Rapid City, South Dakota to Key West, Florida

[rt88]

Hi everyone, I'm planning a trip from Rapid City, South Dakota to Key West, Florida, this summer. I'm driving a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria which gets 24 mpg highway. These are the cities I am planning to drive by:

Rapid City, SD - Pine Ridge, SD - Alliance, NE - Omaha, NE - Kansas City, MO - St. Loius, MO - Memphis, TN - Birmingham, AL - Jackson, MS - New Orleans, LA - Mobile, AL - Jacksonville - Daytona Beach - Orlando - Tampa - Miami - Key West, FL (roughly 3300 mi)

I'm planning to sleep a lot in the car and in cheap motels. I'm either driving solo or with a friend. I have roughly 5-6 weeks to complete the trip. Do you have any suggestions to where to stop on the way?

I like scenic drives, famous landmarks, small towns, diverse culture. I'd like to experience different types of local foods, music, and people.

[glc]

Welcome!

Can I suggest camping instead of sleeping in the car? I know a Crown Vic is a big car, but you really can't get a good night's rest in a car. It's not safe (or legal) just to pull off the road and sleep. If you do sleep in the car, do it at a truck stop with permission and give them some business - buy a tank of gas, food, shower, etc.

[rt88]

Usually on road trips I sleep every other day in the car, It's big enough to lie down sideways (front bench seat) and get an OK night of sleep. Usually I do this in truck stops or rest stops. I haven't seen many camping grounds around outside in state parks and such. Is it really illegal to sleep in your car if it's parked in a regular parking space?

[Midwest Michael]

Sleeping at Rest Areas is illegal in most states. Its mostly a safety issue as these are usually fairly out of the way places, that often don't get a lot of police patrols, and their location along a freeway provide a quick getaway for those who'd want to take advantage of someone sleeping in a car.

In towns, you're going to have different regulations for overnight parking, but again, if you're in a neighborhood and people see someone sleeping in a car in front of their house, it wouldn't be unlikely to get a knock on your window from an officer.

[glc]

State parks are usually the best for finding campgrounds, and they are usually a lot cheaper than commercial campgrounds. Many commercial campgrounds also don't allow tent camping, they are solely for RV's.

[rt88]

any ideas for places to stop on the way?

[travelingman]

Why not go further than Key West?

Hop a ferry and head to Dry Tortugas National Park, explore Fort Jefferson freely on your own, and snorkel the crystal-clear waters off the beach. It's 70 miles out to sea and a full day trip. If you're really adventurous, you can camp there several nights.

http://www.yankeefreedom.com

note: Check weather conditions and ask about current snorkeling conditions before you go. If there are really high seas and high winds you might want to pass. Usually, it is fine.

[rt88]

That looks really exciting! Thanks for the tip! But I'm not sure I have the money for a $150 ferry ticket. If I had the money I would probably also check out Bimini ($275 plane round trip from Ft. Lauderdale)

I'd like to check out animals like armadillos, snakes and alligators.

[travelingman]

That looks really exciting! Thanks for the tip! But I'm not sure I have the money for a $150 ferry ticket.

Yeah, it's not cheap for a daytrip. However, it might make more sense for a camping trip.

The cost goes up to $180 for a ticket, but you can camp three nights for $3 per night! Now, their website mentions the 3 night (4 day) maximum, but you might contact Yankee Freedom and see if there are exceptions. I believe that the park itself allows visits up to 14 days, but the 3 night limit is theirs. But even 3 nights (4 days) is a great experience.

Be aware that camping in the Florida Keys is expensive. I paid over $80 per night for a tent site at a KOA! The State Parks are costly too. Bahia Honda is the crown Jewel of the Florida Keys, but it runs about $40 per night for a tent site, and you need to reserve these months in advance. If you consider that 3 nights will run you around $120, then the Dry Tortugas trip looks much more affordable!