Winter Cross Country in 2 weeks

Hello All,
I'm new to RTA but not new to roadtrips! A couple friends and I are planning to cross the country (starting in Philly, ending in LA) from about 3/1-3/15/12. I'm used to trips only lasting a few days, so this one will be an adventure. Had a few questions for those of you more experienced with winter travel:

1. Is that a reasonable about of time to make the trip?
2. We don't have many sites we'd like to see besides: Nashville, travel Rt. 66, snowboard in CO, 4 corners and the Grand Canyon in AZ. Will our time frame allow for those sites?
3. Any tips on a national insurance company that takes care of you in a bind?
4. In your experience how much do you spend when traveling cross country?

Thanks in advance!
-Jasmind

Welcome to RTA!

To answer your questions:

1) It takes about 6 - 7 days (in good weather) to make the trip across country like that, driving 500 miles per day. So if you have 12 days to travel, you have time to stop here and there (but not for many days in a row). You need to leave a day for weather issues, as March can be wintery in some areas along your intended route.

2) Nashville - you could stop and see a few things there. Route 66 - was decommissioned in 1977, but it's still got some remnants here and there. Most of US 66 is now I-57 (IL), I-44 (MO and OK), I-40 (OK, TX, NM, AZ and CA) and I-15 (CA). Snowboarding in CO would mean you're going to take a detour off of those routes. Others here may be able to recommend some snowboarding havens. Grand Canyon South Rim is definitely accessible.
3. We have been exclusively State Farm customers for over 33 years. They have always taken care of us.
4. About $150/day per person. Overnights are $50-85 (moderately priced hotels), meals about $15/person per meal, and gasoline varies (use the calculator above).

Hope this helps!


Donna

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most of us 66 is now i-57 (il)

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i-55........

Hi Jasmind,

That sounds like a nice time for that trip, which I assume is a one way trip. I have done several coast to coast trips which needed to be done in around 10 days. Decide on which places are must sees for you, and lay the trip out on a large map. Then you can see where it goes, what other attractions it passes which you may like to check out. Just remember, you can't see it all. Be sure you have the discipline to stop only at those places you plan to stop, lest you need to rush the last days. But all the places you mention should fit relatively comfortable into your time frame. And as suggested, leave a day swinging in case of adverse weather and road conditions.

AAA has served me well, on the odd occasion that I have needed roadside assistance. And besides, you can get your free maps and accommodation guides from them. A great help along the way. (Don't be tempted to rely solely on a GPS.)

Your major cost will be fuel... and even this you can to some extend control by driving at fuel friendly speeds (60 - 65 mph), anticipating stops and taking off gently. For accommodation, use the coupon booklets available at rest areas, welcome centres and some truck stops, to find discount hotels and motels. Ask to check the room before committing to it.

For meals, it is often much cheaper to purchase ready to eat hot or cold food at a supermarket (such as chicken or meats, and ready made salad) and take it back to the hotel. Pack a plate, mug, and basic cutlery. And for breakfast, a box of cereal lasts many days, all it takes is to purchase a small container of milk, available almost everywhere. Most accommodation has free coffee and some even have tea. You can intersperse all this with restaurant and/or chain meals.

Enjoy the planning.

Lifey

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Most of US 66 is now I-55 (IL), I-44 (MO and OK), I-40 (OK, TX, NM, AZ and CA) and I-15 (CA). Snowboarding in CO would mean you're going to take a detour off of those routes.

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There are a number of good ski/snowboarding areas in northern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado that are not too far off of that route.



There are other ski areas around here, but most of them are a bit smaller and probably aren’t what the original poster is looking for.

Thanks all! This is awesome advice! Lifey, you're correct this is a one way trip. I've started to make a loose timeline of places and pit stops. We have to keep to the schedule, so the only days we're planning to really stop and stay for a day are Nashville, and CO. Other stops will most likely be for a few hours, just to see the sights. $150/day isn't bad at all. I was thinking it might be beneficial to do light grocery shopping for snacks, and microwavable dinners/lunches when we come to pit stops or hotels, and maybe hit up diners for breakfast (because its an easy, fast, and cheap meal), or dinner if there's a "must try" restaurant.
Also, I have heard good things about AAA but is it supplemental to your current insurance?

a AAA membership isn't insurance (although they do sell insurance for both car and home), it is a roadside assistance plan that will provide towing if you have a breakdown, as well as discounts on things like auto repairs, hotels, etc. They also can provide maps and other planning books and help.

However, I'm a little confused by your questions about this and insurance. If this is a one way trip, I'm guessing it will be in a rental? If it is then AAA isn't really needed, since breakdowns will be covered by the rental company. Insurance is also different, as you don't get a standard auto insurance policy for a rental. If you have insurance for your own car, you'll likely have similar coverage on a rental, otherwise you'd need to purchase it either through the rental company or a third party that provides rental insurance.

Many hotels/motels have a complimentary breakfast, ranging from very basic continental to a full hot buffet.

