Boston to San Francisco trip planning: the route

[qwerty123]

Hey all,

I'm putting together my plan for Boston to SF and wanted your input.

Here's the specs:

• Leave Thursday or Friday (June 8 or 9)
• Take 10 - 14 days, could push longer if good reason
• Have camping equipment, don't need to use it

• I have the opportunity to do it in the reverse direction in early August

...and those are really the only constraints :-D

It'll be a mid-June trip out and, if I decide not to ship back to Boston, an early August ride back. What I'm thinking for the Boston to SF direction is:

• South out of MA through NY west of NYC
• Eastern PA through Harrisburg, into the Appalachians, pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Ride south through western North Carolina, into north Alabama, TN
• West into Texas, make for hill country
• Northeast into New Mexico and AZ headed for Utah
• To Salt Lake City, then south southwest to San Francisco

Since it'll be warmer in August, what I'm thinking for the SF to Boston direction is:

• North out of SF to Portland, Seattle, or Vancouver
• East through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
• East through the Dakotas
• Into Minnesota, then south to hit Chicago, thence to Toronto or Pittsburgh, and finally to Boston

There are so many places I want to go, I'm having trouble choosing! For instance, I really want to go over the Rockies in Colorado on 34, but it's a bit out of my way given the two routes outlined above.

What are your thoughts? Anything I'm a fool to miss? Suggestions for good roads or things to see and do along the way?

Thanks much...

[Justin B.]

If you get through North Texas give a shout if you have time.  Sounds like a fun trip.

[wilcom]

• West into Texas, make for hill country
• Northeast into New Mexico and AZ headed for Utah
• To Salt Lake City, then south southwest to San Francisco

Once you leave "Hill Country" you won't see another tree for a 1000 miles. Might be a good time to swing up and do those Colorado Mountains you mentioned. It will get green again when you get to Reno, NV.  "Hill country" Tx to Reno is pretty much "moonscape" thru NM, AZ & Ut.

With that being said, if you have never ridden much in the Southwest, could be a interesting tour of our thinly populated areas

[Matt Chapter]

Western NC / Tennessee means the Tail of the Dragon! Do it on a weekday and avoid the idiots.  Take a photo by the dam Harrison Ford jumped off.

If you make it through central Texas (Austin) holler and I can show you the local roads, and where we hide the good BBQ.  Send me a DM and I'll give you my contact info.  I've got a shop manual and a couple local airhead contacts if you need parts.

[Justin B.]

I can second Matt's recommendation of the "Dragon".  Suraklyn and I rode it a few times a couple years ago and it was a hoot!  Kinda gets the "twistie urge" out of your system for a few weeks! 

Also, on your way west there is a nice scenic route in the mountains of Oklahoma called the Talimena Trail that is a pretty nice ride.  Coming in from the east it would start in Mena, AR.  It's in no a windy beast like the Dragon but very scenic and a few interesting stretches.

[qwerty123]

Thanks very much for the tips guys, this is exactly the kind of info I need! When I'm swinging through your respective parts I'll give a holler.

Best,
Matt