Usa Overland

[UK_Discovery]

Hi,

My name is Ben. i am 26 and from the UK.

We are looking at trying to do an overland trip across the USA next summer, for approx 5 or 6 weeks from July to September. We are looking for any advice on where to get a suitable vechicle from, i drive a Land Rover here.

We would like a route from New York, going briefly North to Niagra then south to Florida, then across the country taking in various national parks etc before heading towards California and finishing in either LA or Vegas.

Any advice, route suggestions, must see/do's and most importantly where we can get suitable transport from would all be very welcome!!

Many Thanks.

 

[Barko1]

Florida will be rather warm and humid but there is Mickey Mouse And Las Vegas will be like hades. For things to see, Pacific Coast Highway, Redwoods, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Tetons, Moab/Arches, Zion. Maybe get a National Parks Pass.
Hi,

My name is Ben. i am 26 and from the UK.

We are looking at trying to do an overland trip across the USA next summer, for approx 5 or 6 weeks from July to September. We are looking for any advice on where to get a suitable vechicle from, i drive a Land Rover here.

We would like a route from New York, going briefly North to Niagra then south to Florida, then across the country taking in various national parks etc before heading towards California and finishing in either LA or Vegas.

Any advice, route suggestions, must see/do's and most importantly where we can get suitable transport from would all be very welcome!!

Many Thanks.

 

[SunMan]

I would add Yosemite and Big Sur to the list. No tips on getting a vehicle. Are you looking for a simple car rental or something for off roading?

 

[chnlisle]

Do you plan to camp or use hotels or both?

 

[UK_Discovery]

Mostly Camping - maybe some hotels... we have found various organised treks but want the freedom to stay longer if we like somewhere!

As for car - we prob wont get much chance to go far from the road unless able to get away from it in the national parks, but something large enough to carry camping gear and be comfortable is a must.

I have got a rather large lonely planet guide and think i may have already used half the time in my head just around California. There seems to be so much to see!

 

[generubin]

If you are on this site I would think you'll prefer greater adventure than what the Western states are going to provide. I'd suggest you fly into Los Angeles and from there spend some time around the BLM land, Navajo/Hopi Land and National Parks of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. These 4 states come together at what we call "4 Corners".

In Bluff Utah, don't miss the one day San Juan River raft trip with Wild River Expeditions. http://www.riversandruins.com/

The above states plus California Redwoods plus a bit of San Francisco can easily use up your 5 to 6 weeks. If you are a driving fool, add to this trip a drive to Anchorage by Canada's Cassiar Hwy (search youtube for "hyder alaska bears" and "dempster highway"). Be sure to visit Dawson City on the Yukon, take the Dempster Highway 500 miles of dirt up to Inuvik which brings you 300 miles North of the Arctic Circle. Over to Alaska, DO NOT MISS Denali National Park. Camp at the inner campground called Teklanika Camp. You'll be amongst Grizzlies and Wolves.

I strongly suggest you change your original plans. Should you spend a few weeks in the East, by the time you reach west of the Rockies, you be sorry you wasted all that time in the east! If you make it to BC, Yukon, North West Territories and Alaska, all you have seen farther south will seem anti-climatic. Something to ponder: Canada's Yukon is what? 4 times the size of England, but with only 27,000 people!

 

[chnlisle]

These guys seem to be the most popular with Europeans but I'm sure a simple google search will turn up a lot more.

http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/

Years ago I used to rent out my Nissan 4x4 with a shell on it to people coming over from Europe. I advertised it in Tours a German magazine. I was booked up for 2 years in advance and was going to buy another couple of trucks but I got worried about the liability and insurance was way too much money so I stopped. Still there maybe folks willing to rent to you. You just need to search around and see what you find.