Road Trip For Two
 

My boyfriend and I fantasize about going on a road trip from Oregon to New York, but we really have no idea where to start! We also want to go down to Kentucky and up to Michigan to visit my family! I imagine this would be at least two weeks, maybe even three!
The idea is to go across the country, but we have no idea where to stop!
We are huge nerds, but not so much into the national monument thing.
Do you have any suggestions for states/places to stop?
Where should we start with costs? This will be our first real trip and we just don't even know where to start!

Thank you!

You'll want to re-post this out in the US forum (see pull down menu for Change Forum). Not too many people read this general Travel Tips branch.

What suze said. But getting a map and some guidebooks would be a good start.

Cost of gas depends on your route. Cost of accommodation and meals is entirely dependent on where you choose to stay and eat. Hiltons cost more than Motel 6.

Go to Google Maps or MapQuest to plot out your route. It will give you estimated driving times.

You can then determine how far/long you wish to drive each day, what "points of interest" you'll be passing, etc. Once you do that you can determine general areas where you'll probably want to stop for the night so you can research potential hotels/motels in those areas. FYI - if you travel on Interstates, major highways and pass by or through bigger towns and cities you'll find all the major hotel/motel chains have locations all along the major roadways so finding places to stay is more a function of your budget rather than "availability".

Thank you Suze I will repost soon I just figures I was looking for ideas so I would post here!

RoamsAround I'm not sure what you mean by a function of my budget rather than availability. From your post I gather that rather than setting up any hotels for a long the way have a budget for hotels and find them on the way?

Thanks for your replies!

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. On most major highways and Interstates there are "chain" motels at every exit and they usually advertise the upcoming locations (and how far away they are) on billboards that line the highway. When you start getting tired and want to stop for the evening pick one of the upcoming motels that fit your budget. You'll usually have anywhere from 4 to 10 motel choices within a few miles of each other so even if one doesn't have any vacancies you'll find others that do.

We've taken numerous road trips without even making a prior reservation and have never had difficulty finding a suitable motel.

Of course, you can always download free apps from most major hotel/motel chains on your smart phone that will let you "search" for nearby locations and let you make reservations if you are so inclined.

Oh, and one more thing- there are usually several restaurants (both chain and independent) within a few minute's drive of the motels so you ever won't go hungry.

Last hint: If you travel by Interstate you can find "Exit Guides" on the internet that will list all the hotels, motels, restaurants, gas stations and points of interest at every exit along the route. Simply google " ROUTE # Exit Guide" (Example I-80 Exit Guide" or "I-95 Exit Guide") - you'll find lots of links.

But if you stick to the interstates your trip will be fast but boring. get some guidebooks and do some research.

Wow! Thanks Roams! I am definitely going to check out the exit guides! Your responses were very helpful!!

And Thursdaysd; I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of research for this trip!

I'd suggest getting hold of a big PAPER map of the U.S.(remember those?) and some post-its.
Lay out the map and leave it out.
Use your guidebooks, write where you'd like visit on the post-its and stick them on the map.
Use map-quest for distances and stick them on the map, too.

If you have the time, you can do a round trip - go the northern route through Michigan one way and the southern route through Kentucky the other.

If you've never been, you really wouldn't want to miss some of the national parks out west. (Grand Canyon is my personal favorite)

Accommodations at some destinations may fill up especially if you're traveling in the summer. Maybe make those in advance.

We've gone cross country and back three times over the years (mostly camping). Four weeks would be great if you have the time.

Enjoy the planning!

The Just need to know to trip begins in the state of New York. It ends in the state of Oregon. If you're planning a road trip, you might be interested in seeing the total driving distance from New York to Oregon.