How much in 3 months?

Hi everyone!

I am after some advice for our roadtrip next year.

We are coming from Australia and are unfortunately, we are limited to only 3 months due to the Tourist VISA restrictions. So how much of the country do you think we will get to see? We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children (will be 10 and 7) and want to go by campervan....or should I say RV!

We have travelled a bit around Australia both via RV and tenting it! Long distance are not an issue either, we travelled from Perth to Melbourne in 4 days, so one side of Australia to the other.

I am thinking we will only have time to do the boarders i.e LA to down and across to Florida and then up to New York. Is this feasible? There is so much to see and do that I really need to start narrowing it down!

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Hi, and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.

I know there is a lot of romance about travelling by camper or RV, but it is nearly always cheaper to go hotel and car. Remember, in the US you will not be able to travel the distances you do at home, without coming to towns and cities and accommodation.

Driving from Perth to Melbourne is almost equivalent to LA to the east coast, but don't imagine that it can be done in four days. That is a very hard five day drive, in the car for ten or eleven hours. without any sightseeing. Six days makes it a little more relaxed and a week makes it a really nice trip.... but that is assuming you are not stopping at any of the thousands - nay millions - of attractions along the way. You will not anywhere find the open spaces you have across the Nullabor.

Three months would certainly give you the opportunity to see many, if not all, the major attractions, with time to actually see them, and for your children to enjoy and benefit from their visit.

Regardless of which way you travel, start thinking loop trip. It is very expensive to pick up a vehicle in one city and drop it in another. Cross country could run into four figures. Secondly it is always cheaper to fly in and out of the same airport.

Do you have any good large paper maps of the USA? One you can put up on the wall where you will see it every day? My preference is for the National Geographic map available at Map World. The larger one is excellent for the detail it gives. Furthermore I suggest you get a copy of the Rand McNally road atlas which has detailed maps of all States with scenic routes and attractions marked as well as all cities and towns and roads and routes. Both are invaluable to give you some idea what there is and where it all is in relation to one another.

Use post it notes on the wall map to mark attractions as you decide which ones are on your must see list. Once you have some spots on the map, the members here will be able to help with routing, distances and times, etc. (One warning, ignore computer mapping travel times. They are pure fantasy and do not relate to real world conditions.)

Lifey

When I did my first 'Once Around the Country' RoadTrip, I had three weeks and did it in an AMC Gremlin (AMI Rambler Gremlin in Australia). I got to see far more than I would have imagined and still had time to visit friends along the way. Three months and an RV are luxuries I could only imagine. So yes, it is enough time to see an awful lot of the US at relatively relaxed pace and get back to your starting point without once retracing your steps. I wholeheartedly agree with Lifey that you ought to close the loop on this. Leaving any vehicle, but especially an RV, thousands of miles from where you pick it up is going to get very, and needlessly, expensive. Whether to use an RV at all is another question and whether the additional expense and added hassles (urban driving, finding parking, poor fuel mileage, etc.) are worth it is entirely up to you.

You're probably looking at around 10,000 miles to complete a circuit of the US that would get you to roughly every region and many of our most scenic/historic/cultural sites so you'd only need to drive about 150 miles a day or less. That is eminently doable and leaves you a great deal of time to actually explore and enjoy whichever sites you choose to visit.

AZBuck

Thanks guys!

Thanks Lifey for the suggestion for the road map. (I was hoping you would answer as you always have great suggestions) I have looked at a few on line, but it is hard to see if they are really good or not. So will definitely order that one. I was looking at the Ultimate United States Road Map by Hema.

Just to clarify, I wasn't planning on doing the west to east coast in 4 days. WAY to much to see, just wanted to point out that the kids are used to driving and long distances are not a problem.

We were hoping to do a closed loop definitely, I just didn't think we would have the time. But looking on maps and what to do, it seems that the north isn't as tourist stop populated would that be right? So really we could get a closed loop in? I was just going to bite the bullet on the one way rental fee (some companies are $1500!!) But if you think we can do it, we will!

What months will you be here and what city will you be flying in and out of?

3 months is certainly enough time to do a loop of the entire country. As Lifey mentioned, you can comfortably drive from coast to coast in a week, so time really is only a problem if you make it one.

As far as your statement that there isn't as much to see in the northern US, I'll simply say that's very misguided and you should spend a bit more time looking into all the things you could see and do. From the Pacific Northwest, to Glacier National Park, to Yellowstone, to the Black Hills and Badlands, to the Great Lakes, there is no shortage of places you could explore in the Northern US.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2016USAHoliday

(I was hoping you would answer as you always have great suggestions)

---

Thank you. After seven trips and some 180000 miles I am beginning to feel I know a little. There's still lots I have not seen, and I have never visited and driven in winter weather. Something we Ozzies are not too keen on. lol

I do feel for you, however, as I am one of the lucky ones who has a B1/B2 visa which allows a six months stay to visit with my children and grandchildren. Six months in US... six months in Oz... helps me avoid winters in both places.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2016USAHoliday

... it seems that the north isn't as tourist stop populated would that be right?

---

This is a popular misconception. Sure the country is not as geographically spectacular, but that does not mean there are fewer tourist attraction. However, they are more based on history especially the history of the early European settlement of the US and the associated wars. Check out the National Parks site, and see just how many NP properties there are in each and every State. Not all NP properties are nature parks, some, just like in Oz, are historical sites.

Once you get to DC you have the Smithsonian as well as all the national monuments. You could spend a week there and not see it all.

Even the midwest States have a lot of history, with explorers routes, original native settlements, and the pioneering history as well as agriculture today. Worth reading up on, so you can talk about it while you pass through those areas. (I still find the 1930s dustbowl area amazing. If you have seen any of those movies you can visualise it as you drive through the area.)

