US west coast - car or RV?

The first thing you need to check is hiring in Canada and dropping off in the US. (Unless you're going back to Canada?).

There's a load of driver and insurance restrictions and it can be horrendously expensive.

It's quite a drive for 2/3 days, unless you plan to share the driving. And you will miss out on so many things to see along the way.

Lots of US cities have Visitor Centres on the outskirts and run shuttles into the centre.

Just remember with an RV you have to hook up on site. Deal with waste disposal etc. You can book in advance and as RV travel is so popular there'll be lots of places to stop. But then you've committed to only stopping where you've booked.

But they'll also be loads of motels/hotels and the leaflets and books you can pick up at Visitor Centres often have money off coupon for places like Days Inn.

You probably need to spend a lot of time researching both your options. If you do that and set yourself an itinerary (which you should accept might have to be a bit flexible as you may want to stop off at unexpected treasures along the way), then you'll have a wonderful time.

Because of the size of both countries, long road trips are not out of the ordinary for Canadians and Americans and you'll find lots of good facilities along the way.

We too are planning a big Canada trip next year, but probably staying within Canada, making our way from Vancouver all the way to Ottawa.

We looked into RV & cars, and we’ve settled on rail for much of the journeys.

Have a fantastic time both planning and enjoying your trip when it comes.

Cossy - just be aware that once you get into the Prairies there's a lot of nothing for a long, long time! If you're thinking of renting a car at any time during the journey, this would be it.

But I bet you will meet up with loads of interesting, fascinating and even "unusual" people on the train - it's great.

Look for the train deals on a Tuesday (if they still do them)

ferry23

Cossy - just be aware that once you get into the Prairies there's a lot of nothing for a long, long time! If you're thinking of renting a car at any time during the journey, this would be it.

But I bet you will meet up with loads of interesting, fascinating and even "unusual" people on the train - it's great.

Look for the train deals on a Tuesday (if they still do them)

Thank you.

We have friends in Saskatoon and family in Ottawa.

We’ve done a number of self drive holidays in the USA. We’ve always hired a car, planned the journey, and then booked into B+Bs, hotels, or self catering accommodation. Sometimes we booked the next stay whilst we were already there. We booked quite a few from home though, so we knew we had to be at a particular place by a particular date.

We’ve spent quite a bit of time in California and found it best to get around by car. Places to stay are plentiful and even inexpensive motels were fine. I’d certainly take more time than 2/3 days as there’s so much to see.

We visited Australia five years ago and did the Great Ocean Road by campervan. Never again! We spent so much time hooking and unhooking the wretched thing up, parking was difficult especially in towns, it was all v stressful.

Car. Only 950 miles, easy 2 day trip.

I’d do the car option, we hired an SUV from Calgary. One bonus is that you can go on easily the ferries if you want to. We booked hotels in advance, very easy.
We had to take the car back over the US border to Vancouver.
The wait to cross from Canada to USA at Port Douglas was quite long, the border customs are quit thorough.

Dont you think all that self catering is going to fall on you? Not much of a holiday.

When we were kids we used to always go to a caravan in Wales and my mother used to say that I was just like being at home (only in a little box) with all the same skivvying.

Do you have any plans along the way?

Seattle is lovely. Pikes Market, Mt Rainier, Lake Washington, the sound.

Off I-5 a bit west is Astoria, Oregon - beautiful.

Portland and the drive down I-5 to Northern California is spectacular. Ashland, Oregon (the way South) - Shakespeare festival.

Hotels are plentiful, reasonable, comfortable.

Thanks so much. Fabulous input. Am swayed to the car which will please the OH. We’re actually staying with family in Vancouver. They have offered to drive us to the border so we can pick up a car there. Thanks again.

It’s a long way from Vancouver to San Francisco and not much in between, the best way is to fly unless you really want a long boring road-trip.

There are places of interest along the way it but are all very similar. Best bet fly to SF hire a car or RV and drive in California where there is a large variety of different places to visit without large mileages in between.

We’ve done a number of US road trips and always hire a car and booked b &bs or motels prior to leaving the UK .
The bonus of a car is you can park wherever you want and have no problems parking in cities or towns . With an RV you have to find campsites or somewhere to hook up , which is fine if you’re doing the national parks , not so easy in a city or town .
Friends who go to France in their RV have now sold it and bought a towing caravan as they can unhook it and drive into small villages and towns .
2-3 days isn’t long if you intend to stop off and explore . And it’s a shame to go all that way and rush through the various states .

David49

It’s a long way from Vancouver to San Francisco and not much in between, the best way is to fly unless you really want a long boring road-trip.

There are places of interest along the way it but are all very similar. Best bet fly to SF hire a car or RV and drive in California where there is a large variety of different places to visit without large mileages in between.

OP said they are leaving from the USA side of the border.

Just looked at a map. It's only 920 miles from the border to San Francisco, all on I-5 a brilliant freeway. Quite easy 2 day drive.

The area of the west coast of the USA - west of the mountain range is breathtakingly beautiful with many places of interest.

However, we love travel in America - open roads at high speed.

Whatever you decide - have a lovely holiday.

You could consider taking the train
( Amtrak) from Vancouver to Seattle and picking up a car in Seattle. The train goes from Pacific Station downtown Vancouver and takes about 4.5 hours.. Spectacular scenery on the way.

I believe the Amtrak train goes from BC all the way into California. No, do not rent an RV. That would be a big waste of money. Get an economical safe car and stay at BnBs and motels. Overnight RV spaces are overfilled and not too pleasant. A small car is best when visiting Seattle because you will pay less to get on the ferries and it will be easier to maneuver and park. In Portland you will want to ditch the car and walk. Maybe find a train from Portland to SF.

I agree with CocoPops to take the train from Vancouver to Seattle. You will be glad you did. Get a car once in Seattle.

I changed my mind. Get a car from Canada to Seattle instead of a train so that you can spend a couple of days on the San Juan Islands.

Then when done with Seattle, take the Amtrak train to Portland because you do not need a car in Portland. Stay a few days there then get a car and drive from Portland to San Francisco. I have no idea if you need a car whilst in SF since I have never been there.

I’ve never rented an RV - it’s cheaper to rent a car and stay in hotels; but I’ve never had any trouble taking a rental car over.

Given that this was a year ago , I assume OP had her holiday and another old thread has been resurrected by a spammer.

Polar22

Thoughts please. We’re planning a big Canada/US trip next spring. The bit we’re unsure of is the drive down from Vancouver to San Francisco. OH thinks a car and do it in 2/3 days using hotels. I’m sceptical. I’d think a camper van and a week would be better. He’s worried we won’t find camping sites and/or be able to ‘get into’ towns to visit. Help appreciated.

It depends on how you want to experience the trip. A camper van offers flexibility to stop and explore, but finding campsites can be tricky. With a car and hotels, you’ll have more accommodation options and easier access to towns. If you want a relaxed pace and scenic stops, the van is great. For more time in cities and less hassle, go with the car and hotels.

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