Car trip from Western US to Southern US
 

I have always wanted to do a road trip across the US.

I am thinking about doing a road trip from SF to some of the southern states and was wondering if anyone had any tips or experiences they would like to share.

i did a cross country trip several years ago and also drove out to my friend's in phoenix. (from NJ) I have used routes 80, 70, 50, and 40 as my major east west roads. I think 10 might be different and worth a look.... on one of my trips i set out each night's goal but found that i underestimated my ability to keep on going i didn't have reservations but i did have AAA books so i knew where i 'd find plenty of hotels to stop.

I also camped on some of the trip and actually needed to do this a couple of times when there was not a room to be had (moab, utah- yep with all those motels not a single room anywhere)

I think everyone should see the country 'on the ground" even the mundane is interesting....

you should pick out some things you want to see and see if you can get a good route. i also think you need to take at least 3 weeks to do this. otherwise, you are constantly in the car.

one word of advice. don't use route 50 (sorry 50 fans) it is slow because it is "local" highway not interstate. also be aware of weather.

for example my first trip west i wanted to drive trail ridge road in rocky mtn national park. that road isn't open until the snow is gone and rarely is open before memorial day. there are likely other roads like that between SF and the east....

DO IT!!!!

As the late Charles Kuralt said in his book "Charles Kuralt, On the Road with Charles Kuralt" -- "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything. From the Interstate, America is all steel guardrails and plastic signs, and every place looks and feels and sounds and smells like every other place." --

If you want to have a true Road Trip spend a little bit if time traveling the highways and byways thru small town America. You will be surprised at the people you can meet.

Get a good set of maps from the AAA if a member, if not Wal*Mart sells a Rand McNally Road Atlas for $5.97. Good price. For a trip across the Southern part of the USofA try US-80 or US-90.

http://www.seeamerica.org/

You might also find William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" at your library.

Thanks everybody! I am getting wanderlust again, but don't think it is in my budget this year. :(

I want to see some of the southern states.....Louisiana, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, etc.