So I am taking a week off of work and need to get away and clear my head.

I have $0.00 to my name. By the end of the month I can probably get a few hundred bucks to play with.

My plan is to get in my car and drive south from New York. Just keep driving until I can't drive any longer.

Maybe find a greasy BBQ joint in the Carolinas. Maybe spend a night in Virginia Beach. Maybe keep driving down to Florida and visit my aunt in Pt. St. Lucie.

Of course it all depends on how much cash I have in my pocket. I could very well end up going no further south than New Jersey.

But I figure if I hit a couple of roach-motels and fast-food joints, I could very well spend some quality time somewhere watching the sun go down with palm trees all around. At least for a day or two and get rid of the nails in my head and the knots in my stomach.

SO does anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about planning and executing a cheap roadtrip?

Camping would probably be the cheapest way to go.

Not my choice, but if you like that sort of thing...

you could earn some money on the way there you know...

Genesia said:

Camping would probably be the cheapest way to go.

Not my choice, but if you like that sort of thing...

I've never been camping in my life.

Believe it or not, I find long-distance drives somewhat relaxing, which is why I'm thinking "roadtrip".

BlackAdder7 said:

you could earn some money on the way there you know...

I never saw this movie.

PurpleJedi said:

BlackAdder7 said:

you could earn some money on the way there you know...

I never saw this movie.

the one on the left is angelina jolie's daddy.

for a couple hundred dollars you might only be filling your tank a couple of times

camping is definitely cheap & relaxing, but you need stuff like tent & sleeping bag, so that takes money...

hostels are cheap

NDRU said:

for a couple hundred dollars you might only be filling your tank a couple of times

camping is definitely cheap & relaxing, but you need stuff like tent & sleeping bag, so that takes money...

hostels are cheap

Not if you borrow it...

NDRU said:

for a couple hundred dollars you might only be filling your tank a couple of times

camping is definitely cheap & relaxing, but you need stuff like tent & sleeping bag, so that takes money...

hostels are cheap

Yeah, I know the gas is an issue...I figure $200 for that alone.

That's why I'm sending feelers...asking for suggestions. There HAS to be a way to "get away" without spending a ton of money! Amtrak (train) is outrageously expensive BTW.

there used to be a company that advertised in the village voice...where you transport someone's car either to florida, or california...it's possible they might even pay you to do it..

Genesia said:

NDRU said:

for a couple hundred dollars you might only be filling your tank a couple of times

camping is definitely cheap & relaxing, but you need stuff like tent & sleeping bag, so that takes money...

hostels are cheap

Not if you borrow it...

...and where can a newbie camp in late April without freezing his cohones off?

BlackAdder7 said:

there used to be a company that advertised in the village voice...where you transport someone's car either to florida, or california...it's possible they might even pay you to do it..

REALLY?!?!?!

...going to google that...!

Genesia said:

NDRU said:

for a couple hundred dollars you might only be filling your tank a couple of times

camping is definitely cheap & relaxing, but you need stuff like tent & sleeping bag, so that takes money...

hostels are cheap

Not if you borrow it...

yes, or if you can't get a tent, you can rent yerts or yurps or whatever they are called, they are like permanent tents that have cots and you just throw down the sleeping bag or some blankets.

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Not if you borrow it...

...and where can a newbie camp in late April without freezing his cohones off?

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

Not if you borrow it...

...and where can a newbie camp in late April without freezing his cohones off?

yeah if you are not used to camping, it might not be relaxing

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

...and where can a newbie camp in late April without freezing his cohones off?

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence, a circular route would actually be longer, ergo more gas consumed.

Genesia said:

PurpleJedi said:

...and where can a newbie camp in late April without freezing his cohones off?

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

Good point.

The aim is to get as far away from NY as possible.

BlackAdder7 said:

Genesia said:

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence, a circular route would actually be longer, ergo more gas consumed.

Good point!

Now my head hurts.

