USA - NY to LA, Drive or Fly?

[DT95WA]

G'day all, Heading over to the States August next year and already have the first 2 weeks of the trip covered.

The bit im stuck on is we would like to see more "interesting" places with the last 3.5 weeks. We were looking to do the route 66 trip from Chicago to LA stopping in at Vegas along the way.

With the rental car drop fee, driving is actually quite expensive. Although you might see more.

Flying we could get to more major cities for a cheaper cost, Although dont get the luxury of seeing random stuff along the way.

Has anyone done the Route 66 trip? Thoughts?

Is there a way around the $500us drop fee for rental car?

Mods feel free to move or delete if not appropriate.

Thanks

 

[Skyring]

G'day all, Heading over to the States August next year and already have the first 2 weeks of the trip covered.

The bit im stuck on is we would like to see more "interesting" places with the last 3.5 weeks. We were looking to do the route 66 trip from Chicago to LA stopping in at Vegas along the way.

With the rental car drop fee, driving is actually quite expensive. Although you might see more.

Flying we could get to more major cities for a cheaper cost, Although dont get the luxury of seeing random stuff along the way.

Has anyone done the Route 66 trip? Thoughts?

Is there a way around the $500us drop fee for rental car?

Mods feel free to move or delete if not appropriate.

Thanks

I've done all of 66 once, and bits of it a couple more times.

The one-way fees are real killers. The way I got around that was to spend five weeks, San Francisco to San Francisco via Orlando and DC, doing Route 66 on the way back.

If you are a sucker for punishment, you could drive to Chicago from LA along the interstates. You'll make good time, but it's way boring. Take you a couple of days. Then lollygag your way back.

You can't drive Route 66 all the way. In a lot of places, the old road no longer exists. Buried under Interstates, taken over by the plant life, fallen into rivers.

But there are many long stretches remaining, and they can be fabulous. Some of the best bits are in Missouri, but the desert stretches in New Mexico and California are awesome.

Half the fun is in the roadside attractions. The Gemini Giant in Wilmington Illinois, that big blue whale in Catoosa Oklahoma, Pops in Arcadia, the Cadillac Ranch west of Amarillo Texas etc. etc. Some corny, some educational, all worth a photo or two.

The food can make a huge difference. Avoid the generic and hunt down the historic and quirky. Personal favorites of mine include the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield Illinois, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St Louis, Lambert's Cafe in Springfield Missouri, Mr D'z in Kingman Arizona. And Bubba Gump's at Santa Monica California.

Get a guidebook and a set of maps. Some of the old stretches can be hard to find, but are the most interesting.

You could take a tour. There's a mob in Queensland who organise group bookings driving Mustangs or motorcycles. Pricey, but very good.

Me, I like to take things at my own pace, hunt down the interesting parts, take sidetrips. Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon are close, but there's a lot of America only a few hours on either side.

And have fun. Get your kicks.

 

[Dr Ralph]

One way drop off fees can be steep. But shop around not all companies have them and prices do vary.

 

[ozjuice]

Personally I'd drive but it is a long way and as you say, expensive. But the benefits of seeing so much more would make me go with the car. Of course depends on your preference but i would always recommend seeing as much as possible.

 

[Glider_]

If you're going to drive it, pay a bit extra and get a car worth driving. There were HEAPS of rental mustang convertibles at all the major tourist spots we visited and our midsize Chevvy Cruze (equivalent of the local Holden Cruze) was just awful. I mean it did the job and was cheap and reliable and roomy enough, but it was particularly tiring to drive long distance on highways and it had absolutely no soul. We were full of regret at not upgrading to a real drivers car.
I would go as far as to say choosing a standard midsize or economy rental for a several-week-long driving adventure on Route 66 is a travel mistake.

We used Alamo rental, and found them good. They also made the insurance really easy.

Another tip is that if you are a member of RAC, you can go into any AAA office and show your card (it'll have an AAA logo on the back) they'll fully load you up with great free maps and travel guides. Also worth knowing is that most hotels and motels do a slightly cheaper AAA rate which you are eligible for with your RAC card.

Oh, and the national parks in the US are stunning, and well worth a look. If you go to more than 3, it's more economical to buy an annual pass at the first one you visit, plus you'll then skip the line at the busy ones.

 

[DT95WA]

I've done all of 66 once, and bits of it a couple more times.

