Driving holiday across U.S of A?
11-05-2010, 12:02 PM
#1
Legend
Thread Starter
Driving holiday across U.S of A?
Has anyone done it or even part of it - crossing over a few states and dropping the hire car off somewhere different to where they picked it up? Specifically travelling from East to West Coast!?
Where did you go, how long did it take, how much did it cost, any top tips and/or pictures?
There's a few things on the web but it can't come close to first hand experience if anyone has any
Plus I know there's a few Americans lurking on here now!
Where did you go, how long did it take, how much did it cost, any top tips and/or pictures?
There's a few things on the web but it can't come close to first hand experience if anyone has any
Plus I know there's a few Americans lurking on here now!
11-05-2010, 12:38 PM
#3
Legend
Thread Starter
From what little information I can gather, the car hire is a bit cheaper if you drop off in the same state you picked up. Of course, it's rude not to get a huge gas guzzling Suburban and do it properly but judging by your sig, you're probably thoroughly bored of that idea
11-05-2010, 12:49 PM
#4
PassionFord Post Whore!!
pmsl!! ummm yes!! No interest in a big gas guzzler!!!!!! 300C Hemi V8 will do me! We want to go away at Xmas so thought of doing a type of road trip type thing. Just a little nervous about not pre-booking hotels etc in case we can't find one en route as i've never done this sort of thing before!!
11-05-2010, 01:01 PM
#5
Legend
Thread Starter
That's the fun in my opinion, not knowing where you're going to end up in the short term, it gives you flexibility to go and see and do things that take your fancy at the time, rather than rushing to get somewhere. I travelled across Australia with a set of dice dictating what I did day to day. My only certains were I wanted to take the train from Perth to Sydney and I had to visit relatives in Brisbane. It changed the way I think about holidays and find beach holidays boring as fuck!We're not planning to go until about this time next year as it'll be our honeymoon [if I haven't killed her by then] and the future-ex has similar views to you about not having set plans but I've managed to negotiate the following deal:
1. Fly into NY with empty bags so she can fill them up with new clothes [none of this cartoony crying smiley, genuine tears] and stay 2 nights in what she considers to be a proper hotel.
2. Do the Soprano's tour [that was my idea
]3. See some of her family in Washington and paint a fake moustache on Abraham Lincoln's silly bearded statue.
4. Visit Elvis' house [not the PF liar, the missus has a thing for the real deal
]5. Get completely fucked in Vegas and spunk up the walls in a hotel like they show in CSI!
So there's a pretty big expanse of space in the middle for suggestions. The rest will be motels or whatever happens! Which is why I'd love some ideas and guidance of what needs to be done/seen etc.!
Last edited by Paddy; 11-05-2010 at 01:02 PM.
11-05-2010, 01:05 PM
#7
I did a successful road trip across Oz (drove 10,000 miles) a few years ago and recently same group of friends tried to sort out going East to West coast.
Sadly not everyone could get the 6 weeks off work so we ended up planning 2 trips. Did the West coast one end of last year and was great. Rented a car at Vegas, spent few days there then drove round Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Califronia briefly.
Drove around 2000 miles are had a great time! Saw all the sites there were to see, and spent couple of days in Los Angeles which was great.
Proper hike into the Grand Canyon and seeing the water falls in there was hard going but IMMENSE! (See pics)
We would just spend the nights in hotels, motels or Holiday Inns (say what?!). Was a really good laugh and had a great time.
Dropped the car back to Vegas at the end and flew home.
Deatyh Valley is a great place for some reason if you want to climb a sand dune and get some epic pics. Did some route 66 which was cool too.
It cost a fair bit of money but not loads, but of course depends as to what you do and where you stay.
I went with a mate who's a photographer so he used a lot of places to take some EPIC shots.
I dont mind heights BTW
Some of the roads in Nevada, 8 mile straight!
Water falls in Grand Canyon!
Sorry about all the pics! Should wet your appitite though. LOADS of random places you can stop for great pics as you can see.
Sadly not everyone could get the 6 weeks off work so we ended up planning 2 trips. Did the West coast one end of last year and was great. Rented a car at Vegas, spent few days there then drove round Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Califronia briefly.
Drove around 2000 miles are had a great time! Saw all the sites there were to see, and spent couple of days in Los Angeles which was great.
Proper hike into the Grand Canyon and seeing the water falls in there was hard going but IMMENSE! (See pics)
We would just spend the nights in hotels, motels or Holiday Inns (say what?!). Was a really good laugh and had a great time.