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Originally Posted by jasmindt

Hello All,
I'm new to RTA but not new to roadtrips! A couple friends and I are planning to cross the country (starting in Philly, ending in LA) from about 3/1-3/15/12. I'm used to trips only lasting a few days, so this one will be an adventure. Had a few questions for those of you more experienced with winter travel:

1. Is that a reasonable about of time to make the trip?
2. We don't have many sites we'd like to see besides: Nashville, travel Rt. 66, snowboard in CO, 4 corners and the Grand Canyon in AZ. Will our time frame allow for those sites?
3. Any tips on a national insurance company that takes care of you in a bind?
4. In your experience how much do you spend when traveling cross country?

Thanks in advance!
-Jasmind

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1. yes, i think
2. yes, i think. put in a full 24 hours for unexpected delays.
3. personally, i have dirt cheap car insurance, so for my cross country trip, i bought AAA (cost me $100). if you're renting a car, you can call your insurance company and see if you can add a couple things that'll cover your rental in a bind, and they *should* pro-rate the cost for you, so you don't pay for it for more than the 2 weeks you're gone.
4. not a lot; i'm un-high-maintenance. i usually stay at KOAs (www.koa.com), will tent-car-camp in warmer/dryer weather, and will cabin in colder/wetter weather. think outdoor motel with clean bathrooms, usually free wifi, and a common room to lounge on a sofa/play pool in. i actually like them a lot, and they're significantly cheaper than hotels/motels. 20/night if in a tent, 40-80/night if in a cabin (depends on location; los angeles will cost you more than podunkville). i also like to, when i have the willpower, make my own food. small camp stove, one pot, one skillet, a small cooler, and the planning/ingredients (pit stops at wal mart when needed) necessary to make that work. think oatmeal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch, chili or pasta for dinner, and fruit/jerky/trail mix for snacks between. saves a lot of money, and i happen to think it tastes better than fast food on the road for the most part.

i did a two week, round-trip road trip, with my preferences above, for ~$945 in gas (a corolla), ~$375 in lodging (3 nights crashed with friends), and about $150 for food. i had a second person with me on the way back, so i adjusted my totals to reflect just me, roughly. that means i did it for about 1,500, not including the AAA (100), and a couple other miscellaneous things (like the $80 national parks pass i bought).

To clear up the insurance question:
My friend is in the process of getting a national insurance provider, I just wanted to get a feel for a company that anyone has had a great experience with. I take it since most people here travel quite a bit, that factored into what company might be a little more reliable given the situation.
We plan to stay with as many friends and acquaintances a long the way to cut down on hotel costs. Has anyone used hostels on a consistent basis?

I'm still very confused by your insurance question. If this is a one way trip, then what are you doing for a car? Unless this is a move, taking your own car on a one way trip doesn't really make sense, especially for a trip this short. If you're not taking your own car, then getting "a national insurance provider" doesn't really make sense either.

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Originally Posted by jasmindt

Has anyone used hostels on a consistent basis?

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For a long time, my trips were routed according where hostels are situated. In those days I rarely stayed anywhere else.

Hostels are like all other accommodation, you need to do your research. Don't go by price alone. The cheapest I ever stayed in ($8 in 2001) was among one of the best I have ever stayed in. And one of the most magnificent hostels you could ever stay in is no where near the most expensive.

This is probably the most comprehensive site to find and research hostels. But keep in mind, most people are more likely to complain, than praise. So read the reviews with an open mind.

However, when there are two or more of you, it may not be your cheapest option. A hotel room will accommodate two, where as in a hostel you pay per person. The benefit of a hostel is that you have kitchen facilities, common areas and other travellers who may be able to tell you about the road ahead.

Whatever you do, do not stay in hostels where sleeping bags are permitted, as these are the main cause of bedbug infestations. And make sure that a locker for your valuables is provided for each bed. A locker which you lock with your own padlock. Make sure you carry a medium sized padlock.

Bottom line is... hostels are a fantastic lifestyle, and probably the cheapest accommodation for a solo traveller. With two or more, it may not always be the cheapest way to go.

Lifey

Thanks for the hostel advice!
Yes, this trip is part of a bigger move to Hawaii. We're driving the car across country b/c its much cheaper to ship from Cali than from the East Coast, hence the insurance question, lol. Sorry for the confusion.

Assuming your vehicle is registered in PA, your PA insurance is valid all across the country. You won't have to buy new insurance till you register it in HI.

Ahh, that makes much more sense.

But it also makes the insurance question pretty simply. As GLC, mentioned, Every insurance company's policies are valid nationwide. Each state has its own regulations, requirements, and rates, but the basics of the policy are valid in every state, and typically Canada as well. If you do have a claim while on the road, you're likely just going to be referred to a National Claims Center who will contact an adjuster in the area to handle your claim. So just use whatever insurance he has now, and don't worry about changing it until the move is complete.


One upside with hostels that Lifey didn't mention can be location. Often times hostels are located in the middle of an major city, where hotel rates would be highest. So with 2 people, it can be the cheapest way to stay "downtown," although it may end up being more expensive overall than staying at a budget motel in the suburbs. Although, hostels often don't have much for parking, and/or parking could be expensive so keep that in mind too.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

So with 2 people, it can be the cheapest way to stay "downtown," although it may end up being more expensive overall than staying at a budget motel in the suburbs. Although, hostels often don't have much for parking, and/or parking could be expensive so keep that in mind too.

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And all that information can be found on the site linked above.

Lifey

Thanks all!