Quit my job, and go west? How to do a serious long road trip

[UKCraig]

Some excellent tips there, Judy!

aaronin, I think this thread must have inspired me or something. I'm currently starting to make plans for a six month round the world trip of my own in the fall of next year. It is really exciting and, although the job is a concern (I've yet to speak to the boss again!) I will cross that bridge when I get back. I am of the opinion that the experience is going to be worth the risk. Good luck with your plans and do keep us up to date!

[PNW Judy]

Wow...I can't wait to hear about this one! :) Is there some kind of international race circuit you plan on following? LOL

[UKCraig]

No, not race related. Though I will plan it to hopefully take in some of the more interesting races as I pass through places :) There's a lot of things that need to finally fall into place yet (mostly there though) and I'll be asking for tips, of course (!), when the time comes. I just wanted to post here to offer some encouragement to the OP really... If you're aware of all the potential pitfalls related to your finance and employment and are still feeling the call - just get out there and do it!

[isthistakentoo]

Wow, I hope to one day be able to travel for months across the country, just floating where the road takes me! :) I've been a traveling nut since I was 19, unfortunately I had to hide it from the folks and I didn't spill alot of my trips to them until I was 21; Dad still doesn't know about half of them!

I had my little sister with me some of the way and we learned some ways to save $ since during alot of my travels I was just working part time and going to college full time.

Sleeping: We'd only get a motel if it was absolutely necessary, like if it was December and we were in Massachusettes and outside sleeping was not an option. Many Super Wal-Marts and Cracker Barrels allow overnight parking. I don't know if RVs have to pay but I never paid a cent in my car. Also, Pilots, Flying J's, TAs and Loves have ample parking and you can sleep overnight and the good thing about the truck stops is that if you cough up about $6, you can even shower in the AM! Just bring flip flops for the shower. Trust me.

Even some Rest Areas along the interstates allow overnight parking AND have security but check the signs posted; some do not allow overnight parking and the security guards will tap on your window. If you sleep there, you can wash your hair in the sink the next AM (and pray it's NOT one of those 'push the button for 5 seconds of water' faucets for the sink otherwise it'll take forever to wash!) and just use "wet ones" or baby wipes to 'bathe' the rest of you.

If it's a bit nippy outside and running the heat all night is obviously not an option, I invested in these little "Hand warmer" things I found in the camping aisle at Wal-mart. They come in orange plastic packages, for about $2 you would get three of these things. When you take them out of the package, they are activated and stay hot for about 8-12 hours! On really cold nights you can place those under your blankets while you sleep (keep by your feet and head and wear socks!) I forget the company, but someone makes "ThermaCare" heat wraps for your lower back, neck and shoulders... those are much larger (more expensive too) and you can wrap them around you to stay warm all night.

I never really worried much about my safety when sleeping in the car, just use common sense; if a truck stop looks shady or there is an unsavory fellow hanging around and staring at you, go to the next exit.

Speaking of "next exit", if you are going to be doing alot of interstate driving, you gotta buy "The Next Exit", it's a guidebook published every year that lists every interstate, and every exit off every interstate with all the gas, food, hotels and other places within a mile or so of the exit.

Making money on the road... besides the journalism options already mentioned, I never tried this on the road (but have done it locally!) so all I can do is repeat what I've heard... Day Labor places... Labor Finders, Labor Ready, etc... usually drifters, homeless or other folks will work for a day in exchange for about $8 an hour. I'd do a google search for all the locations of Labor Ready and Labor Finders in the areas you'll be in, print a list of the addresses and phone numbers and you might make $40 or $50 a day. You'll be paid in a check usually and have to cash it at a 7-11, be charged $2, but if you need a tank of gas then one day of work should do it. But show up REALLY early, like 5am. The work is divided on a first come, first serve basis. If no work is available, ask if you can DRIVE the folks around. Alot of them do not have cars and cannot get to the sites so they might pay you to simply drive around.

If you are really starting to starve, I'm sure most big cities will have a soup kitchen you can pick up some items or a hot meal.

Regarding the whole "quit the job" thing, yes it's tough because a stable job that pays well is a great foundation for your life and being able to save money for trips. I hope that your boss will let you come back but if he/she doesn't, ah, well, think of it this way: You found a great job once, you can probably do it again! Or at least you won't mind settling for a lower paying one when you return since you are grateful for the opportunity you had. But yeah with this job you have now, save, save, save!!! Save up enough to pay those bills while you are gone, try to pay off credit cards before you go, that'll save money. If you can move out and put stuff in storage, you'll save money on rent each month too.


Ever consider going back to school? Graduate school, if you get a student loan the max amount they give per year is $18K. Yes, that's $18K! If you can take online courses, ask for the maximum amount of loans, buy a laptop with a wireless card then you could go ahead and move out, put stuff in storage, cut all utility bills that you can and then hit the road with your schoolbooks and laptop and about $9K a semester. Your only "regular" bills not related to gas and motels will be a cellphone, auto insurance and maybe a car payment? Someone mentioned health insurance, that's a good idea too... Only trouble is, of course you'll have to actually keep UP with your classes and won't have as much free time. I'm currently taking two grad classes online, it ain't so bad... :) I still travel just as much as I always did, I just get my work done before I go. But look into that! Hey, you'll get tons of money from Uncle Sam to finance your trip (or to pay off all debt now, thus freeing you to save strictly for your trip) and get an education... :) Just remember, after you graduate and have to pay back the loans, hopefully you'll have another good job by then! :)

[UKCraig]

Sorry I missed your reply until just now - there is some great advice and encouragement in there. Thanks for posting that up.

[jlmickel]

As a career counselor my first reaction is DON'T DO IT! But I understand the call of the road and can relate. I would not be concerned about the time you are out, many people are out of work for 3-6 months. My advice would be to prepare your resume and references and things BEFORE you leave and either have them available online or in a flash drive. Then after the first month or so start to look for another job while you're on the road, it sucks but it will be a lot easier to do a little at a time than to get home and then have to face that huge task.

Especially since the job market is so crappy right now I wouldn't take any chances, but you're young and have a number of options. The grad school idea is a good one.

My question is, if there is nothing holding you to your current location why not travel till you find a place you would like to stay and then look for a job there?

[Melvin Furd]

"There's more to life than a mortgage and a lawn to mow"-Joni Mitchell

There is. Much more. I feel 24, still but like so way past that in actual years. You are only young and able like 24 once. You will learn more about life and the people and America than at a job in some airless cubicle making money for some corporation. I am going on another cross country trip both ways SF to NY this summer. I'm going solo one way and going with my boy the other way in our Prius. We are bringing a tent, and sleeping bags and thanks to websites like this we're going to ask a lot of questions and plan a fantastic trip.

As for you young ones,
keep clean, don't take drugs, read the classics, stay off the tv, keep your ears to the train tracks and find that we're all gonna die someday, let go, plan for your future but when you can, break out of the ordinary and live. Travel, risk. Give openly of yourselves, listen to others and trust yourself ultimately.