Roadtrip across southern USA, could use some tips

[Terje L]

We are two guys planning a roadtrip across USA in April and May next year. We are planning to rent a truck camper, starting in Washington, D.C. Going down to Miami, then west to California.

How are the prices on camping grounds compared to motels/hotels?

What is the weather like this time of year?

We are planning to spend 9 weeks. what do you recommend we see?

We are Norwegian and can use all the help we can get, thanx in advance.

[laydownthelaw]

What I wouldn't give for the time and resources to take a nine week road trip!

Don't limit yourselves to a trip across the south...you can cover lots of ground in nine weeks and still spend plenty of time at your favorite places.

Assuming that AAA will accept members from other countries, my best advice is to sign up! 24 hour roadside assistance plus all the maps, tourbooks and camping books you want for every state and Canadian province.

Good luck and safe driving.


ab

You should look into staying at hostels across the u.s., they are everywhere and cheaper then hotels. Campgrounds can tend to be pricier than you'd expect, anywhere from $5 a night to $14. But camping is a great experience in itself. My friends and i are planning a 4 month roadtrip this summer, and we're staying in hostels and camping the whole way, we think thats the best way to save money.
Have fun, and make sure you go the everglades to camp with the crocodiles.

[TripTik Man]

Along your proposed route:

1) Williamsburg, VA - for a taste of colonial America.

2) Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge Parkway, VA/NC - a scenic route through the Appalachian Mountains

3) Asheville, NC - to see the Biltmore Mansion.

4) Atlanta, GA - CNN, World of Coca-Cola, Stone Mountain, and plenty of nightlife!

5) St. Augustine, FL - oldest town in the USA.

6) Disney/Universal/Sea World - the Orlando theme parks are definitely worth a few days.

7) Kennedy Space Center - compared to Disney, this is The Real Thing! Definitely worth a stop for a few hours.

8) Florida Keys - totally unique, sort of a Carribean atmosphere.

9) New Orleans, LA - take a Grey Line bus tour of this very old city to gain an appreciation for the unique history and architecture. The French Quarter is a must-see. Many people go to New Orleans just for the great restaurants and nightlife.

10) San Antonio, TX - a taste of Mexico. Visit the Riverwalk ("Paseo del Rio") and the Alamo.

11) Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM

12) Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

13) Las Vegas, NV - try to avoid Friday and Saturday nights. Here you definitely want to get a hotel room at a casino on Las vegas Boulevard ("The Strip").

April and May are excellent times to travel. Expect mild to warm temperatures just about everywhere, and some days it will be quite humid. Daytime highs range from the 60's to the 80's, nights usually from the upper 40's to the mid 60's (warmer temperatures prevail as you go further south, of course). Although most of the Florida peninsula is fairly dry during these months, you can expect frequent thunderstorms anywhere from Virginia to Texas in April and May. Out west, it is warm-to-hot (in the desert, 90 degrees or higher is frequent in May; the mountains are cooler) and definitely drier than the eastern states.

[Terje L]

Thanx for all you're advcie. We were wondering, are there any special events/happenings in the US in april may?

[laydownthelaw]

If you are a Jazz lover, Jazz Fest in New Orleans is 4/25-4/27 this year.

A good plan to find out the various 'goings-on" around the country is to come up with a list of your destination cities and then typing each name into a Google search. Among the sites that will pop up will be local community sites that usually have calendars for upcoming events. You'll be surprised at how efficient this method is.

Good luck and safe driving.

ab

[vanbusboy]

I am planning a roadtrip in March from Vancouver Canada to Veracruz Mexico...and back in a month. Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in the Mid West for the trip down, and which route would be the safest driving conditions in March. I plan to go back via the west coast, but would like to experience an adventurous trip going there. Also, where can I find a good trip planner site for travelling from Canada to Mexico? Thanks all.