USA Road Trip - from Australia (incl route 66)

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Originally Posted by alissha

I was just wondering if you knew what the best guide to mapping out 66 was?


This is going to be a trip of a lifetime for us!

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You've got that right. Just be carefull, 66 IS ADDICTIVE.

When my wife and I cruised the Mother Road in 2006 from Chicago to LA, we used Jerry McClanahan's EZ Guide to Route 66 and David Wickline's Images of 66.

David's book consists of pictures and captions of the places you'll be seeing. We had people sign the pictures as we went along for an added bit of enjoyment and memories.

If I recall, Jerry's book also is west to east as far as directions.

Have a great time!!

Keep on Down that Two Lane Highway. --RoadDog

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Originally Posted by RoadDog

David's book consists of pictures and captions of the places you'll be seeing. We had people sign the pictures as we went along for an added bit of enjoyment and memories.

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Thanks for that idea, Road Dog!

Thanks so much for all the fantastic advice. We haven't booked anything in yet so will definately take your suggestions on board when going from Santa Monica to Las Vegas and Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. I wasn't sure if it was better to stay in Flagstaff or at the Grand Canyon but I think we will definately stay in Flagstaff.

I'm really keen to see Peach Springs.

Thanks for the tips on the Ezy guide, we will definately purchase. I'm glad you mentioned it had directions from LA to Chicago as we know the most common route is Chicago to LA and I haven't been able to find much help going the opposite direction. It's the easiest way for us as flights from Australia only go direct to San Fran or LA and we want to do some things in NY and Oralando at the end of the journey.

Do you think $10,000 spending money is enough for two people ? This would cover food, attractions and souviners only. Lodging, Travel and petrol would be pre-determined and budgeted separately.

Thanks again

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Originally Posted by alissha

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Do you think $10,000 spending money is enough for two people ? This would cover food, attractions and souviners only. Lodging, Travel and petrol would be pre-determined and budgeted separately.

Thanks again

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I would definitely say it would.

It is also a good idea not to book ahead except perhaps in major cities. You never know when you'll find something worth a bit more investigating which you might not be able to do if you have a predetermined place to spend the night.

Hey Alissha

Just read your plans they sound great.

Was interested to know what you guys plan on doing with internal flights. Once we arrive in Miami we want to get a flight to NY spend a few days then fly back to San Fran before heading home to Perth. Im not sure whether to buy tickets before we leave or just wing it and hopefully pick up some cheap flights over their??? Which would be good so not to be locked into any dates.

Let us know if you get any good suggestions

Cheers
Clint

Hey Clint

For internal flights I think we're just going to book them online. We'll probably stick to a schedule because we've got so much ground to cover so will probably book before we go but it'd be just as easy to book online while you're over there from a hotel or net cafe if you'd prefer to be unscheduled. I think you'll probably get cheaper flights at the last minute too!

Cheers
Alissha

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Originally Posted by alissha

Hey Clint

For internal flights I think we're just going to book them online. We'll probably stick to a schedule because we've got so much ground to cover so will probably book before we go but it'd be just as easy to book online while you're over there from a hotel or net cafe if you'd prefer to be unscheduled. I think you'll probably get cheaper flights at the last minute too!

Cheers
Alissha

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I personally think JetBlue is one of the better airlines. You can always use an Expedia or some such website though, to try and determine the best airfare....have a great trip!!

G'day Alissha.

My wife and I are flying to the States for just under a month, and we'll be doing it in April/May... might cross paths somewhere along the road!

Just wanted to wish you all the best with the holiday.

Hello

I've posted before with my plans to travel the USA but I thought I'd post my updated itinerary and see what people thought. The main part of our trip will be Route 66. I've also added in our budget at the bottom and where we expect to stay. If you have any "must see's" in any location please let me know because we want to fit as much in as we can!

We are planning to leave august next year. If you know anywhere we can stay where I have put question marks next to accomodation that's also be great. Otherwise we will have to try and find something online via Expedia or another such website.

Day 0 – Arrive Los Angeles, California
Accommodation (approx $150) – The Standard Hotel

Day 2 – Hollywood, California
Accommodation (approx $150) - The Standard Hotel

Day 3 – Hollywood, California
Accommodation (approx $150) - The Standard Hotel

Day 4 – Hollywood, California to St Luis Obispo, California
Accommodation (approx $150) – ??