Pack some of your food/drinks in a cooler. That way you don't have to pay for all the meals/snacks you eat.

Before you go look online at hotels along the way that have special deals and/or be prepared to stay in cheap hotels.

Colonial Williamsburg, in VA use to have areas you could walk around in that were free. I don't know if that is the case now. It's interesting if you're into Early American History.

Beaches are great, but know that parking at the beach is pricey. Free lots are usually available, but are usually full and not right at the beach, so a bit of walking is to be expected.

Hope that helps.

PurpleJedi said:

Genesia said:

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

Good point.

The aim is to get as far away from NY as possible.

would a train be cheaper than driving?

Nothinbutjoy said:

Pack some of your food/drinks in a cooler. That way you don't have to pay for all the meals/snacks you eat.

Before you go look online at hotels along the way that have special deals and/or be prepared to stay in cheap hotels.

Colonial Williamsburg, in VA use to have areas you could walk around in that were free. I don't know if that is the case now. It's interesting if you're into Early American History.

Beaches are great, but know that parking at the beach is pricey. Free lots are usually available, but are usually full and not right at the beach, so a bit of walking is to be expected.

Hope that helps.

YES, the cooler definitely will need to come along!

Williamsburg is a trip I've been wanting to plan with the kids, so that would only make me more depressed. I need to chill.

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

Good point.

The aim is to get as far away from NY as possible.

would a train be cheaper than driving?

Depends on where I wind up!

PurpleJedi said:

NDRU said:

would a train be cheaper than driving?

Depends on where I wind up!

I don't think you can drive to Florida & back for $200

I know upstate NY is worlds away from NYC, but it sounds like maybe you want some southern comfort

do you have any friends you could crash with? I would not have been interested in that once upon a time, but saving $50-$100 for a night of sleep sounds okay to me now

BlackAdder7 said:

Genesia said:

I thought you were heading south?

If you want to keep the gas budget lower, why not take a circular route (so you end up back at home) rather than a linear one?

the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence, a circular route would actually be longer, ergo more gas consumed.

Have you ever taken a bike trip? Just thought you'd head out on the bike and felt all exhilarated and rode and rode...and then didn't have the energy to get back?

Gas is energy.

NDRU said:

PurpleJedi said:

Depends on where I wind up!

I don't think you can drive to Florida & back for $200

I know upstate NY is worlds away from NYC, but it sounds like maybe you want some southern comfort

do you have any friends you could crash with? I would not have been interested in that once upon a time, but saving $50-$100 for a night of sleep sounds okay to me now

Yeah I just checked Amtrak...not much of a savings ($320 r/t to Florida?).

I can probably crash at my aunt's place.

Genesia said:

BlackAdder7 said:

the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, hence, a circular route would actually be longer, ergo more gas consumed.

Have you ever taken a bike trip? Just thought you'd head out on the bike and felt all exhilarated and rode and rode...and then didn't have the energy to get back?

Gas is energy.

So instead of spending hundreds of dollars on gas, I could buy a mountain bike (as you know I want to do) and maybe ride out to the Hamptons or Montauk or something.

...interesting...

NDRU said:

, but it sounds like maybe you want some southern comfort

..oh and YES, this is a NIGHTLY occurrence!

I live in Pa - and I would NEVER even think of driving to FLA ... i realize you think you will save some money staying with auntie but I really think you are UNDERESTIMATING the drive $$$ ....

I would hit Baltimore or DC or some city ... and hang ... both are fun towns ...

the beach sounds good too if it is warmer by then ... it tis cold today here ...

good luck . i envy you !

okay. how about hanging out in the allegheny mountains? there have to be campgrounds and./or B&Bs. they're lovely, and sometimes a view that goes for miles can help perspective

[Edited 4/6/11 17:05pm]

[Edited 4/6/11 17:06pm]

just do upstate n.y.

all kinds of things to see (beauty)

wonder pic ops

great fresh foods

but don't fukitoff

by goin to buffalo

or anywhere close