Travelling across the US - Southern Route in WINTER!?

Question

Hi I am from Australia, and my partner and I are thinking of doing a road trip across the US, trying to boycott xmas in OZ next year 2009!

We would like to arrive in LA and spend a couple of days there, doing all the site seeing and Universal Studios etc, then off to Vegas and stay a couple of nights and head on our way, we definitely want to see Texas and Memphis and follow all the way through to New York and have Christmas Day in New York. My partner went to a travel agent here in OZ and she said that the Southern Route would be best to travel so we don't end up in a snow storm. My partner is freaking out thinking that it wont be very fun travelling in winter considering it will be very cold and we are from Far North Queensland in OZ where the coldest it ever gets in 15 degrees Celsius. He also thinks that the scenery wont be as good as in Summer or Spring. I need some advice... is it a good time to travel will we still see alot and what is the best route? We wish to do this whole trip in like 25-28 days. All your information is greatley appriciated. Cheers

Answer 1

The California through Nevada and Arizona portion of your trip should be a breeze. There will probably be no snow at all, unless you go through the mountains.



However, Eastern New Mexico, West Texas, Oklahoma, and the rest is a different matter. The road you'll probably take (main interstate) goes through some very sparsely populated areas and when it snows they don't often have plows for the roads.



Definitely stick to the interstates through the open country, as if you have car trouble you'll be more likely to find a truck driver or a small town where you can get help.



You'll have a great trip and the US is a very safe place for road travel. Gas is not hugely expensive here at the moment, either. There is so much to see on that drive you'll want to do it again to catch all the stuff you missed. Have fun!

Answer 2

If you go I-40 there is a chance of snow anyplace along that route in December including the South. If I were you, after leaving Las Vegas, I would drop down to I-10 and take it across Texas, Louisiana then I-55 up to Memphis. Better yet, wait until the Summer and take any route you want. America is beautiful so take your time and have a great trip

Answer 3

You are probably going to get a lot of answers so I will just hit the high points.L.A. is strange driving my cousin lived there for years and says what is normally a half hour drive can suddenly be 2 hours or more with no rhyme or reason just be aware of it. That said my favorite sights in L.a. were the walk of fame,and the Santa monica pier.

Las vegas Figure 3 days is the best way to do vegas. that way you can break it down to north strip and down town for example Personal faves are the Fremont Street Experience and the ride they call Big Shot at Stratosphere. southern strip highlights are New york new york (I love it) and Bellagio (I like it) spend your other day off strip. Generally you can expect one winning day one day where you lose les than 100 dollars and one day you pretty much lose everything that you bet. if you and your partner travel in the winter take I-15 to I believe I-40 Into gallup New mexico. Our hotel of choice there is rodeway inn(clean and cheap).I will let other folks take it from gallup. have fun.

Answer 4

Arizona is best in the winter, it's cooler. There will be snow at the Grand Canyon, but it is beautiful in the winter, and you can't leave without seeing it. Oak Creek Canyon at Sedona is also beautiful but there might be snow. Call the US Forest Service and AZ Road Department for Travel conditions. You can't stay at the Grand Canyon without reservations. You must stay in Flagstaff, and you should have reservations also. Especially 4 You Travel has winter one day bus trips up to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix, and this is the best way to see it, as the Grand Canyon shuttle does not operate. Also there is a train trip you can take from Williams, AZ. For information see website below. Don't take the Polar Express, take the site seeing train instead.

Answer 5

First of all New York will be much colder than 15C in December. Closer to 5C. Plus even if you come across the Southern US and then head north to New York, you may still hit a snow storm. The scenery is best between April and October and it will be definitely warmer. If this is what you are used to then I'd reschedule for the summer.