USA Road Trip - 3 Months
Discussion
Hi,
After two cancelled weddings due to COVID, we're finally getting married this year and planning on doing an extended honeymoon. We've both got a 3 month sabbatical from work, running from July to September inclusive.
Planning on a big road trip around the USA and might pop into Canada for a bit as well. We've been to the USA a few times before (Florida, Vegas / California, New York, New England, Pacific Northwest) so we're planning on going to all the places that you ordinarily wouldn't during a standard two week holiday.
Still in the early stages of planning, but the current idea is to fly into Orlando (as it seems to be the cheapest combination of flights / car rental) and hire a small SUV so that we can go off the beaten track a little (dirt roads rather than up the side of a mountain).
Thoughts and questions so far:
Cheers
After two cancelled weddings due to COVID, we're finally getting married this year and planning on doing an extended honeymoon. We've both got a 3 month sabbatical from work, running from July to September inclusive.
Planning on a big road trip around the USA and might pop into Canada for a bit as well. We've been to the USA a few times before (Florida, Vegas / California, New York, New England, Pacific Northwest) so we're planning on going to all the places that you ordinarily wouldn't during a standard two week holiday.
Still in the early stages of planning, but the current idea is to fly into Orlando (as it seems to be the cheapest combination of flights / car rental) and hire a small SUV so that we can go off the beaten track a little (dirt roads rather than up the side of a mountain).
Thoughts and questions so far:
- Starting in Orlando, whether it's best to go clockwise / anti-clockwise around the country? If anybody's done a similar trip before, itineraries / routes very much appreciated
- Excluding flights and car rental (£4k in total), I'm budgeting approx £30k. So around £350 a day for accommodation / activities / petrol / food. Does that sound about right given that prices for everything seem to have gone mental recently? Think Holiday Inn and Chili's, rather than Four Seasons and Nobu
- Any hidden gems that people would recommend? Atlas Obscura is our go-to for weird stuff, but appreciate any first hand experiences
- Similarly, anything that really isn't worth a visit despite the hype?
Cheers
One thing to check before going in to Canada.
A few years ago, I arrived in the US on an ESDA for a holiday and crossed into Mexico from Texas.
Despite having sought clearance in advance at the border post from US officials, I had a hell of a time getting back in, even crossing back at the same border point. We were held up for several hours. It was not helped by the fact that the border official was clearly not blessed with the brains of an archbishop. And he had real trouble comprehending why Brits might want to sightsee a Mexican border town.
Technically, the ESDA is apparently only for entry and exit by air, unless the rules have changed.
A few years ago, I arrived in the US on an ESDA for a holiday and crossed into Mexico from Texas.
Despite having sought clearance in advance at the border post from US officials, I had a hell of a time getting back in, even crossing back at the same border point. We were held up for several hours. It was not helped by the fact that the border official was clearly not blessed with the brains of an archbishop. And he had real trouble comprehending why Brits might want to sightsee a Mexican border town.
Technically, the ESDA is apparently only for entry and exit by air, unless the rules have changed.
The ESTA is for entry by air and sea only, it is a pre-authorisation and a digital upload of your travel record to your I-94 (US government record of your dates of entry and exit). If you arrive by land, then the I-94 is filled in manually. As you are flying to Florida, it is needed of course. Coming from Canada overland this really is not a problem. Nor should it be from Mexico although I see someone else commented saying they had problems. If you intend (or may have a risk of, if your plans are open) to spend more than 90 days at a time in the US, OR you have other concerns about ESTA or visa waiver requirements for some reason, then the correct course of action is to apply for a B2 visa at the US embassy. This is valid for 6 months at at time, and certainly is easier when driving overland from Mexico to the US.
As for places to see, the US is huge, and full of places so it really hinges on preferences. I would definitely look to visit New Orleans, though, and if you like the great outdoors, allocate more time than you think for the Western states (Utah is especially great, and often overlooked). Lots of interesting old abandoned mining towns in California from the gold rush era if you're into that. The San Juan Islands in Washington are great, too. Alternatively you could always chose a section of America, and really cover it in depth although if you don't mind long drives for scenery, you can of course loop all around with 3 months.
Used to dream about such escapades in my 20s.
