Winnipeg to Tucson. Where to stay?

[Charli]

We are heading to Az for our first Snowbird winter and I was hoping to get some feedback from anybody that has made this trek. We have reservations at various campgrounds starting in Tucson on Nov 15 and ending at the Grand Canyon in early April. No reservations for the trip down which is driving DW nuts.
I'm hoping to leave on Nov 9/10 (depending on weather) and try to make it from Wpg to Sioux City,IA on the first day which is about 900km. Will stay in a hotel the first night and the from there shorten our daily drive to about 600km. By the second day I'm thinking we should be in more moderate climates and we can start using campground. The second day we'll have to stop early to stock the kitchen and dewinterize.
Right now I'm thinking of stops in Sioux City, Wichita, Amarillo, Albuquerque for a few nights and then Tucson.
Any thoughts on our length of daily drives, possible places to stay or other suggestions would be appreciated.
Can't wait to hit the road.

[JRTJH]

Being from Winnipeg and making the comment that you're hoping to leave on Nov 9/10, I'm sure you're aware that if the weather is not cooperating, you're not going to make that initial 900km in one day. That will throw all the rest of the days off unless you "double up" somewhere.

You'll have no issues finding a campground for your stays along the way. I'd honestly advise you NOT to make reservations for your "travel days" unless they are 100% refundable. November is "early in the cold season" but it can be a very unpredictable time, one day sunny and mild followed by a day of ice and snow, so you never know what you'll be facing. Trying to "push through" to get to a reserved campsite is not the mentality for that kind of weather.

Just take it easy, go as far as you feel comfortable, find a place to sleep the night and head out fresh the next morning. No need to put your entire winter plans in jeopardy just to "make it to a reserved campsite" so you don't lose the deposit. Wing it, enjoy the trip, don't feel pushed to get anywhere and forget the schedule. Even if you're a day or two late getting to your long term reservations, I'm sure that with a phone call, you can make the needed changes if that should happen.

[Festus2]

Leaving in mid November from Winterpeg and aiming to drive 900 km the first day is something you might want to think about. You never know what kind of winter driving conditions you might encounter along the way and may have to readjust your destination. While reservations may be a good thing, they also might force you into driving further and spending long hours on the road just so that you can be at the reserved spot. As John pointed out, it might be prudent to "wing it", take your time and adjust your driving to the weather and road conditions.

[outwest]

Agree with the others about keeping it flexible. You never know, not only with the weather up north, but also the rest of the way. I once got caught out on the highway outside of Albuquerque in a white-out where I could barely see past the hood of the car. It was clear as could be when stopped at the casino, then came out to some snow that quickly turned blizzard. I'd hate to think of trying to get through something like that pulling an RV just to keep on schedule (not saying you would, just that the weather that time of year can be unpredictable).

[Charli]

Thanks for the feedback. Just to clarify, my intent is not to make reservations ahead of time, just get some ideas on campgrounds along our route. I know that first day will be a push. 900km is probably a good 11 hours of driving so we may not make it that far but I'm thinking the adrenaline will be pumping that first day so might as well take advantage of it.
Of course weather will dictate everything. Can't fight Mother Nature.
Not many campgrounds open in the northern states at that time of year so if Mother Nature cooperates and we push the first day, stay in a hotel, then the second day we should easily make Kansas where campgrounds are open year round. At least that's the plan but things can change and going with the flow is the key.

[geo]

Charli -

Though it is just my own personal opinion, but I think you might have a very ambitious first two days of driving planned. And a fairly ambitious schedule after that. I would encourage you to watch the weather very closely - very closely - especially after you leave Wichita for Amarillo.

On the plus side, I would assume you are traveling the Lord Selkirk Freeway and US interstates down to Wichita. My concerns are your routes between Wichita and Amarillo, and Albuquerque and Tucson. Are you planning on traveling State and US highways? If you are "cutting the diagonal" off the interstates for those portions of your trip . . . plan well! I am from the northwestern part of Oklahoma, and I'll just leave it at that. And, I have done some geology in far west New Mexico, and again I'll just leave that.

I would recommend the Overnight RV Park in Amarillo. It is across from a Pilot/Flying J, down the street from the WalMart, and right off I-40. Yes, it is an older RV park, but it is very nice. Great pull through sites. And even a shuttle to The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Let us know if you get the free steak dinner!

Ron

[bobbecky]

We have traveled up to South Dakota in late November/early December, then down to Texas through Missouri, and last year were in Missouri until almost two weeks into December. Neither trip did we have any significant snow, just real cold. I would suggest no more than 400 to 500 km per day. That may mean leaving earlier, but better to have a relaxed drive and having the flexibility to stay longer when needed due to weather than risking a disaster. When we are just winging it, we go on the Good Sam site and map out our trip, and select the map to show all the campgrounds enroute. That time of year, I would also go to each website of the parks to see if they are open after the 1st of November, mark the map and show the phone number. You are planning to have a working cell phone for this trip?? We traveled these areas both times with full use of our plumbing, had heater working while towing, and never had a problem. I would be concerned you leaving that late with a winterized system, only to find out something does not work when you clear the antifreeze from the pipes. We have had numerous times when we have had to spend a second night at a park due to high winds, thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc ahead of our path, and were glad we did not push it. If you do wait until your expected departure date, still don't push it. You can always call the park in Tucson to let them know you will arrive a day or two later, and much better to pay for those days than pay the consequences of trying to rush. Drive safe, and enjoy the winter in the desert.