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Rockies to the Big Easy
Starting in the BC Rockies, we're heading all the way to the Gulf Coast. It's a massive trek through the best of the West and the heart of the South.
25days
51stops
DAY01
Fernie → Lake McDonald
Overnight in Lake McDonald
- 09:00Fernie, BC· start
- 10:30Roosville Border Crossing
- 14:00Lake McDonald· overnight
Fuel Up
- The Northern · Solid pub food in Fernie to fuel the long drive.
Daily Budget
- Gas & Snacks
- $80
DAY02
Logan Pass → St. Mary Lake
Overnight in St. Mary Lake
- 07:00Logan Pass· start
- 13:00St. Mary Lake· overnight
Local Eats
- Eddie's Cafe · Huckleberry everything. Try the pie.
Fees
- Park Entry
- $35
DAY03
Flathead Lake → Missoula
Overnight in Missoula
- 11:00Flathead Lake· start
- 16:00Missoula· overnight
Sweet Treats
- Big Dipper Ice Cream · Legendary Missoula scoops. Long lines but worth it.
Budget
- Dinner & Drinks
- $50
DAY04
Gardiner North → Mammoth Hot Springs
Overnight in Mammoth Hot Springs
- 14:00Gardiner North· start
- 16:00Mammoth Hot Springs· overnight
Dinner
- Iron Horse Bar · Classic Gardiner spot for a bison burger.
Fees
- Yellowstone Entry
- $35
DAY05
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone → Old Faithful
Overnight in Old Faithful
- 09:00Grand Canyon of Yellowstone· start
- 15:00Old Faithful· overnight
Iconic Eats
- Old Faithful Inn · Eat in the world's largest log structure.
Budget
- Souvenirs
- $40
DAY06
Colter Bay → Jenny Lake
Overnight in Jenny Lake
- 11:00Colter Bay· start
- 14:00Jenny Lake· overnight
Lunch
- Signal Mountain Lodge · Famous nachos with a view of the lake.
Extras
- Boat Shuttle
- $20
DAY07
Mormon Row → Jackson Town Square
Overnight in Jackson Town Square
- 08:00Mormon Row· start
- 12:00Jackson Town Square· overnight
Must Visit
- Million Dollar Cowboy Bar · Sit on a saddle at the bar. Seriously.
Budget
- Shopping
- $100
DAY08
Jackson → Salt Lake City
Overnight in Salt Lake City
- 09:00Jackson, WY· start
- 15:00Salt Lake City· overnight
SLC Eats
- Red Iguana · Killer mole and Mexican classics in SLC.
Budget
- Gas
- $50
DAY09
Moab → Delicate Arch
Overnight in Delicate Arch
- 12:00Moab, UT· start
- 17:00Delicate Arch· overnight
Moab Classics
- Milt's Stop & Eat · Old school burgers and buffalo milkshakes.
Fees
- Park Entry
- $30
DAY10
Canyonlands → Capitol Reef
Overnight in Capitol Reef
- 09:00Canyonlands· start
- 15:00Capitol Reef· overnight
Torrey Eats
- Capitol Reef Inn · Fresh trout and local veggies in Torrey.
Budget
- Gas
- $40
DAY11
Highway 12 → Bryce Canyon
Overnight in Bryce Canyon
- 10:00Highway 12· start
- 14:00Bryce Canyon· overnight
Local Pie
- Bryce Canyon Pines · Famous for their homemade pies. Get the cherry.
Fees
- Park Entry
- $35
DAY12
Zion Mount Carmel Hwy → Zion Canyon
Overnight in Zion Canyon
- 10:00Zion Mount Carmel Hwy· start
- 13:00Zion Canyon· overnight
Springdale Eats
- Oscar's Cafe · Huge portions of Mexican food in Springdale.
Fees
- Shuttle Pass
- $0
DAY13
Grand Junction → Glenwood Springs
Overnight in Glenwood Springs
- 13:00Grand Junction· start
- 17:00Glenwood Springs· overnight
Dinner
- The Pullman · Upscale comfort food in Glenwood Springs.
Extras
- Hot Springs
- $30
DAY14
Red Rocks → Denver
Overnight in Denver
- 14:00Red Rocks· start
- 17:00Denver· overnight
Denver Eats
- Avanti F&B · Modern food hall with great rooftop views.
Budget
- Parking
- $25
DAY15
Colby → Hays
Overnight in Hays, KS
- 13:00Colby, KS· start
- 17:00Hays, KS· overnight
Roadside Eats
- Gella's Diner · Award-winning brews and comfort food in Hays.
Budget
- Gas
- $45
DAY16
Kansas City → Joe's BBQ
Overnight in Joe's BBQ
- 15:00Kansas City· start
- 18:00Joe's BBQ· overnight
BBQ Musts
- Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que · It's in a gas station. It's the best on Earth.
Budget
- Dinner
- $60
DAY17
Gateway Arch → St. Louis
Overnight in St. Louis
- 14:00Gateway Arch· start
- 17:00St. Louis· overnight
Local Eats
- Pappy's Smokehouse · Memphis-style ribs in the heart of STL.
Fees
- Arch Tram
- $16
DAY18
Springfield → Route 66
Overnight in Route 66
- 14:00Springfield, IL· start
- 16:00Route 66· overnight
Roadside Icons
- Cozy Dog Drive In · The birthplace of the corn dog on Route 66.
Budget
- Gas
- $30
DAY19
Millennium Park → Chicago Riverwalk
Overnight in Chicago Riverwalk
- 15:00Millennium Park· start
- 18:00Chicago Riverwalk· overnight
Pizza Night
- Lou Malnati's · The gold standard for Chicago deep dish.
Budget
- Parking
- $50
DAY20
Art Institute → Navy Pier
Overnight in Navy Pier
- 10:00Art Institute· start
- 15:00Navy Pier· overnight
Lunch
- Portillo's · Get a Chicago-style dog. No ketchup allowed!
Fees
- Museum Entry
- $30
DAY21
Indianapolis → White River
Overnight in White River
- 15:00Indianapolis· start
- 17:00White River· overnight
Indy Eats
- St. Elmo Steak House · Famous for the world's spiciest shrimp cocktail.
Budget
- Gas
- $40
DAY22
Broadway → Grand Ole Opry
Overnight in Grand Ole Opry
- 16:00Broadway· start
- 19:00Grand Ole Opry· overnight
Hot Chicken
- Hattie B's · Nashville Hot Chicken. Choose your spice level wisely.
Budget
- Drinks
- $70
DAY23
Graceland → Beale Street
Overnight in Beale Street
- 13:00Graceland· start
- 18:00Beale Street· overnight
Memphis BBQ
- Central BBQ · Try the BBQ nachos. They're a game-changer.
Fees
- Graceland
- $75
DAY24
Jackson → Mississippi River
Overnight in Mississippi River
- 15:00Jackson, MS· start
- 17:00Mississippi River· overnight
Soul Food
- Bully's Restaurant · Soul food at its finest in Jackson.
Budget
- Gas
- $40
DAY25
French Quarter → Jackson Square
- 14:00French Quarter· start
- 16:00Jackson Square
NOLA Classics
- Cafe Du Monde · Beignets and cafe au lait. Don't wear black!
Budget
- Celebration Dinner
- $100
Heads Up
- Book Utah park entries months in advance
- Prepare for massive temperature swings
- Check car fluids regularly—it's a long haul