[QUOTE=andrewclaus;16182241]My last cross-US tour ended up costing $25/day, not including travel to and from termini. That included paying for indoor lodging once a week, paid campsites maybe once or twice a week, a handful of warmshowers hosts, and the rest free camping. Food generally cost $15/day, mostly buying groceries.

$25/day sounds about right, depending on where you are touring. In my experience, food in Mexico was much cheaper; Alaska and the Yukon ridiculously expensive. On the Alaska Highway I started counting calories, seeing which food offered the most calories per dollar. (Lucky Charms were a big winner).

I try to avoid paying for campsites. I find that roadside camping, or bandit, stealth, guerrilla, whatever you call it, adds a lot of flavor to the trip. My favorite campsites have all been free. I did 6000 miles touring over the last two summers and paid to camp twice. You'd be amazed how easy it is to find free spots when you're out there. The money you save on camping pays for that restaurant meal when you deserve it and that warm hotel when you need it.