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Summer trip to the U.S.

Snake Dave

Snake Dave

Schrödinger's cat
Next Summer (so after my first year of university), I'm planning a trip to the U.S., and hopefully I'll be bringing along a friend or two. If that's not possible, I'll go alone and just meet up with whoever when I'm there (although there's a couple of people I'd love to meet, they know who they are).

I've been to 5 states so far (New York, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana), and I'd like to see more. Predominantly the south and the west coast, as (as you can see) I haven't been there. I was thinking of driving, and maybe spending a few nights at each major city along the way. Do you think a month would be satisfactory?

Finally, cost. How much do you think would be required for a month-long trip, as a rough estimate?

Appreciate the help folks.
 
Dave, are you going to be able to rent a car if you are under 21? Do you have a credit card?

Are you more interested in cities or parks? I think I'd pick either the southwest, maybe including California, or the northwest, maybe including California. There are a ton of national parks in either area that would keep you busy for at least a month! Do you like mountains, deserts, rock formations, oceans, giant sequoias?

Cities, I don't know about. I really can't think of a city I'd give a flying fft about seeing.

I think you could find a hotel for $50 a night or cheaper, if you weren't picky. Gas is about $2.40/gallon now- by then I would expect around $3. That's a wild guess. It could be much worse.
 
Nanci said:
Dave, are you going to be able to rent a car if you are under 21? Do you have a credit card?

Are you more interested in cities or parks? I think I'd pick either the southwest, maybe including California, or the northwest, maybe including California. There are a ton of national parks in either area that would keep you busy for at least a month! Do you like mountains, deserts, rock formations, oceans, giant sequoias?

Cities, I don't know about. I really can't think of a city I'd give a flying fft about seeing.

I think you could find a hotel for $50 a night or cheaper, if you weren't picky. Gas is about $2.40/gallon now- by then I would expect around $3. That's a wild guess. It could be much worse.
Click to expand...

Well I'll be 18 by that point, possibly 19. I would have a debit/credit card then, yes. I thought you just had to have a means of payment and a driver's license to be able to rent a car? I think it depends upon each company's policy.

I'd like to see everything, both the natural side of the U.S. and the urban side. After all, I'm over there to meet people as well. You know me, I love nature, and so that's why I'd like to drive across, as I'd get to see everything then. The best of both worlds.

Thanks for the figures Nanci!
 
You can rent a car from E-ZRentACar.com, but you won't be able to take it out of the state. And they'll charge you out the wazoo for it (about $275 for 5 days as of 3 years ago).
For cities, I'd go to Phoenix, Arizona and San Francisco, California. I'd recommend skipping Las Vegas until you turn 21. You can also check out Los Angeles, California, too.
 
Looks like I'm buying a cheap car then!

Thanks for the recommendations Robbie. What about some of the cities in the south (Alabama, Mississippi etc.)?
 
Snake Dave said:
Looks like I'm buying a cheap car then!

Thanks for the recommendations Robbie. What about some of the cities in the south (Alabama, Mississippi etc.)?
Click to expand...

Hmmm... The only times I've been to either state, we were just driving through, and didn't really see a whole lot, although we did stay a night in Montgomery, Alabama. It was okay.
If you want some info on points of interest and cities to visit, check out this site:
http://www.infoplease.com/states.html
Just click on the state you want.
 
I'm surprised Katie (ArpeggioAngel) hasn't made any suggestions yet. She's a travel agent, and has been all over the US. You could try sending her a PM.
 
Cut me some slack Robbie...just saw the thread - LOL!

There are rental car companies that will rent to underage drivers (minimum driving age is actually 25 for rental cars) but they charge an additional fee per day if you are underage. And honestly, I think most of them do require you to be at least 21....
If you are going out west - check out Fox Rental Car. That is who I just used in Salt Lake and their rates were pretty good. They only service a small number of cities out west though (Salt Lake, Phoenix, LA and a few others).

Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada...all are beautiful. Some of my favorite places in the US. I try to avoid large cities (other than for flights), so my city recommendations may be smaller, out of the way places. Like Telluride, Colorado and Sedona, Arizona.

Out west though you do have an abundance of National Parks, State Parks, BLM land etc... to explore. Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, Canyon de Chelly, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Tonto National Forest, Yosemite National Park, etc...

For the south, the only city that really stands out to me that is a must visit is New Orleans. Atlanta has a lot of interesting stuff, but is a really, really busy big city....
 
If your looking for cities I'd say you've got to see San Francisco. I like NYC best, but it looks like you've been there.
LA is also something to see. Honestly I'm not too crazy about it as a tourist destination, but maybe I just live too close that the magic is gone.
 
Thanks for the replies! Yeah Tom, I've been to NYC.

I appreciate the suggestions, and looks like I'm getting around via train/bus then! Unless I go with an older friend. Hmm...
 
Snake Dave said:
Thanks for the replies! Yeah Tom, I've been to NYC.

I appreciate the suggestions, and looks like I'm getting around via train/bus then! Unless I go with an older friend. Hmm...
Click to expand...

I would suggest an older friend if you can. Trains over here are nothing like what the trains in Europe are like. The northeast coast has a pretty decent train system, but not really anywhere else in the country. Especially if you want to get to some of the out of the way destinations and National Parks.
There is a train that goes to the Grand Canyon that is supposed to be a spectacular ride, but I don't really know where it originates - just that it is expensive!

Probably the same problem with bus travel as well.
 
Yep, if you were going to do trains and buses, maybe buying something cheap but serviceable wouldn't be such a bad deal. Might eat into some of your time though..
 
How much does it cost over there to get a decent, reliable car? Nothing flashy obviously, just something that won't break down in the middle of Texas LOL.

However, I know what your American cars are like. ;) :laugh:
 
If you know what you're looking at, you can probably get something that would work for you for about $800 or so. I would say get an American car though part of the experience, lol. Some big old boat that you guys can all fit in with your gear, and roadtrip!
 
Snake Dave said:
How much does it cost over there to get a decent, reliable car? Nothing flashy obviously, just something that won't break down in the middle of Texas LOL.

However, I know what your American cars are like. ;) :laugh:
Click to expand...

You can find a decent used car for a couple thousand USD.
 
Driving across & seeing the state parks & monuments is something you will remember always Dave. See the great plains & all the wildlife. People are everywhere you turn so won't have trouble meeting nice folks along the way.
 
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