So, long story short, me and three of my best friends are leaving Florida right after graduation (early June) and spending 2-3 weeks on the road. Our intended destination is Maine. We'll be driving my Trooper. We're planning on camping most nights, and seeing lots of state/national parks. Places we've considered stopping in include Nashville, Raleigh (family), NYC, Cape Cod (family), North Eastern West Virginia (family), and Maine's North Woods.
So, that's about the extent of our plan so far (besides going over the budget/money required with everybody). Obviously, we're going to need a more complete route.
Where should we go, what should we see? Any tips? I'm purposely leaving this topic loose, in hopes that you all have great stories and suggestions. 
With your auto ADD, are you sure you are going to have the Trooper by June? That's like four cars away from now!
cwh
SuperDork
11/14/11 1:40 p.m.
When I saw this, I thought you meant senior CITIZEN road trip. Nevermind.
Yes, I imagined a road trip of senior citizens, but since it's H.S. seniors let's get realistic, have you mapped out the whore houses? I mean we all know what's on your mind.
Tom Suddard wrote:
Where should we go, what should we see? Any tips? I'm purposely leaving this topic loose, in hopes that you all have great stories and suggestions.
First thing that came to mind was VEGAS! HOOKERS AND BLOW!
And then I realized what ridiculous drinking laws you guys have down there and quashed that idea.
So yea... you seem to be on the right track. If you can pull it off, definitely find random people to party with for one night. Usually leads to memorable experiences.
jrw1621
SuperDork
11/14/11 2:03 p.m.
I have little to add other than I like the idea. Four dudes in a Trooper. I recommend a travel report in a similar style of a ride report as done at www.advrider.com and we will all follow along.
Heck, if done right you could probably leapfrog from GRM member to GRM member but that is probably a lot like hanging out with your parent's friends. Maybe leapfrog from college dorm to college dorm.
Maroon92 wrote:
With your auto ADD, are you sure you are going to have the Trooper by June? That's like four cars away from now!
Well maybe by then he'll have somekind of classic convertible for a better roadtrip experience
driver109x wrote:
Maroon92 wrote:
With your auto ADD, are you sure you are going to have the Trooper by June? That's like four cars away from now!
Well maybe by then he'll have somekind of classic convertible for a better roadtrip experience
In sticking with the Vegas, hookers and blow connection...
cwh wrote:
When I saw this, I thought you meant senior CITIZEN road trip. Nevermind.
I was going to suggest lots of Depends diapers, but I now retract that suggestion.
Yeah, I was also thinking that'd be the sort of roadtrip you go on because you've forgotten something somewhere.
maroon92, apparently you didn't read it on here a few months ago when the Trooper was bought.
If you are going up through north eastern West Virginia swing by Gettysburg. I haven't been there in nearly (....well, I guess I better not say) and I'm told it's become MORE of a tourist trap, but hey, it might be cool? And if you are going that way, hit Hershey (the park and the antique auto musuem). If you stay on I-81 through Pa. and then head thru N.Y. via I-88 you COULD come close enough to Cooperstown (with the baseball hall of fame and museum) and Saratoga to visit the car museum there.
OR, you could tell your folks this is the way you are going and take a better route suggested by others here.
Jake
HalfDork
11/14/11 4:10 p.m.
I did a trip similar to this when I was in college. I think we were maybe 20 at the time, and likewise in a Trooper, about the same age as yours. Me and a friend couch surfed our way up the east coast for a week or so of fishing. We mostly caught bass out of the lake at his family’s cabin, but made our way out to attempt several trout streams/ rivers as well. Out of all of that, I managed to catch dozens of sub-par bass and one, count ‘em, ONE 8” brook trout, which I managed to kill trying to dislodge the hook he’d swallowed. Never felt so guilty killing a fish.
Take a camera, take lots of pics. Try to look around. This is a ridiculously awesome country we live in- kudos for taking a look at it when you’re young. I’m JEALOUS.
I did a similar trip one summer in HS. 4 dudes in a Volvo 240 wagon. 
There was a Van Halen concert at the other end though. I was deaf for a week.
Hershey is bad for your diet. Near the factory it smells like chocolate.
iceracer wrote:
Outer Banks, Kitty Hawk.
This. Oh and Raleigh eh? I def wont buy you guys beer. 
Haha j/k. Have a great time!
Wow, all great ideas, keep them coming!
I guess I should probably add that I've traveled extensively (I've got great parents), so believe it or not I've actually been to every single place you all have listed so far! I'm up to 43 or 44 states, and 8 different countries. Consequently, I'm quite accustomed to traveling and visiting new places, and it's easy for me at this point.
However, the same can't be said for my friends. None of them have been to more than a state or two outside of Florida....
The first few days are going to be interesting!
We might stop by and see a few GRMers, I don't think of you all as "just my parents' friends" in the slightest. 3 of us have girlfriends, too, so I doubt we'll be hunting for hookers and blow.
You'll have fun showing them the sights. Many times that's as much fun as finding the sights in the first place.
I-81 though PA sucks. When I did my VA vacation, we were told to drive the coast as much as possible and cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. It was really cool, very glad we did it. Unfortunately you'll then need to go through New Jersey... which also sucks. So I guess if you're going to WVa and Nashville, maybe you can find a better route.
High school age guys in NYC? You won't run out of things to do.
Motorsports related, try to visit Lime Rock Park in CT. Depending on the dates you may be able to coincide with an event. They also do camping at the track. Plus the roads to and from lime rock are fantastic.
Orange County Choppers is up here too. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it, but you may end up literally driving right past the HQ.
Pat
Reader
11/15/11 11:57 a.m.
DC without a doubt, Gettysburg is pretty wild to see when you think about what actually occurred there, White Mountains in New Hampshire are amazing and make sure you drive the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire,
Avoid I95 through CT..it's always a nightmare.
Duke
SuperDork
11/15/11 12:04 p.m.
Camp one night in Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, right on the point between the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay. Then wake up the next morning and take the car ferry to Cape May, New Jersey, drive up through southern NJ (the pretty part) and into Philadelphia.
Places I think you should hit up. DC and the Smithsonian museums. Some part of the Outer Banks especially if your Trooper is a 4x4. You can drive on the beach and get a real feel for it. Remember to lower the pressure in your tires to 25lbs or so. If you're into history stop by Jamestown in Williamsburg VA. Hit up Skyline Driver and the Blue Ridge Parkway if you can. Beautiful roads. There are also some new microbreweries in those areas. If you're around Danville you can check out VIR as well.
^^ I was also going to suggest Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. Watch your speed limit driving there.
As far as Smithsonian Museums, this one is really cool and probably one of my favorites, and it is not in DC. http://nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/
If you are thinking of hitting any national parks on your roadtrip, they usually charge by the car for entry, the fees vary. Or you can get a 1 year pass for all national parks for $80, so that may or may not save you money if you research the park fees in advance.
