My friend and I are English. We are about to embark on a trip to the United States for up to 6 months. Australia was a consideration but we both fancied the US for various reasons. We have both been through traumatic relationships (with the opposite sex) and have decided to put our working lives on hold for a period of time. I am 28, my friend is 32. We have applied for the visa's from the US Embassy so assuming there are no problems we will be on our way. We want to see as much of the States as possible and visit many of the famous landmarks. However, we will arrive in the US with nothing more than the clothes on our backs and enough money to sustain our stay.

Anyone have any ideas as to the best way to start this venture? Places to go first, places to buy a cheap automobile? Any help would be appreciated. We have no pre laid plans and so will be going on gut reaction and instinct alone.

A start would be useful.

Many thanks.

What do you like to see? Museums, history, hiking, beaches or a bit of everything. Send me an email an I'll give you some information

You haven't mentioned where you're starting out - but, here's a thought: join AAA upon arrival. For starters, you'll receive roadside assistance if your "new" car breaks down during your travels. And, you can collect unlimited maps and tour guides for the entire country. Look for starred attractions in the tour guides - excellent recommendations. Maps are also annotated for "scenic" routes. You may want to begin your travels in the East or North during the summer, be in New England for the fall foliage, and head south or to the west coast as winter sets in...

Hi, Jason,
I’ve no doubts that many readers of this forum are green with envy at the prospect of your journey. Of course you set out a big challenge to all of us amateur travel guides, and there are many variables, not the least of which is personal preference: what sights, activities, or circumstances the two of you enjoy or would rather avoid.
That said, I would consider buying a used mini motor home, maybe a VW camper (a cliche, but useful, economical, and a great icebreaker) and hit the road. Donna’s itinerary (above) isn’t bad, depending on your travel dates (much more climate variation by season and region than in the UK); check with the AA in Britain – I think they offer membership reciprocity with the AAA. Travel in the US is generally cheaper than comparable travel in Europe, but the distances are much greater.
You really must cross the continent, get a feel for the scale and diversity of the country. Do some reading before and after you cross the water – North American history, Faulkner, Steinbeck...learn the basics of baseball and American football (invaluable conversation/argument starters)...
For a place to start (and also maybe end up) I would have to suggest Washington D.C. Yes, the weather is terrible much of the time, and yes, it’s rather expensive. But it sets the context for the country, possesses one-of-a-kind landmarks, museums, and institutions, and will offer an unforgettable immersion in American culture, politics, society and heritage. From there, north, south, west, any direction is rewarding.
Lucky you.

I would start off in Boston, New England is the most beautiful place in the country in the Fall, and I would travel south according to the weather. Are there any specific places that are "must sees"? I will help if I can.

Yes, Jason, we're all envious. Here's what I would do if I were you. Make a list of all the places you want to see (I will list the places I would most recommend below). In 6 months, you can see a lot. However, a lot of the country is going to have nice warm weather only for another 3 or 4 months, so you want to hit those places (mostly in the northern half of the country) first and end up in the south. If I were you I would start on the east coast, either in Washington DC or Boston as the earlier posters suggested, and proceed to make a rough circle, counterclockwise, around the country. If you started in DC, this would mean proceeding up to New York and then Boston and then maybe the coast of Maine (Camden, Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park), and then start heading roughly due west. If you fancy a trip to Canada you could, after Maine, take the ferry over to Nova Scotia (Halifax) and then head through New Brunswick and Quebec (Quebec City, Montreal) and Ontario (Toronto) -- I would definitely see some of Canada while you're here if I were you. You could cross back into the states at Niagra Falls and keep heading west from there. On your way out west make sure you stop and spend some time in Chicago, it's fab. Stop in South Dakota and see Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands, then head west to Yellowstone. After that you may want to think about heading north and seeing Glacier National Park and even head up into the Canadian Rockies (Banff/Jasper/Lake Louise), then head west to Vancouver/Victoria and then south back into the US to Seattle and then down the west coast to San Francisco, then inland to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, then back to the coast around Big Sur and then down to Los Angeles (if you're here for 6 months you can definitely afford to spend at least a month of it in California -- there's so much to see!), then to some of the great National Parks of the west -- Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, Monument Valley, etc. -- then maybe New Mexico (Santa Fe) and east into Texas (Austin and San Antonio), then New Orleans (a must!!!), east along the Gulf of Mexico down into Florida (must see South Beach and Key West), then north to South Carolina (Charleston) and finishing up back in Washington, DC. This trip leaves out a great deal of the middle of the country but as a native midwesterner, I feel safe in saying that you're not missing a whole lot. It also leaves out Las Vegas because I'm not a huge fan, but obviously if you go to Lake Tahoe and/or Grand Canyon you're within striking distance of Las Vegas if you feel you must try your hand at lady luck. Also keep in mind that the driving distances are massive compared with those in Europe; make sure you get a car with a good radio and either cassette deck or CD player to help pass those long hours in the car. One thing that can be fun (I know it sounds geeky) is playing books on tape that relate to the part of the country you're in. I'll never forget playing Garrison Keillor's hilarious "Lake Wobegon Days" while driving through Minnesota, or listening to "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" through Georgia (the possibilities are endless -- Larry McMurtry novels in Texas, Steinbeck in California -- you get the picture). It gives you the flavor of the place. You are going to have a fantastic time. American women will flip for your accents, and I predict fully healed hearts by the end of the trip.
Can't help you with the part about buying a car, but you can check lots of automobile websites before you leave, and then check the classified ads in the newspaper once you get here. A short-term lease may be your best bet. For info on places to stay, what to see, where to eat, etc. you may want to get a budget guidebook (like Frommer's USA on $_ per day, which is my personal favorite, or even Let's Go USA which is really aimed at college-age travellers but has some good recommendations too). Good luck and have a great time! P.S. You didn't say when you're coming, but if you're going to be in Washington DC this summer, check out some of the classic old movies that are going to be playing on the big screen outdoors on the Mall on Monday nights (see http://articles.citysearch.com/New_Y.../dc_index.html).