Road Trip Across USA with a family of four
Nov 8th, 2013, 08:19 PM
#1
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Road Trip Across USA with a family of four
Hi, my husband and I have 8 weeks to explore the USA over the summer with our 2 children 10/12. We are starting in New York. What is the best way to cover coast to coast? Not sure whether to hire an rv or just a car and visit a few camp gounds/hotels along the way. For this period would it even be better to buy a car and sell it at the end? Any advice related to this kind of road trip would be much appreciated. Thanks! 
Nov 8th, 2013, 08:32 PM
#2
Are you foreign visitors? If so, buying and re-selling a vehicle is likely not an option. Issues w/ residency/insurance etc and re-selling is not an easy thing.
An RV would be VERY expensive with one-way drop off fees and a real detriment in most cities. Unlike a lot of places, in the States it is very easy/economical to stay in moderately priced family rooms w/ kitchenettes almost everywhere (except in NYC and a couple of other urban areas)
An RV would be VERY expensive with one-way drop off fees and a real detriment in most cities. Unlike a lot of places, in the States it is very easy/economical to stay in moderately priced family rooms w/ kitchenettes almost everywhere (except in NYC and a couple of other urban areas)
Nov 8th, 2013, 10:45 PM
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I do not think that motels are that cheap anymore, at least not on the West Coast. If you are arriving in the States from abroad, a round trip might be the best thing so that you do not have one-way drop-off fees. On the other hand, if you decide to camp, it will attenuate the hotel and eating fees and the savings can be carried over to a one-way drop-off fee.
Camping can be done (except in large cities) but will at times be uncomfortable. A lot of the U.S. is very hot in the summer, with lots of mosquitoes in some areas; the worse experience we had was at the headwaters of the Missouri river. But camping can save travelers money if they are willing to cook. Basic camping equipment (tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, stove, gas lantern, cooking equipment) can be had for about $300 at a Target, K-Mart, Sports Authority or other similar store. Some campgrounds are free, state parks are more expensive (up to $40 per night in California), but will still be cheaper than basic motels that will cost double that when the taxes are added to the bill. At that rate, ten days of camping will take care of the original cost of the camping equipment. But this assumes a familiarity with camping and enjoyment in doing it and cooking outdoors.
In planning the trip, get a map, mark the places you definitely want to see, and use www.viamichelin.com to see how long it takes to get from one place to the other, remembering that the time given (which may be optimistic anyway) does not include stops for lunch, etc.
Camping can be done (except in large cities) but will at times be uncomfortable. A lot of the U.S. is very hot in the summer, with lots of mosquitoes in some areas; the worse experience we had was at the headwaters of the Missouri river. But camping can save travelers money if they are willing to cook. Basic camping equipment (tent, air mattress, sleeping bags, stove, gas lantern, cooking equipment) can be had for about $300 at a Target, K-Mart, Sports Authority or other similar store. Some campgrounds are free, state parks are more expensive (up to $40 per night in California), but will still be cheaper than basic motels that will cost double that when the taxes are added to the bill. At that rate, ten days of camping will take care of the original cost of the camping equipment. But this assumes a familiarity with camping and enjoyment in doing it and cooking outdoors.
In planning the trip, get a map, mark the places you definitely want to see, and use www.viamichelin.com to see how long it takes to get from one place to the other, remembering that the time given (which may be optimistic anyway) does not include stops for lunch, etc.
Nov 8th, 2013, 10:54 PM
#4
>>I do not think that motels are that cheap anymore, at least not on the West Coast.<<
Motels can be VERY inexpensive in most parts of the country - and unlike many other parts of the world, most motels sleep an entire family in one room and have kitchenettes or maybe just microwaves.
Yes - ON the CA coast motels cost more than in say Kansas or Indiana. But still economical for a family. Especially when compared to the cost of an RV and the extra petrol. Everything is relative.
