Many great American writers have packed up their belongings and gone for a good old-fashioned "I-need-to-find-myself" drive across the USA. Jack Kerouac, Hunter S. Thompson, John Steinbeck - they've all hit the byways of America and brought their memories home for the rest of us to experience. Now you want to give it a try. After all, there's no better way to get to know the 48 contiguous states (hey, you try driving to Hawaii) than to jump into a set of wheels and tackle America Thelma and Louise style (minus the guns).

But as spontaneous of an adventure as a cross-country drive may sound, there are some necessary preparations to make. Once you get these basics down, you'll be well on your way to becoming a true pioneer. And for extra incentive, check this out: if you send us a postcard while on your trip, we'll post it at the end of this article!

1. CHOOSE YOUR VEHICLE

We suggest you drive a car, because riding a unicycle cross-country is hard on the knees. But if you don't own a car (or you own a real crappy one that would never make it across town, let alone across the country), you do have other options. Here are some other ways you can get your hands on a car:

Rent an RV
Catch a ride
Drive someone else's car
Rent a car
Steal a car

Rent an RV

Some say that if you've got a crew of 6 or more, renting an RV (recreational vehicle) is the best way to make a cross-country journey. Think about it: you've got a motel, a restaurant, and a ride all in one - a road-tripper's oasis. Prices vary greatly depending on the size and amenities of the rolling motel; for an average Winnebago, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 a day, depending on the season. Sounds hefty, but do the math: if you have a 6-person party and you figure a rate of $250 a day for the Winnie, a two-week trip comes out to less than $600 a person. Plus, you can pretend you're on Road Rules and get special treatment wherever you go.

Catch a ride

No, we don't mean hitchhiking. Rather, many people just want a little companionship (or someone to chip in for gas) when going on a long drive. So check the bulletin boards of your local college or the classified sections of the newspaper. Chances are, there'll be some wandering soul seeking to find a partner for his/her next trip.

Drive someone else's car

There are people out there who are moving from one coast to the other, want to bring their car along with them, but don't want to drive it themselves. What do such people do? Ask someone else to drive it for them. Agencies known as "drive-aways" hire people to drive other people's cars to specific destinations. Here are the general requirements:

  • Prove that you are trustworthy (if you have a criminal record, don't even bother applying).

  • Pay a sizeable but fully refundable deposit.

  • Get the car there within a certain number of days.

  • You must be at least 19 years old.

  • You must have a valid driver's license (surprising, isn't it?).

  • Usually, you've got to pay for the gas.

You can find these agencies online (try www.movecars.com or www.shipcar.com) or in the phone book under "moving" or "drive-aways."

Rent a car

If you want to drive across the country on your own schedule, there's always the reliable option of renting your fantasy car. The main benefit to renting a car: IT'S NOT YOURS! That means you don't have to worry about wear-and-tear. With rental cars, as long as the car isn't returned damaged, you can drive that baby through hurricanes (can you say, "renter's insurance?"). Keep in mind though that many rental companies only rent to drivers at least 25 years old. Some car companies, including Enterprise and Dollar, dropped their age requirement to 21; however, these companies usually charge an additional fee for younger drivers (it's discrimination, we tell you!). Renting a car can also be pretty expensive. But if it's freedom and irresponsibility you're looking for, this is the way to go.

Steal a car

This is a fantastic option, as long as you want to go to jail.

2. PREPARE YOUR CAR

If you were going to run a marathon, you wouldn't just show up on the day of the race. You would to prepare. Well, the same goes for your car. Trust us, the Arizona desert is beautiful, but the last thing you want is to get stuck walking across it when your car overheats. There are certain things that every car needs before it takes you on a long haul, so before you pack your car full of sleeping bags and travel food, make sure you take it in for a checkup. Usually, you can get the full rundown for about $75 at your local Jiffy Lube or Midas stations. Here's what you should especially look for:

  • Check the fluids: motor oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant. You can do these on your own by reading your owner's manual. As a general rule, you should change your oil every 3,000 miles.

  • Get your brakes tested. (Otherwise, you and that Texan armadillo that darts out into the middle of the road may be sorry - armadillos are messy creatures.)

  • If necessary, get new tires. Your tires are your feet on the road - make sure they're in good shape for the trip. All of your tires should have at least 1/8th of an inch of tread; if not, it's time to ditch them for new ones. Make sure your spare tire is in good shape too.

