Twenty-six days from Seattle to Taos, for two
Seattle, Oregon's high desert and the Columbia Gorge, Mount Shasta, the redwoods, Mendocino and Point Reyes, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, Big Sur and Del Mar, then the red rocks of Sedona and the adobe towns of Santa Fe and Taos.
Full 26-day road trip for two, door to door
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 26 days, in US dollars. A one-way car rental fee is included in transport.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| International flightsDomestic flights to Seattle, return from Albuquerque or Santa Fe, 2 people. | $500 – $1,100 |
| Accommodation (25 nights)About $200–$500 a night: lodges, coastal inns and desert resorts. | $5,000 – $12,500 |
| Meals and diningSeafood, wine country, Mexican and New Mexican food. | $2,600 – $4,400 |
| Activities and experiencesNational park passes, wine tastings, hot springs, jeep tours. | $700 – $1,400 |
| Transport in the regionOne-way rental car fee, gas for about 2,500 miles. | $2,200 – $3,400 |
| Ground totalAll costs on the ground, excluding international flights | $10,500 – $21,700 |
| Grand totalFull 26-day road trip for two, door to door | $11,000 – $22,800 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, departure city and availability.
Suggested 26-day route
Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay.
Arrival
Emerald City
- Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
- Ferry to Bainbridge Island.
Seattle, WA to Bend, OR
High desert
- Drive past Mount Rainier to Bend.
- Smith Rock and the Deschutes River.
Bend to Cascade Locks, OR
Columbia River Gorge
- Multnomah Falls and the gorge trails.
- Sternwheeler cruise with Mount Hood views.
Cascade Locks, OR to Mount Shasta, CA
Volcano country
- Crater Lake on the way (in season).
- Spring water and alpine lakes around Shasta.
Mount Shasta to Blue Lake, CA
Redwood coast
- Redwood National Park groves.
- Quiet night near Blue Lake and Arcata.
Blue Lake to Mendocino, CA
Clifftop village
- Avenue of the Giants on the drive south.
- Headlands walks and Glass Beach.
Mendocino to Point Reyes Lighthouse, CA
Lighthouse and seashore
- Point Reyes Lighthouse and elephant seals.
- Oysters at Tomales Bay.
Point Reyes to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Alpine lake
- Emerald Bay and kayaking on clear water.
- Heavenly gondola.
South Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, CA
Granite and waterfalls
- Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls and the valley floor.
- Check the park's reservation rules for peak season.
Yosemite to Calaveras County, CA
Gold Country
- Calaveras Big Trees.
- Wine tasting in Murphys.
Calaveras County to Big Sur, CA
The coast road
- Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls.
- Cliffside dinner at sunset.
Big Sur to San Simeon & Del Mar, CA
Castle and coast
- Hearst Castle at San Simeon.
- Del Mar beaches and Torrey Pines.
Del Mar, CA to Sedona, AZ
Red rocks
- Jeep tour among the red rocks.
- Sunset at Airport Mesa and a spa day.
Sedona, AZ to Santa Fe, NM
City Different
- Canyon Road galleries and the Plaza.
- Hot springs at Ten Thousand Waves.
Santa Fe to Taos, NM
Adobe and mountains
- Taos Pueblo and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.
- Sunset over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Departure from Taos, NM
Fly home
- Breakfast on the Taos Plaza.
- Drive to Albuquerque or Santa Fe for your flight home.
Special notes for an intimate escape
The most romantic stops on the road.
Cliffside cabin
Book a cabin or treehouse in the redwoods above the ocean for your two Big Sur nights.
Sunrise balloon
A hot-air balloon flight over the red rocks ends with a champagne breakfast.
Logistics and travel tips
Best time to go
May–June and September–October for open passes and mild desert weather.
Reservations
Check timed-entry or reservation rules for Yosemite and popular parks.
Driving
About 2,500 miles; one-way rental fees apply.
Parks pass
Buy the America the Beautiful annual pass for $80.
Plan the West Coast and Southwest trip at $212 – $438 per person a day
Browse tours and activities, or compare it with our 15-day Thailand honeymoon.