Backpacking around the U.S.A and Mexico, where to go? Is this a good place to go for first gap year ?

Question

Hey, i asked a previous question about working on a cruise line as a photographer but ive decided im not going to do that to much hard work involved. So in 2009 im taking a gap year from c**p *** scotland. Im going to go backpacking around the U.S, do you think this is a good place to start for your first time doing something like this. I love America plus its cheap as the british pound is worth double in dollers. Im thinking of going around april time to L.A and then get a car and drive down the coast into mexico back up to texas then over the other coast to new york then fly back. Maybe hit Cuba if i can. do you think Cuba is safe now, or would there be nay point going there ?

Well the real question is where do you think i should go as i will be getting a car out there, plus im a photographer so i want to see all the wee towns like red neck style ones etc. how much money should i have to go with im thinking around $10,000. would this be enough as im thinking off nearly a year there? Also wanting to get a job out there so i can stay, don't really want to come back to Scotland.

Answer 1

usa is a huge country i think you could land in newyork travel up tp maine and the lake area go trekking and river rafting in maine they              have so much for ytourists.........then you could also visit niagara and the thousand islands distances are vast so you willhave to do one area at a time...........njoy

Answer 2

This could work, but you will probably need to have a car.  "Backpacking" doesn't really exist in America as it does in Europe. Public transportation, particularly from city to city is much more difficult in the US.  There isn't much of a train system, so you will need to drive for a long time or take a plane, both of which can get expensive although you will have the advantage of the exchange rate.  Also, how do you plan on getting a car? Assuming that you are young- most rental car places will not rent cars to anyone under the age of 25, and if they do it will be significantly more expensive so you'll want to look into this before you leave (also the rental policies for having an international license).  Backpacking will also be more difficult because there aren't as many hostel-type accommodations.  Some hostels can be found in the major cities, but be prepared to pay for hotels in other locations.

Will you be traveling alone?  You may have the best luck traveling with someone else because then you can share the costs of gas and hotel rooms, and have someone to keep you company for the many hours you plan on spending on the road!  Good luck!