New York to Seattle and Return
 

:clap: I am shipping my Honda Blackbird across from the UK to New York in June 2008 with the intention of spending 10 weeks travelling to Seattle via Niagra and then the US20, with a return on the US2, dipping into east Canada around the great lakes before heading back down to New York via New England.

I won't be camping but will be stopping off at hotels/motels en route, unless someone offers me the odd overnight - hint hint.

What chains of hotel/motel am I likely to find en route and at what sort of cost per night? I would intend spending quite a bit of time at places like Yellowstone.

Great site with tons of information.

Regards :thumbup1:

any and all
 

Depending on how much you want to spend.
Hotels bahh hate them expensive nasty places use them all the time to. Hotel-Guides.us - US & Canada Hotels - See All Discounts or you can try a hostel Hostels in USA - USA hostels.

There is a loge in the park Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) that link will tell you need to know about the that park. And from here National Park Service - Experience Your America gust about any other park in the USA (national any way) A little hint get a national park pass America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for $80 its the best. its called "Interagency Annual Pass "

But if your as cheap as me Hotel 6 and Supper 8 will be your main bedding places. Around $50 a night, less out in the sticks more in a city.

If you get a chance from Seattle go to norther California along the pacific U.S. 101 its grate ride. Will add 3 to 4 days to the trip. If you do try to hit Eureka and eat at the Samoa Cookhouse all you can eat and has a history. This is one of the places they cut up redwoods. Another park area realy big tree.

When you stop at hotels and gas stops see if they have maps of the parks there cheap and grate souvenirs.

Better bring a big sack of $$$. If you plan on motels every night, its going to cost you big $$ in the US/Canada. I'd think it would be impossible to do the trip on a budget of less than $100/day if you're staying in motels a lot. And that $100/day figure is probably low.

IMHO, this is the best time of the year for tent camping, and you'll have much more contact with people. Generally speaking, one can stay at a commercial campground for $10 - $20 US per night. Motel rooms are rarely under $50/night. In touristy areas and big cities, expect to pay $100 and up for a room. On weekends, especially in tourist areas, motels are booked well in advance. Special events can eliminate all available motel rooms in a 40 mile radius. These special events nearly always take place on weekends.
If you stay "off the beaten path" in your tent, its free. This option is only available in rural areas.
In the Yellowstone area, the town of West Yellowstone is where the least expensive motels may be found. $50 range & up. The motel within Yellowstone Park, the Old Faithful Inn, I believe, charges around $150/night.

You'll be eating most of your meals in restaurants. Breakfast will run $5 - $10 after tax & tip. Lunch will be about the same. Dinner will generally run $10 & up.

Gasoline will likely cost around $3/gallon. Of course, gasoline prices are volatile. Political turmoil in any oil producing country generally sends gasoline prices higher overnight.

I can't fully promise it yet, but if I get my guest room over my garage completed in time, you're welcome to do an over night stay. I'd even furnish you with a home cooked meal, and high speed internet access. I'm located about 30 miles south of US Highway 2 in Wisconsin in a rural country setting.

I'm also convinced the US has very inexpensive prices on used motorcycles and that from an economic standpoint, it is far cheaper to purchase a bike in the US, register it, insure it, and then sell it before you depart. I suspect shipping a bike to the US isn't cheap. Neither is its return trip.
Granted, there is nothing like being on ones own bike, but one should examine the big picture.

US & Canada motels
 

On the topic of daily expenditure: From experience I dare to say that it is possible to average (,average !, ) for food ,feul and lodging a trip at $60 to $70 per day with nights in low cost mom-and -pop motels the mainstay.Have done such trips even this year. Yes some days you will have to spring $60 + for a room but if you look around you can still find lots of motels below $45. The mentioned chains are okay but nothing wrong with the privately owned small local motels in the small towns across North America. then you can allocate extra money for those things you feel you absolutely must splurge on. Of course your tastes differ from mine but my figures are possible and still have a great trip.If you are in the neighbourhood check out tourist welcome centers in the USA for discount coupon booklets and you can save considerable dollars.

:thumbup1: Guys, thanks for all the good information and it certainly being taken on board.

Roll on next June and I will no doubt post nearer the time.

:cool4:

Stay in Detroit area
 

I've got an open guest room if you find yourself in the Detroit, Michigan area. I'm in Pontiac, a northern suberb.
I have a room, garage (with tools), food, high-speed internet, etc. All free of course, to a fellow two-wheeler!

Mike

welcome to the USA
 

If you route down through Kentucky, I'll offer a room and a steak and a beer. I'm usually very busy in June, but I still ride on Sunday. Be glad to show you some of the Bluegrass.

I might be able to help when you arrive in NY. Send me your itinerary when you're about to leave.

Check out ADVrider for tent space.

:thumbup1: Guys, thanks for the invites, I may well take you up on them.

Its looking like sometime like 9th June when I will be arriving in New York to collect my bike. Wish I could move calender forward 6 months!!!!

Will post nearer the time and make contact.:funmeterno: