Best motor home journeys to take in the US
Exploring the US in a motor home or RV (recreational vehicle) is a great form of escapism. You can sleep in comfort at places so remote that there are no hotels for miles around. You can wake up at dawn, pull up the blinds and watch the morning sun climb up the cliffs and pinnacles of Monument Valley or pull into a picnic spot and cook a hearty meal as the evening sun warms the grey granite of Yosemite.
When you take the keys to a motor home they give you unparalleled access to the USA and Canada with such epic icons as Niagara Falls and Yellowstone National Park to discover. They provide a fresh perspective on Mount Rushmore, the sparkling lakes of the Canadian Rockies, the Californian deserts, the wide-open spaces of Texas or Alberta or the beaches of Florida.
A motor home holiday in North America brings out the pioneering instinct in anyone. Having your temporary home behind you means you can let your free spirit take you almost anywhere. Many people are drawn to this type of holiday because of the freedom – not having to be anywhere at any particular time. However, at busy times in popular regions adding a bit of structure to your trip is advisable, such as booking some of your overnight camping ground stays in advance. It’s worthwhile checking availability particularly on the popular spots in advance.
Following are four of the most popular routes to consider in order to make the most of your motor home experience.
Route 66 (Arizona to Chicago) – Although the traditional Route 66 is no longer open to travel, you can still enjoy a piece of history as you travel west from Chicago into Santa Fe. This is a traditional travel route of the past and makes a great lead-up to the Grand Canyon.
The Grand Circle – The vast, rugged landscapes of the Colorado Plateau are home to geological features of astonishing delicacy and elegance – graceful sandstone arches and enchanting gardens of rock needles. With such an array of natural beauty on offer, it is not surprising that the Grand Circle, a route that takes in all five of Utah's national parks and the Grand Canyon, is a perennial favourite for a road trip.
California – A round-trip offers the chance for a scenic mountain holiday combined with a beach break. You can pick up an RV in Los Angeles and drive up the spine of the Sierra Nevada to the high mountains north of Yosemite Valley, via Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Include a quick dash west to San Francisco and then head south along the Big Sur coast to Los Angeles. The 2,400km trip including some time in the Sierra Nevada takes around three weeks.
Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons – These two national parks sit side by side, but the beautiful Grand Tetons are often overlooked and, consequently, feel far more secluded. Add a Wild West twist to the holiday by visiting nearby Cody for rodeos and staged cowboy brawls. Hire RVs from Jackson or Salt Lake City.