Wow what a story, I was just going to call my wife and say hi while having lunch and then started reading your post.
Talk about a leaky faucet.
That is so cool you are out hitting the road, I have driven most of 66 in the last decade.
It's fun, mostly west of Oklahoma.
For the east side of the country the back roads can be real scenic, there is a web side called road trip USA I think and much like this they can help plan great roads and places to see.
I like hunting out vintage gas stations and diners and I like warmth.
The Grand Canyon and monument valley are amazing at sunset and sun rise you have to see it.
All my road trips were in old darts and dusters I d buy out west and hit the road, never a problem, except once in a 68 Monaco wagon the points distributor despised to give up on me out side billings Montana.
That same trip had me driving that boat through blizzards and ice over the Rockies, saw some amazing things on that trip, like in a huge blizzard in the mountains all of a sudden just ahead of my right fender I see a guy with back pack pushing a bicycle, holly cow!
I stop where I was on a flat surface but could never find him again, not sure if he was a ghost or what but that will always have me wondering about that dude and if he made it.
I'll stop hogging your trip, but just wanted to good luck, have fun, watch your back.
Look the car over like a preflight inspection every morning.
Find shops that will let you under car while you let them change oil, I always do that on the road.
Can't wait to see more.