Trip Planning

[BIGNASTY]

Just wondering what publications, websites people use to plan a trip via road trips in auto. I don't want (although I have ) to use a GPS I can and like to do the route finding the old fashion way with a Road Atlas.

Just wondering about hotels, food, gas, on trips people take, also local and state events that might be happening at the time of the trip info.


Thanks

BIG

 

[LandShark]

I'm not sure based on your comment about not wanting to use a GPS if you are ruling out all advanced technology.
A smartphone with a data plan is great for finding the least expensive fuel, hotels, food, old girl friends etc... It will also have a GPS, but you don't need to use it.
Otherwise, I guess you could pick up newspapers and local magazines along your route to find out what's going on locally.

 

[Mingoglia]

I like using an old fashion map to route trips when I have time to take a more scenic route. You can easily route through areas of interest, such as parks and such. When I go this route (pun intended), I'll still use my GPS, but I'll add multiple waypoints going through particular towns I know are along my route. This insures the GPS goes the route I selected on the map.

As for food, gas, etc, I just usually shoot from the hip and find things along the way. When I've tried to map this out, I've never stuck to it anyway. I just stop where it looks good for what I'm looking for (fuel, motels, etc).

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I have worked through planning our west trip with the travel trailer this year - will be around 5,000 miles.

(1) I got a paper map for each state we are going through and put on the table next to the PC with Google maps up.

(2) I used the Google map application to plot a preliminary course.

(3) I checked the preliminary course from Google to the paper map.

(4) When I was happy, I used the earth view in Google to get a view of the segment of the route. I revised the route for anything I did not like (very tight turn requiring a merge across multiple lanes of traffic, etc.)

(5) I identified rest stops, lunch stops, and fuel stops and used the earth view to make sure it looked like it would be easy to get in and out. Fuel stops are spaced so that the fuel tank should never be less than half full.

(6) Will be taking the marked paper maps and notes on each segment.

I am sure it will not go as planned, but I feel good about what to expect.

 

[bigceltic]

I often use the Good Sam Club trip planner - helps with finding fuel stops and campgrounds along the way.

I also use http://www.truckstops.com/ to find truck stops (since my rig is so long I can't really use regular gas stations).

And of course, Google Maps/Google Earth.

 

[Tractorat]

I like the AAA road maps. They have mile markers, rest stops, etc. At least they used to.
But if you have to micro manage so much, it takes a lot of the fun and adventure out of it.

 

[SnoKing]

I use Microsoft Streets and Trips on my computer. Then put each days destination in my GPS. SNOKING

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Tractorat:

"But if you have to micro manage so much, it takes a lot of the fun and adventure out of it."

I agree, but such is the life when working for a living. Can only leave on a certain day, have to be back on a certain day, need to get there to have time at the desired spot.

One of these days I am going to be approaching the highway and just flip a coin - if heads I'll go right and if tails I'll go left. I'll throw the watch and the calendar out the window and go that direction until I feel like flipping a coin again. That is the way I want to travel!

 

[Tractorat]

If you belong to AAA, they can plan a route for you. They will provide you with a "trip tic" that is a booklet showing your way, a map of each state with the route highlighted, and a large map (western states etc) that shows the whole route highlighted. As I mentioned, the AAA maps show you mile markings so you can know pretty accurately the distances you have to go, rest stops. etc., and you can easily figure out driving times based on miles and the speed you want to drive.

 

[Tractorat]

I dont know if they still make/sell it. But I have an application called Delorme street Atlas that Ive had for years. It gives you a pretty good overview and zooms in and out very quickly. Ive found it to be a very valuable tool.

 

[Jim W]

Big;
Since I pull a 5er I use the two following publications; The RV's Friend and the Next Exit. Both of these will work for anybody since these list all way points on a given highway. The Next Exit covers the interstate and the RV's Friend covers both the interstate and highways. We also use paper maps and a large atlas plus GPS geared for the 5er.

We do plan our trips and way points ahead of time by using goggle maps and plan on only 300 to 350 miles a day traveling.

Jim W.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I don't know maybe I didn't explain things well enough.

I have NEVER Micro Managed Anything. We are going to be driving the Caddy no trailer pulling to worry about, or low bridges, weight restrictions. Just drive until I feel or the other passengers have had enough or that we have found one of the places, events, happenings that we wanted to see.