Day 5 – St Luis Obispo, California to San Francisco, California
Accommodation (approx $150) - ??

Day 6 – San Francisco, California
Accommodation (approx $200) – Best Western or Expedia

Day 7 – San Francisco, California to Mammoth Lakes, California
Accommodation (approx $150) – ?

Day 8 – Mammoth Lakes, California to Las Vegas, Nevada
Accommodation (approx $150) – MGM Grand or other

Day 9 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Accommodation (approx $150) – MGM Grand or other

Day 10 – Las Vegas, Nevada
Accommodation (approx $150) – MGM Grand or other

Day 11 – Las Vegas, Nevada to Flagstaff, Arizona (via Grand Canyon)
Accommodation – Hotel Monte Vista (approx $100)

Day 12 – Flagstaff, Arizona to Holbrook, Arizona
Accommodation – Wigwam Motel (Teepees) – (approx $55)

Day 13 – Holbrook, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico
Accommodation - Monterey Motel, Albuquerque (on 66) – (approx $70)

Day 14 – Albuquerque, New Mexico to Santa Fe, New Mexico
Accommodation (approx $100) – El Ray Inn or La Fonda

Day 15 – Santa Fe, New Mexico to Amarillo, Texas
Accommodation – Big Texan Motel (approx $100) -

Day 16 – Amarillo, Texas to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Accommodation – Whitten Inn, Oklahoma City – ($100>?)

Day 17 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Springfield, Missouri
Accommodation - Best Western Rail Haven ($100)

Day 18 – Springfield, Missouri to St Louis, Missouri
Accommodation – (approx $150) - ??

Day 19 – St Louis, Missouri to Chicago, Illinois
Accommodation – (approx $250) – Hard Rock Hotel

Day 20 – Chicago, Illinois
Accommodation – (approx $250) – Hard Rock Hotel

Day 21 – Chicago, Illinois to Cleveland, Ohio
Accommodation – (approx $200) – ??

Day 22 – Cleveland, Ohio
Accommodation – (approx $250) – ??

Day 23 – Cleveland, Ohio to Washington, DC
Accommodation – (approx $250) - ??

Day 23 – Washington, DC
Accommodation (approx $250) - ??

Day 24 – Washington, DC to New York City, New York (via train - Amtrak) – early morning
Accommodation – (approx $300) - ??

Day 25 – New York City, New York
Accommodation – (approx $300) - ??

Day 26 – New York City, New York
Accommodation – (approx $300) - ??

Day 27 – New York City, New York to Orlando, Florida (via plane) @ night

Day 28– Orlando, Florida (total cost approx $3000 including flights/food/Disney passes)

Day 29 – Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida

Day 30 - Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida

Day 31 – Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida

Day 32 – Orlando, Florida to Los Angeles, California

Day 32 – Los Angeles, California to Melbourne, Australia


TOTAL COSTS
CAR $2000
ACCOM $4500
DISNEY $4000
FLIGHT $9000
FUEL $2000
SPEND $8000
TRAIN $500
______________________
$30,000

I'm not much help on accomodations because I camp so much when roadtripping but I see a few concerns with your route.

First, there's a lot to see in Yosemite and most of it is via the internal bus service in the park. You may be very rushed to see much since you're driving SF-Mammoth Lk that day, too. In order to get the most out of that stop, you will want a very early start.

Second, the Las Vegas-Flagstaff Day (via Grand Canyon is not giving you much time at all to see the sights there. It's about 380 miles. Figure 5 hours to get to the gate into Grand Canyon. Don't be surprised if it takes 30-60 minutes to make it through the gate. It will be crowded. I can't imagine seeing the Grand Canyon in less than 5 hours, and even that is really a quick stop.

The next day, you're just driving 90 miles to Holbrook. A very short day.

I might suggest that you enjoy a more leisurely drive to Flagstaff with stops enjoying Hoover Dam, Seligman, and maybe even a detour to historic Oatman with the wandering burros, spending the night in Flagstaff. Then do the Grand Canyon the next day on the way to Holbrook. It would give you more time to explore that wonder.