Seeker

We are going on a 60 day roadtrip from D.C. to California, thru these states:
D.C., VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, AR, OK, MO, KS, IA, NE, SD, WY, CO, NM, UT, AZ, NV, CA.
We are interested in tips on what to see or do in these states. We are interested in attractions (thrill rides....), historical stuff (NO ART), scenic routs, and anything else interesting. Thanx a lot for you're help.

travellyn

To narrow this down a bit, when are you going, who's going, what are your ages, and what's your budget?

travellyn

Also, what ideas do you have so far?

nomopromos

Well, you could drive at least part of old Route 66 if you're interested. Lots of web sites dedicated to this bit of Americana, just do a search on any search engine.

We've done bits and pieces of it but would like one day to drive it in its entirety. Also recommend the book "Route 66: The Mother Road" by Michael Wallis for some good sightseeing tips.

travel_the_4_corners

Drive up/down Alt 89 in Arizona, to Red Rock Canyon.

GoTravel

In South Carolina, go the Charleston and spend some time. After that, take the 110 mile drive to Savannah and spend a few days sightseeing.

Seeker

Thanx so far. to narrow it down we are 23 years old, we start our trip in D.C. march 31 and end up in LA May 29. We are interested in tips on locations as well as website adresses. Any help is apreciated.

AnnD

Oh, to be 23 again! I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm (in fact, I love it!), but do you think it's wise to try to cover 21 states in 60 days (roughly 3 days per state)?

You would probably have a safer, more enjoyable trip if you weren't pushing yourselves at break-neck speed. I would suggest that you eliminate several states from your route, and then identify the high points of the states that remain.

Forgive me if I've offended you with my concern. Have a safe and memorable trip!

Patrick

I'm assuming (or at least hoping) that you have already checked out the car rental thing and can rent a car (age problem?) and csan pick up on the east coast and drop off on the west coast. I say the idea of going coast to coast is too good an opportunity to pass up --at your age, go for it. But I would take a more direct route. That means either head south and then go across the south (LA, AR, OK, NM, AZ, NV and CA) or else head north across SD, WY, CO, etc. Do not, I repeat DO NOT try to do all those, both north and south.

Ann D's statement really puts in all in perspective. 3 days per state?? What is the point. Either pick the north, the south, or the central route (the least interesting). Not all three.

joesorce

Join AAA, well worth it for all the tourbooks you can pick up with great travel information and motel listings. Not to mention if you need a tow!

Call ahead for motel rates, the rates over the phone are usually a little better than walk-up. About two hours before you're ready to settle in for the night, check to see what cities are up ahead, then call a few motels until you get a decent rate. Coupons are available at www.roomsavers.com

"Road Food" is a good book to pick up, listings of great cafes and diners all over the country.

Be sure to have a meal at Lesley's Cafe in Salisaw Oklahoma, just over the Arkansas border. Best pie I've ever tasted! Turned around an hour down the freeway and went back for more!

Seeker

Thanks for all the answers everyone
About joining AAA, is that something we can easily do when we get to the US? Cost?

We`re not going to explore *every* state that we mentioned, some of them are just for passing through. They were listed to get hints on theres anything we just have got to see.

Thanks in advance.

SaraLou

I once purchased a coffee table book that lists scenic drives and sites of interest along those routes for the whole US. It is sorted by regions and has beautiful color pictures throughout the book. Perhaps you can look for something like this in your library or bookstore.

If I every win the lottery, I'll be in a big RV travelling the country with that book!

Patrick

Have I missed where you're from? AAA has a reciprocal agreement with AA in the UK, for example. We found that we could go into an AA office in the UK and get free maps with our AAA card. I assume the reverse is true.

I'm still curious if you have the car issue sorted out? The drop-off and rental problems generally?

Austin

Back in the 70's, I took a 5 week, 10,000 mile road trip (that began and ended in NY) and went thru as many, if not more states than seeker is intending. I think this is more than doable. And as Seeker, we didn't stop in every state (except for gas and food!). We made it a point to stop in those that interested us - AZ, NV, UT, CA, OR, WA, MT, WY, SD. IT was a trip I'll never forget. And would love to do again. I'm jealous!

Bill_I

A couple things I can help you with, in Missouri, if you are interested in tours through caves, there are a number of them near Springfield, including Fantastic Caverns, in which you actually take a jeep ride through the caves, which is advantageous if you have a difficult time working or have young kids. Silver Dollar City is an amusement park near Branson,MO with some good roller coasters. If you make it up near St.Louis there is a Six Flags there with more excellent coaster. In Oklahoma City is an amusement park called Frontier City with some small coasters - but the laid back attitudes of the park workers is not condusive to moving people through very long lines on hot days. Las Vegas has a number of good coasters. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA(north of L.A.) has alot of big coasters. Knotts Berry Farm has a couple of very good coasters too.

nomopromos

I found this site several years ago but still enjoy visiting it. It's just one young person's web page dedicated to their Great American Road Trip:

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Studio/8290/travel.html

You might pick up some ideas there.

nomopromos

Whoops, was going to post this url too, for more ideas:

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

travelisfun

Wow! What a fun road trip! I'm from Kansas originally and lived near Kansas City for a few years, so let me suggest a few things for my humble home state & city. (Although I'm sure it's one of the ones you are planning on driving straight through). Stop in Kansas City and spend some time at the Country Club Plaza--beautiful architecture, shops, restaurants, and fountains. For fun night life, try the jazz district or just stick to the Plaza. Also, if you want a theme park that has good rides but isn't too busy, try Worlds of Fun in KC. If you are coming in the summer I would suggest stopping at a professional baseball game (the great American pastime!) in at least one of the cities--the Kansas City Royals aren't a good team right now, but they have a nice stadium and it will be easy to walk up and buy tickets. If you are driving west down I-70 to Colorado, there isn't much to see after Kansas City (although you will drive through the state Capitol--Topeka--and the capitol building is worth a quick visit). Just enjoy the friendly people as you drive through!

Oh--one more thing--if you drive through Nebraska, definitely stop at "Car-henge" it's a replica of Stonehenge made from old cars--hilarious! I can't remember exactly where it is, but it's a must see in Nebraska!

Have a great time!

dwooddon

Here's another web site you may want to take a look at for travel ideas specifically oriented toward road trips: www.RoadTripAmerica.com. Check both the articles and the forum threads.

Seeker

Wow, *excellent* replies here people!
About the AAA issue; we`re from Norway, Im not sure if our version of AAA has any agreements in other countries, but I guess we have to find that out

About the car, we have all that sorted out. We had to pay a 500 dollar drop-off fee and some dollars extra per week because of our "young" age.

How`s the weather in these two months in the east/mid-west? No blizzards or anything I hope..

One more question: Is it reasonable for us to budget $80-85 per night for accomodations (double room)? What kind of standard will that amount get us? Can we do with less (we would prefer private bath)?

Thanks again