~1 week road trip from Toronto

Hi there, during summer holidays I've invited my girlfriend back to mine/my parents' in Toronto for a while (month and a bit) and we wanted to do something together holiday wise after a very tiring year. Initially we were going to fly to the carribean but unfortunately the prices for the places we wanted were out of budget and it wasn't overly convenient. So we decided on a road trip and I stumbled upon this forum during research.

Basically we're starting in Toronto and going for a week at the end of august/beggining of sept (although possibly extendable by a couple of days) on a road trip, car wise we will most likely be renting one because there's a hell of alot less hassle that way, ideally I'd like to go south of the border with her but I'm not sure once there whether it would be better to go to the new england area or continue further south. In any case I'm not overly sure what to do with the ~week we have and would appreciate advice! She's an architect and I'm a lawyer so places with interesting/unique architecture are of course ideal! Historically significant places also are quite good! Also we've both been to NYC already. DC seems like it would be a good place to go

tl;dr:
roughly 1 week
end of august/beggining september
starting in toronto
Ideally south of border
Beyond that I dont know whether south east or west//which would be better at that time. DC would be nice though. Unusual/interesting/unique architecture and historically significant locations ideal.

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Someone else asked for ideas for a very similar timed and located trip rather recently. In their case, they had 10 days from New York City, but the suggestions offered there would work just as well with 7-9 days from Toronto. Take a read through that discussion and see if the ideas proffered there suit your own needs.

AZBuck

Ah yes I did notice that thread, to be honest I only created my own because I wasn't sure about whether it was doable with the added distance given issues of fatigue and etc. Safety first :P.


So yes, the ideas do suit me.....well that and asking about route advice (just basically which way first) and advice/tips people had on rentals/etc....first time doing something like this....mostly because I turned 21 in feb and I haven't been allowed to rent until now.



edit: I forgot to mention, I'll be the only one doing the driving, so earnestly I would prefer picking one or two destinations somewhat closer together than spreading myself out too far, I haven't any idea what is best around that time of year though.

Another option that would include both some history and architecture along with a scenic drive would be, as you note, a drive down to Washington and back which would include roads and places like:

US-219 from Buffalo down through the Allegheny National Forest to Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail and other architectural sites, then taking the Turnpike, PA-31/PA-381 to Falling Water, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece near Ohiopyle, PA. From there, it's a relatively easy matter to continue south to US-40, the old National Road past Fort Necessity and Fort Frederick into the Washington, DC area and the National Mall and government buildings. A side trip via US-50 to Annapolis would also be in order here.

Next you could head north on US-15 to Gettysburg and up the Susquehanna Valley to Watkins Glenn and then County Roads 23/114/96/87 to NY-54 and I-86/I-390 to Letchworth State Park and return to Buffalo on NY-36/NY-63/I-90 with a final visit to another Frank Lloyd Wright designed building, the Darwin Martin House.

Additionally, you should be aware that most car rental companies, while they will rent to someone who is only 21, usually charge a substantial 'underage driver fee', and you should make sure that you are clear on what that fee will be before you show up to get the car.

AZBuck

Actually that sounds perfect, and yeah unfortunately I'm aware of the 'young driver' fees.....I mean I am at the same time considering using my own/family friends car which he wants me to use but I just worry with that in terms of maintenance and such since rentals are, unfortunately, alot better in that regard. How much would you reccommend driving each day?

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How much would you reccommend driving each day?

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No more than 500 miles.

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Originally Posted by glc

No more than 500 miles.

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KK, thank you, also, would it be better to go for a big car (300c or impala) or something more fun ('stang convertible) or alternatively an SUV?

Sorry to have so many silly questions.

It's a personal choice, you won't 'need' any of the above to get around and could opt for a more budget friendly 'average Joe' model. It's what you want, so take your pick ! ;-)

As a "young driver" your choice of rentals may be limited. You may not be allowed to rent a "premium" car or a SUV, you may be limited to a "standard" sedan or less. If there's only 2 of you, you don't really need anything big.

Yep I've cheked what rentals are available. The only reason I was thinking big was for the sake of comfort since she can't drive (age:18 and on a learners permit) so no switch-overs. Really the only reason I thought of it was because last mini-road trip I did with my dad to NYC in mother's vw golf, we both drove but after 30 min continuous driving in it searing pain in leg and back would ensue and I worry about that happening really.

A Golf is a bit small for an extended road trip. I don't think you would need anything as big as an Impala though, that's a "full size". A "standard" would be something like a Ford Fusion or Hyundai Sonata. A Ford Focus is an "intermediate" and would probably be like the Golf from a comfort standpoint.

Alright thanks! Fusion it is!

I doubt you will find a company that will guarantee you get the exact model, it is standard policy to rent you a 'class' of vehicle and use an example [Fusion, Sonata etc] while stating 'Or similar'.