How to Plan a Megatrip on Megabus.com

The expense of travel shouldn’t keep you from the things you love.  Megabus.com provides safe, convenient, affordable, green-certified double decker bus express service from $1 (plus a reservation fee).

Offering low cost fares on comfy coach buses with free Wi-Fi, megabus.com is the ideal budget-friendly choice for the independent, international or student traveler.

The megabus.com route network includes daily coach service to over 100 cities in the Northeast, the Midwest, the South and California and Nevada. While you can’t make it all the way across the US on megabus.com, you can stop at many popular and off-the-beaten path destinations for as little as $1 per leg (plus a reservation fee). You’ll get the best rates by booking 45 days or more in advance and/or by traveling on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visit www.megabus.com for additional information about service, schedules and fares.

In order to save you time and help you plan the best megatrip on megabus.com, Bakpak Dave has put together the following travel route ideas and options for you to choose from, all based on current schedules and route maps.

Travel Route #1 - New York to Los Angeles/San Francisco via the US South

Travel down the eastern seaboard, explore the American South and experience the quintessential road trip west to the Pacific Ocean on this popular cross-country route. Travel south along the East Coast to Atlanta, then west through Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. From Washington DC, you have a few options for your route to Atlanta: travel through historic Charlotte, North Carolina or get to know Tennessee’s mountains and music well by visiting Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville.

Leaving Atlanta, you can opt for one of three routings on your way to Austin, Texas, which is the furthest west you can travel on megabus.com from the East Coast (see Leg 4 below).

But before heading west, consider traveling south to explore the sunny state of Florida. Megabus.com will take you to Orlando, its southernmost stop. From Orlando, you can easily travel to Miami and the Keys and back again via alternative transportation. Once back to Atlanta, you can continue your journey west on megabus.com to Austin.

Trip Highlights:

• NYC action & dazzle
• American history in DC
• Music in Atlanta & Austin
• Party in Vegas
• Reaching the California coast

The following legs show the various options:

Leg 1: New York City to Washington DC via Philadelphia and Baltimore.

Leg 2: Washington DC to Atlanta via Charlotte, North Carolina OR via Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee.

Leg 3: Atlanta to Orlando*, optionally make your way to Miami from Orlando and back, then travel back to Atlanta.

Leg 4: Atlanta to Austin via New Orleans and San Antonio OR via Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, Houston and San Antonio OR via Memphis, Little Rock, and Dallas

Leg 5: Austin to Las Vegas. From Austin, you have to make your own way to Las Vegas via air, coach or train as there is no Megabus coach service.

Leg 6: Las Vegas to San Francisco via Los Angeles or Las Vegas to Los Angeles via San Francisco

Bakpak Dave’s recommended route to see the most places is:

New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Atlanta, side trip to Orlando/Miami* and back, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, make own way to Vegas, to SF to LA (or LA to SF).

See Googlemaps of this trip.

Travel Route #2 - New York to Los Angeles or San Francisco via Midwest

Enjoy a taste of the American Midwest on this cross-country itinerary, which includes stops in the major metropoli of Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit and Indianapolis. You’ll travel west from New York towards Chicago, then south through the heart of the Midwest before heading west through Texas and across to California.

You’ll visit New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Atlanta*, side trip to Orlando/Miami and back*, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, make own way to Vegas, to SF to LA (or LA to SF).

*From Atlanta you can travel to Orlando (the furthest south Megabus travels). It’s easy to make your own way from Orlando down to Miami and back so you don’t miss this exciting and sunny region of the US.

Trip Highlights:

• Action in the Big Apple
• Chicago arts scene
• Music in Nashville
• New Orleans nightlife
• Las Vegas lights
• Finally glimpsing the Pacific Ocean

See Googlemaps of this trip.

Travel Route #3 – East Coast and Canada

Discover the many charms of New England, visit the American capital and head to Canada on this two-country itinerary. Combining Megabus routing with Canadian public transportation, this looping itinerary is ideal for travelers who want to experience two cultures. After leaving New York City, you’ll visit Boston and Burlington, Vermont before making your way to Montreal. From there, head to Toronto and then cross back over into the U.S., catching up with Megabus at Buffalo, New York – also a good time for a Niagara Falls excursion. Finally, head across the farmland of Pennsylvania to reach Washington DC, hitting Baltimore and Philadelphia before returning to NYC.

You’ll be visiting New York City, Boston, Burlington, make way to Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Trip Highlights:

• NYC energy & excitement
• American history in Boston
• Old World charm in Montreal
• Toronto’s CN Tower
• Pennsylvania farm country
• Street food in Philly
• Baltimore nightlife

See Googlemaps of this trip.

Travel Route #4 – East Coast, Canada, South and West Coast

Go big or go home with this big itinerary, which includes a sweeping tour of America’s East and West Coasts, the South and Canada. You’ll start your journey from New York City, making a loop around New England and eastern Canada before dropping down through the southern part of the country. Then you’ll head west through the desert to California, passing through Las Vegas on your way.

You’ll visit New York, Boston, Burlington, make way to Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Washington DC, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville, Atlanta, side trip to Orlando/Miami* and back, Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, make own way to Vegas, to SF to LA (or LA to SF).

*From Atlanta you can travel to Orlando (the furthest south Megabus travels). It’s easy to make your own way from Orlando down to Miami and back so you don’t miss this exciting and sunny region of the US.

Trip Highlights:

• New York City nightlife
• Canada’s top two cities
• Southern culture & cuisine
• Music in New Orleans
• San Antonio River Walk
• Las Vegas pool parties
• California coastline

See Googlemaps of this trip.