The one-way fees are real killers. The way I got around that was to spend five weeks, San Francisco to San Francisco via Orlando and DC, doing Route 66 on the way back.

If you are a sucker for punishment, you could drive to Chicago from LA along the interstates. You'll make good time, but it's way boring. Take you a couple of days. Then lollygag your way back.

You can't drive Route 66 all the way. In a lot of places, the old road no longer exists. Buried under Interstates, taken over by the plant life, fallen into rivers.

But there are many long stretches remaining, and they can be fabulous. Some of the best bits are in Missouri, but the desert stretches in New Mexico and California are awesome.

Half the fun is in the roadside attractions. The Gemini Giant in Wilmington Illinois, that big blue whale in Catoosa Oklahoma, Pops in Arcadia, the Cadillac Ranch west of Amarillo Texas etc. etc. Some corny, some educational, all worth a photo or two.

The food can make a huge difference. Avoid the generic and hunt down the historic and quirky. Personal favorites of mine include the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield Illinois, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard in St Louis, Lambert's Cafe in Springfield Missouri, Mr D'z in Kingman Arizona. And Bubba Gump's at Santa Monica California.

Get a guidebook and a set of maps. Some of the old stretches can be hard to find, but are the most interesting.

You could take a tour. There's a mob in Queensland who organise group bookings driving Mustangs or motorcycles. Pricey, but very good.

Me, I like to take things at my own pace, hunt down the interesting parts, take sidetrips. Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon are close, but there's a lot of America only a few hours on either side.

And have fun. Get your kicks.

Thanks heaps for the detailed reply. Has given me a few more ideas. Time to find some maps and get planning.

If you're going to drive it, pay a bit extra and get a car worth driving. There were HEAPS of rental mustang convertibles at all the major tourist spots we visited and our midsize Chevvy Cruze (equivalent of the local Holden Cruze) was just awful. I mean it did the job and was cheap and reliable and roomy enough, but it was particularly tiring to drive long distance on highways and it had absolutely no soul. We were full of regret at not upgrading to a real drivers car.
I would go as far as to say choosing a standard midsize or economy rental for a several-week-long driving adventure on Route 66 is a travel mistake.

We used Alamo rental, and found them good. They also made the insurance really easy.

Another tip is that if you are a member of RAC, you can go into any AAA office and show your card (it'll have an AAA logo on the back) they'll fully load you up with great free maps and travel guides. Also worth knowing is that most hotels and motels do a slightly cheaper AAA rate which you are eligible for with your RAC card.

Oh, and the national parks in the US are stunning, and well worth a look. If you go to more than 3, it's more economical to buy an annual pass at the first one you visit, plus you'll then skip the line at the busy ones.

Thanks also for the reply. I never knew about the RAC and AAA. Pity ive already made a couple bookings where they offered the AAA discount.

As for the car, Just done a bit more searching. If we drove it back to chicago and flew back to LA its cheaper then the drop fee + some extra fees. Just means ill have a cough load of driving to do to return it. Which doesnt bother me as i enjoy long trips.

Mustang or Luxury it might be.

 

[Dannyism]

I'm not sure 3.5 weeks is enough. It depends on your preference. I recently did LA, Disneyland, San Diego, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco, LA over 3.5 weeks. The amount of driving was about right, there were some big big days and I did almost all the driving. Check out these itineraries, we based ours off of this.
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/north-america/usa/itineraries/
We did a bit of the orange, green and blue. I guess you will be doing the blue.
I personally enjoy spending time at the zoo, or in hollywood, or on alcatraz, doing a hike in yosemite. rather than being stuck in the car.
That said. The section of route 66 through the desert, death valley, the drive over yosemite (snow in june!) and big sur back to la were spectacular.
Enjoy your trip!
(I'm currently planning sections of red, purple and blue for next year haha)

We got a mustang, it was dirt cheap, use a UK booking agency for the best rates such as economycarrentals.com, they ended up booking us through Alamo.

 

[Gold60]

i don't suppose the OT would be interested in a transcontinental Amtrak trip??

