One great resource would be http://www.aaa.com --Get a membership and have access to unlimited FREE maps and guidebooks, along with discounts for all kinds of stuff. I took a 2-month roadtrip last year, and whenever I came to a new area, I’d stop in at the local AAA office (found in most large cities) and grab the appropriate info. Here’s a couple of other sites to check out:
http://www.roadtripusa.com , and http://www.roadsideamerica.com. Have fun!
Yep, you got that right. But it ain’t the shit-hole it is made out to be, IMO. It’s even home to the most beautiful painting I’ve ever seen. That’s all. I apologize if I came off in the wrong manner.
I agree with these recommendations, and as long as you’re in the area you should also visit Bryce Canyon:
It’s one of the most spectacular places I’ve seen - the rock formations are amazing.
While you’re in California you should visit the redwoods. The easiest way is to visit Muir Woods in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. If you have the time you can spend a day driving north from San Francisco to see real redwood country. If you go to Yosemite you can see the giant sequoia (a species distinct from the coast redwood - the giant sequoia is more massive, but the coast redwood are taller).
The Monterey Aquarium is a great place to visit. I’ve been there several times, and I always enjoy it. It takes a day to see the whole thing:
While you’re there you can also visit Point Lobos, a state nature preserve that’s been called “the greatest meeting of land and water in the world”:
http://pt-lobos.parks.state.ca.us/
I took a friend there years ago, and she commented that everything in the place looked like a Sierra Club calendar.
This sounds like a fun trip. Don’t forget to leave some time to really see things, and to talk to people. Three months seems like a long time, but the U.S. is a big place, and if you’re not careful you could spend most of your time rushing from place to place.
No apology necessary. 
And, I know! It isn’t a horrible place, and sometimes I hate the looks or comments I get when I say, “I’m from Detroit.” I might as well say, “I enjoy licking open sores off of geratric asses for a hobby” (not that there’s anything wrong with that! ;)).
Although I’m still bitter that Detroit got rid of their one classical radio station. Sigh…
Well, moc.liamtoh@rorrim what did you decide?
Haven’t heard from ya, thought maybe you wound up at the big spring break party…damn a bunch of drunk naked women, sex on the beach…MTV’s here. You are definitely missing out, if you went somewhere else.
Time for another shot of…ta kill ya 
C’mon,there must be someone here besides me willing to recommend Boston.
It depends who you’re talking to. Most places in the US, when I say I’m from Detroit, they act like I live in some Mogadishu like Warzone. Unless I’m at a club, where I then must withstand hours of questions about techno music. I went to a local techno club in Mexico and even there they knew the names of all the big Detroit DJs. Of course, when I told the cab driver in the same Mexican city, all he said was “ohhh Robocop!”
I’ll second this. Even if you only have time to spend a few hours in Yosemite Valley, it’s well worth the drive.
Skip Nashville. It’s dull. The country music scene is dying here, & is re-locating to Branson.
Consider Chattanooga, though. Beautiful mountains/forests/lakes/rivers.
Multiple museums, a brilliantly executed Aquarium, that could only be better if Walt Disney & Jaques Cousteau collaberated. A historic Civil War Battlefield, & a truly stunning cave system called Ruby Falls. Don’t miss that. A private park called Rock City has attracted tourists for more than a century. Amphbious trucks called DUCKs give river tours through the wildlife preserves. And great food & friendly people.
If you go to Chicago, don’t forget the Field Museum of Natural History. Their Gem Collection is worth seeing, as is their Dinosaur display.
Also in Chicago, the Museum Of Science & Industry, & it will rock your world! They have their own on-site working coal mine, open for tours! They have the U-505, a WW2 U-Boat, captured by Admirial Gallery on the high seas & put on permanent display. Also, the world’s greatest doll house, for the kids.