There are of course the commercial touristy glitzes as well. Yeah! there is a lot to see as you travel around the country. and when you venture off the main highways, there are countless smaller gems in local communities. All it takes is to ask locals where they would go if they had a weekend off. They will happily tell you about their favourite spots. Spots you are not likely to find on the internet or in tour guides. If only for that reason, I would leave all your travels flexible. You have the time to do it.

Glc asked the very question I should have, though I assumed it would be around June, July, August and September, since you posted in the summer forum.

Have you checked through some of the Field Reports in that forum. Especially the ones which go for several pages. These are usually the trips which lasted for many weeks... if not months.

What input are the children having into your plans? Both are old enough to have some input to make it more exciting for them.

I think you will find that map extremely useful, but don't underestimate the value of the Rand McNally with its individual State maps. (order it now, and you'll have it in a couple of weeks.)

I take it you are Perth based? In which case I would urge you to take your WA RAC membership with you. It will give you access to free maps and tourism information from the AAA all across the country. I like to travel with AAA maps, the Rand McNally (in which at the end of the day, I highlight all the roads on which I travelled that day), as well as my gps (which is used to find specific addresses in urban areas.

Enjoy the planning.

Lifey

Thank you everyone for your help.

So yes, we are looking at leaving Australia in April/May. My plan at the moment is the following:

Fly from Perth to Vancouver.
Cruise to Alaska
Pick up Campervan from Seattle and begin the anticlockwise trip. Or fly down to LA, spend a week here before grabbing the van and setting off.
Once that is done, a couple of days in Hawaii and fly home.

Unfortunately I do need to wait until the cruise schedules come out to get exact dates (April this year).

The girls have a lot to say in where we go and they have already said the obvious Disneyland, Las Vegas (Honey I Blew Up the Kid), Kansas (have had to tell them that there will be no Yellow Brick Road to follow!) Niagara Falls, New York! My 9 year old would love to go to Houston and Cape Canaveral and she is a space girl. The 6 year old wants to go to Atlanta and Charleston..........a Gone with the Wind Girl!!! I have told her that Tara and Twelve Oaks are not real buildings but there will be other thing to see. Including Margaret Mitchells House. They also wanted to see Richie Rich's Monument. When I said that isn't real, but there is one called Mt Rushmore, they thought that was pretty cool as well. And they want to go to every amusement park possible. (Ah no, that wont be happening!)

For the adults it is all of the above plus definitely most of the NP, San Fran, San Diego, New Orleans, Miami, plus for me Gettysberg and other sites from the Civil War (another Gone with the Wind fan!)Washington DC, My husband would like to see the big sports fields. We are not interested in the Wine growing areas for the wine if that makes sense. But would go for other attractions. I have a friend in Springfield Ohio so another must stop. They are just what is on top of my head, plenty more written down!

Lifey, I have just ordered the Rand McNally book, thanks for that. And what great advice for the RAC membership! What a great idea to link it with AAA. As for driving in winter.....I don't think a Perth winter would even come close to comparison in some parts of the US! We don't even have a beanie or gloves! We do want a fairly flexible holiday, so are not looking at having much booked in.

My mistake about the north, sorry to all!! I new about the NP's and were on my wish list. I just naively thought it wouldn't take as long to see as we wouldn't stop as much. Thanks for that info.

Thank you all for the input and reassurance that in 3 months we can do a loop and see some of the USA! As Lifey said, 18,000ml and still not seen it all! Off to read all the field reports now!

Yes you will need to leave the northern areas like Glacier and Yellowstone [which doesn't fully open until late May -Mid June] until later in your trip. Even in California the snow in the Sierra's will still be thawing and roads like the spectacular Tioga Pass in Yosemite may not yet be open and the Rockies are likely to see snow. You need to bring layered clothing and prepare for some cold nights in the RV, although they are quite well equipped to deal with them.

The good thing about the loop trip other than the one way drop fees is that you can choose the start finish point that offers the best flight deals from your cruise end point to home. So you might be better off starting south and heading east. Once you have done some research and got some dots on the map we can help fill in the blanks, offer suggestions and answer any specific questions you may have.

We love the RV Lifestyle but take into consideration that it is not the 'cheap option' in the US, especially with a trip such as yours. By the time you add the mileage charges and high fuel consumption (8-10mpg) to the campground fees and rental costs it will be a lot more than a car and motels.

If you are flying into Vancouver, then your clock does not start ticking till you get to Alaska. See if you can find out when on the cruise you will be going through the US border control. It is at that point that your three months start ticking. At that time you have to show that you have a ticket leaving the US (Hawaii) within 90 days. So you could actually have a few days more.

From whom are you renting the campervan - they are actually few and far between in the US. Mostly you will find that they are motor homes, the larger and thus more cumbersome vehicles in any urban area you plan to visit.

I'd agree with Dave that if you can start in LA it would benefit you. That does nothing for being able to fly out of the same airport, unless you then also flew back to Vancouver.

Have you read this thread? It is most informative, even though the $$$$ amounts are a couple of years out of date.

Post all those destinations you already have on your map, and you may find that it already pretty much forms a route. When you get to the point of weeding out some to make it all fit, you can decide which are your must sees and which can wait (for another trip).. Right now, put down everything. You have tons of time to do research on all the places. I did not see Niagara mentioned, I am sure that will be on your list.

Also, go onto the NP website and look for the Junior Ranger program. That should get your girls excited about the parks.

BTW.... that was 180.000 not 18.000. Yup a lot of miles which includes three trips to Alaska.

A few other things you might collect as the months go by is small souvenirs. Anything from post cards from home, small koalas and pens to pins, key rings, etc. These come in handy when you meet people along the way, or when the girls have made friends in a park or campground, or whatever. I hand out a lot. Folks always seem to be amazed by whatever I give them, especially youngsters.

