New member seeks advice for cross-country trip

[gorillabay]

I am planning a solo driving trip from Northern California to the Atlantic coast and back. There are stops along the way at relatives' homes. My anticipated launch is April 1st, and I'd be going east to Utah then south down to New Orleans, north to Virginia, west up to the Great Lakes states, west to Montana, south to Utah, and then west straight back home.

Some more basics:

-I am considering getting a van. I have a sedan now which is reliable but I cannot afford a motel every night so would need to sleep in the vehicle most nights.

-I expect the trip to take between 1 and 3 months; probably about 2 months. This would include some days (perhaps 3 weeks total) staying with family.

-Keeping to a budget is important as I don't have a lot of financial resources.

-I will journal and photograph extensively, and want to create a book from my experiences.

-I intend to take more scenic and "blue highways" rather than major interstates.

-I expect to drive around 5-6 hours per day.

-If I start to feel a financial pinch or if unexpected costs arise when I am far from home, I'd like to pick up some kind of temporary work.

-I am 41 years old. I am not mechanically-inclined and though my appreciation for nature is vast my adeptness at camping is not. That said, I am open to spending nights in a vehicle at truck stops, campsites, etc.

I realize there are a lot of details that are in play in planning a trip like this but I hope this is enough to generate some responses without sounding overwhelming. Tips, encouragement, warnings, and further questions are all very welcomed!