3 months coast to coast

[DariusK]

DonnaR57

Ou yes thank you the Smithsonian definitely goes to our list, can't believe I forgot about it. As for the museums I guess we are not very keen on spending too much time in them apart from some of them, guess exploring the city or hiking through a beautiful scenery is more of our thing. But those are definitely interesting suggestions that we will look in to.
Thank you so much

[Southwest Dave]

We calculated around 11000miles/17800km and it adds up to around 123miles/198km per day. We don't want to rush it and we were thinking that we will have no time to make a loop trip. I know some places will be just driving for a long time but as I don't imagine that and never drove in USA it would be great to hear your opinion ;]

To do a basic loop around the country to include heading north to Colorado and then Vegas on the way out and cutting down to Yellowstone and Badlands on the way back and hitting most of those places you mention would be about 10,000 miles, add 20% for detours and you still only have 1000 miles extra ground to cover, or 10 miles per day extra.

A thousand miles a week is quite a relaxed pace when travelling in the States. Sure it's slower going in City's and certain areas, but by the time you break it down it's comfortable, for example, some days perhaps travelling 450 miles in one day and then only having to travel 165 miles in total over the next 4 days to hit your average target. Another example is if you were to go direct from Colorado into Southern Utah. From Moab to Las Vegas is just a little over 500 miles, but you have 5 great National parks you could explore on the way, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce canyon and Zion and I think you will take far more away with you if you spend time exploring these amazing wonders of the world and not be so focused on the City's. Of course it's your trip and what's important to you is the most important, but if we put a few pointers out there, it lets you look at it from a different perspective.

[DariusK]

Thanks for the information. We are niw trying to figure out how many days we want to spend in certain parks and cities. But after what you said we are considering doing the loop as if its enough time then it would also save us money :)
Is there a good place to check fuel prices in USA?
Also we tryed reading about if you can sleep in your ir in USA but the information seems inconsistent and incomplete could you me whatever it is legal or not, maybe there are places we you can do it?
Thank you!

[Southwest Dave]

You can search for fuel costs using gasbuddy and find an average. When you have an idea of the vehicle you will use and an average mpg figure, you can use the info to get a fuel cost using the RTA calculator.

It is not legal to pull up anywhere and sleep in your vehicle although there are certain areas that can be used with permission such as truck stops, some Walmart's and rest areas and at dispersed camping sites, but if you are using a car as transport it really comes down to comfort and safety. You won't get a good nights sleep and that can lead to fatigue. You could buy some basic camping gear (including a cooler and gas stove) so you could prepare food and use campgrounds to save money, but sleeping in a car is not advisable.

[DariusK]

I understand and we are not planing to do it unless unexpected circumstances. So if we would have a bigger car that coult fit a mattress in the back our only option would be just staying at campgrounds?
Thank you for the links they will help us out a lot.

[Lifemagician]

Not all campgrounds will welcome people sleeping in a car. Many do not even allow tents. They focus only on the fully self contained RV, and do not have an amenities block for their guests. Dave has mentioned just about every place you could sleep in your car, but if you have to go out and buy a mattress and rent a larger car to accommodate it, as well as going out of your way to find a place to park it, you could end up spending more than a cheap hotel/motel. Remembewr the extra you would pay for the car rental will be for the whole trip, where as you may only sleep in the car a half dozen nights.

You may be better off looking out for the accommodation discount coupon booklets at rest areas, some truck stops, welcome/visitor centres, or online.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

I doubt you would get into any "unexpected circumstances" in the first place, so the extra cost of a bigger car and the extra fuel it would use over 3 months, would be a false economy for an occasional night 'here and there' that may save a few dollars. Even with a mattress you will struggle for room with all your luggage in the back. A campground would make the most sense if you were to use this strategy. In some areas surrounded by nature you can often find good value cabins to spend a night or more which we prefer to 'same old Hotel room' scenarios.

Edit. basically what was said above while I was still typing.

[DariusK]

Great information guys and suggestions. I also thought that its a bit over the top to get a bigger car and mattress. As we are not 100% were we would b a the given time we would only be able to rent a place at certain points but for other we will be able to book something only 1-2 before actually getting there, but judging from what you said it shouldn't be a problem.
There is so much tings and information to go through to thank you so much for helping us out!

[Southwest Dave]

You're welcome. As you move forward with your planning and new questions come to mind, don't hesitate to ask.

Dave.

[Lifemagician]

As we are not 100% were we would b a the given time we would only be able to rent a place at certain points but for other we will be able to book something only 1-2 before actually getting there, but judging from what you said it shouldn't be a problem.

The booklets with the discount coupons are only for walk-ins. No prior booking, but it pays to turn up early. If you turn up at 9pm you may find all the coupon rooms have gone.

In areas of high tourist traffic, such as the national parks, and at times of State or National holidays, it pays to always book, but otherwise, often you can still find a room at a reasonable rate without booking.

Memorial Day (the last Monday in May) and around the Fourth of July are times when I would have my bookings in place well beforehand. So make sure you plan to know where you will be at those times.

Slowly you will learn all the possibilities open to you. It really is not all that complex.

Lifey