Planning phase of Cross Country RT in July 2016

[Lifemagician]

Hi Mil, and Welcome to the Great American Roadtrip Forum.

Phew! that's quite a list you have there. Of all the information you give, the most important is not there. How long do you have for this trip, and is it one way or a loop trip?

The philosophy here is that a roadtrip is unique for each person, each trip. Hence you are not likely to find a checklist, as that would be different for each person, each trip.

Your reasoning for using a rental car seem quite logical. Be aware of the extras added to the base price, especially if you are under 25.

The NP Pass is an excellent budget option if you are visiting more than 4 NPs. However, it only covers your entry - car and all occupants, but not the camping. That is extra, and needs to be booked many months ahead in the major NPs. Get onto the website and check out availability as soon as you have your dates locked in. Hotel/motel rooms for less than $50 are few and far between, even when using the discount coupons, the add-ons usually bring it up around $50. Hotel/motel discount coupon book which can be found along the way, give some really good deals. Always worth checking out.

A budget place for camping is on public lands, such as State and National Forests and State Parks, as well as BLM lands. You can usually get spots in them for less than $20. It worth always to call into an office when you see one, to ask in advance. Maybe you have one near where you live, to get familiar with the services they offer.

If you are planning this trip with good detailed maps, you will see most of these marked with a little triangle or tent where camping is allowed. In fact, good maps are invaluable during the planning, and essential when on the road. Maps have so much information you will never see within the confines of a little screen.

At this point in your planning, may I suggest that you spend some time reading through the Saving Money on your trip Forum and the Field Trip Reports Forum In fact, the latter of these is the very place where you can record your trip, and journal your photos.

Here is another page you may find useful.

These pages will all give you lots of ideas for your trip, and show how others have coped with issues raised in your post.

Happy planning.

Lifey