In the very preliminary stage of planning a two-and-a-half to three week road trip for mid September - first week of October, 2016.

Idea is to experience the Gulf coast and eastern seaboard ... thinking of flying in (from California) to New Orleans, renting a car and driving east along the gulf coast and then heading north, maybe as far as Washington DC, spending a few days there, and then flying home from there.

Not sure if that would be trying to cover too much ground in three weeks - we've been to New Orleans before, so would only stay a couple days ... then ??? If DC seems too ambitious, maybe we could just plan to get as far as Charleston - would like to visit Savannah also.

Thinking we might drive a few days, then consider renting a house near a beach for a few days (not sure what minimum stays might be for beach-town rentals in September), then continue.

Any suggestions for an itinerary would be appreciated - we are mid 60s, quite active, would love to stay near beaches, but also want to see the back roads and small towns - enjoy seafood, BBQ, other local foods.

Consider renting your beach place near Charleston--Wild Dunes or such--and explore that part of the coast. It would be a really neat counterpoint to NOLA. GREAT cuisine, of course, in Charleston. October at the SC coast is absolutely idyllic.

Are you considering flying open jaw? Into NOLA and out of DC? That would make an easy 3 week trip.
I'd suggest making a list of places on the Gulf coast, Charleston area, NC coast, DC and see how the days and distances work out plus the driving times.
Charleston and Savannah are really worth 5-6 days--3 in Charleston and 2 in Savannah would be my breakdown.
It is possible to drive from Charleston to DC in a longish day.
If you are tied into a round trip air fare from Nola, you could return from DC via Asheville for another nice stop in the south.

Are you considering flying open jaw? Into NOLA and out of DC? That would make an easy 3 week trip.
I'd suggest making a list of places on the Gulf coast, Charleston area, NC coast, DC and see how the days and distances work out plus the driving times.
Charleston and Savannah are really worth 5-6 days--3 in Charleston and 2 in Savannah would be my breakdown.
It is possible to drive from Charleston to DC in a longish day.
If you are tied into a round trip air fare from Nola, you could return from DC via Asheville for another nice stop in the south.

Yes, we would fly open jaw from wherever we decide to end the trip. I imagine DC would have cheaper airfares, since it's a major hub. Definitely planning to stay in Charleston for at least a few days - my husband spent a part of his childhood there, and although we don't have any family there now, he really wants to revisit some old memories.

Elijah - where in Alabama would you suggest we look for a beach rental house? I checked out VRBO and Homeaway, but I'm not familiar with the names of areas. On the map it doesn't look as if Alabama has a very big coastline, so shouldn't be hard to figure out.

scdreamer: Elijah may not be 'serious'. He has posted essentially the same thing on several threads (about various stares). May be a bit of a troll

Janis has it--

If you had enough time, Asheville could be a nice addition and still end up in Washington. Go up I26 from Charleston and then on to DC

Oops that should say >> . . . (about various sta<red>t</red>es).<<

If you want beach time after NOLA, stay on Pensacola Beach in Florida. Perfect time of year (unless they have a hurricane).

Another place that's really nice but just a little further east is the Grayton Beach/Seaside area. It's just past Destin. These areas are nicer (in my opinion) than the beaches of Alabama.

Check out the small towns on 30A in the Florida Panhandle.
My friend from SC always goes there and takes some great photos. http://30a.com/map/
For a newish hotel along the Gulf Coast east of New Orleans check out Biloxi MS. Several new ones were put up after Katrina roared through.
Using my model of Amtrak and then rental car it would be the Amtrak Crescent from New Orleans (leaves 7AM) to Atlanta.
Rent a car the next day in Atlanta and see the Gulf Coast, Savannah, Charleston and then return the car to Atlanta and fly home from there.

If they want to experience the Gulf Coast, why on earth would they waste time on Amtrak going from NOLA to Atlanta??? NOLA to Pensacola is only a three-hour drive. It is a five-hour drive from Atlanta to Pensacola. You really need to quit confusing people with all this train talk. Except on the east and west coasts, train travel in this country is not convenient and is too time consuming.

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