new york to san fran

frag420

HI
Myself and a couple of mates are thinking about driving across america next aug. The plan is to hire a car in new york(ideally we would like to hire a classic car, caddilac etc) and drive it across the country in about 3-4 weeks. We then plan to hook up with some friends in San fran and head to nevada for the burning man. Has anyone here driven across america before. I am finding it hard to get any relevent info from the web and would appreciate some pointers, help with regards to insurance, best routes and advice that would help us or if anyone knows of any good websites that specialise in this sort of thing.

Post cards for the best tips and help

Giddy up

elainee

just to let you know i rented a car from avis in new york jfk airport last year federal circle is the address but watch the age i think u have to be over 25 to drive and have your licence at least 2 years!! also if you are looking for a big car the age could be 30 yrs to drive also there could be young driver fees. there seemed to be loads of car rental places in that area so google them all.also there could be drop off charge if u return it to different location. well thats my 2 cents!!:)

Naked Lepper

Was in New york - Las Vegas - Burning man - San Francisco this year

Was ****in amazing

we flew from NY to vegas, stayed there for a few days, rented a camper van and drove up to burnimg man which is near reno (aprox 12 hours drive)

Stayed there for the guts of a week (best experience of my life)

Then drove to san fran, stopping in sacramento to sleep... as its a long drive as well, san fran is also an amazing city

over all i would absolutley recommend it to anyone - you will not regret it

pics

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?MemberId=368289565&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=8797440910

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?MemberId=368289565&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=8797992428

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbumBig.jsp?MemberId=368289565&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=8921990766

keefg

frag420 wrote: »

ideally we would like to hire a classic car, caddilac etc

By classic do you mean "old" or just a newer model caddie?

If you are trying to get a 50's or 60's car to rent I'd say you don't stand a chance, not for a one way cross country rent anyway. Most of the compaines that rent out older "classic" cars only give you a hundred miles or so included in your cost, then they charge you extra for every mile driven after that.

For a one way rental of the distance you guys are travelling you will probably have to go with one of the big companies (avis, hertz etc).

As for routes, I'd suggest you research this as much as possible. Go onto ebay and buy a US roadmap.

The sit down with your mates and draw a rough line of travel, then get on the internet to see what there is to see near to your route (for nice places to stay/visit).

I would also suggest you either bring or hire a decent satnav.

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun!

buccsboyo

Hey dude,
I didn't drive but I did a tour and some greyhound hopping. Went from Boston -San Fran via Southern States with a tour company called Green Tortoise
Here is a link to their cross country tours which might give you a good idea of things to see ( If you are on a budget there stops are v.good and some of them are real hidden treasures)

http://www.greentortoise.com/budget.adventure.travel.html#crosscountry

Then went from Vegas to Chicago via Salt Lake City, Denver and South Dakota.( After SLC its pretty boring)

I would recommend going via the Southern States but maybe head thru Chicago and then turning South mabye to New Orleans via Notre Dame ,Tenessee( u cud head to Memphis and Nashville if ur into your music), and then across thru Texas,New Mexico and Utah and up to California

In my opinion this would be better than the traditional Route 66.

Here are some links to videos and pics that might help
<snip>requested by poster</snip>

Also to save accomdation costs you use this site and its also a great way to meet locals
http://www.couchsurfing.com/

Defo go for it hit that open road man

frag420

cheers guys,

what started of as a drunken idea in the pub is turning into a reality. thanks for all the links and help. i have lived on both coasts of the states before but always wanted to go through america and see it from the inside out and burning man is something i have wanted to do since i was about ten.

It looks like it could be fear and loathing in a campervan................

cheers

giddy up

frag420

cheers brickmaster,

While i have not been to burningman my bro lives in San fran and has been at it the last 7/8 years. I have researched it plenty as it has been something i have wanted to do since i saw a doc on it when i was about twelve(1992) so its been a long time waiting but i am well up for it. My bro and his friends set up a wee village at it every yr with nightclub in the middle so should be a laugh. And besides who need a shower and running water when i intend to be naked for the week!!

As for the journey we are going to take a few side tracks and visit vegas and new orleans. Gonna bypass LA and go straight to san fran before hitting burningman. Hope to get a across in about 3/4 weeks and then a week for burningman.

If you have any other advise please send it my way

Happy new year

hallstatt

I drove trucks across the states for 7 years.Theres a few possible routes from new york to san fran. My personal favourite and advice would be interstate 70. And your saying your going summer so it would be fine, if winter you'll have to go more south like Interstate 81 and hook up with I 40 or something. I 70 is really beautiful.some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClnFbpbpUOA