Table of Contents
But let’s face it—planning a trip out west can feel overwhelming. A 7-day getaway? A 3-week road trip? So many options, so little time.
Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. Here’s your ultimate guide to planning an epic trip out west!
Step 1. Pick the best time for your trip
Timing is everything. How many days do you need? What’s the best season? It all depends on what you’re looking for.
Each season offers its magic—spring blooms with wildflowers and snow-melted streams, perfect for hikers. Fall dazzles with colorful foliage and fewer crowds, while winter is ideal if you’re into skiing or snowboarding (just watch out for holiday price hikes). And summer? It’s all about hot, dry weather and endless outdoor adventures—though it can get expensive and crowded.
For budget travelers, shoulder seasons like spring and fall are your best bet. You’ll enjoy stunning scenery and more affordable accommodation and flights.
For me in this process, I usually take out my notebook and write down the questions and try my best to answer them:
- When can I go? How many days (how flexible am I)?
- What is the goal for my trip (or what are the 2-3 must-dos for my trip)?
- Does 1 fit in with 2? What can I compromise on?

Step 2. Create your ideal travel budget
Here’s the part we all dread: budgeting. It’s not glamorous, but trust me, it’s key to making the most of your trip.
I usually start out with a ballpark number. The trick is to always overestimate by 5-15%, depending on how lenient you want to be with yourself. If you're planning this trip with others, I'd make clear if we're creating a shared pot and expensing later or if we're separating our budgets. It's such a small but essential step.
List the essentials: accommodation, transportation, flights, car rentals, food, and activities. If you’re road-tripping, don’t forget gas, tolls, and parking fees. Looking to save? Stay just outside tourist hotspots, book in advance, and hunt for deals.
Traveling out west doesn’t have to break the bank. With some thoughtful planning, you’ll get more bang for your buck—and still have the trip of a lifetime.

Step 3. Figure out the must-see destinations
The American West is packed with bucket-list-worthy spots. This is where you bring out your previous list of must-dos and do some quick research on what you want to do. Are you visiting national parks most of your time, or are you looking to hop around attractions?
Here are some of the highlights to consider for your itinerary:
National or state parks
- Yosemite National Park
- Arches National Park
- Valley of Fire State Park
- Custer State Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand CanyonNational Park
- Zion National Park
- Bryce CanyonNational Park
Notable Attractions
- Museum of American West in Denver
- Jackson Hole
- Space Needle
- Pike Place Market
Cities
- Las Vegas, California
- LA (Los Angeles), California
- San Francisco, California
- Seattle, Washington
Step 4. Establish your route
This is where the 1st question of the list becomes handy: Based on how long and what season your trip is, you can now roughly sketch out a route.
This is where you determine your starting and ending points, with major checkpoints in between.
For example, when I planned my trip, I knew I had little time to hit all the destinations. So, I opted to fly into Seattle, spend 2-3 days there, then fly down to LA and started my road trip there, spending 2-3 days in LA, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, but otherwise hitting all the parks and attractions in between from the drive up.
Was it the most efficient? Not even close. But I gave myself time to enjoy the places I wanted to see, knowing that I'd come back again.
Once you map out key stope and your start and end points, it's time to look up accommodation options along the way.

Step 5. Figure out your stay
Out west, there is a huge range of accommodation.
Depending on your travel tastes, what you choose can vary greatly. When planning a trip out west, you'll encounter everything from budget hostels to luxury resorts. You can also choose Airbnb, Couchsurfing, hostels, sharehouses, and hotels. Heck, I know some folks even opt for an RV trip, but I'll leave that for the RV experts.
Save yourself time by comparing different hotel options on websites like Hotels.com. You can even sign up to score hotel deals alerts to save extra money.
Step 6. Research some activities and attractions
I call this the "fun" step! This is where you get to look up and find all of the activities, tours, and experiences to add to your itinerary based on the routes and time you've allocated yourself.
Here's some recommendation for you:
- Kayak through the Emerald Cove
- Hit the dunes of Las Vegas on an ATV tour
- See Palm Springs from above on the aerial tramway
- Hike through Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park on a day tour
- Tour the Grand Canyon
- Hit the heights of Temecula on a hot-air balloon ride
- Go on a Napa and Sonoma Wine Country full-day tour
Step 7. Get down to the nitty gritty
Now that you know how to plan a trip out west, it's time to get down to business. Get your travel visa and documents organized, and make sure you've got travel insurance too. Being prepared in case things go wrong can bring you great peace of mind. If you need help figuring out what's right for you, take a peek at this insider's guide on the best travel insurance for 2023.
Step 7. Start planning your pack!
Many people dread (hence procrastinating) this step, but it's important not to skip this. Plus, packing doesn’t have to be chaotic.
Based on the type of trip you're doing, and where you'll be stopping, you can roughly estimate the amount of gear you'll need to bring along with you. If you're staying at a hotel, chances are you won't need to pack much toiletries. Plus, if you have big cities in your stops, you can always refill along your trip.
Plan ahead, stay organized, and you’ll thank yourself later. Use packing cubes, roll your clothes, and make the most of every inch of your luggage (pro tip: stuff socks into shoes!).
To help make your life easier and not break the bank, don't forget these travel essentials:

Step 8. Get excited and start counting down!
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure today, and let Pilot help you make it unforgettable!