BootsnAll Travel Community

I'm America bound for between 2-3 weeks in March this year. However I've not yet decided exactly where. My choices are between having a few days in Orlando and driving up the east coast to New York, or a few days in San Francisco and driving up the west coast to Seattle. I've spent time in both San Francisco and New York before and loved both, and driven the Pacific Coast Highway between San Diego and San Francisco so while I know how beautiful that is I'm looking for somewhere different - hence the heading north rather than south if I go to the west coast. I know the east vs west coast has certainly been discussed before, but thought I'd start up a new post for some fresh opinions.

Does anyone have any suggestions, personal preferences, or must see places along the way whichever trip I decide to take, bearing in mind I know I am rather short on time for the trip. I've heard the east coast can all be a bit similar after a while, whereas I've not heard too much about the west coast north of San Francisco.

Look forward to hearing from you.

I would suggest that you throw out whatever preconceptions you might have about the region and explore the SouthEast. Check out the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina and the coastal cities of Charleston and Savannah. The Mid-Atlantic is kind of boring I think so I'm not a big advocate of the New York to Florida idea, although it would be fun in its own right.

Ever thought about seeing the deep American West? The Colorado, Utah, Idaho, South Dakota areas have some of the best scenery and most interesting road-trips in the world. Western Colorado has everything from abandoned mining towns and cowboy bars to ancient Anasazi ruins and jaw-dropping landscapes.

If you're set on the coast idea, I can attest that the Pacific coasts of Oregon and Washington are stunning. Simply driving from San Fran to Seattle as you mentioned would be great, but keep in mind that the water can be cold and the beaches beautiful but forbidding.

However, as a native, and someone who's lived in several parts of the country, I promise you that some of the best parts of the USA are well away from the shores! There's a lot of "local color" tucked away in the interior.

Just a quick note on the Florida-NY idea.

This has got to be one of the largest standing traffic jams on the face of the earth -- most of the route is heavily trafficked most of the time leaving you with two options: endure the traffic or drive at night and miss the sights. There is a lot to sea en route, but if you choose it, pack a lot of patience...

I live in NYC and rarely drive. Every time I do, I seem to regret it -- think 3 hours to do the 5 miles from Midtown to New Jersey. Okay, that is the worst of it, but with all the major cities along I-95 (the main FL-ME highway), you're bound to get bogged down somewhere.

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Originally posted by Circuitloss:
Ever thought about seeing the deep American West? The Colorado, Utah, Idaho, South Dakota areas have some of the best scenery and most interesting road-trips in the world. Western Colorado has everything from abandoned mining towns and cowboy bars to ancient Anasazi ruins and jaw-dropping landscapes.

I'd have to agree with this suggestion. Seems that you're planning to rent a car anyway, right? You could fly into somewhere like Denver and make a big loop through the states named above. I would throw Arizona and New Mexico into the mix, as well. Talk about jaw-dropping landscapes...

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Originally posted by Circuitloss:
If you're set on the coast idea, I can attest that the Pacific coasts of Oregon and Washington are stunning. Simply driving from San Fran to Seattle as you mentioned would be great, but keep in mind that the water can be cold and the beaches beautiful but forbidding.

I agree and you'd also pass through the Redwood forest in Northern California which is absolutely awe inspiring. There are a fair number of state parks along the way for camping if you're on a budget or just want to commune with nature.

Florida has one of the most uninspired driving landscapes in the country, IMHO. But then I'm a bit biased.

Thanks for the responses guys. I spent 3 months driving from NY to LA a couple of years back, and along the way saw a lot of South Dakota, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona on that trip. Not been to Idaho and Colorado, and would love to, but it's not on the cards for this trip. I'll be back again at some point over the coming years and I'll go there when I can devote a bit more time.

So far it sounds like west coast is the way to go, so any other recommendations of places to see and things to do along the way would be great. Especially for San Francisco as I've been before and seen a lot of the main tourist attractions, so the more unknown and locals faves would be good to know cheers.

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So far it sounds like west coast is the way to go

It is.

ive traveled the east once or twice. and besides the at trail i just found that it hasnt had much to offer except nasty cities with not much culture. dont get me wrong there are some cool places, but the west just has a thousand more things to offer and much more variety and the history is more interesting and the land has been less tampered with.

I don't know the west very well, but I have lived in Albuquerque, and have seen the deserts of Arizona, and they are just spectatcular. Theres no getting around that.

The east coast has its hidden gems, but they're in the people, not necessarily the sights.

My family has made the Fla-Philadelphia run too many times, and its a long boring road with hotels in between. I found North Carolina to be the worst because once you get off the highway, you can't seem to find the hotels advertised off the highway.
So, if you're just passing through anyways, skip NC and wait for South Carolina, which has hotels you CAN find.


There is an alternative wayt to go from Ny-Fla, and that is to take the old and decrepit interstates now practically abandoned. They go through a lot of small towns and nice people, I'm sure, but it will take longer.

Still, if you're from Europe, go for the gold. Go west and see the nature!! Its the one thing you will neve see in Eruope!!!

I'm a little biast as I'm from the WestCoast, but I'd say go with whatever you haven't done before. If you've already seen California and haven't had the opportunity to travel up the East coast, I say go for the East Coast!

I'm biased because I'm from California, but in terms of time of year, I'd pick the west coast for weather. It is a mild time of year, though you could have rain, you should have colorful wildflowers.

I'd make sure to go to Redwood National Park and see not only redwoods but the elk. Especially at Prairie Creek, walk into the fern canyon and see zillions of ferns covering the rock walls.

The coast of Oregon is beautiful with sharp jagged rocks in the ocean and crashing waves.

In Washington, you get the Olympic rainforests. The Hoh rainforest was my favorite.

Wherever you go, have a great time.

I'm biased because I'm from New York, and I agree with the previous posts about traffic. Florida has horrible drivers. The Beltway is always jammed; same goes for the Jersey Turnpike and all highways leading into Manhattan.

My pick would be to explore routes you haven't taken before. Why not drive from San Fran to British Columbia? Or how about Orlando to New Orleans or Houston? How about cruising Route 66?