Summer Roadtrip 09

[Mark Sedenquist]

We are hiring a car, I will still be 20 so Joanne is the main driver.

Does the $6,000 (USD) include the cost of the rental car? And as you know from your original post, Joanne will have to be only driver unless you really want to have a very expensive rental.

Sorry about the virginia thing. I was just wondering if anyone could recommend anything special to do..

Here are some more suggestions:

This thread provides some tips by local expert Foy about scenic drives between New Jersey and Atlanta (which will work for you too)
More local tips for the Blue Ridge Parkway by Foy
And for the music lovers -- I would read all of this thread! ...As a teaser, a local fireman from Brandon, MS has offered to show you around -- and there are lots more local tips in this thread....

Mark

[Lucinda]

Well I turn 21 on July 1st so I was thinking I could be added as a driver and do the last part of the trip. I haven't spoken to a rental company yet, but I didn't think that'd be too much of a problem. If not, then Jo will have to drive. We hired a car in Florida last year and all went well.

[Mark Sedenquist]

If Joanne is younger than 23 then you are already paying the youth surcharges and so adding your name to the rental contract won't (maybe) cause too many issues.

Mark

[Lucinda]

The $6000 does not include the car rental. That money is just for the motels/hotels food, petrol etc. Haven't worked out the total mileage yet, but I saw a total gas price thing somewhere around so I'll be sure to use that.

Going to have a look at your links now, thanks very much :)

[Mark Sedenquist]

I think you were referring to the free Fuel Cost Calculator tool? You can look up ever car sold in the USA and compare fuel costs with it.

Mark

[Lucinda]

I think you were referring to the free Fuel Cost Calculator tool? You can look up ever car sold in the USA and compare fuel costs with it.

Mark

Ah that's exactly what I was referring to, thanks for the link.

Yep, she is 21 so we're already stuck with that younger drivers charge.

I can't wait to do this and all the information is brilliant on here.

Last year I got a USA map card off of ebay for my satnav, which worked brilliantly when we were in Florida, so we've at least got that to help. I'm using google maps at the moment to get our route drawn out, reading through the threads and adding places to see on our list.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Enjoy those links -- especially the last one -- I think it is a perfect one for both of you.

Mark

[Lucinda]

Thanks again

[Lucinda]

I'm thinking about joining the AA in the UK, so that I can use the 10% AAA discount in the US. I've just checked their website and it says 'Discount only valid on bookings made between 8th December 2008 and January 21st 2009. Pick up period only valid between 8th December 2008 and 28th February 2009. Some destinations not included.'

Is this the same for the US or is the AAA 10% discount something that's always around?

Lucy x

[AZBuck]

In the US, the AAA discount (almost always 10%, and almost universally available) is a constant. You can ask for it, and receive it, whenever you book a motel, even when just drive up to the door without a reservation. Similarly, there is usually a 10% AARP discount, but you wouldn't qualify for that and they can't be combined. You can figure such a discount would save you $5-7 each night, so you can relatively easily figure out what having it would be worth to you over the course of your trip.

AZBuck