How can I plan the best road trip?

How to plan a cross-country road trip?

• My 3 best friends and I are going to go on a HUGE cross-country road trip. (D.C, down south, up a little, head west, go up the CA coast-line, across the north, the great lakes, Niagara Falls NY, all the way up to Maine and back) < in a nutshell. We are planning on 45 days give or take. We need information on: -cost (how much per person in general, and then individual, such as; gas, meals, lodging and such) -packing -raising and saving money - any good music you think should be on a "road trip play list" (doesn't have to be your basic "life is a highway" stuff though) -and please, please, please... 3 of us need help on how to deal with that one friend that thinks it is a stupid idea and only wants to go because she doesn't want to be left behind. She thinks her parents are going to pay for it (which defeats the whole point of our "freedom") and she complains like no other! We need help.... Thank you!

• Answer:

  What a fantastic adventure! First, figure out your vehicle's gas mileage and then figure out the total miles you'll be traveling. Figure out if you want to stay at hotels ($$$), motels ($$), campgrounds ($) or houses (do you know anyone or are related to anyone on the way - think free lodging and possibly meals). Make a packing list for a cooler (candy, gum, snacks, sandwiches, water, etc.) and start hunting the grocery stores for good deals on the items you'll want to take with. As for clothes, pack in layers so that you can easily adjust to the many climates you'll be traveling through. You'll also want to pack things you can wear a few times without washing... Check out this article for money saving tips: http://www.roadtripjournal.com/travel-news---home-page/10-best-ways-to-save-money And check out the rest of the website for great tips and cheap destinations! As for road trip music, I like to use movie soundtracks to help pass the time. You'll get a bunch of songs you know and a few you don't. As for your friend...you three troopers could split the cost of a grayhound ticket and mark the depots on a map just in case. Or you could brainstorm ways for her to have a GREAT time and ban all complaining! Good luck and enjoy!