The other thing I have is a small flag in the rear window of my van. I like to let them know I am not a local, especially when you make a traffic faux pas. lol

Lifey

Quote:

---

The girls have a lot to say in where we go and they have already said the obvious Disneyland, Las Vegas (Honey I Blew Up the Kid), Kansas (have had to tell them that there will be no Yellow Brick Road to follow!) Niagara Falls, New York! My 9 year old would love to go to Houston and Cape Canaveral and she is a space girl. The 6 year old wants to go to Atlanta and Charleston..........a Gone with the Wind Girl!!! I have told her that Tara and Twelve Oaks are not real buildings but there will be other thing to see. Including Margaret Mitchells House. They also wanted to see Richie Rich's Monument. When I said that isn't real, but there is one called Mt Rushmore, they thought that was pretty cool as well. And they want to go to every amusement park possible. (Ah no, that wont be happening!)

For the adults it is all of the above plus definitely most of the NP, San Fran, San Diego, New Orleans, Miami, plus for me Gettysberg and other sites from the Civil War (another Gone with the Wind fan!)Washington DC, My husband would like to see the big sports fields.

---

Disneyland is about a 2-to-3 day deal, depending on whether you've been before, or not. To do it reasonably, I'd recommend that you stay off-site. If you're in an RV, there are a couple of places not far away, and a shuttle that can take you back and forth. If doing a motel, there are some that are actually closer than the 3 Disney-run motels and certainly more affordable.

In Liberal, KS, there is Dorothy's House and Museum. No, no Yellow Brick Road though.

Houston's Space Center is worth at least 5 hours of your time. There are two tours, the Red Tram Tour and the Blue Tram Tour. One takes you to the Rocket Park and Center, and Historic Mission Control. The other also takes you to the Rocket Park and Center, and the Astronaut Training Center. Then there is the big museum there. We were there in summer 2013 (we're space fans, too) and didn't regret anything. While there is food there at a Cafe', it is easy to stop at the grocery store and throw some sandwich makings in the cooler.

NASA Cape Canaveral in Florida is equally interesting. We allowed 5 hours and honestly, wish we'd allowed the whole day. We took the bus tour which takes you to 3 stops. The last stop is at the Apollo Building, which is where we spent the vast majority of our time in summer 2012 trip. Bear in mind, because of the cost of the bus tour, it costs over $40 per day per adult for the Cape, where Houston is about half that price.

The one thing about amusement parks here in the USA: they are definitely not budget friendly. When our girls wanted us to stop at every one they saw advertised, we always claimed the budget.

Gettysburg was another stop on our 2013 summer trip. We allowed 2 days, wanting to do 3 but were running into lodging issues. We spent one day on the museum and the first half of the 13 mile drive, and finished it out the 2nd day, but did not do anything like the David Wills house. If you want to do the Haunted tours, I suggest booking ahead, as we could not make a reservation for one when we got there as they were already booked. We really enjoyed Gettysburg, and are now looking forward to seeing Antietam, Manassas, and a few others, on future trips.

Click here for San Diego information. If you have any questions about San Diego, feel free to ask, as I've lived here for over 20 years.

Donna

Thank you everyone, all this information has been so helpful and made it more real!

Lifey, I remember when I was 8, we had 8 weeks in a campervan around the UK and Europe.....I remember Dad saying the same thing about the flag! With Australia Day next week, I will grab my Aussie stuff! Cant wait for the map and atlas to arrive, have already got a wall for it to go on, plus the post-it notes ready! And yes, Niagara Falls was in the girls checklist. Great idea about the Vancouver start for the cruise, I didn't even think of that!

Donna, WOW, thanks all that information is invaluable! My 9 year old will be over the moon (opps no pun intended there!) with this space information! And will have to mark the Dorothy house on the map. As for my 6 year old, I have a feeling she thinks Atlanta is still in the Gone with the Wind era and she will get to wear the beautiful clothes! What amusement parks have you been to that you would recommend? The ones I have heard off are the obvious Disneys, Universal Studios, Sea World, Knotsberry Farm and Six Flags. We do have to STOP watching some shows on Discovery as they are all about the best waterslides or rollercoasters and most are in the US...too many ideas!

Another question, when in LA, I am thinking it would be better value to have a car and motel and hire the RV once LA is done. Your thoughts? Or is public transport a better option? I know if someone were to come to Perth (only 1million people so tiny!) I would recommend a car as even though the public transport is great into the city, it wont get you to the outer attractions.

Thank you once again!
Katherine

Seems like you are getting along with the planning nicely. But there is still sooooooo long to wait. Lots of time to change things around. The first plan rarely works. LOL

Quote:

---

As for my 6 year old, I have a feeling she thinks Atlanta is still in the Gone with the Wind era and she will get to wear the beautiful clothes! What amusement parks have you been to that you would recommend? The ones I have heard off are the obvious Disneys, Universal Studios, Sea World, Knotsberry Farm and Six Flags.

---

Your six year old may not find any of the old costumes, but if she has recently seen the film, there are some local routes in Georgia which made me feel as if I was driving through Gone With the Wind.

As for amusement parks. - not my scene! I have never been to one, never took our five children to any. I have always felt one gets much more from the national parks and historical sites.... for a fraction of the price of just one ticket to these commercial conglomerations. Thank God in those days we never had discovery channel. I still don't have it.

Lifey

Amusement parks: My husband and I love Disney here in Southern California -- after all, it is the original. We "did up" Disney in Florida back in '12 and enjoyed it, but we're in no hurry to re-do it as the original is still our favorite (and a lot closer). We've done Universal Studios California and Florida. Both had their good points, but we wouldn't have bothered with the Florida one except that it has Harry Potter World. (California will get it sometime late 2016, I believe.) Since I am NOT a roller coaster fan, would rather not get on one if I can help it, we usually steer clear of most other amusement parks. I've been to Six Flags Mid-America (St Louis area) but it's been a very long time. My daughter has been to Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, north of Los Angeles) and she always enjoyed it as a late teenager, but won't go back there now. She prefers Disney. Knotts Berry Farm, not all that far from Disneyland and California Adventure, is also a lot of fun but is very focused on the thrill rides. Our middle and elementary school band kids play there every spring for Music in the Parks, and they enjoy it.

