Looking to do a road trip across America - would like tips please!?

Question

Me and my boyfriend have 3 weeks holiday to take next June/July, and we want to travel around the US.

We're thinking of doing so with a combination of Greyhound buses, hire cars and internal flights.

So far, NYC, Los Angeles, Boston and Las Vegas are on the list of must see places.

Where else would you recommend? Which methods of transport would be the best?

We're looking for the following: nice scenery, good weather, some nightlife/shopping and perhaps some 'real' America away from the touristy bits.

We're 21 and 24 and have a budget of about £4,000 (or $8,000) in total.

Answer 1

I highly suggest you come up to Alaska, theres no where in the world that can compare to it. The scenery, wildlife, wonderful people, and best of all clear clean fresh air makes it the top place you would want to visit. :)

Answer 2

I think the first reply from Bambi has a great deal to commend it except for her fixation with Texas. I would definitely see New York, Boston, and San Francisco. I would scrub round Los Angeles, Austin, Santa Fe and probably Las Vegas though it is so awful its weirdness might appeal. I would definitely use a combination of cars and internal flights (not so sure about the Greyhound buses). I drove from New York to Los Angeles in the early 1960's - from Chicago westwards this was the old US66. It was a real grind and apart from Chicago went through some of the most boring towns (and scenery) in the USA.

Answer 3

Greyhound will definitely show you the less populated areas, but it takes way too long to get anywhere. Nice scenery typically goes along with the touristy places, unless you get way out in the rural areas. Any mountainous area will provide nice scenery (Ozark Mountains in Arkansas or the Black Hills in South Dakota). While it's a muddy mess, the Mississippi River is still an impressive sight. Might I recommend Petosky, Michigan. There are a ton of fossils to be found along the beaches of Lake Michigan. Most of the rocks found near the beach in the waters edge contain some sort of fossil. I know of a professor that took a large rock from a wooded area, cut it in half, and found a pterodactyl!. I would also recommend taking a different route coming back than you take going, to further experience the differences throughout the country.

Answer 4

New York is the best city in america hands down, so i wouldnt choose any other city over NYC! Boston is okay, assuming your british??--- im sure you probly just heard of boston because of all the irish immigrants or the "Boston tea party" back in history but boston isnt so exciting, if you want to experience the character of america, you can find that anywhere, but i think i know what u are looking for.. and the best place to find that is the southern states, and the midwest..Miama is a city in southern florida which is always hot and tropical, great fun, but california is the best state no contest, cali has the most diverse landscape of any state, the most cities, best restaraunts, and nightlife... hope u guys find what your looking for, and have a fun time!

Answer 5

I've been to all of the above and you will enjoy. Live in Las Vegas so do not miss it.

When you are done in Las Vegas go on Rout 15 north to Utah. Wow. What a place and also go to Denver this is a great town then continue north to Wyoming. It was the most beautiful place I;ve ever visited in the US. Saw elk .. then one more trip to S. Dakota and see Mt. Rushmore...

You would be best flying and renting a car unlimited mileage. The bus is the worst thing to consider.

Mc

Answer 6

I would only do one or two big cities, like San Francisco and Austin, Texas. These two cities are young and hip. So far as seeing the real America! Rent a car in San Diego and drive up the Coast Highway to Oregon. From the Coast Highway you can gt to San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, the Redwood Forest (both in California) Then, go to Sante Fe New Mexico, Phoenix, Arizona ( you can go see the Grand Canyon from here). We just had our niece and her boyfriend here from Prague and they said that NYC was a waste of time. I think the three best places to visit are, for youngsters like you, is Austin, TX (6th street is a blast, lots of live music and a college town), San Francisco-it is a small city with a LOT of exciting things to do and Sante Fe, New mexico is simply beautiful.

Happy Travels!

Answer 7

Maybe try to visit Yellowstone or Yosemite and the Grand Canyon (which is a few hours drive from Las Vegas) on your way out west, you won't be disappointed.

I think you are making good choices going to Boston (lots to see & do there, maybe try to catch a baseball game if the Red Sox are in town & if you can get tickets) & to Las Vegas, I think you'll have a fun time at both.

Answer 8

devil's tower wyoming, mount rushmore in south dakota, petroglyphs/skytram in albuqurque new mexico...these would be gr8 on budget places to visit on a road trip....these places are the essence of america...

Answer 9

You forgot Miami and New Orleans.