Just got back from a ‎8,305 mile roadtrip. 12 states. 7 national parks.

[patssle]

Drove all the way from Houston to South Dakota then over into Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and then Colorado. Not in the P-car though. Passed a nice black 911 turbo with the whale tail on I-70 heading to Rocky Mountain National Park. Then passed it again in the park, anybody here?

Here's some of the best pics of my trip, with a map of my route. Prepare to be amazed, the beauty of the Rocky Mountains is incredible.

Photo Album - Imgur

[trekkor]

That's something I would enjoy doing.

How many days did it take?


KT

[Dottore]

Stunning pictures!

[patssle]

Originally Posted by trekkor

That's something I would enjoy doing.

How many days did it take?


KT

3 weeks! Many many stops with some hikes at the national parks and other locations. I do it annually with previous trips to California, the 4 corner states, and the Appalachians. Something I definitely look foward to every year.

[A930Rocket]

Sounds like a great trip and something we did back in '89. Started in Atlanta, drove to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Custer's last stand, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, down the California coast, through Dallas to see the JFK museum/Daley Plaza and back to Atlanta. 7500 miles in 30 days.

Maybe not in that order, but it's a few of the things we saw.

[tevake]

Great trip, Fantastic pictures!!!!
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Richard

[pwd72s]

Dittos on great pics.

[Hard-Deck]

Excellent trip and photos. When I retire we will be vagabonds as well.

[motion]

Very nice photos! Beartooth Hwy.... you drove right through my place in Red Lodge.

[BRPORSCHE]

What would you budget for something like that? Say 80 % stay in a tent and 20 % stay in a motel.

[GH85Carrera]

Gasoline is a major expense anymore. I was amazed how much I spent on gas on a recent 3,000 mile trip. I was in my 911 getting 25 MPG or so. 3000 miles at 25 mpg = 120 gallons of Premium average cost $3.90 = 468 bucks.

Most decent motels are 85 bucks and up.

Get a park pass from the National Parks Dept. if you are going to see more than a few parks.

[930addict]

Beautiful pictures! What camera/software are you using?

[MT930]

Great Shots ! You had good weather.

[Mrmerlin]

thats a great trip you took and the pictures are awesome,
I like the animal sticking his head in the window

[patssle]

Originally Posted by 930addict

Beautiful pictures! What camera/software are you using?

I shot with a Canon 7D and a 17-55 2.8 IS lens. While being professional gear, I don't consider myself a pro landscape photographer - I just show up and take the photo when I get there. Pros stick around for optimal lighting. I got lucky with these.

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

What would you budget for something like that? Say 80 % stay in a tent and 20 % stay in a motel.

Primary cost is transportation and your personal route. I mapped out my primary route to about 4,800 miles, then added 3k knowing that I deviate and add other locations as I go. So I came within 500 miles of my estimate, not too bad. But I've done this 4 times now.

Transportation was about half the cost, around $1,000 dollars. Not counting gas, my cost was about $50 per day on average with 50/50 on camping/hotels. That includes eating out 1-2 times a day (good meals at local restaurants, not crap food (had the best $25 steak in Missoula Montana)). A couple souvenirs at each major park. And hotels here and there (I stay at decent ones, usually $60-$75 range).

That doesn't include gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc) that I have from past trips. Also doesn't include the car trouble (needed 2 new tires). Definitely have $300+ in budget for any potential car issues, I've had one this and my last road trip.

Obviously, the longer your trip (time wise), the more miles, and the more hotels you do - the more expensive it will be.

My California road trip last year was of equal time and distance, and the costs were the same.