Best I managed was renting some Chrysler convertible in LA for a few days and then a tiny Mitsubishi in New Jersey in which I drove to Watkins Glen>Niagra Falls>Toronto>Lake Placid>NJ
Came across a black bear crossing the road right in front of me somewhere near Lake placid and a dozen or more Blackhawk helicopters on the ground somewhere in upstate New York.
Back then there were ‘rent-a-wreck’ options and also the possibility of delivering a car from east to west or vica versa for families who were relocating - you just paid for the fuel (buttons at the time!) and were given 2-3 weeks to get over there.
Not sure how much of that is still available but I believe that it may also be an option to have your own car shipped over to the states and there is a way to legally drive it for months before shipping it back home.
Good luck with whatever solution you find!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Best I managed was renting some Chrysler convertible in LA for a few days and then a tiny Mitsubishi in New Jersey in which I drove to Watkins Glen>Niagra Falls>Toronto>Lake Placid>NJ
Came across a black bear crossing the road right in front of me somewhere near Lake placid and a dozen or more Blackhawk helicopters on the ground somewhere in upstate New York.
Back then there were ‘rent-a-wreck’ options and also the possibility of delivering a car from east to west or vica versa for families who were relocating - you just paid for the fuel (buttons at the time!) and were given 2-3 weeks to get over there.
Not sure how much of that is still available but I believe that it may also be an option to have your own car shipped over to the states and there is a way to legally drive it for months before shipping it back home.
Good luck with whatever solution you find!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by Mogul on Sunday 13th March 13:11
Edited by Mogul on Sunday 13th March 13:20
wiffmaster said:
Hi,
After two cancelled weddings due to COVID, we're finally getting married this year and planning on doing an extended honeymoon. We've both got a 3 month sabbatical from work, running from July to September inclusive.
Planning on a big road trip around the USA and might pop into Canada for a bit as well. We've been to the USA a few times before (Florida, Vegas / California, New York, New England, Pacific Northwest) so we're planning on going to all the places that you ordinarily wouldn't during a standard two week holiday.
Still in the early stages of planning, but the current idea is to fly into Orlando (as it seems to be the cheapest combination of flights / car rental) and hire a small SUV so that we can go off the beaten track a little (dirt roads rather than up the side of a mountain).
Thoughts and questions so far:
Cheers
Done 60 road trips. ! So if I can help . Did a month at Xmas and back for four weeks in June. Have you thought motorhome? After two cancelled weddings due to COVID, we're finally getting married this year and planning on doing an extended honeymoon. We've both got a 3 month sabbatical from work, running from July to September inclusive.
Planning on a big road trip around the USA and might pop into Canada for a bit as well. We've been to the USA a few times before (Florida, Vegas / California, New York, New England, Pacific Northwest) so we're planning on going to all the places that you ordinarily wouldn't during a standard two week holiday.
Still in the early stages of planning, but the current idea is to fly into Orlando (as it seems to be the cheapest combination of flights / car rental) and hire a small SUV so that we can go off the beaten track a little (dirt roads rather than up the side of a mountain).
Thoughts and questions so far:
- Starting in Orlando, whether it's best to go clockwise / anti-clockwise around the country? If anybody's done a similar trip before, itineraries / routes very much appreciated
- Excluding flights and car rental (£4k in total), I'm budgeting approx £30k. So around £350 a day for accommodation / activities / petrol / food. Does that sound about right given that prices for everything seem to have gone mental recently? Think Holiday Inn and Chili's, rather than Four Seasons and Nobu
- Any hidden gems that people would recommend? Atlas Obscura is our go-to for weird stuff, but appreciate any first hand experiences
- Similarly, anything that really isn't worth a visit despite the hype?
Cheers
Edited by David Beer on Sunday 13th March 14:58
David Beer said:
Done 60 road trips. ! So if I can help . Did a month at Xmas and back for four weeks in June. Have you thought motorhome?
Forget the motorhome, $210 a day now!Edited by David Beer on Sunday 13th March 14:58
I paid $90 a day !
Have you checked car hire ? Just booked a SUV for 29 days, bargain $2000.
So for this June a mix of hotels and this !
Thanks for all the advice and tips so far! Please keep them coming and I'll keep updating as we figure out the details
We've booked with Avis (group F SUV - Mazda CX-5 or similar) picking up and returning at Orlando airport. Luckily, the consultancy I work for have a corporate rate (that can be used for leisure bookings) with Avis, which brought the price down from $6740 to $3366 which seems pretty good for an 87 day rental. I can also get corporate discounts with the major hotel groups (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Radisson) which should make things a little easier.
