We are from Australia and are considering a trip across USA from New York, to Los Angeles,[via, Washington, Niagra Falls, Chicago, Detroit, the grand canyon, Les Vegas] but will have to buy all our own meals. We don't intend to eat in fancy restaurants, but will need to buy for 2 people.[breakfast, lunch, dinner].About how much do you think we would need to budget for in US dollars? Thanks for any replies.

linnet, a little difficult without knowing your eating habits, but I'll give it a try: Most hotels include some kind of breakfast, from very good to just juice, dry cereal, toast, coffee, tea, etc. Lunch at fast food places would cost about $5 ea., at coffee shops or small restaurants, about $ 10 ea, for soup or salad, meat and veggies, coffee or tea, wine is about $4-5 a glass, beer, not sure, about the same as wine I suppose, sodas about $2, tax about 7-8%, tips 15%, Some supermarkets have wonderful delis for less expensive meals (a whole roasted chicken for about $6) Dinner tends to be a little more, even for the same plate, senior citizens qualify for "specials", a slightly smaller dinner for less. Some places like the Grand Canyon have cafeterias, in Los Angeles we have all you can eat buffets, a little more economic. Of course you can spend a lot more, let me know if you have more specific questions, come and visit the old USA, we love company.

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