Driving a large vehicle in many cities and on mountain or winding coastal roads is not fun. RVs are great, but actually renting a mid-sized car and staying in motels is often easier/cheaper . . .
Motels can be VERY inexpensive in most parts of the country - and unlike many other parts of the world, most motels sleep an entire family in one room and have kitchenettes or maybe just microwaves.
Yes - ON the CA coast motels cost more than in say Kansas or Indiana. But still economical for a family. Especially when compared to the cost of an RV and the extra petrol. Everything is relative.
Driving a large vehicle in many cities and on mountain or winding coastal roads is not fun. RVs are great, but actually renting a mid-sized car and staying in motels is often easier/cheaper . . .
Nov 9th, 2013, 05:30 AM
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Doing a roundtrip and seeing a lot is not going to happen. My parents did it a couple of times after they retired - and in 10 or 12 weeks they were able to do RT from NY and see different parts on each trip. But my father liked to drive - and thought nothing of 8 or 9 hours day drive before staying in a place a couple of days.
An RV is not an option - since it just doesn;t work in many cities - no place to put it - and the costs are huge (incluidng rental, one-way drop off fee, gas and decent campgrounds to put it in). Also - in the natinal parks there are a ot of plaes where handling an RV is problematic - roads are not built for them.
And buying reselling a car is practicaly impossible - you can;t register without a fixed address and insurance is different state by state. If you buy NY insurance and something happens in another state they will find you lied abuot use of the car - and it may well invalidate the insurance.
I reco renting a modestly sized car to get good mileage and concentrate on budget motels once you leave NYC (rental cars are useless here). If you make rental arrangements at home before you leave you are likely to get better rental price including insurances - avoiding the huge insurances you pay renting here.
To give you an itinerary we really need to know what you major interests are - cities/museums/zoos/ballparks etc - or national parks and the beauties of nature.
There are many chains of budget motels in a lot of places - pending your definition of "budget". And, unlike europe, most rooms are designed for 4 people rather than 2 - and budget places tend to have free breakfasts, washer/driers, etc that will make such a long trip less expensive.
An RV is not an option - since it just doesn;t work in many cities - no place to put it - and the costs are huge (incluidng rental, one-way drop off fee, gas and decent campgrounds to put it in). Also - in the natinal parks there are a ot of plaes where handling an RV is problematic - roads are not built for them.
And buying reselling a car is practicaly impossible - you can;t register without a fixed address and insurance is different state by state. If you buy NY insurance and something happens in another state they will find you lied abuot use of the car - and it may well invalidate the insurance.
I reco renting a modestly sized car to get good mileage and concentrate on budget motels once you leave NYC (rental cars are useless here). If you make rental arrangements at home before you leave you are likely to get better rental price including insurances - avoiding the huge insurances you pay renting here.
To give you an itinerary we really need to know what you major interests are - cities/museums/zoos/ballparks etc - or national parks and the beauties of nature.
There are many chains of budget motels in a lot of places - pending your definition of "budget". And, unlike europe, most rooms are designed for 4 people rather than 2 - and budget places tend to have free breakfasts, washer/driers, etc that will make such a long trip less expensive.
Nov 9th, 2013, 05:30 AM
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Your first mission is to select a route... You could travel north from NY into New England and across to Niagara Falls... Cleveland... Chicago... and then west to Portland and Seattle.
You could Travel South (It will be Hot) thru Washington DC, The Carolinas... perhaps Savannah, DisneyWorld with stops in Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta...
You could turn West at DC and through the midwest to Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California...
And you could Zig Zag, add some flights and just visit the main attractions along the way...
One of the easiest ways is to purchase a few tours and string them together... Our Automobile Club AAA can be used by anyone and will assist in dates and rates...
Many Campgrounds like KOA have rental cabins so if you prefer the outdoor experience, start there...
For hotels try joining the loyalty clubs of a few chains like www.choicehotels.com or Hilton HHonors there are dozens of hotels under these chains...
Once you pick where you want to go, we can help you with the details...