Dropped the car back to Vegas at the end and flew home.
Deatyh Valley is a great place for some reason if you want to climb a sand dune and get some epic pics. Did some route 66 which was cool too.
It cost a fair bit of money but not loads, but of course depends as to what you do and where you stay.
I went with a mate who's a photographer so he used a lot of places to take some EPIC shots.
I dont mind heights BTW
Some of the roads in Nevada, 8 mile straight!
Water falls in Grand Canyon!
Sorry about all the pics! Should wet your appitite though. LOADS of random places you can stop for great pics as you can see.
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11-05-2010, 01:06 PM
#8
pmsl!! ummm yes!! No interest in a big gas guzzler!!!!!! 300C Hemi V8 will do me! We want to go away at Xmas so thought of doing a type of road trip type thing. Just a little nervous about not pre-booking hotels etc in case we can't find one en route as i've never done this sort of thing before!!
We toured all over and only once found a problem with not turning up to a hotal at virtually anytime and not getting a room so dont worry!
11-05-2010, 01:07 PM
#9
Awesome! It was the other thread you've posted on about Vegas that made me think there may be people on here who could give good advice and share their experiences!
From what little information I can gather, the car hire is a bit cheaper if you drop off in the same state you picked up. Of course, it's rude not to get a huge gas guzzling Suburban and do it properly but judging by your sig, you're probably thoroughly bored of that idea
From what little information I can gather, the car hire is a bit cheaper if you drop off in the same state you picked up. Of course, it's rude not to get a huge gas guzzling Suburban and do it properly but judging by your sig, you're probably thoroughly bored of that idea
We had a Chevy Tahoe - it was brilliant. Comfy for 5 people and you could randomly off road when you felt like it
though it didnt always like it!
Last edited by XRT_si; 11-05-2010 at 01:10 PM.
11-05-2010, 01:10 PM
#10
Legend
Thread Starter
Si, don't be sorry for the pics mate, they're awesome!!! Would love to see more and thanks for taking the time to reply! I think Chris will be interested to see that as it sounds like what he specifically wants to do!
So what about hotel/motel cost? Is there a rule of thumb with regards to quality? I know with Holiday Inn you kind of get what you expect wherever you are in the world but are the hotels REALY covered in spunk and do the motels REALLY have vibrating beds?
And what about the car hire, did you book it out there or before you went, who did you use and relevant to Chris [because of the area you covered] would probably be cost!
And FUCK sitting on that ledge at the Grand Canyon, looks awesome though! Are you still planning to do the East Coast bit?
So what about hotel/motel cost? Is there a rule of thumb with regards to quality? I know with Holiday Inn you kind of get what you expect wherever you are in the world but are the hotels REALY covered in spunk and do the motels REALLY have vibrating beds?
And what about the car hire, did you book it out there or before you went, who did you use and relevant to Chris [because of the area you covered] would probably be cost!
And FUCK sitting on that ledge at the Grand Canyon, looks awesome though! Are you still planning to do the East Coast bit?
Last edited by Paddy; 11-05-2010 at 01:12 PM.
11-05-2010, 01:18 PM
#11
Cheers Paddy, I got some more Ill put up in a bit.
Some of the Motels were a bit grotty I.e. EXACTLY how you see them infilms/expect them to be but some times we had no choice as we stayed in some random hick towns in the middle of nowhere some nights. It added to the experience too adn gernally most of them were really really good.
Car hire we sorted at the airoprt, cant rememeber cost but wasn't terrible. Sure Chris wont mind lol! They give you a choice of cars too so you just pick which one you want and suits your needs which is cool.
We will be doing East Coast but no plans just yet so probably not this year due to work commitments. Luckily a mate is well into trips and plans them out a lot so we see as much as possible. We covered all the national parks etc... So need to wait for him to knock up a new plan!
Any other info I can help with just shoot
Some of the Motels were a bit grotty I.e. EXACTLY how you see them infilms/expect them to be but some times we had no choice as we stayed in some random hick towns in the middle of nowhere some nights. It added to the experience too adn gernally most of them were really really good.
Car hire we sorted at the airoprt, cant rememeber cost but wasn't terrible. Sure Chris wont mind lol! They give you a choice of cars too so you just pick which one you want and suits your needs which is cool.
