Looking for advice from those who have overlanded across the country/ live out west

That's literally just the beginning. It's an amazing place. And there are places that are crowded like Zion or Yosemite is, but you can be completely secluded if you desire. My wife and I hiked 8 miles one day and never saw another person.

 

If you hit these parks during peak season, expect that. The alternative is to cut into the very thing you're going to see to make parking lots for a small window it's needed. The other 10 months you don't need all that parking. Go in off peak if you want a good national Park experience.

 

Yeah when I lived closer to yosemite my father and I would always go offtrail n hit different places in total seclusion...occasionally seeing one random person...but rarely...peak season is always tough

 

Absolutely. I really want to go back and explore as were there only a couple of days.

 

We went last November and it was a little busy during the day, but did not have any problems with parking. Didn't have problems with too many people at the park. We even decided to stay an extra day and got a room at the lodge no problem. We even went out the Canyon at night hoping to see the stars, but the moon was super bright.... you could see the Canyon and there wasn't a person around.

I'd like to go back and check out the North Rim.

 

Death Valley is a pretty amazing park. If you have a couple days to spare, it could suck them up unto itself. Lots of off roading there, with slot canyons you can drive through.

 

Second for Glacier. Going to the Sun Road may be closed, but there is an east-west state highway that should be open. Lots to do up & down both sides. My friend in Kalispell says the west side is "prettier". There is more on the west side just outside of the park, but again, plenty to do up & down both sides. Look for Isaac Walton while driving east-west near the divide, it's a good place to eat. Go up to Polebridge (on the west side up a small road for about 45 minutes), they make interesting pastries there with ham, brie cheese, and huckleberry jam.

 

Once you get into Texas I would avoid the Interstate as much as possible for the remainder of the trip unless you just need to make time. Nothing to see on the interstate and its boring as hell.

 

Some great suggestions in this thread.

Toroweap in Grand canyon accessed via dirt roads only is worth seeing.
Great basin National Park in Nevada ( with wheeler peak ) is fascinating for having some of the last remaining Bristlecone pine as is the area on hwy 395 in CA as someone mentioned.
I'd personally skip LA and as others have recommended, do death valley and up hwy 395 to Mono lake and then into Yosemite over tioga pass. Some of Ansel Adams most memorable pictures are in this stretch.
As someone who lived in CA and moved to WA -- don't miss the redwoods. Mendocino is a great spot on the CA coast to hit some bed and breakfasts.
The southern oregon coast is stunning as is crater lake further inland.
A not very visited spot is Steens mountain in eastern OR ( a place on my list to visit ).
North eastern OR has the wallowa mountains and is the last resting place of chief joseph famous for his Nez Perce bands last stand. Some offroading here above the snake river and beautiful but relatively unknown mountains. Quietier and low key if you like that.
WA coastline is spectacular and relatively uninhabited. Book the campground or cabins at Kalaloch and also backpack at Shi Shi Beach up north.
The north cascades is really beautiful, as are Rainier national park.
I've yet to visit Eastern Wa much, but photographers love the Palouse.

And yes, Glacier, I need to make it there myself!