Like Lifey, when we traveled with the kids, the focus was ALWAYS on national and historic parks and monuments. It still is, without kids. The nice thing about those is the $80 for one family/one year's worth of national parks, instead of $80 for one person/one day's worth of amusement park (Universal and Disney).


Donna

Some thoughts from a fellow tourist to the US - for reference, I'm planning my own west coast road trip for 2017, and have "done" Orlando three times (back for Orion EM-1 in 2018), New York/DC twice, and Miami and Maine once each (Hawaii/Alaska next year, and Oz is planned for 2019 :)). I will concentrate on places we've been or, to a lesser degree, which I've researched, and will not cover travelling as A) I haven't really experienced it yet and B) my own trip has proven somewhat ambitious. It is, of course, a bit touristy, and we like aviation/spaceflight, scuba/marine life, animals, and Disney, so it is a bit biased in those directions, sorry!

- As you are travelling the entire country, a major solar eclipse will occur over a long west-east track on August 21st 2017. I realise you are looking at 2016 and will probably want to keep things that way, just mentioning this as I moved our own trip from 2016 to 2017 to view the eclipse, all other things being equal

- Not sure if you have specific cruise plans, but I've been looking at Alaska cruises myself for next year, and I found Princess Cruises to do an excellent range of cruise/tour packages which go from Vancouver all the way up to Fairbanks if you want them. I'm not sure what you are looking for in a cruise company either, but my parents are going on a European cruise this summer and also chose Princess, entirely independently.

- If you have 3 months, try to get to KSC when there is a launch scheduled. It is like nothing else on Earth (no pun intended). I cannot adequately describe it and would not try, but it is something everyone should experience.

- Seconded that KSC needs a full day. We spent a long day there in 2011 (final Atlantis launch) and saw maybe 2/3 of the Center, before the Atlantis exhibit was built. We then went back last November and spent our entire three-hour visit (postponed EFT-1 launch) in the Atlantis exhibit. Having seen three of the four shuttles on display (Enterprise in NYC, Discovery in DC - Endeavour in LA will be in 2017), Atlantis is our favourite by some margin. It helps that we saw her fly, but the way they present her is itself truly wonderful.

- Disney is an essential for us if we are in the area (speaking as a 33- and 44-year old couple travelling without children) and with kids I'd think it even more so. You just sort of have to! That said, it is only part of a complete trip. Having stayed onsite at WDW, I wouldn't consider staying offsite now either. The value hotels in particular are very competitive and the same excellent service exists throughout. The internal transport is a real boon and might be nice after a while on the road. You can technically do any of the parks in a single day (having ridden/seen everything in MK in 15 hours with extremely thorough planning), but with children I'd only advise to please, please don't try it! The Frozen ride should be online in EPCOT by your visit, unless you have managed to avoid that particular phase with your girls? EPCOT also has Mission: Space, which has more health warning than I have even seen on a ride. I thought it was good fun; my OH felt sick all afternoon! Animal Kingdom should also have their Kilimanjaro Night Safaris and Rivers of Light show running by March 2016 (Avatar Land is late 2017). The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios has a Wizard of Oz section - it is being refurbed early this year but the scenes should remain unchanged. At all the parks, the parades, shows and fireworks make it - don't undervalue these. Don't forget to book Fastpass+ online before going either, especially if wanting to meet Anna & Elsa (the scourge of many a parent) without a 3-hour wait. I cannot compare with Disneyland as we haven't been there just yet...

- Universal Studios / Islands of Adventure. Some of the larger-scale individual attractions at IoA perhaps more intense than at Disney: Dudley Do-Right=Splash Mountain on steroids (theming not half as good though), Jurassic Park=Splash Mountain of nightmares, Popeye's Barges=Kali River Rapids with someone throwing continuous buckets of water at you, Harry Potter=Soarin' on fast forward with a movie licence) but somewhat newer so a little unfair to judge. US felt more individual in terms of attractions and I would say superior to Hollywood Studios. Overall I would rate the parks as well worth a visit, but if you don't want to be drawn into spending time/money at parks then I don't find them as essentual a Disney. The scale of the Harry Potter attractions was rather impressive - as was the length of the associated queues! King Kong attraction coming to IoA in early 2016.

- Busch Gardens is well worth a visit. We found that the day trips usually offered don't do it justice - it is a large theme park plus a large zoo in one, and if we had to pick just one I think this would be our favourite of any park. Also has white tigers and a ski-lift like ride over the savannah, if you like that sort of thing.

- Driving the Florida Keys at sunset was a really great experience for us - watch out for the tiny deer on Big Pine Key. Would probably stay there overnight rather than drive back in the dark if we go again - though a large thunderstorm over the ocean was well worth seeing as well!

- The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta has four whale sharks on exhibit - this is the only place outside of Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan) that the world's largest fish can be seen and is worth stopping in on if you will be passing through Atlanta.

- DC and NYC both have interesting attractions which must be booked some time in advance to gain admission at all, or to avoid lengthy queues: the Pentagon and the crown of the Statue of Liberty must be booked months in advance, whereas the Washington Monument and US Capitol are much easier to visit if you arrange tickets online first.

- Whilst up in NYC, it is well worth continuing up the coast to Boston and on to Maine (we visited Bar Harbor) for some amazing scenery. Daft as it sounds, I am not sure to where you would then go to head back west and continue the loop - perhaps someone else can advise here. Niagara Falls is in northwest New York state (right on the Canadian border) whilst up that way.

- The Smithsonian Air & Space in DC has the original Apollo 11 Command Module, Columbia, along with many other aerospace exhibits. All of the Smithsonian muesums offer free admission, and all are worth a visit. Be warned, the Star-Spangled Banner itself is rather larger than you may be expecting.