We will be doing East Coast but no plans just yet so probably not this year due to work commitments. Luckily a mate is well into trips and plans them out a lot so we see as much as possible. We covered all the national parks etc... So need to wait for him to knock up a new plan!
Any other info I can help with just shoot
11-05-2010, 01:25 PM
#12
Legend
Thread Starter
Good man!
The biggest issue I suppose is the state stamped plates and driving inter state and dropping the car off thousands of miles away?! I know the cost isn't too bad from what I've seen but without an expensive phone call to find out [got to pay for a wedding as well], does it throw up any other issues? I don't mind leaving hotels/motels until we get there but I'd rather sort a car out WELL before hand.
The random hick towns are what REALLY appeals to me! Pics of gun toting inbreds and don't STFU!
The biggest issue I suppose is the state stamped plates and driving inter state and dropping the car off thousands of miles away?! I know the cost isn't too bad from what I've seen but without an expensive phone call to find out [got to pay for a wedding as well
], does it throw up any other issues? I don't mind leaving hotels/motels until we get there but I'd rather sort a car out WELL before hand.The random hick towns are what REALLY appeals to me! Pics of gun toting inbreds and don't STFU!
11-05-2010, 01:29 PM
#13
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We done San Fran to LA to Vegas 2 years ago. Had a Mustang convertible
from San Fran to LA and then picked up a Hummer H3 for the rest of the time.
This year we are flying in to San Fran, picking up our Mustang () and driving down to LA where we are picking up a yet undecided motor, popping down to San Diego and maybe a quick peek at the Mexican border before driving over to Vegas again.
Speaks for itself if we're doing it again? AWESOME holiday.
The drive from San Fran to LA was interesting though. You can either take the I5 straight to LA in about 5 hours or you can take the pacific coast road which is apparently 9 or so (took us 12)
- not a good idea with a hangover and scorching heat. The views were amazing but you cant take your eyes off the road - there isnt a lot that is straight.
we were thinking of maybe going to Yosemite on way to LA, but its well out of the way for essentially just something to see for a night so not sure on that yet.
I'll try and dig out some more pics later
from San Fran to LA and then picked up a Hummer H3 for the rest of the time.
This year we are flying in to San Fran, picking up our Mustang (
) and driving down to LA where we are picking up a yet undecided motor, popping down to San Diego and maybe a quick peek at the Mexican border before driving over to Vegas again. Speaks for itself if we're doing it again? AWESOME holiday.
The drive from San Fran to LA was interesting though. You can either take the I5 straight to LA in about 5 hours or you can take the pacific coast road which is apparently 9 or so (took us 12)
- not a good idea with a hangover and scorching heat. The views were amazing but you cant take your eyes off the road - there isnt a lot that is straight.
we were thinking of maybe going to Yosemite on way to LA, but its well out of the way for essentially just something to see for a night so not sure on that yet.
I'll try and dig out some more pics later
11-05-2010, 01:31 PM
#14
I see what you mean if you plan on dropping it off. I'm sure with any BIG decent company (they were ALL at the airport) that you can leave it in another state. Surely there's an email address for one of them that can give you a striaght answer as it's not exactly a random request! They must get asked it a lot.
Are you actually planning on going coast to coast? As if not I'd be recommend anyone else to do what we did and just do a massive loop to the same airport!
I'll dig some hick pics out
Are you actually planning on going coast to coast? As if not I'd be recommend anyone else to do what we did and just do a massive loop to the same airport!
I'll dig some hick pics out
11-05-2010, 01:34 PM
#15
Legend
Thread Starter
Awesome pics daveyboy and love the selection of cars! What company did you hire them from?
Also, how long did you guys do all this for as it sounds like you're all talking about 2 week holidays at least just to travel California... maybe we're being unrealistic with travelling across the whole country?
Also, how long did you guys do all this for as it sounds like you're all talking about 2 week holidays at least just to travel California... maybe we're being unrealistic with travelling across the whole country?
11-05-2010, 01:41 PM
#17
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yeah we were there for 2 weeks. We have a small addiction to Vegas so most of our time was spent there. 4 days in San Fran, 3 in LA and a week in Vegas. Coast to coast in a leisurely fashion would take weeks i reckon.
The Mustang was picked up at San Fran Airport from Hertz. They are the only large company that will let you specify the actual car. All the others are Mustang or similar and you'll end up with a chrysler softop They stung us another $100 when we dropped it off though as we didnt have our paperwork so couldnt prove the agreed price. Cola left in a huff
Trotted round to National where we had reserved an Escalade, but we were a day early and it wasnt available ...'but we can do you a hummer for the same price sir' ... er ok!
