesdeanmemorialjunction.com/

2. If you really want an empty, winding driver's road, two lane style, the section of 49/120 (or 120/49 depending on your direction) between Yosemite and I-80 is about 170 miles with lots of switchbacks, lots of panoramic views of the Sierra foothills, but almost no traffic. It's truly a road to nowhere that descends into every east-west gully and river valley originating in the Sierra, and then climbs back out again. That 170 miles can take you longer than you might believe, but if you want to try out your alpine-type driving skills, it's a good place. The N-S alternatives, highways 99 and I-5 are dismal, each in its own way.

yemenmocha

Arizona has good roads for your needs, and keep in mind the likelihood of good weather here vs. Utah.

North from Phoenix you can take the back route up to Prescott (through Wickenburg & Congress) and from there to Sedona, and on to Flagstaff. A lot of this is great scenic twisties, and there's decent food & accommodations in Prescott, Sedona, and Flagstaff.

Edgy01

Adding to this, is the absolutely incredible road out of Santa Margarita (at 101) where you take Rt 58, transition to Rt 229, and then onto Rt 41, and finally on to Cholame. The 58 and 229 sections are mostly motorcycle roads, but open for us, too!

EVERYONE should take advantage of that road.

DPorcella

As a motorcyclist who used to ride that road regularly, I second that emotion.

To be completely honest, it was almost all BMW motorcycles (very, very few Harleys) and I resented ANY cars on "our" road except the occasionally thrilling encounter with a slow-moving farm truck. These days I'd be willing to let a Porsche or two share that road.

Edgy01

Here's a video I shot some time back of that segment of road. Route 41/46 transitioning to 229, and then into 58.

KeninBlaine

10 months after last post? Also, you don't seem to subscribe to the hands at 9 and 3, preferring the one-handed style.

ADias

Beware that at this time of the year and until May many of the Sierra mountain passes are closed.