David Beer said:
Have you checked car hire ? Just booked a SUV for 29 days, bargain $2000.
I was amazed by how much car hire has gone up since we were last in the US. Combo of COVID sell-off and chip shortage, I guess. We've booked with Avis (group F SUV - Mazda CX-5 or similar) picking up and returning at Orlando airport. Luckily, the consultancy I work for have a corporate rate (that can be used for leisure bookings) with Avis, which brought the price down from $6740 to $3366 which seems pretty good for an 87 day rental. I can also get corporate discounts with the major hotel groups (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Radisson) which should make things a little easier.
Truckosaurus said:
I have my eye on a trip around the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway roads - the takes you from the Washington DC area down to 'the south' (Atlanta, Nashville etc) - lots of interesting roads and places to visit in that area.
I’ve driven around the TN/NC hills including the blue ridge parkway. It’s stunning.One of my favourite things was hiking mount LeConte and staying at the lodge at the top. You stay in little wooden cabins with no real modern amenities. Sunset from the top was magical.
If it was me I would so this (I have done most of it)...
Move up the East Coast as far as Nova Scotia (take in the Blue Ridge Parkway and do the Cabot Trail at the end), head across to Montreal go anticlockwise around the great lakes and back into the US. Head straight down from Chicago down south, take in Nashville on the way and make your way down to New Orleans. Head up through Texas into Colorado and then take in Utah and Arizona, head over to San Diego and then make your way up the West Coast and head through Washington State into Canada again. Take a tour round BC (take in Vancouver Island), then make your way back to Florida through central US.
Avoid Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas and Oklahoma...pretty dull places to drive through.
Move up the East Coast as far as Nova Scotia (take in the Blue Ridge Parkway and do the Cabot Trail at the end), head across to Montreal go anticlockwise around the great lakes and back into the US. Head straight down from Chicago down south, take in Nashville on the way and make your way down to New Orleans. Head up through Texas into Colorado and then take in Utah and Arizona, head over to San Diego and then make your way up the West Coast and head through Washington State into Canada again. Take a tour round BC (take in Vancouver Island), then make your way back to Florida through central US.
Avoid Delaware, Connecticut, Kansas and Oklahoma...pretty dull places to drive through.
I know it's not a drive, but what about Alaska also?
Our last holiday before Covid was Alaska around September time, kayaking around icebergs, climbing glaciers, Denali national park, and if your inclined you can have a day at Kaktovik and see polar bears in the wild, that isn't a cheap trip but once in a lifetime.
Our last holiday before Covid was Alaska around September time, kayaking around icebergs, climbing glaciers, Denali national park, and if your inclined you can have a day at Kaktovik and see polar bears in the wild, that isn't a cheap trip but once in a lifetime.
wiffmaster said:
I was amazed by how much car hire has gone up since we were last in the US. Combo of COVID sell-off and chip shortage, I guess.
We've booked with Avis (group F SUV - Mazda CX-5 or similar) picking up and returning at Orlando airport. Luckily, the consultancy I work for have a corporate rate (that can be used for leisure bookings) with Avis, which brought the price down from $6740 to $3366 which seems pretty good for an 87 day rental. I can also get corporate discounts with the major hotel groups (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Radisson) which should make things a little easier.
Ok that’s a good price. !!! Have you booked the car ? Told that even this far away, get it booked . Got the same car , or similar !We've booked with Avis (group F SUV - Mazda CX-5 or similar) picking up and returning at Orlando airport. Luckily, the consultancy I work for have a corporate rate (that can be used for leisure bookings) with Avis, which brought the price down from $6740 to $3366 which seems pretty good for an 87 day rental. I can also get corporate discounts with the major hotel groups (Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Radisson) which should make things a little easier.
I get great deals with Amex on hotels, but over half this summer will be under canvas. Many nights in forest which are free ! Just have to have a shovel on board . The canvas stays are by choice ! Love it.
The first two nights in San Francisco in a nice hotel and then a mix. Furthest is Moab but with gas prices, probably a good plan .
Thankfully through Amex the car includes all taxes and all insurance.
Have you a plan yet ? Got my plan sorted a month ago. Your Three months, would love that .
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