'backpacking' through north-america with 3000euro?

I'm 18, and along with two friends I'll probably go touring through north-america for a three weeks, a month. We'll be leaving in june next year, and want to plan everything as soon as possible. Problem is we have a very small budget, about 2500-3000 euro each. With that we also have to pay our flights, food,... We'll be staying at hostels mainly, 10 euro for a night. But everyone says you'd hire a car to travel through america (route 66 and so on...), but we don't have our driver's license yet!

My question is: what is the cheapest way -besides travelling by car- to travel through North-America? And is it even possible to backpack through america with so little money?

We also haven't really figured out our route yet, but we want to go to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and see the Grand Canyon and visit Yosemite park. Some other suggestions of what we could visit?

you'd help me out a lot. thanks.

Flights will be your biggest expensive, so try and get that sorted out as best you can. With lots of time and a flexible itinerary, you should be able to find something cheap.

As for the cheapest way to travel if you aren't driving, the bus. Check out Greyhound for prices. You can get cheaper rides between some of the major cities, as there is more competition. L.A. to San Fran you could probably get a "Chinatown bus."

As for the money, I think that €2000 per person for a month is a decent amount of money to travel in the United States. You shouldn't have a problem.

As for other things to see... What do you like to do? Do you like nature, cities, wildlife, hiking, gambling, or a little bit of everything? California and Nevada is full of interesting things.

My advice would be to do a "Best of the West Trip". Start out in Vancouver or Seattle to see the Pacific Northwest (my personal favorite in the US). Bus down to San Francisco (see the giant Redwoods along the way). From SF, see Yosemite NP. Travel down to LA either by car or bus. Make your way to San Diego (much nicer than LA). From San Diego, bus to Phoenix. From Phoenix, drive to Sedona (red rocks of the desert). Then onto the Grand Canyon and finally Las Vegas (careful...money will go fast here!).

Both Seattle and Las Vegas can be reached from the UK direct by flights.

Hope this helps!

Rob

As you said you were 18.... avoid Las Vegas. You are required to be 21 for pretty much anything that might be entertaining there.

greyhound can be cheap if you book two weeks in advance. flights as well. your money should be fine you're not 21 so you're not going to be drinking. If you make it to the east, stay away from the trains. They are overpriced.

Try to make it to Florida before you go. There are so many amazing things to see here. South Beach in Miami is an incredible place. You may find yourself sitting next to a movie star or a famous musician. It really is the land of the beautiful people. Very expensive though. Tampa and Orlando have alot to offer for tourism and can be tailored to fit your budget.