Road trip across America

[pacmania_2001]

We were thinking $125 combined/week for food, $200/week for gas and hardly anything for lodging based on free camping in most places.

All US dollars.

[Capmaster]

We were thinking $125 combined/week for food, $200/week for gas and hardly anything for lodging based on free camping in most places.

All US dollars.

I think the food estimate is a bit low, unless you only eat once a day

[pacmania_2001]

What!? You eat more than once a day in America?

[Capmaster]

What!? You eat more than once a day in America?

That doesn't mean you have to

[shoozleboy]

No, he should be all right with the food estimate - My wife and I feed our family of 5 on about $100 a week... we don't eat out, we cook everything at home and eat 3 meals a day - lunch may be just a sandwich and chips and breakfast a bowl of cereal or pancakes or similar.....

You should be all right with that $ for the food, provided you have a way to cook in your van - ie: propane camping stove or something....

[pacmania_2001]

Whats the cost of food like in America? I know for $150-$175 Australian (equal approx to US$125) I could get a shitload of groceries in Australia.

[Capmaster]

My wife and I feed our family of 5 on about $100 a week

May be. But I suspect those guys won't be shopping for economy, like buying the family size mac&cheese, or visiting Costco for that matter. And they will have limited cooking facilities and probably no fridge, so they won't be buying the family pack of pork chops either.

I'll bet most of their meals will be small portion/expensive.

[shoozleboy]

ehhh, they're young - they can improvise!

:P

[pacmania_2001]

We aren't pansies like you Americans. We did descend from Aboriginals and criminals remember!

[pacmania_2001]

Damn Shoozleboy, thats twice you've pre-empted me, I've got to learn to type faster.

[shoozleboy]

not too bad for an old 30-something, huh?

[yoda313]

Damn Shoozleboy, thats twice you've pre-empted me, I've got to learn to type faster.

Hello,

Get a voice activated typing software!

Kevin

[pacmania_2001]

Why do you think I'm studying up on social engineering and body language?

To get free stuff from unsuspecting Americans.

[Capmaster]

ehhh, they're young - they can improvise!

:P

Yeah. At that age I didn't mind skipping eating for a day, staying up all night, or eating week-old pizza They'll survive

[shoozleboy]

and when he stops by your place, Cap - he can raid the fridge for a week or 2 supply of edibles!

[yoda313]

and when he stops by your place, Cap - he can raid the fridge for a week or 2 supply of edibles!

Hello,

Hope pacmania likes LAMB CHOPS

Kevin

[pacmania_2001]

and when he stops by your place, Cap - he can raid the fridge for a week or 2 supply of edibles!

Bingo.

Checklist for stopping at Caps:

1) Get address/phone numbers of all his hot nieces.
2) Raid his refridgerator
3) Steal his ID for his nuclear facility

[hech54]

and when he stops by your place, Cap - he can raid the fridge for a week or 2 supply of edibles!

Bingo.

Checklist for stopping at Caps:

1) Get address/phone numbers of all his hot nieces.
2) Raid his refridgerator
3) Steal his ID for his nuclear facility

4) Look for this sign at the end of Cap's driveway:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1131382#1131382

[mrtristan]

I don't see Hawaii on your map. I figure you can fly here instead, since it will be cheaper, then buy one of those amphibious vehicles and just drive to LA.

[pacmania_2001]

I'd love to visit Hawaii but I'm not sure about if we will be able to do it this trip. If we can get a flight that has a stop over in Hawaii for a few days then we'll go but most of the AUS -> US flights go directly to LA now instead of through Hawaii.

[thecoalman]

When you get here buy one of these..... http://www.msrcorp.com/stoves/ Burns multiple fuels even regular unleaded in a pinch, suggest you get white gas.... AKA Coleman Fuel. Just don't try and take home with you on the plane. I took one of these on a plane with me years ago.... carry on. they were giving me a hassle then.

And one of these..... http://www.weber.com/bbq/pub/grill/feature.aspx?g=10020&t=p

Check out this one it's for use in a small tent.... http://www.msrcorp.com/stoves/superfly_ascent.asp

[ZAPPER]

You can eat cheap with some planning. Stock up on some of the staples like rice or macaroni or potatos. Go easy on the high dollar meat cuts and go with alot of chicken or just use small amounts of meat for flavor. Catch your own fish for fun or eat fresh road kill that you wrap in tin foil and cook on the exaust manifold. (Manifold Monkey, one of my favorites from my days as a merc... I mean youth) Get a book about camping for more ideas as to save on food and different ways to cook. I also reccomend that you keep some peanutbutter and jelly on hand, you can live on it forever and if you can't cook for some reason it is quick and easy. I can feed my family for seven dollars a week. I buy canned beans three for a dollar, have beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Um um good!

All joking aside you can probally find books by or about pepole that have done great road trips and learn from them. Happy trails!

[zzyzzx]

$125 week / 7 = $17.85/ day

I can eat fast food every day for that much. Just as long as booze isn't included in that $125/week you should be OK.

One thing I wanted to add is that you should take note of how the water spins when you flush. You won't be seeing that again when you get home.

[thecoalman]

One thing I wanted to add is that you should take note of how the water spins when you flush. You won't be seeing that again when you get home.

So which way does it spin if you live on the equator? Hmmmm?

[pacmania_2001]

Thats the most common question I get asked by Americans, what way does the water flush in your toilet. Well that and "do you have a pet kangaroo/koala?"

Americans waste so much water with each flush with their toilet design I noticed when I was over there.

[jimmalenko]

Hey pac, do you think you could write a guide as you go ? I'm considering a similar trek with the missus and it'd be really handy to have a lot of the work done for us

[yoda313]

Hey pac, do you think you could write a guide as you go ? I'm considering a similar trek with the missus and it'd be really handy to have a lot of the work done for us

Hello,

Or hitch a ride with pac and split the bill!

Kevin

[jimmalenko]

Hey pac, do you think you could write a guide as you go ? I'm considering a similar trek with the missus and it'd be really handy to have a lot of the work done for us

Hello,

Or hitch a ride with pac and split the bill!

Nah, word on the street is that our very own pac is a bit of a lady-killer .... and I'm a bit .... um ... "insecure"...

[yoda313]

Hey pac, do you think you could write a guide as you go ? I'm considering a similar trek with the missus and it'd be really handy to have a lot of the work done for us

Hello,

Or hitch a ride with pac and split the bill!

Nah, word on the street is that our very own pac is a bit of a lady-killer .... and I'm a bit .... um ... "insecure"...

Hello,



Kevin

[pacmania_2001]

Hey pac, do you think you could write a guide as you go ? I'm considering a similar trek with the missus and it'd be really handy to have a lot of the work done for us

Will do. It might be a good idea to keep it away from the missus and also any law enforcement agencies.

My grandfather is a wealth of information on all things travel, especially the US so if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to see if he can provide an answer.

Or hitch a ride with pac and split the bill!

Starting to look like I need a back up unless my mate can start sticking to a budget to save some cash.

Nah, word on the street is that our very own pac is a bit of a lady-killer .... and I'm a bit .... um ... "insecure"...

American girls love the accent. Anyone can get laid, if I can, you can.