I am planning a trip to US...

[Teddyjoe1982]

Lot of answers, thank you.

We are planning this trip in 2014, so there is still lot of time for planning.

Frankly we currently know nothing about USA, and also don't know where to go, but this is helping a lot. Of course we will also study the general tourist information before going.

I also think our first idea of the route was very spontaneous, just to get started with the planning. I think we are too ambitious about the amount of driving, and should cut down on the miles.

With the Google Maps route I did, this was not to indicate which cities we wanted to visit. I love urban areas, but for this trip I don't think it is the best place to go. It was more an indication of the parts of USA we wanted to see.
We also think we should skip the east coast, at least NYC, Boston, Washington and such. Plane tickets to these cities are generally cheap from Europe, so we could always go on a shorter city vacation later, if we want.

I googled some pictures of the Tennessee area, so beautiful! Definitely want to go there, which lead me to create this idea of a route, which is also shorter. We don't know where to start the trip in relation to this.

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We really want to get a broad impression of USA, and we like nature a lot. Yellowstone, Rocky mountains also seems incredible.
Does anyone know how the nature looks in Denmark? I think you will then understand why almost every part of USA at first seems interesting for us. Hard to select what to skip seeing.

 

[Teddyjoe1982]

I wouldnt vacation in America.

And I would even less go on vacation in DK.

We have been to most parts of Europe, and I have also been in Asia - China, Hong Kong etc. The diversity of USA really attracts me, and i think I would feel more secure about my family going to USA, compared to Asia, Africa, South America etc. (And everyone I know goes to Australia, so I actually don't want to do that. )

 

[Teddyjoe1982]

OP, I was lucky enough to have a gig in Copenhagen last year, it's one of my favourite cities I've ever been to. You're a lucky fellow living in that neck of the woods.

I got a little curious about this, why did you like the city? Been there a lot, and I find a lot of other European cities more interesting.. Berlin, Prague, London and such is more interesting to me.

 

[SoVeryTired]

I got a little curious about this, why did you like the city? Been there a lot, and I find a lot of other European cities more interesting.. Berlin, Prague, London and such is more interesting to me.

Maybe it's just finding the new more interesting. I was in Copenhagen for a couple of days in 2010 and loved it. Maybe that's because it was a very relaxed business trip, with plentiful food and drink, but I found the city a very relaxed, welcoming, safe place.

The journey home was more interesting, as the airports were closed just after we arrived due to the volcano...

 

[hrodbert696]

Everybody finds their own home boring and distant places more interesting. That's the whole point of vacations.

A number of Americans have commented on how boring the long drives across open plains are, and I feel the same way. But I've had conversations with Europeans before (Germans, specifically) who have taken vacations like the OP projected and LOVED driving across wide open spaces for hours and hours. You can't do that in Europe, and they found the openness and sheer scale of the plains freeing and exhilarating.

To the OP, if you're not set on visiting east coast cities, here's another way to do it: Instead of trying to drive coast-to-coast, go north-to-south and make a big circuit of it. Fly into Los Angeles, say, drive up the California coast to San Franciso, up the northern California coast and the Redwoods, then across to Yosemite, and a stretch across to Yellowstone in Wyoming, then down south along the Rockies to Utah and Arizona and the canyons, and back across to California. I think you'll save on airfare too if you fly out of the same city you flew into.

 

[Teddyjoe1982]

Everybody finds their own home boring and distant places more interesting. That's the whole point of vacations.

A number of Americans have commented on how boring the long drives across open plains are, and I feel the same way. But I've had conversations with Europeans before (Germans, specifically) who have taken vacations like the OP projected and LOVED driving across wide open spaces for hours and hours. You can't do that in Europe, and they found the openness and sheer scale of the plains freeing and exhilarating.

To the OP, if you're not set on visiting east coast cities, here's another way to do it: Instead of trying to drive coast-to-coast, go north-to-south and make a big circuit of it. Fly into Los Angeles, say, drive up the California coast to San Franciso, up the northern California coast and the Redwoods, then across to Yosemite, and a stretch across to Yellowstone in Wyoming, then down south along the Rockies to Utah and Arizona and the canyons, and back across to California. I think you'll save on airfare too if you fly out of the same city you flew into.

