This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. We might earn compensation while you click on on the hyperlinks at no extra price to you.<\/em><\/p>\n We took an epic household roundtrip highway journey throughout the USA from the West Coast to the East, and again once more! See all the main points you’ll want to plan your personal bucket listing cross-country drive.<\/span><\/p>\n Since the women have been little (Maddie and Ashley that’s, I nonetheless consider Emmy as little at 11 despite the fact that she is as tall as me), Pete and I’ve needed to take a cross-country highway journey.<\/span><\/p>\n For years we have now mentioned \u201cthis is the year\u201d, however then life would get in the way in which, or alternatives in Europe would name our names.<\/span><\/p>\n Fast ahead to 2021 and borders are nonetheless closed, we had enterprise to take care of on the East Coast and Emmy remains to be not eligible for a vaccine\u2026 so, we resolve to drive there as a substitute of fly (we’re avoiding air journey till we’re all vaccinated) and FINALLY make that grand highway journey throughout the nation a actuality!<\/span><\/p>\n I used to be beginning to really feel very caught this previous spring, so I made a decision to problem myself to not pay for a single resort or our rental automotive, however not within the regular means that we journey and not using a price working with journey companions<\/a>. This time, I used bank card factors (you may e-mail me for hyperlinks to the playing cards we used<\/span>) to pay for 56 resort nights (28 nights- 2 rooms for every evening) and the cashback I earned to pay for our rental automotive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I’m not a \u201ctravel hacker\u201d who’s chasing each final level and we keep in largely upscale resorts and resorts.<\/span><\/p>\n Plus, these have been lazy earned factors which means I used to be strategic the place I might be, (like utilizing a card that earns further factors for meals) however I made no further effort past ensuring I used to be utilizing the right card for our totally different purchases. We additionally earned factors from sign-up bonuses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A couple of issues we took into consideration when planning this epic highway journey:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Did all this make our journey with out threat? No, in no way\u2026 however we felt prefer it didn\u2019t take away from our enjoyment and hopefully decreased the danger. We have now been again house for over 21 days with none difficulty.<\/span><\/p>\n We initially deliberate to be gone for 31 days, but it surely ended up being 28 days and we traveled over 7,000 miles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll break the articles up by the totally different locations, however right here is the grasp listing of our cross-country highway journey!<\/span><\/p>\n I really love the strategy planning stage of holidays and I at all times have a plan B and C. This time I had a plan D, E, and F too.<\/span><\/p>\n Some journeys we arrive and I’ve finished little or no analysis and we simply discover. This was not a kind of journeys. I had each single cease on our driving days famous and eating choices outlined earlier than we even left. This wasn\u2019t foolproof by any means, but it surely actually helped. Since journey and the world, generally, are continually altering proper now, having a number of choices saved the day a number of instances.<\/span><\/p>\n We had deliberate to take one in every of our SUVs on this highway journey however rapidly determined {that a} mini-van could be a greater possibility. Pete and I’ve bigger SUVs however they’d have been past full of our baggage and the 5 of us and having a mini-van on highway journeys has at all times labored finest for us.<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, there was an enormous rental automotive debacle happening after we have been leaving and I used to be listening to tales from others that even with a reservation many weren’t getting their reserved automobiles or not getting a car in any respect. We had a bit difficulty as a result of the primary mini-van we got had a mechanical difficulty, but it surely was rapidly changed and we have been good to go.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We made fairly good time driving from Newport Beach to Flagstaff and I took a few fast cellular phone footage as soon as we arrived to share with you all. This resort utterly exceeded our expectations and was the proper entry again out into the world. I beloved the view into the woods from our rooms!<\/span><\/p>\n I picked this resort as a result of it was proper off the freeway and I’ve had household that stayed right here previously they usually beloved it. The higher-end choices within the space felt missing once I was looking for them and though I\u2019m undecided I’d actually name this a high-end resort, it was means higher than I anticipated. The location was good to seek out eating choices and it made it straightforward to drive out to the Grand Canyon throughout our keep.<\/span><\/p>\n Little America Inn had a pool that the youngsters used every evening, a strolling\/mountain climbing\/working path, a restaurant, good web, and nearly the whole lot else you might need from a highway journey resort. It is also hooked up to a journey heart for truckers so we have been capable of get a few a great deal of laundry finished earlier than we left. Who would have ever thought I’d get all enthusiastic about easy accessibility to laundry services, however right here we’re.<\/span><\/p>\n We stayed for 2 nights in Flagstaff and the primary evening we ate at The Cornish Pasty Co..