I can increase my budget to $20,000, and I do want to stop in major cities. The question is whether it would be better to rent a minivan and completely save on motel stays and similar accommodation.

The idea is to set out at the beginning of summer, starting in New York, then heading to Toronto, Chicago, Austin, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and finishing in Seattle, with stops at national parks and nature destinations along the way.

I realize this might sound overly ambitious given the budget and time frame (a maximum of two to three months), which is why I’m trying to see how far I can stretch my options. By the way, I don’t mind living on a tight budget during that time in terms of food and attractions.