Great American West & Deep
Full route: Fernie → Denver → Moab → Bryce → Zion → Las Vegas → Grand Canyon → Albuquerque → Austin → Houston → New Orleans → Memphis → Nashville → St Louis → Kansas City → Denver → Grand Teton → Yellowstone → Glacier → Fernie
Fernie → Denver → Moab → Bryce → Zion → Las Vegas → Grand Canyon → Albuquerque → Austin → Houston → New Orleans → Memphis → Nashville → St Louis → Kansas City → Denver → Grand Teton → Yellowstone → Glacier → Fernie
Heading South to the Mile High City
Grab a coffee at a local roaster and hit the road early. We’re crossing the border at Roosville and pushing hard through Montana and Wyoming to reach Colorado. It’s a long haul, but getting the big slab of driving done early opens up the rest of the trip.
Fernie
Grab a coffee at a local roaster and hit the road early. We’re crossing the border at Roosville and pushing hard through Montana and Wyoming to reach Colorado. It’s a long haul, but getting the big slab of driving done early opens up the rest of the trip.
Denver
Roll into the "Mile High City." You’ll likely want to crash near the LoDo district so you can grab a quick late-night bite and a local craft beer before bed [ -104.9903, 39.7392].
Into the Red Rocks
Start your day at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Even if there's no show, walking the bleachers of this natural sandstone acoustic marvel is a spiritual experience.
Denver
Start your day at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Even if there's no show, walking the bleachers of this natural sandstone acoustic marvel is a spiritual experience.
Moab
Drive west through the Rockies and descend into the desert. Spend your afternoon at Arches National Park. Be sure to hike up to Delicate Arch for sunset—the way the light hits the stone is legendary [-109.5498, 38.5733].
The Big 5: Canyons and Domes
Quick stop at Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky) for the Mesa Arch view.
Moab
Quick stop at Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky) for the Mesa Arch view.
Capitol Reef
Drive the scenic Highway 24. Stop at Capitol Reef National Park to see the Waterpocket Fold and grab a fresh fruit pie at the Gifford House in the historic Fruita district.
Bryce Canyon
End your day at the rim of Bryce Canyon National Park. The "hoodoos" (spire-shaped rock formations) look like a frozen silent army in the twilight [-112.1871, 37.5930].
The Narrows and Neon Lights
Head into Zion National Park. If you’re feeling brave, do the Scout Lookout hike, or just wander the Temple of Sinawava to see the start of the Narrows.
Zion
Head into Zion National Park. If you’re feeling brave, do the Scout Lookout hike, or just wander the Temple of Sinawava to see the start of the Narrows.
Las Vegas
Trade the silence of the canyons for the roar of the Las Vegas Strip. Park the car and walk between the Bellagio fountains and the Caesars Palace forum [-115.1728, 36.1147].
The Grandest View
Shake off the Vegas energy and head east. Stop briefly at the Hoover Dam to see the sheer scale of the engineering.
Las Vegas
Shake off the Vegas energy and head east. Stop briefly at the Hoover Dam to see the sheer scale of the engineering.
Grand Canyon
Reach the Grand Canyon South Rim. Walk the Rim Trail between Mather Point and Yavapai Lodge. It’s a view that never quite feels real, no matter how many photos you've seen [-112.1130, 36.0544].
Route 66 to the High Desert
Head east through the Painted Desert.
Grand Canyon
Head east through the Painted Desert.
Albuquerque
Arrive in the "Duke City." Visit the Old Town Plaza for some authentic New Mexican cuisine—just remember the golden rule: "Christmas" means you want both red and green chili [-106.6504, 35.0844].
Across the Texas Panhandle
Long stretch across the plains today. Stop in Amarillo at Cadillac Ranch to spray-paint some half-buried cars.
Albuquerque
Long stretch across the plains today. Stop in Amarillo at Cadillac Ranch to spray-paint some half-buried cars.
Austin
Welcome to the Live Music Capital of the World. Head straight to Rainey Street or 6th Street to hear some local bands and eat some world-class BBQ [-97.7431, 30.2672].
Space City and the Gulf
A morning dip in Barton Springs Pool is the best way to wake up in Austin.
Austin
A morning dip in Barton Springs Pool is the best way to wake up in Austin.
Houston
Head to the Space Center Houston. Seeing the Saturn V rocket in person is a reminder of just how big humans can dream. Stay in the Museum District for easy access to great food [-95.3698, 29.7604].
The Big Easy
Drive east through the bayous.
Houston
Drive east through the bayous.
New Orleans
You’ve arrived in the French Quarter. Grab a cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe Du Monde, then walk down Frenchmen Street (skip Bourbon Street if you want better music) to find the real soul of NOLA [-90.0715, 29.9511].
Blues Highway to Memphis
Head north through Mississippi.
New Orleans
Head north through Mississippi.
Memphis
Visit Beale Street for the blues and Sun Studio where rock and roll was born. You can't leave without trying some dry-rub ribs at Central BBQ [-90.0490, 35.1495].
Music City
A quick morning visit to Graceland to see Elvis's world.
Memphis
A quick morning visit to Graceland to see Elvis's world.
Nashville
Head to the Broadway Honky Tonks. Whether it's Tootsie’s or Robert’s Western World, the talent in these bars is mind-blowing. Order some Nashville Hot Chicken—but be careful with the spice level [-86.7816, 36.1627].
The Gateway to the West
Drive northwest into Missouri.
Nashville
Drive northwest into Missouri.
St. Louis
You have to see the Gateway Arch. Take the tram to the top for a view of the Mississippi River. For dinner, head to "The Hill" for incredible Italian food [-90.1994, 38.6270].
BBQ and Fountains
Cross Missouri to the Kansas state line.
St. Louis
Cross Missouri to the Kansas state line.
Kansas City
Visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial for the best view of the skyline, then head to Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (the one in the gas station) for a Z-Man sandwich [-94.5786, 39.0997].
Return to the Front Range
A long, flat push across the Kansas plains. It's meditative in its own way.
Kansas City
A long, flat push across the Kansas plains. It's meditative in its own way.
Denver
You're back at the foot of the Rockies. Grab a quiet dinner in Union Station and prep for the final mountain leg [-104.9903, 39.7392].
Grand Tetons
Driving north through Wyoming.
Denver
Driving north through Wyoming.
Grand Teton
Arrive at Grand Teton National Park. The view of the mountains reflecting in Jenny Lake is one of the most iconic sights in North America. Stay in Jackson Hole for the night [-110.7624, 43.4799].
The Land of Fire and Ice
A short, beautiful drive north.
Grand Teton
A short, beautiful drive north.
Yellowstone
Enter Yellowstone National Park. Spend your day at Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The colors of the bacterial mats are neon-bright and surreal [-110.5885, 44.4280].
The Crown of the Continent
Head north through the Big Sky country of Montana.
Yellowstone
Head north through the Big Sky country of Montana.
Glacier
Arrive at Glacier National Park. If the road is open, drive a portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The glacial-carved valleys are breathtaking [-113.7870, 48.7596].
The Final Stretch Home
Enjoy a final lakeside morning at Lake McDonald.
Glacier
Enjoy a final lakeside morning at Lake McDonald.
Fernie
Cross back into Canada at Roosville and roll back into the Elk Valley. You've officially seen the best of the West and the South [-115.0648, 49.5042].
- Day 1: 13h drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 1: last stop 20:00 — leave earlier or drop a stop
- Day 2: 5h 30m drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 6: 6h drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 7: 7h 30m drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 9: 5h 30m drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 10: 6h drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 14: 9h drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 15: 8h drive driving — plan rest stops
- Day 17: 6h 30m driving — plan rest stops
- 🛫 Route includes 1 flight + 0 rail segments. Map shows them as dashed lines (connection only, not real road).