RV vs car+motel is always debated. RV's are rarely the economical choice in the US, as the costs of renting it, mileage, the extra fuel it uses and then the one-way drop off charges usually make motel/restaurant/rental car a lot more affordable. Another thought is that you won't want an RV around a city -- they are almost impossible to park somewhere.

With a family of 4, there are two ways that people deal with motels. Most families on budgets, with two same-gender children, just share one room and get two queen or king beds. Others, whose budgets will allow, get two rooms and ask for them "adjoining" -- i.e. a door in the wall between the rooms. Some, whose children will not share a bed for whatever reason, give one the bed and get a portable bed for the other one. Most motels have them available, albeit for an extra charge. There are also motels with Suites, where there are two bedrooms and sometimes a sitting room and/or kitchen in them. They are usually more expensive than a motel with 2 rooms, but you could then do a little cooking in the room as a change from restaurants.

As far as places to see like national parks -- Redwoods National Park has the tallest redwood trees, in Northern California. Oregon Caves National Monument is a beautiful cave, in SW Oregon, not far from the 101. Crater Lake would be worthwhile, especially in August when the park road is usually open all the way around it. (This is one road that is possible, but NOT fun, in an RV. Parking!) Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier parks are in Washington. ALL of these parks have something called the Junior Ranger program. This program, which you obtain from the visitor center, allows your children to see the park in a way that makes it more fun for them than just, "oh see the pretty waterfall," "yeah Ma". If the program is completed in the park, the child gets a badge, a patch, or similar to collect. You could also start them on a US National Park System "Passport" book, where you collect rubber stamp markings from every park (and every part of a park) that you visit.


Donna