The Ultimate North American Road Trip#

Home Base: Salt Lake City, Utah
Vehicle: Minivan (sleep inside)
Travel Party: Couple
Budget: $50–100/day
Total States: 48 contiguous + Alaska
Canada: BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec

How to Use These Files#

Each state or Canadian province has its own dedicated file in /states/. Each phase has a planning overview in /phases/. Use the phase files to plan a multi-week leg, then drill into individual state files for on-the-ground details.

• Update individual state files as you visit — add personal notes, campsite reviews, what to skip.
• Best season is noted at the top of every state file — use this to sequence your phases.
• Drone notes are in every file — always check B4UFLY or Aloft before flying.
• Golf is only listed where it is genuinely noteworthy and affordable.
• Ski/snowboard resorts are listed for seasonal planning awareness.

Recommended Pass Stack#

Purchase these before your first departure:

Canada add-ons (Phase 6):

• Transport Canada RPAS Basic Operations Certificate — free online exam, required to fly your Mavic 2 in Canada
• Parks Canada Discovery Pass — ~$145 CAD/yr, covers all Parks Canada entry fees

Drone Rules (DJI Mavic 2 — applies everywhere)#

• FAA Registration required — register at faa.gov ($5, renew every 3 years)
• National Parks: NO FLY — NPS prohibits all drone use inside park boundaries. Launch from just outside boundary on BLM/Forest Service land where possible.
• National Forests & BLM land: Generally open, no permit needed. Check local NOTAM/TFRs.
• State Parks: Vary by state — noted in each file.
• Near airports/controlled airspace: Use Aloft or B4UFLY app for LAANC authorization. Always check before flying.
• Canada: Must have Transport Canada RPAS Basic Certificate + registration. Rules similar to FAA. National Parks Canada also prohibits drones.
• Golden rule: When in doubt, don't fly. The view from the ground is always legal.

Shower Strategy#

1. Planet Fitness Black Card (~$25/mo) — 2,400+ locations, shower + gym, best value
2. Pilot Flying J / Love's / TA truck stops — $12–15/shower, clean, towel included. One+ card gets discounts.
3. Recreation center day passes — $5–10 in most mid-size cities, often include pool
4. Campground shower — when staying at a paid site
5. YMCA day pass — ~$15–20, available nationwide
6. Solar camp shower bag — backup for remote stretches (5-gallon, heats in ~3 hrs of sun)

Phase Overview#

Phase 1 — Southwest Loop (~3–4 weeks)#

Best season: March–May or September–November
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 1 Plan

Phase 2 — Pacific Coast & Northwest (~4–5 weeks)#

Best season: June–September
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 2 Plan

Phase 3 — Rockies & Northern/Southern Plains (~3–4 weeks)#

Best season: April–June or September–October
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 3 Plan

Phase 4 — Midwest, Great Lakes & Deep South (~4–5 weeks)#

Best season: May–June or September–October
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 4 Plan

Phase 5 — East Coast: South to North (~4–5 weeks)#

Best season: March–May (south) or September–October (north for foliage)
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 5 Plan

Phase 6 — Canada: BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec (~3–4 weeks)#

Best season: December–March for ski; July–September for sightseeing
Start/End: Salt Lake City, UT
→ Full Phase 6 Plan

Phase 7 — Alaska Highway (~3–4 weeks one way)#

Best season: June–August
Route: Salt Lake City → Idaho → Montana → Alberta → BC → Yukon → Alaska
→ Full Phase 7 Plan

States Checklist#

Use this to track which states you've visited:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming
• Alaska (bonus)
• British Columbia, Canada
• Alberta, Canada
• Ontario, Canada
• Quebec, Canada