If your family loves to hit the road, caravaning around the UK and Europe, you may love to take a caravaning summer vacation to the scenic American West, to the states between the towering Rocky Mountains and the mighty Pacific Ocean. The UK pound has a good exchange rate and US gas prices are the lowest they have been in many years. Airlines are introducing extremely low fares between Europe and the US. The price of gas is currently at a national average of $2 per gallon. (0.37 GBP per liter) You may be surprised at how inexpensive your trip can be this year. Here are some tips to plan your once-in-a-lifetime trip.

A good place to start your journey would be in the small city of Eugene, Oregon, which has a population of about 160,000 and is in the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley, between the coast range and cascade mountains. What makes this a good place to start is the very small neighboring town of Junction City, which is the home to several American manufacturers of recreational vehicles (RVs,) such as motorhomes, 5th wheelers and travel trailers. They have a huge variety of late model vehicles available for rental at good prices. You can even choose to rent them stocked with a full compliment of kitchen supplies, linens and other supplies you might need on an extended journey.

In winter, western Oregon’s climate is often as dreary as the UK, but the summers are glorious. However, in traveling from sea to mountains, down into California, Nevada and Utah and up into the Rocky Mountains, you will see every imaginable climate and weather. Your family should pack for every kind of weather. You may find snow on the ground in the mountains or even see the temperature flip from 75F to snow flurries within a single day. You may not need a heavy parka, but you should bring a waterproof jacket with a hood. To ward off the cold, adopt the Oregonian principle of dressing in layers. Bring a variety of t-shirts, shorts, blue jeans, or cargo pants and a few long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts. For shoes, you should bring comfortable athletic shoes, sandals and a waterproof pair of hiking shoes or boots. In the UK, you can find good deals on hikers at USC. When hiking in mountains, especially on sharp volcanic rocks, crossing creeks, or exploring ocean tide pools, you will need durable, non-slip shoes. Leave your umbrella at home. Especially in the Oregon, umbrella use will just get you teased, because no one lets a little rain stop an adventure. The style of dress is casual and no one will care if your hair is a bit wet and tousled.

To plan your trip, to include some of the most spectacular natural wonders, a good starting place is the national park service at https://www.nps.gov . You can get entrance passes at the entrance gates of parks. If you will be visiting several parks, you may save money by getting a yearly pass. Entrance fees are per vehicle, so your whole family visits for the same price.

Most parks offer RV camping options, but if you’re looking to save on nightly rates, consider exploring the areas just outside the parks for more budget-friendly alternatives. For those who prefer a more budget oriented camping experience, parking along the side of the road is an option in many areas, especially if you have a portable generator as a reliable power source. Portable Generators are convenient to carry with you and allow you to create a home-away-from-home experience during your outdoor adventures. However, it’s essential to be aware of any parking fees, especially in mountainous regions, where a modest $5 parking fee may apply. These fees are often collected on the honor system and come with detachable parking permits to display in your front window, ensuring your camping trip is not only cost-effective but also well-prepared for a powered and enjoyable experience.

Additionally, if you are traveling with a differently abled person, then you could, maybe, consider getting handicapped parking permit stickers made to put on your vehicle to use specific parking spots. That said, there are many highway public rest areas and truck stops that have potable water to fill up your tanks and wastewater dumping facilities for RVs. Americans are generally quite personable and gregarious. You can feel comfortable asking strangers, in stores, restaurants, or gas stations for directions or suggestions for area activities.

For more suggestions, check tourism websites for each state. A fun tool to preview or your plan route is Google Earth or Google maps, with the terrain and user photo features enabled. You can also seek out spectacular places that you see in the photos of top nature photographers. Plan your trip well and you can see something absolutely incredible every day of your trip.