Visiting Grand Canyon on road trip

On our road trip to USA we visited Grand Canyon. It is a place that I can highly recommend to anyone. The canyon is considered one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. A really amazing place. 

Grand Canyon has close to 5 million visitors each year.

We visited Grand Canyon in October, which seemed to be a quite good time. There are fewer crowds than in summer and comfortable hiking temperatures. 

Grand Canyon is a great place for hiking. All the trails are not always open, depending on conditions. We did the Bright Angel Trail, which is the most popular hiking trail into Grand Canyon. It is possible to do shorter and longer hikes on the Bright Angel Trail. We did 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip, which is a 2-4 hours hike. The elevation change on our route was 1,120 feet (340 m).

There can also be mules on this trail, we did not see them on our hike. 

It was fairly easy to walk down, walking up took a lot more effort. If we've had more time (plus equipment and more water) it would have been fun to keep going to the next point (three mile resthouse). But this was really good too. There are many places to see in Grand Canyon. If you want to go down to Colorado river, it's a longer hike.

We came to Grand Canyon Village the evening before visiting Grand Canyon and stayed at Red Feather lodge. 

 

 

 

Cadillac Ranch in Texas

On our road trip in USA, we picked some places we wanted to visit, that were on our route. It's really hard when you only have a few weeks, and there would be a lot of interesting places to visit. 

One of the places we visited was Cadillac Ranch. What is interesting with old cars buried nose down in a field? That's a good question. Since the installation has been there for a long time, it has to be interesting.

In Amarillo Texas, located on the historic road 66, you can find this art installation. There are 10 Cadillacs buried in the ground on a field. Cadillac Ranch was created in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michel, part of the art group Ant Farm. 

The Cadillacs are from years 1943-1969. They were all bought from local junkyards and used car lots.

You can spray on the cars. I think it was cool, and worth a visit. Kids liked it too. 

We didn’t have to buy any spray, other visitors gave us theirs when they were leaving.

This is the road next to the field, where we parked our car. Visitors are allowed any time.

Car for road trip

What is the best car for a road trip?

When planning an overseas road trip, one important thing is which car to choose. 

The question could be this: What things do you value while driving? How about the luggage, how much space is needed and also how many people should fit in the car?

Our rental car for the road trip was Ford Expedition Active 2025 with 400 horsepower 3.5 L EcoBoost V6 engine. It has seating for up to 8 people. They say it's capable for mild off-roading and all-weather driving.

Surely there are other good cars for a long road trip, but this one was quite good and comfortable for our family. I would definitely choose a SUV, because it has a higher ground clearance. On the road we enjoyed watching the view from our windows. 

Since we drove 3640 miles, it was important to have enough space for each one. Even though we drove a lot, it didn't feel uncomfortable.

Considerations:

• We had own seats for everyone (family of four travelling). 
• There was enough space for the luggage (two big bags and two smaller bags) Enough passenger/cargo space.
• The cabin is really spacious and quiet. 
• Panoramic Roof is nice
• Full insurance was good to have, just in case.

 

Our USA road trip route

 

Road trip in 5 days

We made a road trip with the family to USA in October 2025.

Our plane landed in Dallas, Texas. From there we took a flight to Nashville, Tennessee. We picked up our rental car from the airport, spent two nights in Nashville and started our road trip from there.

Here you can see the route we drove, 3640 miles. It's could be even more, but this is roughly how it was. 

Monday: from Nashville, Tennessee to Monett, Missouri

Tuesday: from Missouri to Tucumcari, New Mexico.

Wednesday: Tucumcari to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

Thursday: from Grand Canyon Village to Hurricane, Utah

Friday: from Hurricane to Salt Lake City, Utah

How was the route?

This was something we couldn't be sure about in advance. Would it be too much driving? 

Luckily the travelling went well. We had a comfortable car with enough space for travelling and having the luggage with us. 

Another thing is that the landscapes were interesting to watch, we also drove on some smaller roads. Especially Monday to Wednesday we had long driving days, so we would have a bit more time to visit Grand Canyon.

Was it worth it?

Oh yes. Ten states in five days. Of course it would have been nice to have more time to visit places. 

We had one whole day in Nashville, and a weekend in Salt Lake City. Also we spent later some time in Tampa, Florida. 

I have a lot of pictures and will write more about the places we visited in my next postings.

Also planning to share some tips for those planning a road trip to the States.

Kaunas in Lithuania as a part of the road trip

 

Last Summer Kaunas was a part of  our road trip. The city was not familiar to us, and it surprised us with it's beauty. On a road trip it's very usual to select places where to stay based on the location. And you need plan the route to avoid too long driving days. So, that's how we found Kaunas.

Kaunas is the second-largest city in Lithuania, and the city was the European Capital of Culture 2022 together with two other European cities.

Kaunas Castle was built in the 14th century. This castle guarded nearby cities and served as a strategic outpost.

From Santaka Park, next to Kaunas Castle, you can see two rivers. The rivers are Nemunas and Neris.

Visit Kaunas

Roadtrip with old car

Last Summer we made a road trip with family. We drove through eight countries: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

In ten days in June we drove 4400 km, with an 16 year old car (Opel Vectra). During the road trip the car surpassed 320 000 km. Well done, for an old car!

We drove from Umeå in Sweden to Trondheim in Norway, and forward to Larvik in the south.

The first picture is from Sweden and the others from Norway.

During a road trip there is not always time to stop and take pictures. When we were driving in Norway, I tried to catch beautiful views with my camera. 

