Hello All,

As our summer vacation in July, my girlfriend and I are coming over from London, UK staying with her family in Miami, then travelling to Lake Hamilton for a family party. From there, we go to Chicago where we fly home. I have a rough plan....

6- Fly from LHR -->MIA Pick up car and drive to Boca Raton
7 -Boca
8- Ditto
9- Ditto

*** Road trip starts! ***

10-Leave for Disney (Early!) (4h drive) - Stay night near disney
11-Leave (early!) for Savannah, GA (5h drive) - Stay night in Savannah
12-Leave (early!) for Smoky mountains (7h drive) - stay near Dollywood
13-Dollywood, then drive to Nashville (3.5h) - stay in Nashville
14-Nashville - Stay in Nashville
15-Nashville then drive to Indianapolis (4.5h) - Stay in Indianapolis
16-Leave (early!) for Hamilton lake (2.5h)
17-Lake Hamilton
18-Lake Hamilton
19-Lake Hamilton then drive to Chicago (3h)
20-Chicago
21-Chicago
22-Chicago then fly home ORD -->LHR

We are both interested in quirky roadside attractions- the stranger the better, love music, and I can't wait to hit the road. Flights are being booked, but I haven't done anything else... I'm 29 she is 22, and we are looking to do it on a reasonable budget- ie. not stay in too many roach motels! Will be renting a car at the Airport, and hopefully pre-booking

Would be great if anyone has the time to

a) Suggest any tips for one-way car rental- was thinking Budget/Avis seem to be the best rates with the biggies
b) Any tips for saving money on motels- was looking at super 8/Holiday inn type places- any bulk discounts- any good places to stay en route?
c) Any ideas for stops on the way- what shouldn't be missed! Food/drink/sights/smells!
and d) any recommendations for good maps/ sat nav that I can rely on to reduce the number of arguments ;)

Any suggestions welcome, and I'd be happy to repay the favour if anyone is looking for help when coming to London!