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Old 06-13-2011, 05:36 PM   #1
Canadian Bacon
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Default Roadtrip: Vancouver to L.A.

Need some help here. I am making a roadtrip to Vancouver to L.A. in July but I have never done anything like this. I may or may not pick up a travel partner and I view it as risky to do such a roadtrip by myself.

Questions for tpunks:

-does one stay in motels during such a roadtrip?
-what is the best (prettiest) route to take?
-what are the hazards/benefits of 1 person roadtripping?

CB
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Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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Old 06-20-2011, 04:41 PM   #2
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Can't really vouch for the West Coast sights, but from my time in a car from Maine - Key West - Canada...

I slept in the car a bunch. I crashed with some Tpunks. If you're in the countryside you could maybe even pitch a tent somewhere. I'd recommend checking out CouchSurfing too if you're trying to keep it cheap and don't want to stay in motels...you might also be able to find travel companions there to share the ride with.

I personally like to have roadtripping partners - split driving, gas, I feel safer especially if we're sleeping in the car, someone to talk to and keep you awake...although the downside is that you might end up with someone you don't really want to be stuck in a small car with for an extended time...or someone who only listens to country music.

My roomie from college just drives solo around the country, sleeping in her car and stopping to hike things, and I think she has a blast.

Have fun though. I'd love to roadtrip the Pacific coast. I'm sure it's beauuuutiful!
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Old 06-21-2011, 06:44 AM   #3
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I have never visited the west coast, but I hear highway 1 is fantastic. I have lived most of my life in Texas and driving long distances is just something you try to get used to. Having a co-pilot is awesome, even if they listen to country. But Hwei made a vailid point, as I am sure you have discovered from your past travels, that you need to pick your buddy wisely. I bet there are hostels up and down the west coast. I have not found any real hazards traveling alone, but people are different. For one I am a dude and that makes a big difference and for another I don't get sleepy in a car.
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Old 06-22-2011, 06:05 PM   #4
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I would usually crash at Motel 6's and the like, so I budget for that. Set you back around 40-65 US dollars a night.

I-5 all the way down from Vancouver to about just south of San Francisco where you can take the Highway 1 on the coast all the way down to Mexico. I think the Cali coast scenery is great from about that point on downwards.

All the west coast is nice, actually, just depends on how much time you want to spend viewing it.

I've done Seattle to LA, by car, several times and we usually blast right through. We've done it in 18 hrs at the fastest, stopping only at rest stops, gas stations, and fast food joints for bathroom breaks.

Usually, we just sleep in the car while someone else is driving, and vice versa.

Have a great time, bud!
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Old 06-27-2011, 08:21 PM   #5
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Thanks for the input guys.

Update:
-picked up a travel buddy who I get along with (unsure whether he listens to country, but hell, its a long drive and I may just wanna hear some 'redneck woman')
-found an awesome roadtrip planning site called ROAD TRIP USA
-gonna take the ferry from vancouver to victoria, victoria to seattle, then rent the car in seattle and then we'll see what happens

Question about couchsurfing: how much notice do you need to give them, or can you just show up on their doorstep?

CB
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:42 PM   #6
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Are you already a member of couchsurfing? You will probably want to make your profile while you are at home. Then you will want to find buddies that are on couchsurfing to leave comments "vouching" for you.

I found that it was always beneficial both hosting and surfing if you gave or received advance notice. But that is just me and some of the members seems more like a free hostel or total bohemian so who knows.
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Old 06-30-2011, 04:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dig View Post
Are you already a member of couchsurfing? You will probably want to make your profile while you are at home. Then you will want to find buddies that are on couchsurfing to leave comments "vouching" for you.

I found that it was always beneficial both hosting and surfing if you gave or received advance notice. But that is just me and some of the members seems more like a free hostel or total bohemian so who knows.
Thanks Dig, good idea, I will do that. I have never done couchsurfing before but am willing to try it out! that and also i hear good things about air b&bs
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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Old 07-19-2011, 12:30 PM   #8
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So: I have made it to LA from Vancouver. And what an EPIC roadtrip it was. We left Seattle last Monday and I just got to LA yesterday. (Today is Tuesday).

-Bus: Vancouver to Seattle Airport
-Stayed 1 night Seattle
-Drove from Seattle to Portland on I-5, stayed 1 night
-Portland to Newport via the I-101, the prettiest highway EVER
-Newport to Crescent City (California), with all the mighty redwood forests nearby
-Crescent City to San Francisco, stayed 2 nights
-San Francisco to Monterey, stayed 1 night
-Monterey to L.A!

Interesting stops included:
-giant paul bunion with live and hilarious narrated voice
-cheese factory at Tilbrook
-big big rocks at Cannon Beach
-sand dunes in Oregon (aka "Oregon's Sahara") which was AWESOME
-redwood national parks
-fresh cherries
-other numerous scenic stops

All in all, great drive, highly recommended. Accommodations was hostels/motels and about 30-40/night.
__________________
Vincent: "So what you gonna do?"
Jules: "Well, basically, I'm just gonna walk the earth."
Vincent: "What you mean 'walk the earth'?"
Jules: "You know, like Kane in 'Kung Fu'...go places...meet people...get in adventures."

Trips (only counting recreational travel):
FIRST TRIP (2005): FIRST EUROTRIP EVER! UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland
SECOND TRIP (2007): First Solo Trip! Greece, Turkey, Syria, Spain
2008: China (Beijing, Shanghai, Yangshuo) ...right before the Olympics!
2009: Japan & HK, Southern Spain
[size=1]2010: All over Lebanon, Ibiza (Spain), Oktoberfest (Germany), Thailand.
2011: India (Goa), Jordan, Jerusalem, San Sebastian (Spain), Amsterdam (again), London, Driving from Vancouver to L.A. (stopping in Portland, Seattle, San Fran and all the little stops), Montpellier (France), Geneva and Lausanne (Switzerland)

"Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it."
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