URGENT ADVICE: Currently Roadtripping East Coast 3-4

[Natalie_Ann]

Hi everyone, what an amazing website this is! I'm so glad I came across it!

I'm looking for some advice but I need it urgently as we are currently on the road!

My partner and I are roadtripping the states in a Ford Escape. We have already travelled the West Coast and crossed the country to Chicago. We have a bed set up in the back but we've only slept in it twice over the 5 weeks we've been here as it was originally only an emergency backup if we couldn't find somewhere to stay on the road however we may have to sleep in it more now to save money as the budget's becoming tight.

So to give you some insight to what's planned:

We've left Chicago this morning (28th of June) and we are driving to South Haven however haven't organized a place to stay yet, going to visit the visitor center and get their advice as that's what we did for most of the West Coast.

Our next organized stop is Manhattan which we have booked accommodation from the 2nd of July until the 6th of July. We don't want to drive in NYC so we're thinking of leaving our car at the long term parking at Newark Airport and getting a shuttle/taxi/transfer into Manhattan.

Then our next organized stop isn't until the 1st of August where we have booked accommodation in Miami and will be dropping off the hire car.

The help we need:

• Where to visit between South Haven and NYC over 29th of June - 2nd of July? We were told possibly Downtown Pittsburg?
• Is Newark Airport where you'd suggest parking our car while visiting Manhattan?
• Where to visit between NYC and Miami over 6th of July - 1st of August? The places we've considered so far are: Niagra Falls, Jersey Shore, Philadelphia, Washington (White House), possibly Charlotte, and then New Orleans. This is over 26 days so we will obviously stop at more places. Where would you suggest? Where to stay within these places, as some are quite large?

We enjoy sociable, friendly, touristy places as we like socialising and meeting new people.

And any other advice would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks guys!
Natalie_Ann

[glc]

Welcome!

Long-term parking at EWR costs $18 a day. There are some privately operated long-term lots near the airport that are less expensive. A Google search for "newark airport parking" will come up with a lot of options, check out the private facility reviews carefully.

If you want to visit Niagara Falls, I'd recommend you do it between South Haven and NYC, it's right along the way if you transit through Canada (an easy 1 day drive) (as is Niagara Falls to NYC). It's also not that terrible a detour if you stay on the US side all the way. Doing it on the way from NYC to Miami would be a considerable detour.

I personally don't see much "touristy" about Pittsburgh, to me it's just "another city" - but all cities do have redeeming qualities.

[Natalie_Ann]

Thanks for the advice GLC! And so fast, thank you!

We were originally going to visit Niagra Falls before NYC however we thought we could do it after to use up some of our 26 day gap and possibly see more of Eastern Canada?

As for Pittsburg, we actually don't know much about it, we just spoke to a local in Chicago who suggested stopping there?

Natalie_Ann

[Lifemagician]

Hi everyone, what an amazing website this is! I'm so glad I came across it!

Glad you like it. Hope we can be of help. Please come back and let us know how you went... was our advice valuable? We love to read of people's adventures.

We have a bed set up in the back but we've only slept in it twice over the 5 weeks we've been here as it was originally only an emergency backup if we couldn't find somewhere to stay on the road however we may have to sleep in it more now to save money as the budget's becoming tight.

Many of us travel on tight budgets, and with a bed set up already, I can highly recommend you utilise truck stops. Truck stops are 24 hr operations, have excellent security, many have space set aside for RVs (read - 'anyone sleeping in a vehicle'), have bathroom facilities, showers for a fee, coin operated washers and driers, even a microwave to heat up a meal if need be. They also have food available, usually a restaurant, and hot water on the coffee machines for tea. You can purchase all sorts of drinks from coffee, milk, even alcohol in some.

Many of my nights on the road are spent at truckstops. Sometimes I eat there. Sometimes I buy food in a supermarket. Sometimes I have food to heat up in the microwave. There are many options. Always mention to someone that you will be staying the night, and as a matter of courtesy, fill up your tank before you move on in the morning.

Lifey

[Midwest Michael]

Rather than parking at newark, I'd look at hotels outside of manhatten with easy access to transit.

For example, my last trip there I stayed at a hotel in queens that had free parking and was only a block or two from the subway. I imagine you could find something similar in jersey, although then you do have to switch between transit systems.

[Natalie_Ann]

Thanks Lifey your advice is definitely helpful, is there a site you could recommend on where to locate truck stops? I've only seen signs on the highways for rest areas.

Thank you Midwest Michael, however in order to leave our car parked at the hotel wouldn't we have to be staying there?

Natalie_Ann

[VirginiaMountainMan]

May I suggest Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. I think you would enjoy it.

http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

[DonnaR57]

There is a listing of all truck stops online. However, the most accommodating truck stops for overnight stays are Pilot and Flying J. Here is a list of Pilot and Flying J's.

You could also find a copy of a publication called "The Next Exit", which you could buy at a truck stop. This has listings of what's at every interstate exit in the USA -- restaurants, motels, gas stations and truck stops, grocery stores, and sometimes even some tourist places.

Since you indicated that your budget is getting tight, unless you got a really good deal in NYC, it might be less expensive to stay in Newark every night and travel into NYC every morning. There are buses as well as trains. Yes, you would have to pay to park your car at a hotel you weren't staying at (they would probably tow it, otherwise), or at an airport long-term lot. Most park-n-rides or parking lots will tow cars that have seemingly been abandoned overnight.


Donna


Donna

[Midwest Michael]

Yes, you would have to stay there, so it would be an option instead of staying in hotels in manhatten.

I understand you already have reservations, however, in my book hotel reservations are always changeable if you come up with a new trip idea.

[Lifemagician]

... is there a site you could recommend on where to locate truck stops?

The list of all truck stops is in the Truck Stop Directory. You will see a free call number on the site. Call it, and the wonderful helpful lady there will tell you where you can get it. She will just ask where you are, where you are heading and which route you will be taking, and give you the places which are most likely to have it in stock. It ends up costing a little more by the time they add taxes, but nothing compared with what you will save on accommodation costs.

I am still using mine from last year. Couldn't travel without it.

During your travels, don't omit to make enquiries about free stays. Last night I got to a Welcome Centre in MS where the sign said '24 hr security'. I asked if there were any restrictions on staying overnight and was assured I would be most welcome to stay. Even told me the best place to park away from the traffic and within view of the guardhouse. He told me all about MS, about my route ahead and offered me a State map. We talked about our grandchildren, exchanged contact details and he let me use his microwave to make a drink.

You meet the most wonderful people on the road.

Lifey

Edit: Just read Donna's post. The Next Exit does not list which truck stops make RVs welcome. That specific information is in The Truckers' Friend.