Cross-Country Trip (San Diego: hotels, school, restaurants)

[hanna_house]

Well, we are finally going to make the move out to SD in less than 2 weeks! We will be driving from Michigan over a period of 3 days. My question is to anyone who has made a long cross-country trip like this. Did you make hotel arrangements ahead of time or wing it? If you winged it, was it difficult to get a room? I just want to know because although I would prefer to wing it since driving time can vary from what the map sites say, I want to make sure I will have a place to lay my head at the end of the day. Some advice on this would be helpful because neither my husband or I have ever made this kind of trip before. We will be going up I 80 and I 70, if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance!

[treedonkey]

No need to book hotels ahead, unless you want to stay in swank resorts or quaint B&B's. Of course, this time o year even those places may have availability. Maybe just call the places an hour or two ahead on the mobile phone, if possible, if not, no nig. i've done it lotsa times and never had a problem except on holiday weekends. Have a safe drive. SD rawks!

[mewzikguy]

No worries Done it many times from IND. When you get tired late at night, just find a place along the interstate, they won't be full this time of year. Welcome to SD

[mini_cute]

Yeah, I think you'll be fine if you just wing it like the other posters said.

Glad to hear you'll soon be joining us in San Diego. Welcome!!

[hanna_house]

Thank you all for the warm welcome! You have no idea how excited I am about this move. I think I will take your advice and just play it by ear. I don't want to lose driving time or drive to long all because I made reservations.

[Jaybee]

Wife and I always vacation in September, after the munchkins are back at school. Don't generally have any trouble finding accomodations. Good luck with your trip. If you feel like it-post it on the social group "Road Trippers" on this website. We'd love to hear about your adventures!

[Carrieg11]

If you can, pick up a copy of The Next Exit. It's basically has an exit-by-exit listing of all hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc... of all U.S. interstates. My husband and I have done the cross-country drive 3 times, and this book has been extremely useful. I got my copy at Barnes and Noble...in the map/travel section.
Have a safe and fun trip!

[ubringliten]

Or if you have a GPS, a portable navigation, it should give you the nearest motels wherever you are. Motels are usually not full, especially at this time of the year. Winging it will make you feel liberated, not constrain to certain motel at certain time.

I love hearing people moving to SD. I want this place to get a little more packed.

Welcome hanna_house!

[nomattic]

I am about to start my drive from Boston to San Diego. For part of the way I'm staying with friends, but for the rest of the trip (a majority of it) I'm gonna just wander and see what happens. From the research I've done there are a lot of hotels along I-70 and I-80 (and every other major highway). Screw planning, I say wing it!

[SiddharthaGautama]

I'm getting ready to make the trip in a few weeks from Missouri. I've got a friend in Phoenix I'll stay with for a couple of days. I figure I might stay somewhere in New Mexico for a night. I'd also recommend getting a gps, I am. Good luck