These pictures are taken through car window.

Route map

Our road map route in Sweden and Norway.

Brudslöjan Waterfall

Last summer on our road trip with the family we found a waterfall called Brudslöjan. It´s easy when you can find places where you can stop on Google maps.

We found the nature trail to Brudslöjan (the bridal veil) in Sweden, close to the Norwegian border.

What we didn´t realize, was that there was some walking downwards to get to the waterfall. If we had been driving a bit further, the walk would have been shorter.

Follow the trail with us!

Road trip with family day ten

Today we travelled from Riga, Latvia to home in Finland.

Travel time: 5,5 hours by car and 2 hours by boat.

Whole road trip: We travelled 4400 km by car in 10 days, and visited 8 countries.

What we did today:

- stopped near Pärnu to take a walk with a view to the sea

- thought about changing tickets to an earlier boat, but realized that we wouldn't make it in time. We have seen so many places and have also been sitting a lot in the car, so we are ready to return home!

- came to Tallin and drove to Ulemiste shopping mall. It was mostly closed, because it's Midsummer here. Bought pizzas and ice cream from the supermarket and ate them outside the mall.

- Travelled from Tallin to Helsinki with Tallink Megastar.

Good Night from Finland!

We had a great road trip, here at home it is Midsummer.

Road trip with family day nine

Today we travelled from Kaunas, Lithuania to Riga, Latvia.

Travel time: 4,5 hours by car

What we did today:

- went to see Kaunas Castle from the outside, walked in the surroundings

- played bingo

- it was a warm day, so we drove to Jurmala, which is a wonderful beach close to Riga.

- drove to Riga, and walked from the hotel to the old town of Riga to eat 

- played cards

Good Night from Latvia!

Road trip with family day eight

Today we travelled from Poznan, Poland to Kaunas, Lithuania.

Travel hours: 10 hours by car

What we did today:

- played bingo

- looked what countries the other cars were from

- saw many storks, trucks and churches

- drove on some bumpy roads

- had a few breaks

- walked a bit in the centre of Kaunas and had some food

- played cards

This waa the last long driving day of this road trip. 

Good Night from Lithuania!

Road trip with family day seven

Today we stayed the whole day in Poznan, Poland. We walked in the city and took the tram a few times.

What we did today:

- walked to the Old Town, saw the buildings and the park there

- took a tram to the biggest shopping mall here

- walked a lot, went to two other shopping malls

- played cards

- enjoyed the warm and sunny evening

Good Night from Poland!

Road trip with family day six

Today we travelled from Wismar, Germany to Poznan, Poland.

Travel time: 6 hours by car

What we did today:

- drove through Wismar centre

- stopped in Berlin Design Outlet Village, which was really nice. We ate at Five Guys for the first time and the food was really good 

- played a bit of bingo, but now it seems like everyone is getting tired of it

- crossed the border to Poland

- walked to the mall from our hotel, ate there and looked around

- played cards

Good Night from Poland! 

Road trip with family day five

Today we travelled from Tversted, Denmark to Wismar, Germany.

Travel time: 5,5 hours by car

Things we did today:

- ate breakfast in our room, cleaned the room

- went to see the beach one more time

- drove to the North Sea Oceanarium in Hirtshals, which was a great place

- watched the feeding of seals, walked around the whole area, kids held a sea star in their hands 

- played on game of bingo

- had an ice cream break in Denmark

Good Night from Germany!

Road trip with family day four

Today we travelled from Skien, Norway to Hirtshals, Danmark.

Travel hours: 1 hour by car, 4,5 hours by boat

Things we did today:

- walked in Skien town

- jumped on a trampoline in the harbour 

- ate ice cream

- went for a nature walk, and came to a beautiful beach

- saw jelly fish in the sea

- travelled on the boat Langesund-Hirtshals played cards there and felt the strong wind

- went to the beach in Denmark and kids enjoyed the big Wales

Today we have done a lot of things and the weather has been warm and sunny.

Good Night from Denmark.

Road trip with family day three

Today we drove from Trondheim to Skien.

Traveling time: nearly 10 hours

What we did today:

- woke up early

- had a great breakfast

- played bingo again

- checken the altitude a few times

- travelled from north to south, past Lillehammer and Oslo

- saw people fishing in the river

- spent the whole day travelling, had a few longer breaks

Good Night from Skien, Norway. It's been a long day travelling, sleep is needed.

Road trip with family day two

Today we drove from Umeå, Sweden to Trondheim, Norway.

Travel time: 8,5 hours by car

What we did today:

- checked gas prizes in different countries

- had many breaks

- ate ice cream

- saw a fox, that ran over the road

- played bingo again

- found snow

- stopped to take pictures

- stopped in Östersund to look for a magazine for daughter (and found it)

- stopped to look at a water fall, followed a trail downwards the mountain and found it after 30 minutes, climbed the whole way back!!

- watched the amazing wievs on the road

PS. Here are no tourists.

Good Night from Trondheim, Norway. 

We are finally here!

Road trip with family day one

We started early this morning from home towards Vaasa.

From Vaasa we took the boat, Wasaline to Umeå, Sweden. 

Things we did today:

- played bingo in the car, trying to find airplanes, horses, tractors etc.

- Saw a fox and a lot of wind craft

- walked around the ruins of Old Vaasa

- learned that the city of Vaasa burnt down in one day, because someone smoked the pipe and fall asleep

- played card games on the boat

- bought Swedish books and magazines

Travel hours: 5+ hours by car, 4 hours by boat

Good Night from Sweden.