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How much time do you actually have for this trip?

10 hours a day is a pretty full day on the road, but that doesn't leave a lot of time for stops and if you want to get off the interstates to find some great photo locations, it might not get you as far down the road as you're expecting. The route you've laid out does add some miles too, although it's certainly not unreasonable. You're looking at needing at least 5 days to cover the miles, but that doesn't include time to explore Chicago, the Grand Canyon, or any detours for Photography.

Camping is a great way to save money, but if your boyfriend isn't a fan, then it's probably not a great idea. Budget motels are probably a better bet, and you certainly can look at options like AirBnB to find lower cost room options in other places too.