The Mustang was picked up at San Fran Airport from Hertz. They are the only large company that will let you specify the actual car. All the others are Mustang or similar and you'll end up with a chrysler softop
They stung us another $100 when we dropped it off though as we didnt have our paperwork so couldnt prove the agreed price. Cola left in a huff Trotted round to National where we had reserved an Escalade, but we were a day early and it wasnt available ...'but we can do you a hummer for the same price sir' ... er ok!
11-05-2010, 01:48 PM
#19
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Daveyboy - sounds exactly what we want to do, did you find having 4 days in sanfran and 3 in LA enough? I've heard there isnt a great deal to do in LA?
11-05-2010, 01:49 PM
#20
Legend
Thread Starter
I'm self employed so it makes no difference to me but the missus only has normal holiday allowance... in fact.... I could just let the missus go home early and spend 2 extra weeks in Vegas
That's interesting to know mate, thanks! A Hummer would be awesome but I'm not sure I'd enjoy driving it through Washington, murder capital of the states
11-05-2010, 01:53 PM
#21
Legend
Thread Starter
]. She only wants one because of the TV show supernatural Anyway, I'm planning to get one for Vegas for a day or so although I've heard it's hardly worth it in the city itself?
11-05-2010, 02:02 PM
#23
Legend
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11-05-2010, 02:03 PM
#24
McGarrity Motorsport
My dad and I did a month last year, l.a- Hollywood- laguna beach- palm springs- las Vegas- morro bay- Monterey bay- San fran, did cost around 40k but we where staying in 5 stars hotels, hired a x5 and then a rarri 430 spider in vegas. It's was an experence to say the least lol
11-05-2010, 02:12 PM
#25
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http://www.gocartours.com/sanfrancisco.html
Pretty spot on about LA as well. We spent a day at Universal, day shopping and a day at the beach where we met a few people who we'll hopefully be meeting up with for drinks again this year.
you definately need a car to get about in LA though.
Last edited by Daveyboy; 11-05-2010 at 02:15 PM.
11-05-2010, 02:14 PM
#27
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Lindsey has been bugging me for ages to try and find a 68 Chevy Impala [a mate of my dad's specialises in American stuff and he's based along her route to work so I get chapter and verse on all their stock each day ]. She only wants one because of the TV show supernatural
Anyway, I'm planning to get one for Vegas for a day or so although I've heard it's hardly worth it in the city itself?
]. She only wants one because of the TV show supernatural Anyway, I'm planning to get one for Vegas for a day or so although I've heard it's hardly worth it in the city itself?
they line the street in vegas anyway - you can prett much hire them anywhere!
11-05-2010, 07:24 PM
#31
Testing the future
great thread
paddy, have a read (or watch) of Dave Gorman Unchained - he buys an old car on the west coast and drives across america to the east coast without spending money with any of the chains, i.e. no chain hotels, gas (that's petrol to us normal people) stations, restaurants (even the scottish one). i thoroughly enjoyed the book, and have got the tv programme to watch at some point. inspiration for a road trip one day.
we're hoping to go to california later in the year, just for a mini road trip, but even one state is so big with so much to see and do that i would want a good while to go coast to coast to feel i'd done it justice.
you'll want a good camera for the trip, currently i would recommend the panasonic tz10 as a carry everywhere compact, and the fujifilm hs10 for a slightly bigger one for times when you don't mind carrying it for those special photo opportunities.
i really hope it works out for you paddy mate. good luck with the planning,and i look forward to hearing about it afterwards
paddy, have a read (or watch) of Dave Gorman Unchained - he buys an old car on the west coast and drives across america to the east coast without spending money with any of the chains, i.e. no chain hotels, gas (that's petrol to us normal people) stations, restaurants (even the scottish one). i thoroughly enjoyed the book, and have got the tv programme to watch at some point. inspiration for a road trip one day.
we're hoping to go to california later in the year, just for a mini road trip, but even one state is so big with so much to see and do that i would want a good while to go coast to coast to feel i'd done it justice.
you'll want a good camera for the trip, currently i would recommend the panasonic tz10 as a carry everywhere compact, and the fujifilm hs10 for a slightly bigger one for times when you don't mind carrying it for those special photo opportunities.
i really hope it works out for you paddy mate. good luck with the planning,and i look forward to hearing about it afterwards
12-05-2010, 08:51 AM
#34
Depends on how you live/where you stay etc...
