24 days cross-country trip

Dear All,

Hi, I would like to ask for anyone's assistance. My aunts and uncles are planning a roadtrip from New York to San Francisco in 28 days. I have volunteered to help them with this. They would like to see the sights along the way. They have drawn up an initial route covering the following: New York, Buffalo, NY (they also want to go to Niagara Falls), Boston, Washington D.C., Alabama, Kansas City, Colorado, Las Vegas Nevada, Grand Canyon - Arizona, Los Angeles Ca., San Francisco, Ca.

Will this be the best route considering that they would like to make stops along the way to see the sights? I am a bit familiar with the sights in California, Nevada and Arizona but I do not have an idea with regards to the rest that I mentioned.

I have checked initially with the car rental companies for a van that can seat 8 people comfortably (plus luggages) but the best car that I have seen is a 7-seater mini-van.

Any assistance will be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Welcome to the RTA forum!

I've got a few questions off the top.

First, is this a 24 day trip or a 28 day one?

Second, is there a reason you are zig-zagging around so much? You should be able to fit everything into a 4 week trip, but right now you've got some areas where you'd really be adding a lot of miles.

Also are you starting in New York City because that's where everyone is from, or is it just a common place because you have to start somewhere?

As far as a car, once you get past 7 people, you really only have a full-sized van, which can hold up to about 15 people, as an option. There are going to be fewer places that rent them, and they will be rather expensive, but its really about the only option to get 8 people in one vehicle.

Hi, sorry about that - its a 24-day trip, not 28. Would you have any suggestions/changes on the route I mentioned? Many thanks.

Hi,

One question that may affect the itinerary is why, if your relatives live in the NY area, are you spending time in Boston and DC when those cities are practically day trips from home?

Assuming there is a reason, like they are coming from somewhere far away, and unless you absolutely must to go to Alabama (a perfectly fine place, but way out of your way) I'd recommend the following itinerary.

Start in DC, then NY, Boston, Buffalo, Kansas City, Denver, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco.

As for what you put in there as things to see, the list could be very very very very long. Since you've layed out the main cities, you must have an idea of what you want to see in each area and how much time you want to spend there. So add those up first and see how many days you have left.

Sounds like more fun than a sack of cats!! Good for you for volunteering! If it goes well you should net a big Christmas gift!

Craig Sheumaker
co-author of the travel guide: America's Living History-The Early Years