- Nasa does a Passport to Space, in which stamps can be collected for visiting the various centers they have spread out around the country (including places like the research centers as well as the major sites like KSC and JSC). This might be something which your 9-year-old would enjoy. They can be collected for free from any visitor center - you may need to book them online first but "free" is the important part.

- I see you have polar bears in Australia at Sea World on the Gold Coast, and pandas at Adelaide Zoo, but am not sure if you have seen either of them there or elsewhere. We find both species hard to find and rewarding to view, so make it a priority to see them when we get the chance. There is a single polar in the Bronx Zoo and three pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington should you be interested. The San Diego, Memphis and Atlanta Zoos also have pandas and quite a lot of other zoos have polar bears; if you can make it up on your cruise there then the Alaksa Zoo in Anchorage has two polar bears in the closest you will see them to their natural envionment (they have them wild in Kaktovik and sometimes Barrow if you really want to go for it - not during the summer though).

- Regards Hawaii, I guess you're probably flying back via Honolulu on Oahu. I'm not sure if it's possible to fly via Kona instead or to get to Big Island via an internal flight, but in my trip planning I've noted that some of the more unique sights are on there - Mauna Kea and its Observatory, live volcanoes and (if you like that sort of thing) SCUBA/snorkelling with manta rays at night just off Kona itself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JDAdams

- If you have 3 months, try to get to KSC when there is a launch scheduled. It is like nothing else on Earth (no pun intended). I cannot adequately describe it and would not try, but it is something everyone should experience.

---

Such an experience can not be over rated. I was there in August 2009, when the shuttle blasted off. An experience I will never forget.

A warning though - When I was there, the majority of the crowd was on A1A, just north of Cocoa Beach (of I dream of Jeanie fame) south of Cape Canarveral. We were east of the bridge over the intercoastal. It gave us an excellent view. I got there quite early in the morning for a scheduled blast off of around 5pm.... and had to park quite a bit away from where I viewed the launch. Even then I was three back on the side of the road. After the launch it took us three hours to get back to Orlando via the shortest route.

On a hot day, it is a long wait without shops nearby. So if you have the opportunity to have this once in a life time experience, make sure you are prepared. Lots of food and drink, hats, seats and I suggest you take the Aerogard (pref roll on and lotion), there is nothing available in North America which compares. and the mozzies are prolific in Florida..

Some folk in motor homes were parked right by the water's edge. I suspect they had been there for a while, though I did not see any camping facilities. There are also hundreds of folk who watch the launch from boats.

Quote:

---

Seconded that KSC needs a full day. We spent a long day there in 2011 (final Atlantis launch) and saw maybe 2/3 of the Center, before the Atlantis exhibit was built.

---

It is not for nothing that the tickets to the Kennedy Space Centre are valid for two days. You are going to need them, especially if you take the chance to see some of the movies.

I may be wrong here but ive always thought if i was doing the round trip at that time of the year, id leave Los Angeles and head across the bottom and come back across the top so as to avoid the summer heat in the south. If it was in the fall, id go the other way around.
Sounds like a fantastic trip in the planning.

Keithg

Nope, you're not wrong Keith. Not only will it help avoid heat, it will also give the mountain areas time to thaw out.

Dave.

I agree Dave. If you went up the north first, parts of Yellowstone may not be open.

Keith

My road atlas and map arrived today......we have a wall big enough for the map and everyone has their own colour post it notes to stick on! Bring on the planning!

Thanks everyone for their suggestions!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2016USAHoliday

My road atlas and map arrived today......

---

Great Katherine, that didn't take long. Now the real work starts. Soon you'll be like me with boxes full of cuttings, clippings and notes about all the places on your lists.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 2016USAHoliday

.... and everyone has their own colour post it notes to stick on!

---

Love it!! What a great idea. Guess now, every spot which has two or more colours of post it notes on it will be on your must see list.

Lifey

Hi everyone,

we have been busy planning and adding more and more dots onto our map.....may have to start culling soon!

Just 2 questions:

1. It now looks like we will be arriving in mid June and finishing up end of August. With that in mind, would you recommend travelling clockwise or anti clockwise?

2. On our previous Roadtrips around Australia we have purchased a book published by the RAC (Roadside Assistance group) with all the campsites/holiday parks in it. You can either buy a country wide one or individual state. Is there something similar for the US?

Can't wait to finish our maps first draft to get your feedback!

Katherine

1. I would do the south first, before the weather gets too hot. Conversely, the north might still be a bit cold early.

2. Good Sam

Katherine, if you take your automobile club membership with you, you can pick up a book at AAA free of charge.

There is nothing the same in the US, as the Camps Book we have here... and which I use all over the country.

I have been a member of Good Sam in the past, but after being told at an RV park that if I wanted the discount they would have to charge me the full rate. I found I got better deals just talking with the staff, besides, the Good Sam places are amongst the most expensive.

Besides that, the book (and maps) from AAA are free - no money wasted on memberships which may not get you any benefit.

Definitely do the south first, though even by June Death Valley will be very hot.

I can't wait to read your trip report.

Lifey

If you plan on camping in National parks [highly recommended] then you will need to book well in advance to secure a site. In a lot of cases that is as soon as the booking window opens, usually 5-6months in advance. All this info and more can be found at nps.gov where you can select a park and see your camping options as well as all other park info. Once the parks fill up then the parks outside that are closest start to fill up and there is nothing quite like 'being there'. The NPS campgrounds offer great value compared to commercial sites and saves the drive in each day.

Quote:

---

Definitely do the south first, though even by June Death Valley will be very hot.

---

Check your rental agreement before driving into Death valley. If it is permitted by your RV company it will most likely be with a clause that makes you responsible for any damage or breakdown expenses occured.

I was not suggesting a Good Sam membership, I was suggesting the 2015 Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide. The link goes to Barnes & Noble.

