Couple of further tips:
 Keep your speed reasonable and you will save gas.  The difference in gas
mileage between 55 and 75 (or so) is big on most vans.

  Take a spare waterpump belt and some of that Fix a flat in a can.

I like to select the smaller highways or the back roads.  Interstate travel
is kinda 'seedy'...Those huge Travel Stops are usually crowded with uptight
travelers and one in New York is much like one in South Dakota or one in
Texas...usually a bit dirty and "hard-used"  I've found some of my favorite
roads and places using those state Atlas books, like the DeLorme Topo
atlas'.

   Establish a routine for fuel stops.  Follow the routine faithfully so as
to avoid mistakes.  I like to take just a second, before I pull back onto
the road, and reveiw my stop to make sure I've 'done everything'...Saves you
going back a long ways for your gas cap or your wallet that you left sitting
on the gas pump, or maybe blowing up a motor cause you didn't check your
oil, or having a blow-out because you didn't see a bubble on one of your
tires, etc etc etc. Do a 'walk around' the van and check things visually
while filling up.
  I didn't see, in this thread, any mention of  Mall Wart parking lots as a
urban overnight possibility.  They are places where many travelers "camp"
overnight.  I've never been hasseled or run out of one in the West,   I
sometimes use them as a late night 'sleep-over' when doing interstate
marathon drives.
  Have fun and wave at the Vanagons you see.  Plug your ears when you pass
all the Harleys.
  Don Hanson

On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 4:24 AM, Joy Hecht <jhecht@alum.mit.edu> wrote:

> On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 1:12 AM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com
> >wrote:
>
> > Joy,
> >
> > Thanks for all the great insights.
>