We drove around a few states, did a few thousand miles, had a couple of big nights in Vegas and Las Angleles and including flight and car hire I think it was less than £3k roughly though I don't recall exactly and most things were split 5 ways which helped massively.
We drove around a few states, did a few thousand miles, had a couple of big nights in Vegas and Las Angleles and including flight and car hire I think it was less than £3k roughly though I don't recall exactly and most things were split 5 ways which helped massively.
12-05-2010, 08:56 AM
#36
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Depends on how you live/where you stay etc...
We drove around a few states, did a few thousand miles, had a couple of big nights in Vegas and Las Angleles and including flight and car hire I think it was less than £3k roughly though I don't recall exactly and most things were split 5 ways which helped massively.
We drove around a few states, did a few thousand miles, had a couple of big nights in Vegas and Las Angleles and including flight and car hire I think it was less than £3k roughly though I don't recall exactly and most things were split 5 ways which helped massively.
sounds good mate and a good price, really need to look into doing something like this, maybe next year.
12-05-2010, 09:50 AM
#37
Of absolutely no relevance to the thread really, fucking big congratulations on getting married Paddy!!! Never thought I'd see the day (you big bald homo)!!!!
Hope you have a great day and honeymoon sounds like it will be awesome, would love to to something like this one day
Hope you have a great day and honeymoon sounds like it will be awesome, would love to to something like this one day
12-05-2010, 10:27 AM
#38
Legend
Thread Starter
Cheers mate! I've just ordered the book for me and the DVD for my ADHD riddled future-ex! That premis is EXACTLY what I want to do!
I hope to see the write-up with pics! [loving your ride to work pics as well, keep em coming ]
I've got a Panasonic FZ18 which I use for work pics and can get the occassional good shot from? Linds has a pocket Sony thing that's easier to carry but I'm in the process of choosing a camcorder if you know anything about them? A couple of mates are cameramen/directors but they obviously only use the big stuff! I want something compact, with 0 LUX [yes... for ghost hunting so it looks like a sony is the only decent one?] HD obviously, HDD/hybrid, must have the thread for lens filters but most importantly [and the thing that seems to hike the price ] is an an input for an external mic. I've only found the sony HDR-XR520VE which seems to fit the bill and stay compact. Oen to suggestions though?
Don't forget to pop in if you're over farnborough/fleet way Have you got my number?
Based on 4 weeks and current exchange rates. The quotes I've had for car hire seem to be around the £1200-1500 mark, trawling the web it seems that motels are around £30 a night for somewhere half decent, factor in flights/fuel/eating/attractions, I reckon on about £5k for the 2 of us for a month? I think car hire is considerably cheaper if you drop the car off where you pick it up!
Next time you're back home here, you can meet Lindsey. He's lovely.
] so it looks like a sony is the only decent one?] HD obviously, HDD/hybrid, must have the thread for lens filters but most importantly [and the thing that seems to hike the price ] is an an input for an external mic. I've only found the sony HDR-XR520VE which seems to fit the bill and stay compact. Oen to suggestions though? Have you got my number?Based on 4 weeks and current exchange rates. The quotes I've had for car hire seem to be around the £1200-1500 mark, trawling the web it seems that motels are around £30 a night for somewhere half decent, factor in flights/fuel/eating/attractions, I reckon on about £5k for the 2 of us for a month? I think car hire is considerably cheaper if you drop the car off where you pick it up!
Last edited by Paddy; 12-05-2010 at 10:29 AM.
12-05-2010, 04:23 PM
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Yeah Ive drove down the West Coast ...
Vancouver Island (Campbell River) Then on down through Washington then Oregon .. Down I5, San Fran then across to Vegas .. Pretty fucking long drive that ..
Cost well: I was in a friends Dodge Cummins so No idea on fuel prices for the trip.
I would have went to Forks and got my Picture taken but Twishite wasnt even out then ...
Vancouver Island (Campbell River) Then on down through Washington then Oregon .. Down I5, San Fran then across to Vegas .. Pretty fucking long drive that ..
Cost well: I was in a friends Dodge Cummins so No idea on fuel prices for the trip.
I would have went to Forks and got my Picture taken but Twishite wasnt even out then ...