USA Road Trip in 75 days!

[staceyyes]

Hi everyone!

In a couple of months, I'll be embarking on an adventure around the country, visiting every state but Hawaii and Alaska. I'd like to pick something that I could bring home from each state. Obviously, there will be general souvenirs from interesting places, but I would like to pick something up that is relatively the same category from each state and I'm looking for ideas.

Something in the less than 10 dollars category, and ideally, something that isn't shot glasses, but the same type of idea. It might even be a picture of something - for instance my friend likes to take pictures of different pothole covers in the places she goes.

Let me know what you guys have done in the past!

Moderator Note: Please keep all questions about this trip in the same thread.

[glc]

If you want pictures, what about postcards? If you want to make it even cheaper, just take a picture of the highway welcome sign to each state. Along the line of shot glasses, there's coffee mugs. I don't know if people still collect them, but my mom used to get charms for a charm bracelet when she traveled.

[Lifemagician]

There are fridge magnets you can get in the shape of the State. Collect all 48. I have even seen shops and truck stops where you can buy all 48. There are also the State issued road maps, which are handed out free at Welcome centres. If you are looking for a practical idea, I would suggest coffee mugs. I collect these in the full knowledge that they will eventually break (with regular usage) and make way for new souvenirs.

Lifey

[RahRah]

I'm not sure that cutting days is a better option than defining a better line of driving so you're not using up not only time, but gas to head north and south and north and south. Personally, I could do a 75 day'er within $8,000, so it's not totally out of the realm of possible if you budget carefully. Keep in mind though, that even when I do a road-trip on a strict budget, I have reserves if needed that I can tap if I have to - so if you can, at least have some reserve, I'd suggest at least $2,000 available, that you don't plan to spend. As Lifey noted, a credit card can serve this purpose in an emergency.

A few things to consider having on hand - AAA, that's $50 and can get you out of a tight situation if needed if anything goes wrong with your car, or even if you lock your keys in by accident. I'd also spring the $80 for the national park pass, that way you don't have to pay going in to each national park you visit - and some, like Grand Canyon, are quite pricey ($25). The pass will also give you access to some campgrounds if you opt to bring a tent as an option for sleeping when you're not with friends and/or near a hotel.

To me it's worth having the various hotel loyalty cards - you get points for stays, and sometimes hotels run deals like last summer when I did stay 2 get 1 with both Best Western and Holiday Inn. In both of those, the number of times you could get a free stay was restricted only by date of end, so there were a number of free nights we took advantage of during our long road trip. Many hotels now have free breakfast, often hot items too, so that can save money and you can toss a yogurt and some fruit in your bag for later in the day.

Another budget option for staying somewhere are cabins and KOA "Kabins" - sometimes, depending on location, they're super cheap compared to a hotel room.

At minimum, I'd budget $2,000 for gas with a cushion of $500 for gas, so totally set aside $2,500 for your gas and car expenses. That leaves you with $5,500, or $73.33 per day if you're on the road 75 days. I'm assuming on nights you spend with friends that they'll feed you a meal - but bring in a bottle of wine or a nice dessert, so consider $10-15 your expense to stay with them.

I'll post again later some ideas for places to see and things to do.

[Southwest Dave]

Originally posted by Rah Rah] The pass will also give you access to some campgrounds if you opt to bring a tent as an option for sleeping when you're not with friends and/or near a hotel.

The National parks pass is very good value and I see your brother has it on your birthday list. Just to be clear, the pass does not include camping fees even though it gives you access to use them [as would a normal entry fee]. The campgrounds are good value, but also very popular and even the first come -first served non reservable sites can fill up quickly.

Day 46: Somewhere near Yellowstone -> Boulder, CO/Denver, CO
Day 47: Denver, CO
Day 48: Denver, CO -> Mount Rushmore, SD? (skip Rushmore?)
Day 49: Mount Rushmore, SD -> Omaha, NE

If you want to see Rushmore, it would save time and miles to visit before heading to Denver. [Hopefully you will have time to visit Rocky mountain NP as your time does seem to lean heavily towards the City and looks a little rushed when passing through natural wonders like Grand canyon and Yosemite.]

[Midwest Michael]

Something in the less than 10 dollars category, and ideally, something that isn't shot glasses, but the same type of idea. It might even be a picture of something - for instance my friend likes to take pictures of different pothole covers in the places she goes.

We've started making it a point to pick up a Christmas Tree ornament at some point along every trip. It's a pretty standard item at most gift shops, year round, and provides a some good "oh yea, I remember" moments at the end of the year.

[RahRah]

Which cities do you have friends in that you're planning to stay with them to save money - I'm asking since your route is all over the place for north and south and depending on the cities you'll save money going to and those you won't, it'll help with making suggestions on modifying route.

Also, in each city so far listed in your original - do you have something you want to see there, or was it chosen since it's on the route or might have something interesting since it's a big city?

[Midwest Michael]

Another budget option for staying somewhere are cabins and KOA "Kabins" - sometimes, depending on location, they're super cheap compared to a hotel room.

I've got to ask, where have you ever seen a KOA Kabin that is "super cheap," especially compared to a hotel room?

In any case I've ever seen, even KOA's most basic cabins cost more than a budget motel, and often significantly more.

[RahRah]

I've got to ask, where have you ever seen a KOA Kabin that is "super cheap," especially compared to a hotel room?

In any case I've ever seen, even KOA's most basic cabins cost more than a budget motel, and often significantly more.

Durango, CO ... cheapest hotel (1-star with crappy reviews) $50, KOA cabin $40.50

Santa Cruz/Monterrey Bay .... cheapest hotel (2 star with crappy reviews) $69, KOA cabin $56

Those are two that I know of and just double checked to make sure. True, not all KOA are cheaper and $40-50 is still a lot for a night, but they can be significantly cheaper depending on location and amenities. Personally I think $40 a night is super cheap - it's subjective - what you think is cheap may be less or more, I don't know you or your tastes. Personally, I'd prefer to stay in a lux hotel - but if it's only a night and we're in late, out early, a mid-range hotel is fine.

[Midwest Michael]

Interesting, I looked at both of those places on a random weekday in June, and my experience still held true.

KOA's most basic cabin was a tiny bit cheaper in Durango at $57. That was about $5 less than a handful of budget motels, but the cabin also doesn't have its own bathroom. Most of the cabins were still more expensive than motels.

In Monterey, a KOA cabin was far more expensive at $90 a night, with a 2 night minimum, compared to several budget motels in the $50-60 range.

Obviously, rates for anything are going to depend upon exact dates, but even in the best case, personally, I have a hard time calling a cabin without linens or bathrooms "super cheap" when you can get a regular motel room for $5-10 more.