Get out the maps... Ready ...Set... PLAN!!!
You could Travel South (It will be Hot) thru Washington DC, The Carolinas... perhaps Savannah, DisneyWorld with stops in Nashville, Memphis, Atlanta...
You could turn West at DC and through the midwest to Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California...
And you could Zig Zag, add some flights and just visit the main attractions along the way...
One of the easiest ways is to purchase a few tours and string them together... Our Automobile Club AAA can be used by anyone and will assist in dates and rates...
Many Campgrounds like KOA have rental cabins so if you prefer the outdoor experience, start there...
For hotels try joining the loyalty clubs of a few chains like www.choicehotels.com or Hilton HHonors there are dozens of hotels under these chains...
Once you pick where you want to go, we can help you with the details...
Get out the maps... Ready ...Set... PLAN!!!
Nov 9th, 2013, 05:51 AM
#7
My style, which may or may not work for you is to take an Amtrak train to a city and then rent a car to make a loop. Return the car and then take another train onward to the next city. The children (under 16) travel for half fare.
There are USA Rail Passes available in 15, 30 and 45 days which could save money compared with flying or buying a vehicle and hating camping all the way across this wide country.
What I like about the trains is that you are getting closer to your destination while you are sleeping.
As for late trains: you should plan on staying in a city where you would change trains instead of risking missing a connection. You have lots of time on your vacation.
Enjoy your trip across the USA.
There are USA Rail Passes available in 15, 30 and 45 days which could save money compared with flying or buying a vehicle and hating camping all the way across this wide country.
What I like about the trains is that you are getting closer to your destination while you are sleeping.
As for late trains: you should plan on staying in a city where you would change trains instead of risking missing a connection. You have lots of time on your vacation.
Enjoy your trip across the USA.
Nov 9th, 2013, 07:59 AM
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Camping is fun, but it is also time consuming--and uncertain to find an available place.
Having a computer to bid on hotels on priceline or hotwire as you go could be advantageous.
Congratulations on doing this--it will be a trip your kids--and you--will never forget.
We did it once for 6 weeks--and included a week at a ranch in the Grand Tetons. You might like to incorporate something like that in your plans.
As mentioned above there are cabins for rent in some parks--Yosemite at Tioga Pass has tent cabins, for instance.
Having a computer to bid on hotels on priceline or hotwire as you go could be advantageous.
Congratulations on doing this--it will be a trip your kids--and you--will never forget.
We did it once for 6 weeks--and included a week at a ranch in the Grand Tetons. You might like to incorporate something like that in your plans.
As mentioned above there are cabins for rent in some parks--Yosemite at Tioga Pass has tent cabins, for instance.
Nov 9th, 2013, 10:14 AM
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Of course "cheap" is relative, but I've priced out RV trips several times, once out west and once in the east. Both times the cost of an RV trip was about 1.5X higher due to the cost of the RV rental & mileage & gas &, by the way, fees to park an RV anywhere but an Walmart. Comfortable rental car and moderate hotel I've found to be less expensive.
Plus the comforts of hotel such as unlimited hot water and not having to regularly dump the sewage tank every few days and it tipped the balance for me.
Plus the comforts of hotel such as unlimited hot water and not having to regularly dump the sewage tank every few days and it tipped the balance for me.
Nov 9th, 2013, 10:47 AM
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If your goal Is to see many of the typical "must see" highlights of the US, consider dividing the trip into two parts, east and west, with a flight in between. The middle part of the country is huge, involving several long boring days of driving. You might even be able to make an east coast loop and a west coast loop to avoid drop off fees.
Also, if you plan on visiting several east coast cities such as NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington DC, you will find it easier to take the train rather than drive between cities. After visiting these cities, you could then rent a car for other destinations in the east. Then you could fly to maybe Denver or Las Vegas and rent a car to visit the national parks and cities of the west.
