Red08

We just returned from our road trip out west to Arches Nat'l Park and we stopped at Flaming Gorge. Here are a few of my observations. Our total trip was approximately 2,300 miles in 5 days. That probably doesn't sound like many, but its our first real trip in our 2014 C7. We averaged ~28.3 mpg. Most of the time, the coolant temp was 206 degrees, and the engine oil was 208. Driving from Dillon, CO going east up the long incline on I-70 to the Eisenhower tunnel, the engine oil reached 226 degrees at one point, but it didn't stay there very long. The coolant temp reached 217, but again, didn't stay there very long. I did notice that when we stopped, even for 10 minutes, the engine oil temp would drop 6-8 degrees, The temps were in the mid to upper 90's each day, regardless of if we were in Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah or Colorado. IT WAS HOT!, and always very windy.

The car ran great, and didn't use any oil (not that I expected it to. but it's nice to know that it didn't use any oil). Ok, I am just **** about such things. I checked it daily, and again when I got home. It was a total joy to drive. During the entire trip, I saw probably 6-8 other Corvettes on the road, mostly C7's. I NEVER saw a C8, even in heavy Denver traffic on the way home. They must be hiding.

The most disappointing thing about our trip, were the crowds of people at Arches, It almost made it unenjoyable. We got there early, about 7:00 am and drove right in. We got right in before they checked us in, but even so, the parking lots around the park were full. When we left, there was a line of vehicles, probably 1/4 to 1/2 mile long waiting to enter the park....never again! That's about it. I will try to post some pics.

duckvett

Never say never. We ran into the same situation in Yellowstone two weeks ago on our way to the Big Sky Corvette Meet in Billings, MT. Trying to shepherd 8 Corvettes through the massive crowds in Yellowstone was daunting. We went into the park at West Yellowstone and out again at Gardiner, MT. In between we tried to find parking to enjoy the scenery, but the park was jammed with people and cars. Lunch anywhere in the park was impossible.
Return to Arches and the other parks in Utah in your SUV and you will enjoy it much more when you're not worried about where to park or going "off-road" with the Corvette.

Vette Jockey

Wow, I guess people are getting out again! I am glad you both had a safe trip.

fsvoboda

Of course there are relatively few C8s out there. Also, it may be that with its big area under the hatch for cargo the C7 is a better tourer.

Regarding crowding in the National Parks, here's where being a retiree actually is golden. Go in fall or spring when it's cooler and kids are back in school, and you'll likely find a lot less crowding. About four years ago my wife and I went to Acadia in Maine on the last weekend that a lot was still open. It was great.

SingleTrackMinded

Go to Arches in the off season.

Vetteman Jack

Glad you had a good time and a safe trip. Looking forward to seeing some pics.

Mad*Max

I went to Arches at the end of June in 2012, it was not that busy but was quite hot.