How do you plan a cross-country trip?

Question

I would like to take a long driving trip as a vacation. It doesnt have to be cross country, but it should take several day and eventually loop me back to my hometown of Cleveland.

How do you plan the routes that you will take? It would be boring to just take I-90 for 1,500 miles. How do you figure out the back roads you want to take?

How do you know what type of stuff is out there to see as a tourist?

How do you ensure that you get a hotel room, and how do you get cheap ones?

Is there anything that people dont usually think of that you have come across from experience?

Is it a bad idea to try to bring my dog with me?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hi we take a month long road trip each year and I have learned a lot from being on the road that long. I might leave the dog at home (I know I hate leaving mine) it is just easier to do things and get motel rooms. First of all get a good map of the states you want to go to, from there look at the back roads and smaller highways and make your loop. Next contact all the Visitor’s Centers for the towns/city you will be going too. Most of them have websites that list a lot of information, however some of the smaller towns do not have this so contact the chamber of commerce and ask them for help! Get the FREE visitors packets mailed to you, they come with maps, attractions and COUPONS which will save you a ton of money. They also list places to stay and how much they cost on average. Get use to staying at Mom and Pop motels or I might even try hostels. They are cheap and a great way to meet people.
Have you ever tried couchsurfing? This is a great way to meet people and a wonderful way to see the towns in the area. What couchsurfing is, is a website that links fellow travelers together. These people are willing to either open their homes to you and provide you with a couch or bed for FREE or they will meet you to show you around the city. Either way check the site out! All ages, in every country. We have hosted a ton of people and traveled all over staying in peoples homes for free. Not only do you get to meet a new friend but, these are locals that give you all the good local things to do in their city or town. I have never had an issue with it and you pick people by their profiles. So check it out and save some cash!
http://www.couchsurfing.com/

Motels for the most part should not be a problem but if you are going to hit up any of the larger cities check out the visitors website and make sure there are not any large events in town, such as a convention or big game. This makes motel rooms hard to find. Depending on when you are going you might also want to check into camping, great way to save money and always fun.
I also suggest packing a cooler with food, try to eat your lunch out of it then have dinner out, or do it the other way around. Bring you drinks, you can save so much money this way. Remember the grocery store is cheaper than buying things like sodas from gas stations.
There are two really good books that I recommend for road tripping. Eccentric America and Roadside America (this one also has a website). They list some of the more unusual attractions and all kinds of wacky roadside stops. Most are cheap and free all of them are fun to see.
Before you go make sure you have the car checked out and all the fluids topped off. Also check the spare, make sure it has air in it! Bring an emergency kit and a small first aid kit, hey you never know when you are going to need it! I would also check with your cell phone company and see if they offer roadside assistance. I don’t have the monthly service but if I call they will send help and I get a discount. Trust me it never hurts to be over prepared! Make sure someone knows what route you are taking, and I know sounds dumb but check in with someone every few days. Better to be safe than sorry.
If you are traveling alone bring plenty of music, it really helps and I might also bring some books on tape. I would also recommend stopping every few hours and stretching your legs, keeps you alert and wakes you up.
The most important thing I can tell you is start planning ASAP! If you want to do a really good road trip you need to start planning as soon as you can! Again seek and find all the information on the places you are going, I have found some of the best spots by checking with the visitors center and chamber. They are locals they know cool things and are a free service.

Here are some sites I use to plan our trips:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
http://www.eccentricamerica.com/
http://www.dinercity.com/
http://www.roadfood.com/
http://www.byways.org/
http://www.scenic.org/byways
http://www.randmcnally.com/
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/recipes/recipes.htm
http://www.hiusa.org/
http://www.hostels.com/
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/new/default_V3.asp
http://www.gasbuddy.com/

No matter what you do you will have a great time! Good luck and happy travels!

Answer 2

Wow...I envy you, even though I have done this trip many times! I would get a driving atlas that covers the entire US, usually with one page dedicated to each state. These have plenty of detail, including lesser known highways. In addition, you can get good state / regional maps from your local AAA office. For costs, I would estimate around $50-70 per night to stay in decent hotels, slightly higher in / near big cities. Just be sure to book early and often; you can split this cost with your friend if you don't nind sharing a room. If you stay at a state or national park with camping equipment, probably just $15-20 per night -- but you'll want camping equipment. It's a bit over 3,000 miles from NYC to SFO; if you cruise an energy efficient vehicle at 60-70mph, you should do 30mpg or better, I think. So that's 100 gallons at $3.25 per gallon = $325 for gas alone. Be sure to have an oil change just before you start and one in SFO when you arrive. Food? Lots of small hotels now offer free continental breakfast -- hit it HARD and you can save at least $5-6 per day. Lunch and dinner just $5-10 per if you are not too picky. I think between hotel and food (assuming you split a room) you should count on about $50 per day per person, plus gas. If you spread it out over 60 days, that's $3,000 per person! Hmmm...maybe I don't envy you so much! D

Answer 3

Just bring a map and hit the road, too much plans means too much confused.

I drive aross the country many time, just have your radio on and take good sleep, pick up hotel coupon at rest area, and try to find your next motel, uaually under $50.

Answer 4

you have to look at a map, there are hotels at almost every exit, and no the dog can come we drove from las vegas to new york with a dog and a cat you just have to get a motel and sneak the dog in i don't recommend bringing the cat.

Answer 5

I think that if you bring your dog it might make it more difficult for you. You might have to stop for him to go to the bathroom. Also, I dont know what hotels are going to be like with pets.

However, it would be nice to have him to keep you company, if you're going alone.