Also, if you plan on visiting several east coast cities such as NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington DC, you will find it easier to take the train rather than drive between cities. After visiting these cities, you could then rent a car for other destinations in the east. Then you could fly to maybe Denver or Las Vegas and rent a car to visit the national parks and cities of the west.
Nov 9th, 2013, 10:56 AM
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I have gone cross country several times and have been able to find many ways to do so on a tight budget.
KOA campground cabin rentals. They have the minimal sleepover size that will hold two adults and two kids. One full size bed and a set of bunkbeds. Fire ring for foods on a stick at night/charcoal grill for morning meals are easy with one flat griddle packed. You just bring sheets/blanket and your towels. I put everything in one laundry basket and carry it in the cabin each night. Suitcases stay in the car because it's two steps to the cabin door.
Prices vary and I found those in smaller cities to have the best deals. Not unusual to find in the 30 dollar range. That was always my goal. Hotels can be found if you look in cities along the way, use a code from orbitz or abn.com or a loyalty program for discounts. Koa has a 10% off card you can buy, hotel loyalty programs will get you a night or two during your 8 weeks, and it adds up.
When you get to places like San Fran and such you will pay more but the saving along the way will offset it.
We plan our trips around National Parks often as they offer a pass for free for the disabled. BUT...you can buy a pass for a mere $80 for ALL parks and that includes your whole family. Not a bad deal for all of America.
Car rentals have always been my choice. I can't imagine maneuvering an RV through some of the most scenic highways I've been on. Avoid interstates, they're boring. I weigh the difference between gas price and car price, but for longer trips I spend the higher price for a Prius rental. Gas saving makes up for the cost by leaps and bounds. 51 mpg driving through mountains was a joy. Getting stuck in traffic going down the 101 in Cali or on 95 through Baltimore is no problem cause you aren't using gas.
Your children will enjoy wherever you take them if your trip is less stressful for you. They will remember it for a lifetime. Plan ahead and enjoy your trip!
KOA campground cabin rentals. They have the minimal sleepover size that will hold two adults and two kids. One full size bed and a set of bunkbeds. Fire ring for foods on a stick at night/charcoal grill for morning meals are easy with one flat griddle packed. You just bring sheets/blanket and your towels. I put everything in one laundry basket and carry it in the cabin each night. Suitcases stay in the car because it's two steps to the cabin door.
Prices vary and I found those in smaller cities to have the best deals. Not unusual to find in the 30 dollar range. That was always my goal. Hotels can be found if you look in cities along the way, use a code from orbitz or abn.com or a loyalty program for discounts. Koa has a 10% off card you can buy, hotel loyalty programs will get you a night or two during your 8 weeks, and it adds up.
When you get to places like San Fran and such you will pay more but the saving along the way will offset it.
We plan our trips around National Parks often as they offer a pass for free for the disabled. BUT...you can buy a pass for a mere $80 for ALL parks and that includes your whole family. Not a bad deal for all of America.
Car rentals have always been my choice. I can't imagine maneuvering an RV through some of the most scenic highways I've been on. Avoid interstates, they're boring. I weigh the difference between gas price and car price, but for longer trips I spend the higher price for a Prius rental. Gas saving makes up for the cost by leaps and bounds. 51 mpg driving through mountains was a joy. Getting stuck in traffic going down the 101 in Cali or on 95 through Baltimore is no problem cause you aren't using gas.
Your children will enjoy wherever you take them if your trip is less stressful for you. They will remember it for a lifetime. Plan ahead and enjoy your trip!
Nov 10th, 2013, 02:25 AM
#15
It would be really REALLY helpful if the OP did two simple things:
tell us if there are particular areas or places they feel are absolute musts
RESPOND to the posts and suggestions which have been made thus far.
I am surprised that nobody has even asked the OP to tell us how much they are able to spend.
tell us if there are particular areas or places they feel are absolute musts
RESPOND to the posts and suggestions which have been made thus far.
I am surprised that nobody has even asked the OP to tell us how much they are able to spend.
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