How to plan an East Coast Road Trip

amother

Slateblue

Thu, Jan 10 2019, 12:34 pm

If you've done a road trip, what are the most important factors to consider?
What time of year is best to go?
What is the best duration for such a trip?
Is there an advantage/disadvantage of renting an RV?

emzod42

Thu, Jan 10 2019, 12:58 pm

I think about where I'd like to go and then look at driving distances and what's along the way. If you have a AAA membership, you can go there and get free maps and assistance planning out a route. Time of year depends on when attractions you want to see will be open and, if you have the flexibility, less busy. Also keep in mind the time that you have and the amount of time you can handle in the car. If you're going somewhere 20 hours away, you'll need time to drive the distances as well as time for touring/activities. Depending how many drivers you have you'll also need some downtime for rest. And remember that you also have to get home, so you don't have to see everything on the way there, but you do need to leave time for the return trip.

As far as an RV, you need to make sure there are places to stay with hookups and that the route you plan allows for such a big vehicle (small tunnels,etc.), places to park.

doctorima

Tue, Jan 15 2019, 8:20 pm

Emzod42 gave you some good advice. We've done many really long (time and distance) road trips, surprisingly never with an RV. We always talk about it, but feel like after a week or so, the novelty will wear off and the kids will get tired of being confined. We find that they find it very exciting to go explore each new hotel instead.

For your other questions, there's no clear answers. It depends on when the people who are traveling are able to get away, and where they want to go, and what type of activities they like to do. It helps to start with a rough framework of a trip (e.g. drive to Orlando and back) and then work backward to figure out the best way to make it happen.

amother

Aqua

Tue, Jan 22 2019, 10:17 pm

Hey. Also wanted more info here. Looking to drive from Lakewood down to Savannah Georgia. Any SPG/ Marriot Suite suggestions for a family of 4 to stay on the route down. Or any must see spots?

doctorima

Tue, Jan 22 2019, 10:33 pm

For hotels, go to awardmapper.com, and click to have it only show you Marriott properties. Then follow down your route to see your choices. As for activities, what are the ages of the kids, and what month are you planning to travel?

amother

Aqua

Wed, Jan 23 2019, 9:08 pm

doctorima wrote:

In 2 weeks. Boys Ages from 5-10

doctorima

Wed, Jan 23 2019, 9:34 pm

I don't know how much time and money you want to spend in transit. The most direct route goes through DC, where your boys will love the Air and Space Museum if it's hopefully reopened in 2 weeks. If not, the Spy Museum there is excellent and privately run, so will for sure be open. You'll also pass through Richmond, which has the White House of the Confederacy and other Civil War stuff.

If you have extra time and want a more scenic drive, you can go through Shenandoah NP (make sure Skyline Drive is still open, even if the visitor centers may not be), which would then let you go through Charlotte, NC, which has a great science museum. And if you're driving round-trip, you can go one way and come back a different way.