Irish RoadTrippers looking for advice

[Thomas Michael Niblock]

There are four or five students from Ireland planning a roadtrip during the first week in september for 2-3weeks before returning to United Kingdom. Although most
of us have been in US before, we are novices in this department and would appreciate any help. We are from Ireland and plan to fly to Boston, travel to miami via NY, philly, washington, daytona, myrtle beaches orlando maybe,
nothing decided for def would be open to suggestions as to where to go. We are thinking of renting a SUV for the trip. we would prob be working off a budget camping some nights B&B others, any help would be really appreciated,

[Quebec Gen]

Here are a few ideas on where to sleep if you're on a budget :
-note : it may be a good idea to order directories by mail or to print them, it'll be practical on the road.
-To print rebate coupons for motel/hotel rooms (it's the internet version of the guide you can obtain by going to a roadside Visitor's Center) : http://www.atsicoupons.com/

CHEAP MOTEL ROOMS:
-motel 6 (usually the cheapest room among the big chains): www.motel6.com
-Budget Host Inn : they have cheap room but they're not so many of them, pick-up a directory when you see one because I didn't find any url
-Interstate Inn and 1st Inn (cheap rooms, sometimes not very clean): http://1stinns.com/
-Mom & Pop Motels : usually roadside motel rooms, frequently old even crappy, relatively clean depending on the owner and the location, kitsch decor but cheap and gives you the opportunity to chat with locals.

MEDIUM RATES MOTEL/HOTEL ROOMS
-Red Roof Inn : www.redroof.com
-Super 8 motels : www.super8.com

MEDIUM-HIGH RATES MOTEL/HOTEL ROOMS
-Days Inn : daysinn.com
-Econo Lodge, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Quality Inn, Rodeway Inn,
Comfort Inn : www.choicehotels.com
-Howard Johnson : www.hojo.com
-Best Western : www.bestwestern.com

HIGH RATES MOTEL/HOTEL ROOMS
-Ramada

ALTERNATIVES TO HOTEL/MOTEL ROOMS :
-hostelling : http://www.hiayh.org/
-YMCA/YWCA in big cities sometimes have rooms for travelers : http://www.ymca.com/index.jsp & www.ywca.org
-University residence (usually during summer)
-B&B's are a great alternative for motel rooms, but they're usually much more expensive than motel rooms


CAMPGROUNDS AND CABINS
-Camprounds and RV Parks : http://www.campusa.com/
-Campgrounds directory :
http://www.gocampingamerica.com/main.html
-The Campground Network :
http://www.the-campground-network.com/
-KOA Camprounds directory (usually between 20-35$):
www.koa.com
-National Parks, National Monuments and State Parks :
http://freespace.virgin.net/john.cletheroe/usa_can/natparks/index.htm
-Bureau of Land Management campgrounds (usually between 5-12$) :
http://camping.about.com/cs/campgrounds/a/public05.htm

FREE CAMPING/SLEEPING IN THE CAR (in other words if you like adventure):
-www.webspawner.com/users/oa389/
-www.webspawner.com/users/q389
-www.webspawner.com/users/t389
-www.webspawner.com/users/turner39
-www.freecampgrounds.com
-www.geocities.com/desert_dutch/
-Strange places : www.sleepinginairports.net/strange.htm
-Long term visitors areas :
www.telusplanet.net/public/waters/blm.htm

TRUCK STOPS
are havens for travelers in the US : they sometimes rent rooms, or you can just sleep in your car in the parking lot, they have clean showers, cheapest gas, cheap food, souvenirs, camping supplies, maps, private phone cabins, laundromats, 7/24...
note : I know Flying J has a frequent fueler program, you can order a frequent fueler card for free that gives you rebate on gas and products, I'm sure other truck stops have that kind of program too. Don't forget to ask for a free directory it's always practical to have it on the road.
-Flying J : www.flyingj.com
-TA Travel Centers : www.tatravelcenters.com
-NATSN : www.natsn.com
-Pacific Custom Brokers : www.pcb.ca

[Quebec Gen]

Maybe you should consider Miami, it's a great party town for a young crowd, if you like beaches, nice girls and good music...It's up to you!:-) Myrtle Beach is also great for young people, lot of entertainment.

For lodging tips, check out the post "Lodging for the budget traveler" in the Gear-Up section of the Forum!

Have a great day,
Gen

[Bob Collins]

Advice from an englishman !

Hey Guys I have done this kind of trip a couple of times
Forget the SUV
You need what is known in the US as a Mini Van
more space for you more space for your luggage and easier to get in and out of.

SUV's are a great tool but not for long trips