Quote:

---

With over 13,000 locations listed across the United States and Canada, the new Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide is the only print edition of RV parks and campgrounds in North America.

---

Quote:

---

There is nothing the same in the US, as the Camps Book we have here... and which I use all over the country.

---

Unfortunately, AAA gave up publishing the Camp Books a few years back. It's a shame. For California, and much of the West Coast, we used to use Tom Stienstra's books. These are aimed toward tent campers. For RV's, go with the Good Sam RV Travel and Saving Guide, which I believe has merged recently with Woodall's.

(Edit: Fixed broken link which worked fine for me earlier, but evidently no longer works. Sorry about that!)

Donna

Donna, your Woodall's link is broken. My link in post #23 goes to the guide at B&N.

Thanks everyone!

really strange , if i endorce someone's post , how this will be a spam ?

OK another two for you!!!

1. If you had the choice would you do Independence Day in a little town or a city? Or what would you recommend to get the best feel for the Fourth of July?

2. We will be approaching NYC from the South, spending a few days then off to Rhode Island. With an RV we will not be staying in the city. What town would you recommend basing ourselves out of within public transport to the city?

Katherine, it all depends so much on where you will be. For instance, if I were anywhere near NYC or DC I would definitely spend the 4th of July there. On the other hand, if I were in Boston, I would go for one of the lovely rural towns west of Boston. I have on several occasions spent 4th July in St Paul and once (I think) in Boston. St Paul, where family live, they have a small localised parade, almost like a small town.

So where will you be?

Do a little research and see if you can find an RV park close to a railway station in a city in NJ, a short way out. I am not aware of any in that area, but it is worth getting the atlas out, and seeing which places there are, and see if their tourism centres bring up any RV places. I would doubt very much if any are quite close to rail or the city. Could spend quite a bit on rail fares and time travelling.

Of course you could base yourself on the northern side as well, if your next destination is Rhode Island.

Lifey

So I have done a first draft that I would appreciate your thoughts and opinions on.
I took into account a base of 50miles per hour.
Most ending spots are not essential, they are just what I calculated on the map as a good stop.
Although no flights booked obviously, we are looking at arriving end of June 2016.

DAY 1: Arrive in LA, see Beverly Hills/Hollywood (something easy!!!)
DAY 2: Collect van, head off to Las Vegas
DAY 3: Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon
DAY 4: Grand Canyon to Zion
DAY 5: Zion to Moab via Bryce Canon
DAY 6: Moab to 4 Corners via Canyonlands and Monument Valley
DAY 7: 4 Corners to White Sands
DAY 8: White Sands to Abilene via Roswell
DAY 9: Abilene to Hot Springs via Dallas and Crater of Diamonds
DAY 10: Hot Springs to Huntsville via Helen Kellars house, Space Centre
DAY 11: Huntsville to Macon via Atlanta and Jonesboro (Gone with the Wind for the 6 year old!)
DAY 12: Macon to Orlando
DAY 13: Orlando (Harry Potter World......not negotiable according to the 9 year old!)
DAY 14: Orlando to Miami via Everglades
DAY 15: Miami to Jacksonville via Cape Canaveral, Daytona
DAY 16: Jacksonville to Richmond
DAY 17: Richmond to Rockville with a day in Washington
DAY 18: Rockville to Hershey via Gettysburg and Hershey Choc World (again the 9 year old!!)
DAY 19: Hershey to Long Beach Island via Phili and Atlantic City
DAY 20: Long Beach Island to Long Beach via Coney Island
DAY 21: Long Beach, train to NYC
DAY 22: Long Beach, train t NYC
DAY 23: Long Beach to Boston, via the Orient to New London Ferry, Cliff Walks
DAY 24: Boston to Burlington via Americas Stonehenge, Santas Village (the 6 year old!)
DAY 25: Burlington to Perth (hey we are from Perth, Western Australia!)
DAY 26: Perth to Niagara Falls
DAY 27:Niagara Falls to Erie
DAY 28: Erie to Springfield (friends here), via Amish County
DAY 29: Springfield to Cedar Point (yep the amusement park for the husband!)
DAY 30: Cedar Point (or depending on if we drive anywhere the night before) to Chicago
DAY 31: Chicago to Red Wing via Crystal Lake Cave
DAY 32: Red Wing to Hannibal
DAY 33: Hannibal to Highlandville via St Louis, Ozark Caverns
DAY 34: Highlandville to Witchita with some must sees in Branson and Little House on the Prairie
DAY 35: Witchita to Oakley via Greensburg (followed the documentry about the tornado and their rebuild, so would like to see it now) and thanks to DONNA for pointing out Dorothys Museum in Liberal
DAY 36: Oakley to Badlands
DAY 37:Badlands to Greybull
DAY 38: Greybull to Yellowstone
DAY 39: Yellowstone
DAY 40: Yellowstone to Quake Lake (thanks LIFEY for this place, I remember learning about it in Year 8 Geography!) Was thinking of spending most of the day in Yellowstone and heading out mid afternoon so we can get some more time in Yellowstone.
DAY 41: Quake Lake to Shelby via Sulpher Springs and Great & Rainbow Falls
DAY 42: Shelby to Spokane via Glacier NP
DAY 43: Spokane to Mt St Helens (another Year 8 Geography memory!)
DAY 44: Mt St Helens to Portland (most of the day in Mt St Helens with Portland only 70miles away)
DAY 45: Portland to Eugene via Salem and Sea Lions Caves
DAY 46: Eugene to Boise (transit day)
DAY 47: Boise to Lave Hot Springs via Craters of the Moon
DAY 48: Lava Hot Springs to Salt Lake City
DAY 49: Salt Lake City to Warm Springs via Lunar Crater
DAY 50: Warm Springs to Yosemite
DAY 51: Yosemite
DAY 52: Yosemite to San Fransisco
DAY 53: San Fransisco to Santa Cruz with a stop at ?????Cant remember the name!! but where you can see the San Andres Fault line
DAY 54: Santa Cruz to Malibu
DAY 55: Malibu to LA to return Van. Fly to New Orleans
DAY 56: New Orleans
DAY 57: Board Cruise Ship for Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Island, Mexico.....
DAY 71: Off Ship, fly to Seattle
DAY 72: Seattle
DAY 73: Board Cruise ship for Alaska
DAY 80: Arrive at Vancouver
DAY 81: Vancouver
DAY 82: Vancouver to LA
DAY 83: Disneyland
DAY 84: ????Would like to go to San Diego but is it too far for just the day?
DAY 85: Fly to HiLo, Hawaii
DAY 86: Volcano National Park
DAY 87: Hilo to Honolulu
DAY 88: Drive the East Coast
DAY 89: Drive up the East Coast, see Pipeline etc
DAY 90: Our 90 day Visa ends :( so on a Cruise ship to Sydney, taking in French Polynesia, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji and Noumea
DAY 108: Arrive in Sydney and fly home to Perth!

