Vacation in the United States

[tormedhammaren]

Me and some blokes are planning a trip to the United States this summer. We are travelling from Norway or Sweden (it's much cheaper from Sweden). We want to visit New York and Washington DC (maybe Boston and Atlanta too), and at least one of us want to visit California (LA and San Francisco). I have some questions about travelling to and living in the US. Since there are a lot of US citizen here on amiga.org, I thought this was the place to ask. ;-)

1. How much does it cost to travel (by plane or other) from New York to San Francisco, CA?
2. How long does it take to drive from New York to Washington DC?
3. We want to live and eat cheap. What do you typically pay on cheap (but safe) motels/hotels? Where do you buy the cheap food?
4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
5. We have thought about driving the Route 66. :-) Can anyone recommend it? How long will it take?
6. What about renting cars. What is the cheapest company? We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck. Recommended? Can we rent a car from them and drive the Route 66?
7. How much does gasoline cost in the US?
8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?

[tormedhammaren]

@summer7:
Well, I didn't ask you, mate! 8-)

[tormedhammaren]

@summer7:

Thank you! :-) Need to see a superpower with my own eyes. USSR is out of the question.

[tormedhammaren]

I know a lot of Norwegians that travelled to Moscow during the USSR era (communists and non-communists). The KGB was off course following them around everywhere. Generally they got the impression of a rich and developed industrial country. In some parts of Norway (northern parts) most people had great respect (and not fear) of the Russians.

[tormedhammaren]

> 4. How long does it take to drive between San Francisco and LA?
THAT is a long distance. HOurs and hours. but if you go up the Pacific Highway you'll have one of the most beautiful sights in the universe. I haven't done this - I've just seen some places but everything outside of LA is stunning.

LA is not worth seeing at all?

> 5. We have thought about driving the Route 66

it's historic but it's no longer a standard route to take. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it! I have no idea how long it would take. you might be forced to take detours at certain points. this would require some researce.

I could probably find more info about it in some travel guide.

> We have heard about Rent-A-Wreck.

those are not good cars for long distance driving. and you have to return them where you started.

Ok, I see. We have also thought about buying a used car and sell it when we've reached our destination. How much will we have to buy for some 8X model?

> 8. Can anyone recommend places to go and things to see?

In NY, go to the Village. Lots of fun people-watching. And don't look like a rube. there are alot of great, helpful people in NY, but you always have nuts. keep your eyes open.
actually, everywhere in NY is great. there's not one place that hasn't enthralled me or educated me. Central Park is incredible, btw.
have fun!

Ok. I will try not to look like a rube. What about these nuts. Are you talking about thieves and gangsters? :-)

Thank you for very good answers!

[tormedhammaren]

@cecilia:

I just wanted to thank you for good advices! Hopefully we will arrive on JFK in the beginning of July. :-D

Just one more question: Do we really have to give our fingerprints to your police?

Regards,

[tormedhammaren]

:lol:

[tormedhammaren]

my pleasure! have a great trip!

Thank you. I'm really looking forward to it.

to the police? only if you get caught up in a crime!
as for customs and passports: this stuff is changing even as I type so I can't say for sure what in hell is going on.

if i was you i'd call the airline you are traveling with and ask them.

Good idea. I will call them about it.

Regards,

[tormedhammaren]

3) On the cheap for hotels food? How cheap do you want to go? Days Inn or Motel 6 is about the cheapest you will find. Rates will vary wildly between different parts of the country with NYC and LA probably being the most expensive. In many areas you can get a sparse but clean room for $30-$40 a night, you can probably tripple that for NYC. Insane. Cheap food? Fast food resturants or even better, mom and pop restaurants.

As cheap as possible but not in a tent. Thanks. What is mom and pop restaurants?

4) Long time, California is HUGE.

Yes, it's huge. 6 % bigger than my country.

7) For regular unleaded about bteween $1.75 and $2.20 depending on where you are. Figure in a compact rental you will get about 25 miles per gallon.

Or about 10.6 km per liter.

Yeah stay away from everywhere you mentioned. I'm sure I will piss some people off for saying this(sorry), but why visit the places you mentioned? NYC and LA are the left and right armpits of the US. Atlanta? That's the rectum of the US.

I take that as a good advice. Three weeks in New York sounds stressing.

There are so many places to see in the US, the big cities is the last place I'd recomend. Big cities suck, period. But then again it all depends on what your interests are. Personally I'd say instead of Atlanta, go airboat riding in the FL everglades. Instead of LA, go see the Grand Canyon. Instead of NYC go ANYWHERE

I am Norwegian, and I've never been to a really big city, that's why I want to visit New York (to walk bellow the skyscrapers, to get a view of the famous Manhattan skyline and such). But just for a couple of days. Then I want to go ANYWHERE. Maybe Florida, as you describe is as an interesting place. We have much nature/rural areas in Norway, and I actually want to see the nature/rural areas of other countries. Airboat riding in FL everglades sounds fun. Can I drive my own airboat? :-) Deep sea drift fishing sounds exciting. It's not catch and release, is it? Of course I  must visit Kennedy Space Center too. Can you recommend visiting Key West?

What about taking the summer in Alaska? Have anyone been there? (seriously meant)

Thank you! :-D

Regards,