Travelling around USA?

Question

Going to USA with wife for 5 or 6 months in 2007. Hoping to travel from West Coast (Washington) to East Coast (New York/New England).
Which is the best hire car & motels or hire RV?
If hiring RV are there any cheap long term hire companies?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Do you have the whole 5 or 6 months to travel? I would do the RV renting. You see the country better. I would suggest starting in April if starting in Washington. Problem is I don't think RV places would let you rent and take it all the way across the country. You would be better to buy it and sell when done with it. Or rent in Washington drive northern route to east coast and drive southern route back. You can drive across the united state in about 4 days if driving 10-12 hrs per day. So if you have 5 months you could go across the top and back the bottom and really see the states. Have fun it sounds great!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Some good ideas

Answer 2

Alot also depends on what all you want to see... There are several different points of interest going directly from Washington to New York. However do you want to go south, and see some different points of interest?
As to car/rv... It really depends on you. Do you want to make your own meals? RV.. Do you have enough money to eat in diners all over the country.. then car..Do you want hotels? (this could be both, but, if in RV why pay for hotels too..) If you buy an RV if it breaks down, hopefully you have a warranty, and it is fixable, if it isn't under warranty, then you have to pay for it. If you rent a car, and it breaks down, they pay for it (to an extent..)
I personally would do the RV, but, that is my personal preference.
Have fun with your stay when you do decide what you are doing. Research each state, and see if something jumps out at you saying you've got to come and visit even if it isn't in a state you were planning on visiting. Lots of pretty countryside to cover, and you can cover alot of it in 5-6 months.

Answer 3

I would buy a RV and then resell it. I only know an agency in switzerland, which arranges sales and resales , have a look at this link : http://www.world-wide-wheels.com/Product…


I think, renting will be too expensive, and if you buy one, then you might have the problem to resell in time .

Have a nice day
K.

Answer 4

Definitely DON'T get an RV. Not only will you be pulling a very heavy vehicle and eating up petrol, but you'll also have to find places to park it at night. That sounds easy but most RV parks charge for the space and hookup to their facilities.

Much better to rent a car. Call around for the best prices for a monthly contract (not all of them offer savings by the month) and be sure that there isn't a charge to drop it in another state. With a monthly contract, it shouldn't cost you more than $20 per day. But they add insurance on top of that which can be up to $20, plus there's an additional charge of $5 each day just to cross multiple state lines. Check first with your credit card company to see if they cover car rental insurance so you can at least avoid the insurance.

As far as motels go, Motel 6 or Super 8 are the way to go. They're cheap and cheerful, locations are everywhere and are in some of the more remote locations so you're not stuck driving to the next big city just to find a place to sleep. You can pick up a national guide to their motels at any location so you can plan your next move a few days in advance.

Answer 5

If you are going to do a hotel, you should sign up for a program, such as Hilton Honors. You can stay in any hilton brand property and earn free stays. (You earn airline miles at the same time.) At any rate, by the time you get to the east coast, you'll have a room for free. Most hotels can help you get a cheap rental car, too. Have a great trip!

Source(s):

I work for Hilton

Answer 6

Renting a car with unlimited mileage and staying in motels will be cheapest. RV's are expensive, $1200 to $2000 per week plus mileage plus you have to pay for gas and their gas mileage is poor at best.

All told, the cost of an RV will be about $250-$300 per day once you factor in all of the expenses. You can rent a car with unlimited mileage for as little as $125 a week plus you can get into decent hotels/motels for under $100 per night. Factor in a hotel/motel rewards program and you'll get the best value. Plus, if you have a problem with a rented RV, you will be on your own and it could hurt you finance wise. If your rental car goes down, call them and they'll pick you up and deliver another car.

If I were doing it, I'd drive a car and stay at hotels/motels and sign up with rewards program as recommended previously. Choice hotels and Best Western are everywhere, they are reasonable, and they have a decent rewards program.

Source(s):

A frugal American

Answer 7

Not only would I do the RV, but I would recommend purchasing a used one in good condition ... perhaps a class C motorhome ... then reselling it when you are done. Overall, if you can do this, it will be cheaper than renting one for 6 months.

It is not uncommon for people to do this, check around with some RV sales sites about the options. It doesnt cost anything to just contact people at businesses and ask them for their opinions and suggestions!!

Source(s):

RV'er

Answer 8

Your best bet is to buy a car and sell it before you leave. we have done it as well as several others we know. You can stay at hotels as many of them offer monthly or weekly rates. You can also check into renting a furnished small apartment for a week at a time. Good Luck and enjoy your trip.