Las Vegas to Orlando in September
 

Hi all, I'm planning a trip with my family (2 adults & 2 teen boys) travelling from Las Vegas to Orlando in September. We'll fly in to LA from New Zealand then take a domestic flight to Las Vegas and drive from there to Orlando.
It's a long way with a lot to see & do but we've got 2 weeks to do it. We want to go to the Grand Canyon, Albequerque or Santa Fe, San Antonio, New Orleans and finally hit Orlando and the theme parks the first week of October.
I love some advice on:
best vehicle choice - the boys want a conversion van(b/c of the space & dvd/tv!). Would it be better to hire or buy a vehicle considering the distance we're travelling. (I've got contacts in NV & FL who could help with purchase/ insurance & selling.)

best routes and how long to spend in each place

best places to stay - we'd prefer b&b style over hotel boxes :)

football/basketball games/ public events to go to etc etc if it's in season

and any other advice you might have?

thanks for your help

I think a minivan or SUV would be a good choice. You'd probably get better gas mileage with a minivan. I would rent rather than buy.

You'll be driving a lot - for instance, it will take you a day and a half to get from Albuquerque to San Antonio.

In Albuquerque, there's a nice zoo, an aquarium/botanic garden, things like that. The Isotopes (minor league baseball) will be done playing, but you might be able to catch a University of New Mexico Lobos football game if you're in town on a Saturday.

The Riverwalk and Alamo are must-sees in San Antonio. They are very close to each other.

Have a lovely trip!

Lee Ann

Sounds like a great trip. You will get to see lots of the USA!

I would definately go with a minivan. I have owned both minivans and SUVs. The van will offer a better ride and more space not to mention better gas mileage. Buying a new one probably is not the way to go because of the instant depreciation as you drive it off the lot. I recommend renting one but I would look at alternatives to normal car rental places. Many dealers will rent by the month. You should contact dealers to learn about this. You may also contact insurance companies or agencies because those folks have those type of contacts. Your friends in NV will be helpful in this area.

That time of year you will have plenty of sports choices. Professional Baseball and Football (American style) will be in full swing. Perhaps you could catch a game at the SuperDome in New Orleans or either sport near Dallas or Houston.

Sounds like lots of fun, can I come?

oops I should have said buy a used vehicle.
Thanks for the comments tho.

The biggest problem with buying is that you could end up with a lemon.

I would rent.

Only 2 weeks? Definitely rent - and rent a minivan - best for space, cost, and gas mileage (a conversion van will be astronomically expensive, if you can even find one, and an SUV won't be as comfortable or fuel efficient). I don't think for that time period that it would be that difficult to get a vehicle with unlimited mileage from one of the national car rental chains - and ALL of the chains are going to be available in Las Vegas.