1

When ? How do you intend to travel(transport)? What are your ages ? what will be your cash in hand budget, for the post Chicago tour ??? carracar

2

PS. We are going in February

3

February, By car hire, cash undecided but we want to do it fairly on the cheap (£500/$812). Ages are 26.

4

February?

You will want to be as far south as possible.

Look for flights to Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Phoenix, or Los Angeles.

No freakin' way I would be driving your route in February.

.

5

"Possible" does not necessarily mean "enjoyable."

Consider this rough route instead. More interesting, less driving.

6

Possible? Yes.


Relax. Winter driving isn't THAT awful, especially in the flat territory you propose to cover. They clear the Interstate highways promptly after any snowstorm--they run plows during the storm, if necessary. Non-Interstate highways are usually clear within a half-day or so. Only side roads are really problematic.

Remember that even if you can't see ice, you should drive like it's there anyway. (Meaning slowly, and making no abrupt turns or decelerations, with plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you.) Those signs that say "Bridge Freezes Before Road" aren't just kidding, you know.

But the logistics of winter travel aside, the question is whether you want to travel such a nondescript route in the dead of winter. They call it the dead of winter because everything is dead. The scenery will be flat; you will pass dead, barren fields (whether snow-covered or not) under steel-grey skies. Wouldn't you be happier flying south to the nice weather?

Chicago's great. San Antonio and St. Louis are worth a day or two. Dallas kind of isn't. And I haven't seen Oklahoma City placed deliberately on a travel itinerary (except as an overnight stopover on the way to someplace else) in the six years I've been posting here. What made you choose those places?

A more usual choice would be Chicago - St. Louis - Memphis - New Orleans - Austin - San Antonio.


Car rental. Welcome to the United States, where we rent cars and hire drivers.

--M.

7

Why would you waste your time driving That route in February. Boring, cold, missing out on much more interesting stuff in National Parks, etc.

8

Okay, I would like to visit the national parks too. But Feb is also way too cold for Yellowstone, right? So where would you recommend? I have already seen some national parks around california, like Joshua Tree, Sequoia.

I picked that route with little reason. It was quite random. I am happy to alter it.

I'm now thinking that we will fly from Chicago to the south and travel from there. Maybe Chicago to San Antonio then across to New Orleans. What do you think?

Edited by: SshDonnie

9

If it's "random," you're traveling in February, and you like parks, fly to L.A., get some cheap rental car, and head to Joshua Tree, Death Valley, and various southern California state parks.

Or go to Yellowstone. You'll have warm layered clothing for Chicago anyway, and there will be ranger-led programs, including snowshoeing trips .

10

I have already travelled around Southern California, including San Diego, Joshua Tree, San Fran, LA, Sequoia, so I wouldn't want to do those again. Maybe the South Eastern states? What would you guys recommend there?

I am intrigued by the Yellowstone idea, so that is a possibility.

11

You could make a pretty good trip by flying to and visiting Charleston and Savannah, with a side trip to Congaree by car.
It can still be cold (and that's true for most of the US in winter).

12

As per your first schedule, each of your days involves 4-6 hours driving.

Add 30 mins to pack and check-out 30 mins to unpack and check in, that might not leave much time for the stuff you might want to see or do.

Personally I would be tempted to hop a flight to the Gulf Coast and enjoy a week there.

13

Why Texas? Those of us who live here can justify it based on low cost of living and the like, but there is no reason for a tourist to come here versus a myriad of other places (unless it is on the way or you love tex-mex/bbq). Why not head to the Grand Canyon or to New Mexico?

14

You can't do Yellowstone in February on that budget. Between flights, car rental, hotels and paying to see the park (by snowmobile or snow coach, because those are your only real options) you just can't do it. Afterall, you still have to eat. Plus you waste one day just getting there and one day leaving, leaving three days to see stuff. That's a lot of time and travel. It is gorgeous in winter, though.

The drive to West Yellowstone is a bitch, too. Not impossible, but not easy. The first 3/4 of the trip is a piece of cake. It is the last 1/4 through Targhee Nat'l Forest that gets tough.