I watch the food shows on TV pretty regular, I have found the States, Provinces that will be traveled thru and taken down the restaurants in each State from shows like " Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" or Andrew Zimmers Food shows and all their spin offs.

My real question I guess is what source do you use to find local and State events within each state, (IE) county fairs, state fairs, Farmers Markets, ect ect Lots of times the best things to see are the small town events that really don't have the advertising going on to promote their happening.

We really wont have any time constraints to worry about other than I don't want to be out in Vermont, Maine, Prince Edward Island when the snows arrive. We do want and have allotted time to spend in our Capital and see all the Monuments, Museums and hope to stop by the White house put my feet up on OBOZO's desk and have a talk to him about Clinton, Monica and Cigars from Cuba vs USA. :-laf

Things like foods that the local areas are known for, Blue Crab in the Chesapeake bay, Lobsta in Maine would like to find a clam bake like long ago I went to on the beach, Philly Cheesesteaks, NY Delis, Bagels, Ill Pizza vs NY Pizza

Things that mostly only the locals know about and most time aren't willing to share with outsiders, I know we have a few places in Cow Town Montana that I don't send visitors to very often, these are the things that are of most intrest to us on this " We have to be nowhere by ? " road trip


BIG

 

[CBari]

Big I figure you are probably not road tripping to Arkansas but here is the link to the Arkansas' Tourism website that has listing of most fairs and festivals.

http://www.arkansas.com/events/festivals/

I figure most states have tourism website and you would have to search it to find the festivals.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I took the family to DC a couple of years back. You have to apply in advance for a White House tour - we did about six months in advance.

I really enjoyed DC. We stayed outside the city and rode the train in. They have these stations where you rent a bicycle. The bicycle was really nice to cruise around the Mall and out to Arlington Cemetery, etc. We found walking to be a time issue - it is nice to walk, but the Mall is very long and it takes a long time to get from one thing to the next.

Years ago, my wife and I went on July 4th. There was a concert on the Mall and they played the music with the cannons going off - forget the name of the music - and all kinds of fireworks. Really enjoyed that.

 

[SnoKing]

So start a bucket list and let people add suggestions to the list!

Here are some for Washington DC
1. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - Be sure to read all of his quote's on the walls.
2. Smithsonian
3. Spy Museum
4. Arlington National Cemetery
5. Tour boat from the Alexandria Waterfront provides a cool view of Washington DC.
6. A drive through the area of all the foreign embassies is interesting. Note who we gave the highest ground to! They all spy, and one country was given the best location.
7. Vietnam War Memorial

You will however need a black caddie to sneak into the WH!

SNOKING

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Here is a link to Erie, PA if you want to have a look at a Great Lake. You mentioned eats: Sara's drive-in on the beach for a foot-long Smith's hot dog and onion rings and peanut butter shake is my recommendation.

http://www.visiteriepa.com/

 

[inlinesix3million]

I don't know maybe I didn't explain things well enough.

I have NEVER Micro Managed Anything. We are going to be driving the Caddy no trailer pulling to worry about, or low bridges, weight restrictions. Just drive until I feel or the other passengers have had enough or that we have found one of the places, events, happenings that we wanted to see.

I watch the food shows on TV pretty regular, I have found the States, Provinces that will be traveled thru and taken down the restaurants in each State from shows like " Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" or Andrew Zimmers Food shows and all their spin offs.

My real question I guess is what source do you use to find local and State events within each state, (IE) county fairs, state fairs, Farmers Markets, ect ect Lots of times the best things to see are the small town events that really don't have the advertising going on to promote their happening.

We really wont have any time constraints to worry about other than I don't want to be out in Vermont, Maine, Prince Edward Island when the snows arrive. We do want and have allotted time to spend in our Capital and see all the Monuments, Museums and hope to stop by the White house put my feet up on OBOZO's desk and have a talk to him about Clinton, Monica and Cigars from Cuba vs USA. :-laf

Things like foods that the local areas are known for, Blue Crab in the Chesapeake bay, Lobsta in Maine would like to find a clam bake like long ago I went to on the beach, Philly Cheesesteaks, NY Delis, Bagels, Ill Pizza vs NY Pizza

Things that mostly only the locals know about and most time aren't willing to share with outsiders, I know we have a few places in Cow Town Montana that I don't send visitors to very often, these are the things that are of most intrest to us on this " We have to be nowhere by ? " road trip


BIG

You can try Google searches with your town/county and current/upcoming events. Almost everything exists online these days-and when you are at one of these events one of the locals just
might give you the inside scoop on something else interesting.
And stop being mean to the tourists, already. It is giving you a guilty conscience I know that they can be annoying( I lived in Florida for almost 20 years). The ones trying to move to your
area that are from California are the ones you should concentrate on "relocating"
Those are some fantastic pictures of your home area that you have uploaded. AMAZING!

