Reply to Anyone drive out west -- in a car?

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[quote=Anonymous]We are a family of 6 and we did it several summers ago.  We drove out over the course of about 8 days, stayed in California with family for about 2 weeks, then drove back over the course of another 8 or so days.  We did two different routes--going out we did a southern route, mainly along I-40 and I-10.    Going back east, we were in a more northern route, mostly along I-70 and I-80.   We stayed in hotels, but we have done many other roadtrips involving camping (Canada, the Everglades, Mammoth Cave, etc)

I think $2000 is a very optimistic budget--even if you tent camp the whole way.    Campsites at most state parks/national parks run about $20+ per night, and if you want to camp at the most popular destinations you will need to book months in advance.   At many national park campgrounds that I have been to, you also have to pay to shower.    For example at Acadia Park in Maine (and yes, I know that won't be on your route since you are heading west) there were no showers on site at the National Park campground, but a private one just outside the gates. I think it was $4 for a 5 minute shower (this was a few summers ago)   For a family of 6,you are looking at a lot of money just to shower.
Being kind of grimy while camping is one thing, but no one wants to be grimy and traveling several hours in a car, day after day, for several weeks, kwim?
I think I remember at Mammoth Cave National Park, showers were onsite and cheaper--but still it is an additional expense.

I wouldn't suggest taking less than 8 or 9 days to drive each direction, or you won't have time to see the sites.   Even at that, you will only be briefly seeing the sites.

If you do decide to take the trip, I highly recommend getting a National Parks annual pass.  It is $80 (if you or your Dh happen to be active duty military, it's free!) and will get your whole family admission to the national parks.   Most of the sites we saw on our cross country trip were national parks.  :)[/quote]

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