Samsaf

My dad just called, and he said that he and my mom want to drive around the country, leaving from Chattanooga, Tennessee, going south through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, up the coast of California (including Redwood Forest), up through Oregon and then back to Tennessee in a more Northern route.

They are in their late sixties, and my mother has problems with balance and uses a walker.

Any ideas on a good route for them? They will probably get hotels as they go. They like Hampton Inn types of hotels. Thgey would like to go through interesting towns and pretty scenery. Their trip will probably last about 3 weeks, probably some time in April/May.

I've already asked them about flying out west and then renting a car, but they would prefer to drive from Tennessee.

Thanks very much for your help.

starrsville

My parents did these trips into their 70's. Since they are flexible with route and schedule they could take advantage of the state coupon books you can pick up at McDonald's, etc. Great walk-in rates using those books.

Orcas

If they don't already have AAA membership, give it to them as a gift. Then, take them to AAA for a triptik, which will be free of charge. They can meet with a AAA travel agent to help set the route, seeing the things they are interested in. The triptik will include maps with highlights for the whole route, including where there is construction. Also, they can get AAA books for the States they will pass through, with include hotel information. AAA membership also provides roadside service, which is nice to have if they have car trouble. It would be a good investment and a thoughtful gift!

sfamylou

AAA and Triptik are great great suggestions. I love doing the internet triptik and playing and tweaking my routes. Also, do searches on this board and talk to people; it's the best way to make sure you don't miss really fun and cool and obscure stuff.

tracys2cents

You can print them out motel coupons for lots of cities along the way and make them a little binder. www.roomsaver.com

A good gift to get them before the trip would be a cell phone if they don't have one.

(The coastal drive from Morro Bay California up to San Francisco is not for any passenger who can't handle winding turns).

Samsaf

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are excited about people offering their help.

The AAA, triptik, roomsaver.com and McDonald coupons all sound great. I will check into all of them.

And yes, they actually have 2 cell phones (although they've never set up their voice mail, so if they don't answer, we're not able to leave a message!)

I told them that I'd post the question on this board and that people would reply within just a few hours, and they were amazed -- they had never heard of a travel board like this.

So keep the ideas coming!
Thanks,
Sherry

nytraveler

My seniot parents do these road trips all the time. A couple of tips:

Tell them not to rush (3 weeks sounds too short for their itinerary - they do't want to spend te whole time on the road)

Contact each of the state tourist offices - they have tons of info they send to you for free

Be sure they are AARP members - it provides tons of discounts (my parents use this for their hotels all the time - some offer up to 50% off when not busy - and no Priceline/bidding - just a phone call)

cd

If they've not been to our National Parks I would like to see them take more time and go thru Yosemite, Yellowstone, Tetons, etc. The scenery is just beautiful! Also,Since your Dad is 65, he can go to any National Park and purchase a pass for $10.00 which permits him and your Mom to get into any National Park for free. A great savings.

cd

What coupons do McDonalds give?

utahtea

I agree that three weeks isn't long enough for the kind of trip they are thinking about doing. They are looking at driving well over 6,000 miles and since it won't all be interstate miles if they want to see the coast, then it will take longer to drive. Seriously, if they drive 8 hours a day, they are looking at 11 days of JUST driving! If they have more time, then I would encourage them to use it.

My second worry would be leaving to early in April and hitting snow in the north. I would suggest leaving late April or early May.

Utahtea

ltt

sounds like a great trip and encourage them to go. however, 3 weeks is not enough time. they need to limit the amount of states they are going to or allow 5 weeks for the current itinerary.

Samsaf

I would love for them to take a 5-week trip, but 3 weeks is about 2 weeks longer than they've ever been gone before. Usually their trips are 2 to 3 nights.

So for them to be gone 3 weeks is stretching it. My dad likes to drive, and my mom likes to ride, so I guess they'll be doing a lot of driving.

I'm going to copy all of this for them.
Thanks so much.
Sherry

ronkala

As stated above, contact the state tourism offices even if they are just driving through. They should get a state map out it plus suggestions for side trips. Use freetrip.com for routes, milage, driving time and hotels along the way. If they are going from TN to OR but passing through CA, they can enter Ca as their destination and reenter it as the starting point. That will avoid direct directions TN to OR. Even if they do not make reservations, freetrip will tell them which hotels are available enroute.

utahtea

If they plan on doing a lot of interstate driving, then a book called "The Next Exit" would be excellent to have.

It list all the services within one mile of each exit of the interstate. Things like gas stations (i.e. Shell, Mobile, Texaco), restaurants (McDonalds, Craker Barrel), grocery stores, motel, rest stops, etc. There are also detailed maps of the interstates. Make sure you get the current 2005 edition!

http://www.thenextexit.com/about.asp

Utahtea

Jasmine

cd- re the coupons at McD's - I think the poster is referring to the state-specific freebie coupon books that are sometimes in a rack in the doorways of various businesses along the highway. Can't say I've found them at McD's but often find them at truckstops, rest areas and definitely ALWAYS at the state line visitors centers. Always very good walk-in rates at a variety of hotels.

Grasshopper

Sam, Make sure they have a cell phone! My parents travel all over and refuse to have one. It drives me crazy!

utahtea

grasshopper,

My friend gave her parents a cell phone to take while traveling for a month...they left it at home....probably on purpose! You can lead a horse to water....but you can't make him drink!

Utahtea

Gardyloo

Don't know much about your folks' health aside from mobility issues, but remember that much of the scenic country in the Southwest (Grand Canyon, Arisona/Utah canyons, etc.) and other places like Yellowstone on the northern tier, are at very high altitude. If this is not an issue, fine, if it might be, best to have them consult their physicians before heading out.

cd

Thanks Jasmine.

ronkala

we were in the southwest in October, and at 71 & 66 the altitude didn't bother us.