On The Road Again
The next step is to decide on a route. The good news is that you’ve got lots of choices, depending on your travel needs. Members of AAA can use the company website to create TripTiks® (that show the best route and possible road construction issues), view online TourBooks®, and have maps delivered directly to their door. (For the rest of us, online locational services like Yahoo Maps, Google Maps, and MapQuest will help you make sure you never miss a rest stop or fast food joint along the way.)
Don’t forget about your accommodations -- in addition to public parks and boondocking, services like Escapees, membership sites like Good Sam, Passport America, and Woodalls are happy to point you toward the right parking space for the night. There are also any number of apps for your phone that offer practical real-time information for RVers -- notifying you of upcoming interstate exits (with a list of available services), gas prices, dump stations, and truck stops. And if you want a more comprehensive solution, websites like Free Trip and Trip It also offer one-stop travel planners that help you compose a detailed itinerary, complete with restaurant suggestions, local attractions, and even travel advisories.
While we’re on the subject of roads, let me just say right now that I personally believe driving across the country via interstates is not the way to go– I prefer to get off the main thoroughfare and see some of the real America! It might take you a little longer to get there, but who cares when you could be traversing a canyon rim or driving along a lakeshore or investigating picturesque towns (instead of whizzing past the world at 80 miles an hour, surrounded only by 18-wheelers and asphalt). You can search for scenic routes using sites like Road Trip America and America’s Byways. You are almost certainly guaranteed a more interesting and aesthetically pleasing driving experience.
Show Me The Money
Finally, let us not forget about finding you some local savings on food and entertainment! Of course, daily deals like Groupon and Living Social and Amazon Local are great if you can COMMIT to an activity during your visit -- just be cautious about buying up a ton of certificates that you’re ultimately unable to use (a gigantic waste of money). Sites like Entertainment.com and Cities On The Cheap will point you toward a variety of discounts (including everyday services you might need, like dry cleaning or oil changes) in nearly any American town. Restaurant.com is an excellent way to try some local cuisine on the cheap (plus you can trade certificates you don’t use back in for a different location -- a MASSIVE plus when your travel itinerary changes). I’m also a big fan of CityPass, which gives you a discounted rate on more typical tourist activities if you’re prepared to buy a bunch of different tickets all at once and use them within a set time period. And if you’re concerned about the current cost of fuel, check out Gas Buddy -- a service that allows you to find the lowest prices in your area, no matter where you are in the U.S. Happy travels!
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