So my "bad days" (i.e. long travelling days) are 7,8,9 16, 37.
Any help to adjust this route would be appreciated. Although 1 thing I have considered to give an extra day is return the van on DAY 56, have only 1 night in New Orleans pre cruise, but once off, stay an extra night, then fly to Seattle. Which would mean 1/2 day (arvo and night) in Seattle and then the morning before boarding the ship.
The extra day I would then gain, I would use for either Grand Canyon or The Badlands/Mt Rushmore/Devils Tower etc

So much time to plan, replan and replan!!!!!

Boy you are really getting the hang of this. What a wonderful trip. Though as you say there will be the inevitable replanning between now and then.

One spot that jumped out to me is early in the trip where you seem to spend a lot of back and forth in southern Utah.

I'm wondering also whether you could not go to Vegas via San Diego. You'd have to choose carefully how much time to spend in SD and
what to do. There is so much to do there.

It would not only include SD, but you could enter the GC via Flagstaff, on 89 and 64, exit to Williams, detour the small section of historic Route 66 between Seligman and Kingman and over the Hoover Dam (check what time tours are there) into Vegas. From Vegas you would head to Zion, up to Bryce via UT12 and Capital Reef, to Arches and Canyonlands before Moab. Four Corners via Monument Valley, will take you to the rest of your trip.

See how that fits in with your plans and routing.

Quote:

---

Quake Lake (thanks LIFEY for this place, I remember learning about it in Year 8 Geography!)

---

By that time I was well and truly working and left home. You might want to allow a little more time for the self guided tour. (Brochure available at the visitor centre in West Yellowstone.) There are campgrounds along the way, though maybe none with hookups.

Lifey

p.s. do the flights from Perth go via Sydney or Melbourne?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lifemagician

p.s. do the flights from Perth go via Sydney or Melbourne?

---

It would all depend on what airline we chose. For example we could miss the east coast altogether if we fly Singapore Airlines, but that has 2 stop overs for memory thus a longer travel time. Otherwise we can go from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. I would prefer Melbourne as then Mum and Dad could come out to the airport to see us off.


As for where to stay, we are happy with whatever! I remember once in Tasmania not being able to get into Cradle Mountain for the night, so we found a stream and parked next to it.....woke up the next morning to find 10 other campers! So as long as it is legal I'm good!!!! I actually found a book on Book Depository with camping from $12 and under!

I like that idea of San Diego. My original plan had LA-San Diego-Las Vegas. But I took it out to give more days. So if I took a day out of Seattle, your drive would work. I was reading someone else's post about a similar drive in that area which is why I worked it into mine! The reason why I put Las Vegas on the first day as by the time we collect the van, that is half a day lost so I wanted somewhere closeish, so SD would work as well!

Thanks!........now time to get off the forum, off the maps, get rid of the map books around me and spend the last day of school holidays with the girls without thinking of America!!!!

We are really going!

Booked and paid in full for our RV yesterday! 3 out of 4 cruises are booked with deposits paid and the absolute must..Insurance paid in full!!!

Bring on June 26 2016! Although due to arriving on an international flight and the insurance, we cannot hire the van until June 27. 317 days to go!

I have tweaked the route a bit so would love some feedback when I post it tmw!

Katherine

So I have changed up my original route, the main changes are the addition of San Diego and Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon etc being moved towards the end.

Again most starting and ending places are not set in stone, more just points on the map!

