Hi guys! I'm totally new to this so excuse my naiveté please.

I'm a junior in college & I aspire to go to law school once I graduate. I am well aware that my life will be over once I start law school so I want to see a bit of America before that happens, either this summer or next.

I love the south so I have started planning a trip from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Here is a rough map of the major cities I want to travel through: http://goo.gl/L5zLX

Here's a list of the route:
  1. Los Angeles, CA
  2. Phoenix, AZ
  3. Carlsbad, NM
  4. San Antonio, TX
  5. Austin, TX
  6. Houston, TX
  7. New Orleans, LA
  8. Dallas, TX
  9. Albuquerque, NM
  10. Las Vegas, NV
  11. Los Angeles, CA


I am expecting this to take about 35 days. I will be going with one other person most likely, my best friend. I am planning on staying with friends from college for some of the trip, though I may spend most nights in hotels/hostels/motels. I am aware this is going to be damn expensive which is why I'm starting to save up now, a year & a half in advance.

Anyway, what tips do you have for a new traveler? Renting a car vs. bringing my own? Ways to save money? Must-sees, must-dos? Is this a good route? Where do I even start?

Also, advice on this rough budget? Does it look reasonable for a 35 day trip?

COST PER PERSON $3260 (2 people total)
  • Gas $300
  • Activities $400
  • Breakfast $250
  • Lunch $275
  • Dinner $450
  • Drinks $150
  • Hotel $1250
  • Miscellaneous $175


I did this estimating that I eat lunch & dinner from a packed icebox 10 out of the 35 days. So breakfast & lunch will cost ~$5-10 a day for 25 days. Estimated gas with gasbuddy.com to be about $600. Hotels I have picked out are around $80/night.

Thanks so much everyone!