  • Check the oil filter.

  • Check the air filtration system.

  • Make sure your wiper blades are working properly.

Gas

As for gas, it's one of the most expensive things you'll find on the road. Make sure you have enough money so that you don't get stuck in the middle of Idaho washing dishes at the local truck stop in order to pay your way. The best way to guesstimate how much gas you'll need (and how much it will cost) is to get a map and do the following

  1. Figure out how far you're going to drive.

  2. Divide that number by the gas mileage (miles per gallon) of the car you're driving.

  3. Take that number to any local gas station, find the price-per-gallon and multiply the two numbers.

  4. Add $30 of cushion.

That's about how much it will cost you (unless you're spending a lot of time in California or New York, where gas prices are soaring like crazy). Here's an example: let's pretend that you're going to drive 1500 miles, that you get 25 miles per gallon, and that gas costs $1.50 per gallon. So divide the miles by the mileage (60), and multiply it by the price, which results in $90. Add your $30 of cushion, and now you know that you should set aside $120 for gas. We also recommend that you get one of those gas credit cards so that you don't accidentally spend your gas cash on souvenirs and knick-knacks.

3. PACK YOUR THINGS

There are two classes of things to bring with you when you start your cross-country adventure: things you need, and things you absolutely need. Bring plenty of both:

  • CB Radio or cell phone. A road-trip must. Yeah, yeah, it takes away from the "adventure," but it's not the 1960s anymore, and a cell phone will give your mother a way to make sure that Crazy Roadside Killer Bob hasn't found you yet. The roads are dangerous, so communication is vital.

  • Extra water. In case you - or your engine - overheat, it's good to have two jugs of water in your trunk.

  • Extra blankets. If your car gets stuck in the snow, you'll need something to keep you warm until help arrives.

  • Flashlight. Good for everything from reading at nighttime to changing a tire in the dark to looking out for Crazy Roadside Killer Bob.

  • Chains for your tires, if it's winter. Many mountainous roads require you to have chains to drive across the higher passes during winter months.

  • Jumper cables. If you don't want to wait forever for a tow truck, it helps to have your own jumper cables. With a little help from a friendly motorist, you should be back on the road in no time. By the way, you can learn how to start a car with jumper cables there.

  • Road flares. If you break down on a dark or foggy highway, flares make it easier for passing cars to notice you. They're also useful weapons for fending off Crazy Roadside Killer Bob.

  • AAA membership. They can jump start your car, tow you off into the sunset, and pop the lock when you leave your keys inside. Having a AAA membership makes taking a road tip a little less of a hassle. Not to mention, AAA membership gets you nice discounts at motels, hotels and restaurants across the country.

  • Your driver's license, registration, and insurance card. When you're spending at least 10 hours a day in your car, there's an increased chance that something bad will happen (read: accidents and tickets). Be prepared for this.

By the way, if your pet is coming along for the ride, you CAN NOT lock your pet up in your car overnight. Instead, find a place to sleep that allows pets. There are several sites on the Internet, including dogfriendly.com and www.PetsWelcome.com, which list hotels and motels where your pets are welcome.

4. FIND THE BEST ROUTE

If there's one thing you should remember on the road it's this: take your time. The best part about driving cross-country is driving cross-country. No matter how much you love the feel of the wind in your face while you jet down the highway, the trip always takes the most memorable turns when you get out there and explore. So if you see something on the side of the road that intrigues you (except for Crazy Roadside Killer Bob), pull over and check it out.

If you want to stick to a schedule and find the quickest way to get to your destination, mapquest.com can give you detailed route maps. But if you really want to be adventurous, there are a few roads that stand out as the quintessential road trip routes. So grab yourself a big-ass map and look at:

Route 66 (California to Chicago)

Also known as the "The Mother Road" and the "Main Street of America," Route 66 was the first all-weather highway to link Chicago to Los Angeles. It traverses through countryside and cityscapes, bumbling along from rural to urban while remaining the most popular highway in the country for tourists. It's for those who want to stop at country diners for milkshakes and those who appreciate things like Cadillac Ranch, a place where dozens of old painted Cadillacs are buried and propped nose-up along the horizon.

US-50 (California to Maryland)

The sole surviving non-interstate transcontinental highway, US-50 runs coast-to-coast, beginning in Oakland, CA, and ending in Ocean City, MD. Along its meandering 3,200 miles through the heart of America, the road cuts through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.