Day 1: Arrive in LA. Check out Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Something easy to handle with jetlag.
Day 2: LA-out of San Diego (Alpine?).
Day 3: Alpine-Benson. Just a driving day.
Day 4: Benson-Roswell. White Sands NP
Day 5: Roswell-Liberal. Dorothy's Museum.
Day 6: Liberal- Pittsburg (the little Pittsburg, not the big one!!). Greensburg and Little House on the Prairie.
Day 7: Pittsburg- Rolla. Ozark Caverns, St Louis.
Day 8: Rolla-Crater of Diamonds. Smallest Cathedral, Branson
Day 9: Crater of Diamonds-Town Creek. Hot Springs, Memphis, Helen Kellar.
Day 10: Town Creek-Jonesboro. US Space Centre, Atlanta, Road to Tara Museum.
Day 11: Jonesboro-Orlando. Just a driving day.
Day 12: Orlando. Universal Studios, Harry Potter world.
Day 13: Orlando-Miami. Everglades NP
Day 14: Miami-Jacksonville. Cape Canaveral, Daytona Beach
Day 15: Jacksonville- Richmond
Day 16: Richmond-Rockville. Washington DC. Wont drive the van into DC though.
Day 17: Rockville-Hersey. Gettysburg, Choc World.
Day 18: Hersey to Long Beach Island (although there is a NP near here). Phili, Atlantic City
Day 19: Long Beach Island-Long Beach. Coney Island, Atlantic Beach.
Day 20: Long Beach. NYC.
Day 21: Long Beach. NYC.
Day 22: Long Beach-Boston. via the Orient Ferry, Cliff Walks.
Day 23: Boston-Burlington. America's Stonehenge, Santa's Village
Day 24: Burlington-Perth, CA. Montreal, Ottawa
Day 25: Perth-Niagara Falls.
Day 26: Niagara Falls-Erie. Leave Niagara after lunch.
Day 27: Erie-Springfield. Amish Country and visiting friends.
Day 28: Springfield-Cedar Point. Amusement Park.
Day 29: Cedar Point-Chicago. Wrigley Field.
Day 30: Chicago-Minneapolis. Crystal Lake Cavern, Laura Ingalls House(if other one not done)
Day 31: Minneapolis-Badlands NP.
Day 32: Badlands NP-Greybull. Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower.
Day 33: Greybull-Yellowstone NP.
Day 34: Yellowstone NP.
Day 35: Yellowstone NP-Quake Lake.
Day 36: Quake Lake-Shelby. Sulpher Springs, Great and Rainbow Falls
Day 37: Shelby-Spokane. Glacier NP, Hot Springs
Day 38: Spokane-Mt St Helens. Ape Caves
Day 39: Mt St Helens-Portland. Leave at lunch time and visit Powells World of Books!
Day 40: Portland-Eugene. Salem, Sea Lion Caves.
Day 41: Eugene-Boise. Driving Day
Day 42: Boise-Lava Hot Springs. Craters of the Moon
Day 43: Lava Hot Springs-Salt Lake City.
Day 44: Salt Lake City-Canyonlands. Moab, Arches.
Day 45: Canyonlands-Bryce Canyon. Capitol Reef
Day 46: Bryce Canyon-Page. Via Zion.
Day 47: Page-Tuba City. Monument Valley, Mexican Hat, 4 Corners.
Day 48: Tuba City-Grand Canyon.
Day 49: Grand Canyon-Las Vegas. Caves, Hoover Dam
Day 50: Las Vegas-Yosemite. Lunar Crater
Day 51: Yosemite.
Day 52: Yosemite-San Fransisco.
Day 53: San Fransisco-Palo Alto. San Andres Fault Line.
Day 54: Palo Alto-Santa Barbara. Coastal Route.
Day 55: Santa Barbara-Long Beach CA. Santa Monica etc.
Day 56: Return RV, Fly to New Orleans for the 2nd part of out trip!!
Further on from this we well be doing a B2B cruise to Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas and Cayman Islands. Then flying to Seattle to cruise Alaska and ending in Vancouver. Once we have discovered Vancouver, onto LA for a few days to do Disneyland etc before heading of to Volcanos NP and Honolulu, Hawaii to relax. Then because we still wont want to return to normal life, it is on an 18 day cruise through French Polynesia, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Fiji and New Caledonia to Sydney and fly home to Perth!!!! 108 days in total.

I thought to stay at Long Beach CA as the RV depot is in Carson and did not want to fight peak hour traffic in LA to return the RV on time!
I think I have added a good mix of the girls (10 and 7) and our requests, but would welcome any other ideas.

So any thoughts or changes you would make.

Katherine, My thoughts are the same as to the last route you put up (though I did not express them then). You sure are hitting a wide variety of places and sites, in a huge number of places. But I am afraid that other than being able to say you have been there, you have not left time for anything else. In most places not even time for the girls to take part in the Junior Ranger Program at the NPs and national monuments.

I know it will be a fantastic trip, but very very rushed, and I feel sure you will need those last days on the cruise to relax before getting home.

I look forward to reading your trip report, with input from the rest of the family.

Lifey

I have to agree with Lifey above, your trip is set at a rushed pace in lots of areas which may become tiring on a trip of this size and possibly frustrating. In Yellowstone you will barely have time to drive around the park and see 2 or 3 attractions. The parks in Utah will be little more than a blur as you drive through them. The west is where I am familiar so that is the part I will comment on. Personally I would not go so far west as far as Mt St Helens, Portland, Craters of the Moon etc and would enjoy much more family time in the National parks. To 'gain' some days I would go from Devils Tower to Glacier and then head south to Yellowstone (not forgetting the Grand Tetons) and then take a direct approach to Arches and Canyon lands and continue from there with more time to enjoy the parks, each of which deserve at least a full day.

There is an RV park at Malibu beach which is a little closer to Carson and closer still is Dockweiler RV park which is close to airport, noisey perhaps ?

Quote:

---

Day 2: LA-out of San Diego (Alpine?). Day 3: Alpine-Benson. Just a driving day.

---

You're obviously trying to stay east of San Diego: very, very good! You could stay in any of these places and be in a good place to leave the next morning:

El Cajon - exit 20b - Greenfield - there's an RV park there right next to the freeway, Circle RV. Just down the road on Main Street, there's one called Vacationer RV. Circle RV has easier access.

El Cajon - exit 22 - Rancho Los Coches RV.

Alpine - exit 33 - Alpine Springs RV

Any of those 4, I'd recommend. There are a couple of others that are very run-down.

There are also some public campgrounds, but there are no hookups and they are considerably further from the freeway than you may want to go if you are trying to make Benson the next day, including Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Cleveland National Forest campgrounds in the Descanso Ranger District. Boulder Oaks is about the closest one to the freeway, has NO hookups and may or may not have water. I wouldn't want to try to get an RV into Cibbets Flat unless they've improved the road.

Quote:

---

Day 17: Rockville-Hersey. Gettysburg, Choc World.

---

Unfortunately, you won't see much of Gettysburg. It's 1/2 day just for the visitor center, which explains what you are seeing. If you skip that, and move on to the drive, it's at least a half day and that's not doing a lot more than stopping, reading a sign, snapping a pic, and driving on to the next one.



Donna