http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/ This is a discussion forum providing information about road trips in North America en Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:43:29 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/ http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24894-Crazy-Girl-on-the-Road!&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 04:52:24 GMT Hey everyone!

For reasons that would take way too long to explain, I have embarked on a road trip from Chicago to Little Rock and I have four days/nights to do it and $250 (I have to catch a flight back home to NYC on day 5 and can't move the flight any earlier) for the whole trip. I figure gas will cost about $100 (used the fuel calculator and overestimated by about $25, just in case), so that leaves me with $150; or about $36/day. So.....

Obviously I can't afford to stay in hotels for 4 nights, but fortunately I have some camping gear that I got off of Craigslist... so I figure I'll stay in public parks/campgrounds every night. So my questions are:

1) Is this crazy? Can it be done? I’m not worried about the timing, just the budget. I plan to take my time and see the sights, enjoy the adventure… but I’m a city girl and I just don’t know if this plan is practical.
2) Am I going to get eaten by a bear/kidnapped by organ thieves?
3) While perusing your excellent "Lodging for the budget traveler" thread on here, I found the FREE overnight camping link, which led me to Giant City Campground in Southern Illinois... which is not free, but very cheap. Does anyone have experience with this particular site, or know of any other good ones along the way?
4) Is it naïve to think I’ll just stop whenever I see a campground or park that looks appealing and roll in there and pitch a tent? Or do I really need to reserve in advance?
5) I’m going I-55 to I-57 to I-40 – any unmissable sights along the way that you’d recommend? I love natural wonders, water, and kitsch.

Finally, I would love any tips, words of wisdom, etc. from you all… I’m frankly a little terrified and need someone to talk me off the ledge! I’m a city girl, but I grew up in the woods and love nature. I do a lot of hiking year-round in New York, New Jersey, and PA, so I’m not a total greenhorn… but I do not drive very often, although I love to do it and am really looking forward to having an adventure!

Thanks a bunch! ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Lady J Mudflaps http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24894-Crazy-Girl-on-the-Road! http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24893-Across-the-South-Phoenix-to-Miami-December-to-February&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:53:04 GMT Hi everyone!

Firstly, I'm from Australia.

For my road trip across the southern US, I'm starting just before Xmas 2010 in Phoenix AZ, and finishing in the middle of February 2011 in Miami FL. I'll be on the road for 57 days.

I'm planning to travel through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and then down to Florida. It's looking like about 4000 miles in total, so far.

I'm interested in historical sites and natural scenery, but I'm aiming to stay off the main tourist routes as much as I can. I want to hang out with the locals and get a idea of what it's like to live in the places I'm going through so I can compare as I travel East.

I'm collecting points of interest using Google Maps here: http://bit.ly/cBThyw. Feel free to add suggested points for me on it, or suggest them here.

Thanks!

Tommo. ]]> Tomm0 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24893-Across-the-South-Phoenix-to-Miami-December-to-February http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24892-Texas-to-Massachusetts&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:09:14 GMT First time poster, first time reader.

Clearly, I haven't had many opportunities to road trip.

Since I will be beginning my final year of college this fall and have never had a spring break VACATION, my girl friend and I are planning a road trip to Boston for St. Patrick's Day. I have an aunt I can stay with in Boston, so that won't be a problem. We just need help figuring out what we are going to do/visit/see along the way. We will probably be leaving Saturday, March 12, which gives us Saturday - Wednesday for the trip there, but it would be nice to be there by Tuesday afternoon. It gives us some leeway on what we can visit, but I feel like Carhenge would be too far out of the way. However, that is along the lines of what we would like to see, along with any of the famous national landmarks and such.

So if anyone has some thoughts of interesting things to see or routes to take, we would really appreciate it. Thank you! ]]> Spring RoadTrips jbryan10 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24892-Texas-to-Massachusetts http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24891-Charleston-SC-to-Ft.-Benning-Columbus-GA&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:43:52 GMT Does anyone have a suggestion for driving from Charleston, SC to Ft. Benning? This is part of a much longer road trip, and we will have been through Savannah already on the way from Orlando to Charleston. Thank you. Does anyone have a suggestion for driving from Charleston, SC to Ft. Benning? This is part of a much longer road trip, and we will have been through Savannah already on the way from Orlando to Charleston. Thank you. ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Toni http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24891-Charleston-SC-to-Ft.-Benning-Columbus-GA http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24890-Boston-to-Ohio-Suggestions&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:57:37 GMT Hi, I am planning a road trip with the wife and 3 kids ages 8 to 12 from Boston to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The plan so far is to drive to PA and possibly stop at Hershey for a day or two. From there, we will head to Cedar Point and spend a few days there at the park. After that, I was... Hi,

I am planning a road trip with the wife and 3 kids ages 8 to 12 from Boston to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The plan so far is to drive to PA and possibly stop at Hershey for a day or two. From there, we will head to Cedar Point and spend a few days there at the park. After that, I was thinking of driving along Lake Erie (maybe spend a day at the beach in Erie, PA?) and coming back home through New York.