US-80 (California to Georgia)

Consider the US-80 if you're looking for some Southern Comfort. Over its 3,000-mile span, the road goes from the golden sand dunes of San Diego, to the prickly deserts of the Southwest, to the steamy bayous of the Mississippi Delta, to the foothills of the Appalachians, to the sea islands of Savannah.

5. FIND A PLACE TO STAY

Campgrounds

Camping is the cheapest way to bunk while on the road. Actually, that's a lie. Pulling over and sleeping in your car is the cheapest, and crashing at a friend's house is a close second, but camping finishes in a strong third place. Most campgrounds cost between $5 and $20 per night and are usually equipped with a shower and bathroom facilities. To find some campgrounds, contact the National Park Service or check out www.gocampingamerica.com. Keep in mind that many campgrounds take reservations, and grounds fill up quickly during the spring and summer. Be sure to call ahead of time.

Hostels

Europe's not the only place where you can crash in a dorm-like atmosphere with dozens of other young travelers - America has got hundreds of hostels, most of them clustered into urban destinations. If you don't mind sharing a room with five other people, hostels offer a clean and cheap place to stay while you're passing through town. Most of them cost between $10 and $20 a night, offer inexpensive meals, and are equipped with kitchens and laundry facilities. To locate one on your travel route, check out www.hostels.com.

Motels

The biggest advantage to motels is that they're everywhere, but heed our advice: avoid them if you can. Motels aren't that cheap (most range from $40 to $80), and camping and hostelling are usually cleaner and safer. But if you've just got to watch the big game or you desperately feel the need for indoor privacy, motels will do the job.

Hotels

Hey, if you've got the cash and you're just not into the Jack Kerouac bohemia, why not wine-and-dine your way across country? Hotels have several perks, including free Continental breakfast, fitness centers, pay-per-view television (we know what you're thinking) and great, big beds. If you have a AAA card or subscribe to travelers e-savers like those found on travelweb.com, you may even find yourself a cheap rate.

Safety tip for both hotels and motels: Always stay in the upstairs floors (fewer crimes occur there). Also, criminals are known to pose as motel staff, including cleaning crews and security guards, so be wary.

6. KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

We're not saying you're going to have an emergency, but it's good to be ready in case disaster strikes.

Contact police

If you have a cell phone, dialing #55 usually puts you through to state highway patrol officers. Police officers, sheriff's deputies and highway patrol officers all have uniform shoulder badges, so look for them before opening your door or windows.

Changing a tire

If you learn anything from this article, let it be this: stay away from Crazy Roadside Killer Bob. Second on the list is how to change a tire. Ehow has how to change a flat tireinstructions on changing a tire. Print it out. Keep it in your glove compartment. Thank us later.

Don't fall asleep at the wheel

It's simple: if you're tired, stop driving. Dull landscapes, droning tires, passing street lamps, you are getting sleeeeeepy. These repetitive patterns can cause what's called "highway hypnosis," which numbs drivers' senses and slows their reaction time. To avoid driver fatigue:

  • Sleep at least 8 hours before leaving for a long drive.

  • Don't start a trip late in the day.

  • If possible, don't drive alone. Take turns driving and keep talking as a way to stay awake.

  • Avoid long drives at night. The glare of lights both on your dashboard and outside your car increases the chances of highway hypnosis.

  • Adjust the car's environment to keep you alert: Keep the temperature cool with open windows or air conditioning. Turn the radio on and switch stations frequently; avoid easy-listening music (not only does it belong in an elevator, but it'll shut those eyes before you know it). Instead, listen to talk radio.

  • Stop for stretching and snacks.

At nighttime, don't pull into deserted highway rest stops for a quick snooze. If you can't find a motel, your best bet is to find an all-night gas station or roadside restaurant and sleep in your car. Even 20 minutes of sleep can help you get through the night without nodding off at the wheel. But make sure that there are people around.

And that's everything! Bring a video camera, take pictures, and have fun. Even if your car ends up smelling like a pungent mixture of dirty shoes and bologna sandwiches, driving cross-country is one of those things you'll never forget. And remember, if you send us a postcard, we promise to post it below.

Send 'em to:

SoYouWanna.net, Inc.
40 Wall Street, 59th Floor
New York, NY 10005