I think you have a point regarding the open plains.. Here in Denmark there is no place with more than 50 km. to the open sea.. And there really no places where you are not able to see the civilization to some extent.
I've driven to Italy in one stretch (approx 800 miles), and actually really enjoyed the endless highway.

I like your suggested route for what it is - the west coast - but I feel that I would have no idea of what life is like in the mid-, south- and east USA. But perhaps I am on an impossible mission, if I want to learn about this in 30 days.

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What is the weather and temperature like in April-May on your suggested route? Here in DK it would be around 50 degrees, cloudy, grey and raining a lot.

 

[warnergt]

Teddyjoe1982:
You could ask 100 people and get 100 different answers. There
is so much to see. Your route is probably as good as any. But
that won't stop me from giving you some more ideas.

1) At least one person mentioned Route 66. This is an old
decommissioned route that used to be a main artery in the U.S.
Much of it is still there and the missing parts are usually
paralleled by newer routes which replaced it. There is a lot of
history along this route. Some years back, we drove cross-
country following this route. It was an incredible and very
memorable trip. Some notable stops along the way were
Branson, Missouri (the second-most driven to vacation
destination in the U.S. [second only to Disney World]),
St. Louis, Missouri, Albequerque, New Mexico (tram ride
over mountains is spectacular!). By the way, this trip is well
suited for a motor home.

2) Disney World - everybody should get here at least once.

3) Monument Valley, Arizona - this appears to be close to
your current route. This has all the crazy rock formations
like those seen in Road Runner cartoons.

4) Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - not too far off your
current route. It's like a trip back in time with Amish driving
horse and buggies and living without electricity. There are
many tourist attractions there (steam engine train rides,
family-style restaurants, etc.).

5) Las Vegas - you've already got this but let me say that
I endorse this. Las Vegas is like no other place and can be
a lot of fun.

6) San Francisco -- another +1. Much to see here.
Fisherman's Wharf, Redwood forest, etc.

 

[slobake]

I'm sure others will here is my take on a couple of things. Los Angeles in general is one big endless suburb pretty much from San Diego to Valencia now. There are definitely some open spaces there but they are few and far between. Hollywood is a tourist trap and Disneyland is grossly commercial. The beaches are beautiful and if you head east to the desert you will find some open spaces. At the time of year you are coming it won't be too hot maybe in 70's and not too smoggy. Las Vegas is all glitz and flash. Smokey casinos, lots of shows and Elvis impersonators.

 

[hrodbert696]

I think you have a point regarding the open plains.. Here in Denmark there is no place with more than 50 km. to the open sea.. And there really no places where you are not able to see the civilization to some extent.
I've driven to Italy in one stretch (approx 800 miles), and actually really enjoyed the endless highway.

I like your suggested route for what it is - the west coast - but I feel that I would have no idea of what life is like in the mid-, south- and east USA. But perhaps I am on an impossible mission, if I want to learn about this in 30 days.

I agree that 30 days is too short a time to see life in all of the United States. The one country is comparable in size to practically all of Europe together - would you try to take in everything from France to Romania in 30 days?

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What is the weather and temperature like in April-May on your suggested route? Here in DK it would be around 50 degrees, cloudy, grey and raining a lot.

That's a route for a big RV road trip, IMO - at least in general, I'm sure folks would have ideas for tinkering with it. A lot of the urban things to do - museums, historical sites, etc. - will be pretty boring to 2 and 3 year olds (will they be 4 and 5 by the time of the trip?), but on a rural trip like that you can always plan on stops to go swimming and hiking and exploring.

I think the weather should be good. California is pretty sunny and warm all the time. It would be chillier up in Wyoming, maybe even still some snow in the mountains in April. Crossing the Rocky Mountains is like crossing the Alps. The desert is the desert - hot in the day and cold at night. But in May it won't be as smothering hot as it gets in July.

 

[6jase5]

As said before, you'll get 100 different answers. I've been to about 40 states and found something to like in each...except New Mexico.

