13 day itinerary for Seattle to Hill country art council

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13 day itinerary for Seattle to Hill country art council

As of March 10th, 2024 - this is our rough plan for our road trip to Ingram, Texas community page for the total solar eclipse of April 8

I used this 2024-03-01-ChatGPT-prompt-for-road-trip-planning-assistant and asked it to help me with the route. It was really good at being able to adjust things when I asked it to. The maps sections I went through and added by hand with screen shots from google maps.

We have not yet planned the return trip. - that will come as we head down the road.

Day 1: Seattle, WA to Spokane, WA

  • Date: Saturday, March 23
  • Depart: 7:00 AM
  • Arrive in Spokane: 12:00 PM
  • Distance: 280 miles
  • Driving Time: 5 hours
  • Activity: Visit relatives for 6 hours.
  • Overnight: Dispersed camping in Colville National Forest or Riverside State Park.
  • Depart Spokane: Next day.

Day 2: Spokane, WA to Boise, ID

  • Date: Sunday, March 24
  • Depart Spokane: 7:00 AM
  • Arrive in Boise: 4:00 PM (with a short break)
  • Distance: 380 miles
  • Driving Time: 7 hours
  • Activity: Visit friends for 6 hours.
  • Overnight: Boise National Forest or a nearby campground.
  • Depart Boise: Next day.

Day 3: Boise, ID to Twin Falls, ID

  • Date: Monday, March 25
  • Depart Boise: 9:00 AM
  • Arrive in Twin Falls: 11:30 AM
  • Distance: 128 miles
  • Driving Time: 2.5 hours
  • Activity: Explore Shoshone Falls and the Perrine Bridge.
  • Overnight: Dispersed camping in the Sawtooth National Forest or a local campground.

Day 4: Twin Falls, ID to Sandy, UT

  • Date: Tuesday, March 26
  • Depart Twin Falls: 9:00 AM
  • Arrive in Sandy: 4:00 PM
  • Distance: 220 miles
  • Driving Time: 4 hours (with breaks and lunch)
  • Activity: Rest and visit family or explore the area around Sandy.
  • Overnight: Dispersed camping in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest or a campground near Sandy.

Day 5: Sandy, UT to Zion National Park

  • Date: Wednesday, March 27
  • Depart Sandy: 8:00 AM
  • Arrive at Zion: 2:00 PM
  • Distance: 300 miles
  • Driving Time: 5 hours
  • Activity: Spend the afternoon exploring Zion National Park.
  • Overnight: Dispersed camping outside the park or camp within the park.

Day 6: Zion National Park (Explore)

  • Date: Thursday, March 28
  • Activities: Full day in Zion.
  • Overnight: Same as previous night.

Day 7: Zion National Park to Flagstaff, AZ

  • Date: Friday, March 29
  • Depart Zion: 8:00 AM
  • Arrive in Flagstaff: 1:30 PM
  • Distance: 250 miles
  • Driving Time: 4.5 hours
  • Activity: Visit family for 8 hours.
  • Overnight: Coconino National Forest or Lake Mary Campground.

Day 8: Flagstaff, AZ to Petrified Forest National Park

  • Date: Saturday, March 30
  • Depart Flagstaff: 8:00 AM
  • Arrive at Petrified Forest: 10:30 AM
  • Distance: 110 miles
  • Driving Time: 2.5 hours
  • Activity: Explore the park.
  • Overnight: Nearby camping or continue to Santa Fe.

Day 9: Petrified Forest to Santa Fe, NM

  • Date: Sunday, March 31
  • Depart: Early Morning
  • Arrive in Santa Fe: Early Afternoon
  • Distance: 325 miles
  • Driving Time: 5 hours
  • Activity: Explore Santa Fe.
  • Overnight: Campground or dispersed camping near Santa Fe.

Day 10: Santa Fe, NM to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

  • Date: Monday, April 1
  • Depart Santa Fe: 7:00 AM
  • Arrive at Carlsbad Caverns: 1:00 PM
  • Distance: 285 miles
  • Driving Time: 6 hours
  • Activity: Explore the caverns.
  • Overnight: Camping in the area.

Day 11: Carlsbad Caverns to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

  • Date: Tuesday, April 2
  • Depart Carlsbad Caverns: Morning
  • Arrive at Guadalupe Mountains: Morning
  • Distance: 55 miles
  • Driving Time: 1 hour
  • Activity: Explore the park.
  • Overnight: Camp in the park.

Day 12: Guadalupe Mountains to Big Bend National Park

  • Date: Wednesday, April 3
  • Depart Guadalupe Mountains: 7:00 AM
  • Arrive at Big Bend: 11:00 AM
  • Distance: 230 miles
  • Driving Time: 4 hours
  • Activity: Explore Big Bend.
  • Overnight: Camp in the park.

Day 13 & 14: Big Bend National Park to Ingram, TX (Hill Country Arts Foundation)

  • Dates: Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5
  • Depart Big Bend: 7:00 AM (April 4)
  • Arrive in Ingram: Early Afternoon (April 5)
  • Distance: 330 miles
  • Driving Time: 6 hours (over two days, with stops and sightseeing)
  • Overview: Spend Thursday exploring more of Big Bend or start the journey towards Ingram, breaking the trip with an overnight stop to ensure a relaxed pace. Arrive in Ingram on Friday, April 5, to prepare for the eclipse event at HCAF.

This adjusted itinerary ensures a more relaxed pace with ample time for exploration and visits, aligning with your preference to drive between three and five hours a day and allowing for attractions and activities between destinations. Safe travels on your road trip adventure!

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