 

[DT95WA]

I'm not sure 3.5 weeks is enough. It depends on your preference. I recently did LA, Disneyland, San Diego, Vegas, Grand Canyon, Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco, LA over 3.5 weeks. The amount of driving was about right, there were some big big days and I did almost all the driving. Check out these itineraries, we based ours off of this.
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/north-america/usa/itineraries/
We did a bit of the orange, green and blue. I guess you will be doing the blue.
I personally enjoy spending time at the zoo, or in hollywood, or on alcatraz, doing a hike in yosemite. rather than being stuck in the car.
That said. The section of route 66 through the desert, death valley, the drive over yosemite (snow in june!) and big sur back to la were spectacular.
Enjoy your trip!
(I'm currently planning sections of red, purple and blue for next year haha)

We got a mustang, it was dirt cheap, use a UK booking agency for the best rates such as economycarrentals.com, they ended up booking us through Alamo.

Thanks for the reply, Main part we want to see driving is Chicago to Vegas. Would love to do Yosemite and San Francisco but the time spent there would not be enough to justify the drive. When you say book thru a UK booking agency, Are you using that website or are you calling/emailing them? Sorry if thats a stupid question. I searched that site and i cant seem to find a mustang for hire on there.

 

[DT95WA]

i don't suppose the OT would be interested in a transcontinental Amtrak trip??

You lost me at OT, Please explain?

Just did a quick google, Think we will stick to hire car for a bit more freedom on which way we go each morning.

 

[BAM1748]

I'd drive and have done it a few times. I just suck up the one way fees as part of the trip, when in do as.....

You'll have a lot of fun driving versus not a lot of fun going through a number of airports and still needing a car at some.

 

[Gold60]

fair enough - but as a fall back option........

 

[Gold60]

oops sorry, wrong acronym. i meant to say original post/er

You lost me at OT, Please explain?

Just did a quick google, Think we will stick to hire car for a bit more freedom on which way we go each morning.

 

[Dannyism]

Thanks for the reply, Main part we want to see driving is Chicago to Vegas. Would love to do Yosemite and San Francisco but the time spent there would not be enough to justify the drive. When you say book thru a UK booking agency, Are you using that website or are you calling/emailing them? Sorry if thats a stupid question. I searched that site and i cant seem to find a mustang for hire on there.

Yeah the website. Dunno, lots of Mustangs ex LAX and Vegas.

 

[DT95WA]

Yeah the website. Dunno, lots of Mustangs ex LAX and Vegas.

Going from either NY or Chicago cant find any mustangs. Searching is doing my head in haha.

 

[jenib]

We've done a few amtrak trips mixed with driving so you could look for somewhere that has mustangs and train it to or from there - remember you can get off at any of the stations. From the train you also see things you cannot see from the road. On different trips we've done the North East, Memphis to Chicago (overnight), Chicago to San Fran (3 days two nights on the Californian Zephyr), LA to Seattle (Coast Starlight).

 

[ozjuice]

FYI....i booked direct with Hertz using an IHG promo code. I am President circle but doubt that makes much difference. A Mustang / Camaro convertible with full CDW insurance for 17 Days was just $1405.00 AUD. Now i thought that was pretty good. Obviously that's return / pick up same location. You just need to shop around.

 

[Skyring]

My last 66 trip was with my son - just turned 25. We picked up a red Mustang, drove some of the eastern end, and had a ball for five or six days. Previously we had a Chrysler Town and Country van, very comfortable, but not quite the same style!

 

[JohnPhelan]

I've done all of Route 66 once, and most of it on another occasions. yes, you pay a one-way fee, but the experience of driving the whole way is irreplaceable.

The big cities and the Canyon are great, but it's the old towns - on the old route, not the interstate - that really make the trip. Stop at the quirky cafes and diners, look at the many Route 66 murals along the way, stay in some coughpy rural motels.

It's fantastic and you will enjoy it immensely. (Just don't attempt it in winter; August/September will be fine, though a bit hot in the desert stretches). And remember to do the last bit from Vegas to LA on the original route, not the direct road between the two. The old route will add about four hours to that last day's drive, and requires you to go back down to Kingman AZ and then wind up mountains into the southern California desert - some of the best landscapes of the whole trip.

 

[RooFlyer]

Do the drive, but don't get fixated on Route 66, or the 'red convertible thing'.

I drove across the country a few years ago but planned the route on places I really wanted to see, which took me from California, through southern Nevada and then the mountains of Utah, Colorado, over to Missouri, Kentucky the Appalachians and then Washington, DC, Virginia New York and up to Maine.

The experience will be much broader than "66".