I am looking for ideas of places to stop and things to do that are not too far off the path I will be taking - especially for the long trip back through New York.


Thanks for any input/suggestions!


-Jim ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips xJMPx http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24890-Boston-to-Ohio-Suggestions http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24889-One-stop-State-Highway-Conditions&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:24:29 GMT There's a variety of road condition sites managed by the DOT's from the US and Canadian governments. The link to the Federal directory site is here.

National Weather Service: Quick & easy access to all U.S. weather warnings & watches, temperature forecasts, flood stage alerts, infrared & satellite imagery. The site also has a gallery of awesome photos of severe weather.

This thread will be maintained as a Sticky for those road condition sites that we deem especially helpful.

Arizona

California.

Colorado

New Mexico

Oregon

Utah ]]> Road Construction Hot Sheet Mark Sedenquist http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24889-One-stop-State-Highway-Conditions http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24888-Need-Roadtrip-route-advice-from-CT-to-VA&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:10:58 GMT Hi to all: This is my first post on this forum so please excuse any errors. We are visiting the USA and currently we are in Stamford, CT and we need to travel to Newport News, VA. What is the best driving route given that we were planning on leaving CT on Saturday morning, spend a night... Hi to all:
This is my first post on this forum so please excuse any errors.
We are visiting the USA and currently we are in Stamford, CT and we need to travel to Newport News, VA.
What is the best driving route given that we were planning on leaving CT on Saturday morning, spend a night someplace on the way, and arrive to VA by late Friday afternoon?

We prefer to spend the night in an interesting place along the way. The most obvious destinations were Atlantic city or Ocean city, but they appear to me (although I may be mistaken) to be just a strip of crowded hotels on the beach. If there are other more interesting towns with beautiful scenery along the way that would be preferable.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Best,
Yasmin ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Yasmin321 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24888-Need-Roadtrip-route-advice-from-CT-to-VA http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24887-Tips-and-Ideas-for-trip-Maine-to-Niagara-Falls-thru-Canada-and-back-to-Maine&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:33:02 GMT My husband and I are beginning planning a circular trip in the fall from central Maine to Niagara Falls, up to Toronto then on to Quebec and from there returning home. We can go thru VT and stop over in Quechee on the way to the Falls or via I 90 thru Mass and NY State. We prefer 6 to 7 hr legs of... My husband and I are beginning planning a circular trip in the fall from central Maine to Niagara Falls, up to Toronto then on to Quebec and from there returning home. We can go thru VT and stop over in Quechee on the way to the Falls or via I 90 thru Mass and NY State. We prefer 6 to 7 hr legs of the drive. What are interesting spots to be included between VT or Mass and Niagara Falls. It would be great to do this enjoyably but frugally. What other suggestions are there in this circle to make this a great trip. We would probably look at 7 days start to finish. ]]> northwind42 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24887-Tips-and-Ideas-for-trip-Maine-to-Niagara-Falls-thru-Canada-and-back-to-Maine http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24886-Looking-for-advice-on-our-road-trip-in-3-weeks-time!!&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:04:03 GMT Hello everyone. I have posted before about the possiblity of a roadtrip starting in Canada and hitting New York etc, one thing and another that was not to happen and me and my partner decided to travela round italy instead... well again this is no longer happening and the pull of the states has... Hello everyone.

I have posted before about the possiblity of a roadtrip starting in Canada and hitting New York etc, one thing and another that was not to happen and me and my partner decided to travela round italy instead... well again this is no longer happening and the pull of the states has taken over :)

I am looking for advice, or at least pointers for our trip, we travel mid August for 2 weeks. I have a few destinations in mind, please find listed below, but there are many gaps

New York 3 nights - not sure which is the best area to stay to make the most of the stay
Fly to Las Vegas - hire a car. Stay in Las Vegas for possibly 2 nights - probably on the strip to soak up the bright lights.
Now this is the really tricky bit... travelling around for 8/9 days flying back to the UK from LAs Vegas
During this bit we would like to go to the Grand Canyon and have a stay in the National Park. We like to do alot of hiking and would be great to get a couple of good walks in (work off some of that great American food), but would also like to take in the scenery of the area. I would like to stay in some motels-for the experience, plus as we won't be spending much time in the rooms, seems a waste to spend lots on fancy hotels

All pointers will be appreciated, as we are getting very close to the time, and trawling the net is getting to be a minefield

Many many thanks
Tracy ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips tracymg http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24886-Looking-for-advice-on-our-road-trip-in-3-weeks-time!! http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24885-RV-Sites-in-Los-Angeles-and-Las-Vegas&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:17:14 GMT Can anyone recommend good sites to overnight in a 25ft RV which are convenient for LA (West Hollywood, Santa Monica side) and also for a couple of days stopover in Las Vegas? Travelling over mid-August so I need to getting booking asap. cheers all Banjax Can anyone recommend good sites to overnight in a 25ft RV which are convenient for LA (West Hollywood, Santa Monica side) and also for a couple of days stopover in Las Vegas?

