Plans For My Next US Road Trip

I know what you’re thinking: that all I ever seem to write about is US road trips. Am I right?

Well, it’s true. This will be my fourth road trip in the USA in the last year. I’m becoming a bit of a road trip addict.

This time, though, there is a genuine reason for this trip, and it’s not just because I want to see more of this beautiful and ridiculously huge country (even though I do). The reason is that we have a cute, fluffy, pampered pooch with us who we have to get to the other side of the country and we don’t trust the American airlines to get her there without either a) losing her or b) leaving her mentally scarred. I’m only half kidding.

And so, because we have to fly to Amsterdam in a week’s time (holy cow), we need to get from one side of America to the other. In five days.

Yes, you heard that right. We’re driving from the west coast of the US to the east coast of the US in five days. With a dog and all our stuff. We’re kinda insane like that.

Our flight leaves from Boston next week and instead of enduring three flights back-to-back (with a dog in tow), we’re renting a car and driving, thus allowing us to do some sightseeing at the same time.

Our US Road Trip Route

We’ll be leaving Phoenix, Arizona and first driving to the Grand Canyon, which is only a couple of hours away. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon before, but Scott has never seen it and is longing to tick it off his bucket list before we leave the States.

We’re also planning on trying to squeeze in a visit to Arches National Park, mainly because I’ve seen so many stunning photos of it, I want to see it for myself.

From there, we’ll drive through Utah and probably spend the night in Colorado.

The next day, we’ll drive to St Louis to visit Scott’s parents and let them say their farewells to the dog. We’ll also pick up some clothes and other things we want to take to Amsterdam with us. We’ll spend two nights here and have a bit of a break from driving. Well, Scott will. I just get to sit in the passenger seat and read my book and eat chocolate all day. He’s a star, and don’t think I don’t know it.

From there, we’re going to drive to Cleveland to visit some of Scott’s friends, and then make a quick pitstop in Buffalo. This made it on to our itinerary for two reasons: 1) Buffalo is the birthplace of the buffalo chicken wing and 2) Niagara Falls.

It’s been many years since I visited Niagara Falls and took a ride on the Maid of the Mist, so I’m excited to see it again when I’m older (And have a much better camera. And haircut.)

The last day will be spent driving to Boston, where we’ll spend the night before catching our flight. We flew into Boston back in January, but only got to spend a few hours there, so I’m hoping to see some more of the city and grab another lobster roll!

Our international move is becoming real now and I can’t say that I’m not scared about flying our dog half way across the world. Not only that, but we have yet to find somewhere to live. Yeah, we’re unprepared. But when are we not?

Thanks for joining us on this journey, both the physical and emotional one. I’ll see you guys on the other side.

Photo credits: grand canyon, st louis, niagara falls, boston