Having lived in LA for 10 years, an RV would not be your friend. You don't see too many happy RV drivers on Sunset Blv, and if you found something you wanted to stop and see, good luck parking the beast. A minivan would be a much better rental and the locals wouldn't laugh too much. Just put both "Slayer" and "Save our Beaches" stickers on it and people will like your vibe. Also, it takes about the same time to transition the north part of Texas as it would LA/405 freeway in rush hour (which is defined as 3:01am until 2:14am. That 45 minute stretch from 2:15am until 3am is great....unless they are doing construction, or you are on the WB 91, or there is a leaf on the road, or.....).

California and the west coast in general is great (I'm an east coaster originally), but I'd stick to wide open spaces. San Fran and Vegas can certainly provide the "city" experience while the surrounding areas offer amazing geography. Big Sur, Monterrey, amazing. If you want American history (over 150 years) you'll need to tour the east or just watch those Nicolas Cage National Treasure movies.

 

[IPA]

Houston is cool, but do yourself a favor and yank that route over so it goes to Austin afterwards.

 

[slobake]

A couple more things. If you are planning on staying in National Parks make reservations as soon as you know your intenerary they can get filled up as much as a year ahead of time in some places. Also there are a lot of odd little places along the road the kids might like, like this. http://www.mysteryspot.com/

Lastly make sure you are on the lookout for the wild, elusive western jackalope. A jackalope sighting is always a thrilling experience.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome!

You may get lots of opinions here on what route you should take instead of the one you've chosen, and that you're ignoring a very pretty part of the country. So be it; I'm going to assume that you have reasons for wanting to go where you are going.

I think you're trying to do too much. You could easily spend your entire time on one coast or the other, and feel like you've really SEEN it, rather than trying to do it all and not get more than a short look. The travel in between will be a bit of a pain, and may take longer than you think.

I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and that' you'd like to do everything. But you might consider doing one thing well, and not trying to do everything poorly.

Just my advice.

I'm so glad you said this! This is EXACTLY what my first line of thinking was when I saw the post. I may offend some here, but if I were only going to be here a month, and had to drive everywhere, I would stick to the East Coast Region. You will take in NYC, Boston, Philly, DC, the beach, the Appalachian Mountains, Atlanta, Florida (Disney anyone?), and maybe swing by Baton Rouge, etc. Much of the older history of our country is in the East. And trying to take in the whole East to West thing will only leave you scrambling to do things quickly and drive your trip away. Scenery is one thing, but EXPERIENCES are what make for fond memories. For instance, you can drive for 8 hours in Texas and see virtually NOTHING but desert (I know, I've done it). Austin and Houston are amazing towns, but getting to them on wheels is a long trip!

Either way, enjoy your trip! If you head down I-95 in North Carolina let me know and I'll turn you onto some good places to eat!

 

[nibs208]

Gotta hit the Northwest!

 

[nicoli]

I got a little curious about this, why did you like the city? Been there a lot, and I find a lot of other European cities more interesting.. Berlin, Prague, London and such is more interesting to me.

I played all of those cities as well and of course each had their own strengths. I find London is like Europe's version of NYC. I enjoyed Czech Republic too, also high on my list. I just really liked Copenhagen - great architecture and waterfront areas, really warm squares and little restaurants, nice people, incredibly beautiful women, just an all around good vibe. Of course now that I've written that I suppose it could be describing lots of places in Europe - maybe minus the waterfront and the women. Welcoming, warm and relaxed is a great way to put it. The weird thing is our show there sucked, but I still loved the city for the day or so we were there. I found it had just enough unique character to set it apart from most other places we went.

Anyway - I quite liked the second map you posted, I'd do something like that. Maybe you could even fly in to one of the big Northeast coast cities and stop over for a couple days before heading West and getting into an RV? Depending on cost that could be a really good option to get a taste of a city without spending too much of the trip there.

 

[6jase5]

Lastly make sure you are on the lookout for the wild, elusive western jackalope. A jackalope sighting is always a thrilling experience.

Well yea, especially if you live to tell about it.