 

[BIGNASTY]

And stop being mean to the tourists, already. It is giving you a guilty conscience I know that they can be annoying( I lived in Florida for almost 20 years). The ones trying to move to your
area that are from California are the ones you should concentrate on "relocating"
Those are some fantastic pictures of your home area that you have uploaded. AMAZING!

Thanks for the advice, just a note back on this part of your response. I have NEVER!!! been ugly to a tourist in our town or state for that matter!!!!!!!!! until they cast the first stone. I don't take it to hart when they drive 25MPH on a hwy that's posted for 60MPH, I do it also and I have lived here for 4 years now and see things that awe me all the time.

The part that Chaps my XXX is when they come in and talk about US like we are a third world country, if that's the case WHY ARE THEY HERE? the destruction of the campgrounds in our area, is it that bad that the Forest Service charges a $10.00 per night fee to camp? or is it that they have to constantly pick up trash that is just tossed out carelessly? Our town needs tourists with a population of around 2000k year round residents that swells to 5 & 6K during the vacation months that's income that the stores in town desperately need. Do I need them? the answer to that is a resounding NO I DONT. Use to be that family members relied on some of the hunters, fishermen and people that want to PLAY COWBOY for a day and take a ride on a pony. Having services in town 10 miles away is nice at times, personally we feel Missoula 70 miles away is to close.

So Ya!! yer right when we sit outside the café having a cup of coffee looking at the world go by in our slow pace lives, and see some Ya Who come into town wearing shorts and shirts so brightly colored that it scares livestock and we have a chuckle at their expense unknown to them because we don't point when we laugh and nothing is said to them. Its kind of a pay back for the times that I wear a Brim in calif and people ACTUALLY SAY XXXX to me about it.

Which brings me to the point you made about, the ones moving here from Calif. Two of them are family members that came to go to school when I lived in Ca. They didn't have the opportunities in Seeley that we did in calif. They paid for their schools the two mentioned found jobs in calif and raised families there for 20 years, they were criticized by the way for being Native Americans most every day while living there also. So when one retired from Disney land the other from Magic Mountain and wanted to GET OUT OF CA is that wrong to want to come home to Seeley? The others are a close friend that has passed away that found peace in MT and I think found it where we live. The other is a Boss & his wife that gave a one legged ex drug addict a break and gave him a good job, and found out that as big an XXX hole as I am, im still kind of a decent enough guy that they wanted to get out of Ca when they retired, that they could stand to be around me. Another is a Pilot that flew MY airplane if Vietnam and was the Commander of our Toilet on earth for 19 months. He save MY XXX many times with what he did in MY airplane. He and his wife have decided that Alexandria Va is not the place for them and found something in this part of the third world that is of interest to them.

So if people find that we or I might be ugly to tourists they might want to re-think it the next time I go to some other state for a visit and they are FAR WORSE to me than I am to our tourists.

BIG

 

[bigceltic]

So start a bucket list and let people add suggestions to the list!

Here are some for Washington DC
1. The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial - Be sure to read all of his quote's on the walls.
2. Smithsonian
3. Spy Museum
4. Arlington National Cemetery
5. Tour boat from the Alexandria Waterfront provides a cool view of Washington DC.
6. A drive through the area of all the foreign embassies is interesting. Note who we gave the highest ground to! They all spy, and one country was given the best location.
7. Vietnam War Memorial

You will however need a black caddie to sneak into the WH!

SNOKING

For #2, make sure to include Udvar-Hazy out at Dulles Airport (Air and Space Museum)

http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center/

 

[jeepit]

As mentioned before I think most States do have some sort of tourism guide. I get one each year from New Mexico.
If you come through Wisconsin there are a lot of festivals during the summer. In Milwaukee Harley Davidson has events and you can tour museum and factory.
Charter fishing on Lake Michigan out of a host of ports. Lots of BIG trout and salmon. Sheboygan is my favorite port!