<\/span><\/p>\n Flagstaff has a stunning variety of eating places with vegan (and gluten-free) choices<\/span>. We beloved the patio arrange and the meals was fairly good!<\/span><\/p>\n We additionally went to the native Whole Foods that day and picked up some resort snacks, bottled water, and extra drinks to assist keep hydrated.<\/span><\/p>\n Emmy and I have been feeling the elevation at this level and we have been undoubtedly dehydrated after our 8+ hour drive from Newport Beach, Ca. <\/span><\/p>\n We don\u2019t have these in CA and though we attempt to not load up on sugar drinks, we think about this a \u201cwhen in Rome\u201d sort of factor. If you haven\u2019t had Dutch Bros, attempt their glowing flavored waters and occasional. You received\u2019t remorse it!<\/span><\/p>\n Can you imagine we had by no means been? As I mentioned, this was undoubtedly a bucket listing journey for us. We noticed so many issues and locations we have now by no means skilled earlier than and kicking it off with the Grand Canyon was the way in which to do it!<\/span><\/p>\n We began the morning with breakfast at The Toasted Owl.<\/span><\/p>\n I can\u2019t even inform you how a lot we loved the meals right here. The service was tremendous fast they usually actually have one thing for everybody.<\/span><\/p>\n This was all vegan too! Yep, even vegan eggs and bacon!<\/span><\/p>\n This passes you thru a bit city and there’s a place for fuel earlier than you head in.<\/span><\/p>\n There are two predominant methods to get to the South Entrance of The Grand Canyon from Flagstaff. The freeway route or the scenic route. One has you taking the 40 to the 64 (freeway) or 180 to the 64 (scenic). We selected the scenic route and it was superior. This takes you thru the forest with wildlife sightings doable. Both confirmed at about the identical distance and time (1 h 24 min).<\/span><\/p>\n Quick Tip: Use Google Maps.<\/strong><\/span> Not simply right here, however in your full highway journey. I created our maps earlier than we left on my laptop computer with Google Maps after which texted them on to my cellphone. Multiple instances Google Maps would reroute us to assist prevented accidents and main slowdowns. This saved us hours upon hours over our entire highway journey.<\/span><\/p>\n When visiting, your timing is fairly necessary throughout peak season. We have been simply stepping into the busy season after we have been there at first of June. The absolute prime time to reach is earlier than the crowds, early within the morning (test for present opening instances).<\/span><\/p>\n We are usually not these folks although. We have been nonetheless drained from the drive-in the day earlier than and determined for a later entry. We hit the timing fairly properly with just a bit wait to get into The Grand Canyon. There are lots of people who drive in from Las Vegas and these outer areas too so they have an inclination to reach round 10 or so within the morning so additionally take that into consideration. We have been there about 11:15 am.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/20210602_131332-2-1024x768.jpg\")
Why we took this highway journey.<\/span><\/h3>\n
How we paid for this journey:<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Here is the route we took on our cross-country highway journey:<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Timeline-2-1024x683.png\")
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9331-768x1024.jpg\")
All that apart, I spent months engaged on this journey and it was a extremely good distraction. <\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9333-769x1024.jpg\")
Our rode-trip journey.<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9336-768x1024.jpg\")
First cease: Flagstaff, Arizona<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9341-1024x768.jpg\")
We stayed at The Little America Hotel.<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9343-1024x768.jpg\")
Oh, and we additionally stopped to get drinks at Dutch Bros. <\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9349-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9359-768x1024.jpg\")
The subsequent morning was Grand Canyon day!<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9380-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9386-1024x768.jpg\")
After breakfast, we took a leisurely drive to the South Entrance of the Grand Canyon. <\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07196-2-1024x683.jpg\")
Once we have been into the gates we adopted the map we got to the Grand Canyon Village within the South Rim. <\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07198-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07285-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07213-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07259-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07252-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07250-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07246-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07245-2-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07243-2-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/DSC07292-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9400-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9371-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9429-2-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_9444-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/itsalovelylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/How-we-took-a-bucket-list-road-trip-across-the-USA.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/div>\n