I'm thinking about planning a trip for this summer, beginning in New Hampshire, not exactly sure about what route to take. THere are certain places I'd like to see...I could settle for missing a few if they were out of the way... I'd like to stop at my folks' in Long Island, Ive never seen northern NY (like buffalo area, but that's not top priority). I wouldn't mind checking out some southern states (North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, etc.) My top priority is to see Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, and to drive up the California coast. I know that this in and of itself is a pretty big trip. most of all i'd like to know what route you took accross, what places you would (and wouldn't) suggest stopping at, and anything else you think i might need to know: How much $ will i need? To what extent will i need to plan in advance, and to what extent can i just "wing it"? Suggestions on what to take/what not to take? Other wise words? Would be much appreciated. Thanks! ~ Silly.
My dad was a trucker, but I don't think that's what you meant. There was a killer flea martet in Denver, Colorado.
First off, you can't do everything you want to do unless you have unlimited time and funds. My best friend and I drove from PA to San Diego and back and we did it in under 3 weeks. We didn't have a lot of money, nor much time. AZ and NM are good calls. I remember before we took our trip I had only two demands, that we see Taos and to be able to dunk my head in the Pacific. We didn't plan much, though we did reserve a room in Las Vegas ahead of time and we had a good idea of when we'd roll into San Diego. Expect the unexpected. Our trip got all messed up when my friend's car was stolen in Las Vegas. We eventually got it back but it really screwed things up. We ended up having to stay in Vegas for like 5 days while his car was being repaired. That stay blew our budgets and we had to go home after that. We couldn't do almost half our trip but we had a blast and I got to do the two things I wanted to do.
Rule #1: Sleep regularly, STOP and get at least 6 hours a night, anything less is dangerous and it is hard to have fun when you are tired and grumpy. Rule#2: Eat regularly, STOP and eat at least two good meals a day, bring plenty of munchies, it is hard to have fun when you are hungry and grumpy. Rule#3: Obey speed limits, don't give any local sheriffs reason to pull you over and search your trunk. Rule#4: Make sure your car is up to the trip. Get the oil changed, have all of your belt replaced, even if they don;t need it. Make sure your tires are in good shape and that includes the spare, if you have one of those skinny emergancy tires, I recomend buying a real tire and bring it as well, that way you can have one flat without it being an emergancy.
if you have people to visit, sit down and make a list of all the places you can crash along the way. i planned a road trip to Alaska from Buffalo a while ago...the way there was taking the northern states, not going lower thanthe virginias, then up to the west coast. the way back was next to cali, through arizona, colorado, texas, louisianna, and back up along the east coast. having friends in the states u visit helps, also check out some hostiles (u may be able to search them online). I, personally, like to sleep in my car. in bigger cities, busking (singing, playing guitar, etc.) on busy corners or parks, helped with gettin grub in my tummy. be safe, u never know some people's true intentions. get some mace, and keep a bat in the car to ward off enemies.(purely precautionary) hope all goes well!!
Well I Dont Know Why You Say The Grand Canyon , That Out Of The Way If You Need A Place To Crash , You Will Come Right By My House Of I 70 In Grand Junction , Pm Me If You Want To Stay A Night
Me and my freind Joe went cross country over the summer it was awesome we stopped were ever we wanted and did whatever we liked ! We were very lucky not to get pulled over 1 time ! We stayed in colorado for a week and it was great exept a couple of days it was up to 107 degree and we just stayed inside and smoked bud. The rest of the time we hiked and wite water rafted .I would recomend going cross country to everyone!! Its something we should all do at least once in our lives since it can change our lives. It changed my life and I already have my next trip planned .See you soon Joe I cannot wait! Hello to all hippies and everyone else have a geat day and smoke a few jay!! I dont know what we spent more money on bud or gas??hahahaha
Wow. So much in the way of good information. I do have quite a few people to stay with all the way up and down the california coast. I may be able to hook up a place to stay in colorado...other than that i'm pretty much winging it. I've lived in my car before, so i'm certainly not opposed to staying a few nights that way...but when i lived in my car it was springtime...i know i'll need a good night's sleep...and it'll be july in the southern states, so if its like 115 degrees that won't be such a great idea. I'll have a friend with me (a dude, so i'll feel a bit safer) but i'm told there are many places where it wouldn't matter if i had arnold schwarzenegger as a copilot, it still wouldn't be safe to crash in the car. Money is pretty tight at the moment, but i totally have the travel bug so i'm hoping i'll actually be able to do it come summertime!
I've driven across Canada, I've taken the long driving route from Toronto, ON Canada down the coast and across to Arizona... so great.
