USA Road Trip in 75 days!

[RahRah]

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.

I included it as an option since it is a reasonable one depending on where one is and the hotel choices they'll find available. The great thing about options is they leave you open to different things, you can use it or not, totally up to you.

[Peter Thody]

Going back to your question on what you might collect from each state ... and bearing in mind your limited budget (48 states x $10 = 5% of your budgeted $8k), I'd look for something you can pick up as cheaply as possible. My wife collects fridge magnets, snow globes (an individual taste) and - like Midwest Michael - Xmas Tree ornaments too. (You should see the packaging it takes to get these knick-knacks / geegaws back to the UK in one piece!).

However, the most memorable as far as I'm concerned are natural/free souvenirs she's picked up along the way, the pebble from a beach, a dead twig, a fallen head of cotton.

On a trip as packed as yours you might need to label them along the way but each of ours conjures up fantastic memories.

Peter

[Peter Thody]

natural/free souvenirs

Hi again - following feedback from someone whose opinion I respect, I should qualify the suggestion above (and have actually amended it). The principle of "Leave only footprints, take only photographs" is a good one and should be respected.

To my mind, a pebble, a piece of driftwood or a pressed flower are acceptable souvenirs but others will feel differently. You should certainly be sensitive in terms of what you pick up along the way.