Travelling over mid-August so I need to getting booking asap.

cheers all

Banjax ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Banjax http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24885-RV-Sites-in-Los-Angeles-and-Las-Vegas http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24884-Article-Milwaukee-to-Green-Bay-Wisconsin-Dairyland-to-Packerland&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:28:16 GMT You can view the page at http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/content.php?362-Milwaukee-to-Green-Bay-Wisconsin-Dairyland-to-Packerland You can view the page at http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum...-to-Packerland ]]> vBCms Comments Gerald Thurman http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24884-Article-Milwaukee-to-Green-Bay-Wisconsin-Dairyland-to-Packerland http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24882-has-anyone-else-taken-an-old-car-on-a-long-roadtrip&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:13:18 GMT So me and my fiance are going on a month long road trip in September. We are going to see the West coast (starting in Mn, North Dokota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa then back home). About 5000 miles. The... So me and my fiance are going on a month long road trip in September. We are going to see the West coast (starting in Mn, North Dokota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa then back home). About 5000 miles. The point of this trip is to see as many National parks as we can so my fiance who is a photographer can take pics. I have two car options I could take on this trip. The first is our "97 Dodge Advenger that has just over 200,000 miles on it. The second is my mothers 2006 Hondai Sonata. The good thing about taking my own car is that if something were to happen I would be ok with fixing it. Im on a budget so I would hate to make fixes to a car thats not mine. I just want to know if anyone else has taken an older high milage car on a long road trip? Do you have tips? I have taken long road trips like this before but that was mostly when I had a 2007 BMW. The one thing that is making me think my car can take this is our last road trip (mn, Niagra falls, NY, DC, Carolina, florida, Texas, then back up north to Mn and it did fine, but that was when it was at about 170,000 miles. ANybody have an ideas on what they would do? ]]> gracie http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24882-has-anyone-else-taken-an-old-car-on-a-long-roadtrip http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24881-Advice-needed-Single-Woman-headed-from-Ohio-to-Kanab-Utah&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:06:16 GMT I got a job in Kanab, Utah and am planning on driving there as opposed to flying for a couple of reasons. First I want to see some more of the country, I am hoping that it will be cheaper, and I just plain need to have all of my camping gear in Utah for my job where I will actually be backpacking.... I got a job in Kanab, Utah and am planning on driving there as opposed to flying for a couple of reasons. First I want to see some more of the country, I am hoping that it will be cheaper, and I just plain need to have all of my camping gear in Utah for my job where I will actually be backpacking. So I have the equipment to camp out, I have just been reading that I shouldn't stay in just any campground but I really don't want to put out the expense for a hotel. I have taken long car trips before but never this far and never by myself. I am a college grad and 22 so slightly concerned. Basically I want ANY advice in general and would really like to know how long this trip would likely take and how much it will run me. Esp. gas! I am heading there in late august so I have a little time to plan the trip but I really need to figure out how long it will take me especially if I sightsee and any good sites along that path would be welcome ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips Mdewlover02 http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24881-Advice-needed-Single-Woman-headed-from-Ohio-to-Kanab-Utah http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24880-Visiting-first-Great-Grandchild-at-Newport-News-VA.-what-else-to-see-and-do&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:15:49 GMT My wife and I are excited about this trip. My Grandson is in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk. They just had their first child, and made us Great Grandparents. We are driving from near Knoxville , TN, first to just west of Fredericksburg, VA, to visit a niece, and aunt (sickness) and then on to... My wife and I are excited about this trip. My Grandson is in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk. They just had their first child, and made us Great Grandparents. We are driving from near Knoxville , TN, first to just west of Fredericksburg, VA, to visit a niece, and aunt (sickness) and then on to Newport News, to see the baby. The trip will start about the middle of August and will end when we get tired and want to go home.

I have heard, and I can see, there is a lot of interesting things to see and do along the way. I know I could pick some and maybe leave out the best out of ignorance, so I need help if anyone has any advice on MUST see attractions. We have visited Fredericksburg before, and the battle fields nearby, and we have visited the old cemetery (Hollywood?) in Richmond, and little else.

Thanks, Clay ]]> Planning Summer RoadTrips johntommybob http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24880-Visiting-first-Great-Grandchild-at-Newport-News-VA.-what-else-to-see-and-do http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24873-San-Francisco-to-Breckenridge-the-pretty-way&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:42:25 GMT Any route suggestions for a 3-4 day trip from San Francisco to Breckenridge in mid November? I would like some more scenic options. We also we need to sleep in places that have pet friendly lodging or vrbo.com rentals. I'm pretty lost so any tips would be helpful! ]]> JillyJill http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?24873-San-Francisco-to-Breckenridge-the-pretty-way