We put over 2300 miles on the car this vacation even though Death Valley National Park is only 350 miles from San Diego.  It is definitely a study in the extremes.  From 282 feet below to 11049 above sea level, from snow on Telescope Peak to triple-digit temperatures in the valley, from marbled canyon narrows to 600-foot tall sand dunes, there are many different enviroments to explore.

Death Valley is the largest National Park in the 48 contiguous states, and probably the most under-developed as well.  Close to a couple hundred miles were done on dirt roads, and there's even more park available to those with 4WD vehicles.  However, we actually enjoyed this aspect, because it keeps the visitor population down, gives visitors a chance to slow down and see more, and preserves the nature of the park.