East-to-West Coast roundtrip, poor teenagers, $4000 total, 22 days: Doable

I have been in similar situations when I was going on a trip on a tight budget and was having trouble putting together a budget. My solution was to wing it to a degree. Yes, you still need to do everything you can to keep your cost down such as camping, grocery food, etc, but don't set a definite end date. Instead, set a specific dollar amount that ends the trip. For example, you may set $1000 as your end point. Once you only have $1000 left, its time to start heading home. $1000 is just an example, but you can figure what it would cost to get home from the farthest away potential area (add some cushion!) Hope this helps.

EDIT: sorry, just realized this is a sticky and not a recent thread

hey andre

i must say, its scary to read this thread

I am planning an almost identical trip with 2 of my friends. We are 17, 17 and 18, just out of high school

our trip is a bit shorter but basically same idea...see the US differently from the way we do now.

Ive bee researching this stuff for a while and camping i think is the best bet. pretty cheap and i think its a blast. camping with 2 in the tent and 2 in the car may work fine, for if you wanna go fancy, get one of those trunk tents that hook up to the back of you car.....very cool

if you have some friends or family along the way, its a great way to have a warm bed, good food and a shower...for free

i like the idea. my budget is around $3000, and i think it can be done, but i may too optimistic. either way, if you cant do it with the small budget, just cut down on the miles. plenty to see without seeing it all!

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Originally Posted by gdbutler

Instead, set a specific dollar amount that ends the trip. For example, you may set $1000 as your end point. Once you only have $1000 left, its time to start heading home. $1000 is just an example, but you can figure what it would cost to get home from the farthest away potential area (add some cushion!) Hope this helps.

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This is a sensible idea!

I'd add to it that it's wise to figure up how many days you plan to travel, and figure out how much you can spend per day. Also, begin now to figure out ways to stretch your budget -- this is something most people don't learn 'til they're in the 20s. For example, four people can go into a gas station and each come out with a soda for $5 . . . or for $3 at a grocery store you can buy a 12-pack of soda.

I did a solo run in January of 2006 (picked up my wife for the last few days). 10,473 miles in just over 15 days. Details are on my site.

I think it's definitely doable. You will need sleeping accomidations. $50 minimum for the worst hotels out there for four people.

$4,000 should work easily.

But, whatever you budget, budget at least 10% extra for incidentals. Trust me, they will happen. And have a plan for breakdowns, etc.

Sykotyk

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Originally Posted by Kheldane

Make sure you take opportunities to follow fast-moving semi trucks to gain a fuel-economy advantage.

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This is a most dangerous suggestion. It is an extremely risky practice, and certainly does not contribute to road safety.

I sincerely hope no one has taken up this way of saving fuel. Far better to reduce your speed to around 55 - 60 mph.

Lifey who would like to see this suggestion removed from the thread
(Edit: No removal -- this forum is about providing advice)

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

This is a most dangerous suggestion. It is an extremely risky practice, and certainly does not contribute to road safety.

I sincerely hope no one has taken up this way of saving fuel. Far better to reduce your speed to around 55 - 60 mph.

Lifey who would like to see this suggestion removed from the thread

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Yep, I saw them research this on MythBusters (hosting that show is my husband's dream job). They proved that unless you're really, really right on the truck's bumper -- think two foot from their bumper -- there is NO real benefit. And if you step on the gas once, you've essentially lost whatever savings you had.

This is a dangerous practice.

If one could sync with the brain of the truck driver, such a technique might have some merit -- but as mentioned above, if the truck slows down or speeds up in an unexpected way, one would either lose the draft advantage or become road kill on rear bumper of tractor-trailer. Not worth it!

Mark

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Originally Posted by MrsPete

Yep, I saw them research this on MythBusters (hosting that show is my husband's dream job). They proved that unless you're really, really right on the truck's bumper -- think two foot from their bumper -- there is NO real benefit. And if you step on the gas once, you've essentially lost whatever savings you had.

This is a dangerous practice.

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Not to encourage unsafe driving habits, but the show CONFIRMED that it does save gas. and at 100 ft i'd say that is a fairly safe distance and it gets you a 10% gain, not bad if you don't mind driving at the slower pace of the truck (as compared to normal people cruising at 70+ on interstates).

* 55mph control: 32mpg
* 100ft: 35.5mpg, 11% improvement
* 50ft: 38.5mpg, 20%
* 20ft: 40.5mpg, 27%
* 10ft: 44.5mpg, 39%
* 2ft: 41mpg, 29%

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Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

..... not bad if you don't mind driving at the slower pace of the truck ....

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Slower pace than a truck?????

Trucks are forever flying past me on the interstates.

I recall well on an Interstate in ID, in 2001. The maximum speed limit for cars was 75, for trucks and trailers 65, after dark 55. It was just dark, I set my cruise control at 75, and trucks were flying past me.

Naw, I'd never draft - I'll pay the extra 50 bucks or so in gas rather than smash up my car. The cardnal rule I live by: the right of way goes to the vehicle with the greater mass, higher velocity or greater value.