How do you plan a trip?

Of the few times I've driven long cross-countries like that, the only planning involved is the route to take. I don't plan the stops because I have no idea when that will be. I did California to Wisconsin a couple of years ago and was able to do two 700 mile days in a row. I left late the first day and only did a couple of hundred miles. Then did the two 700 mile days and then the last day was only about 200 miles to finish it off. When I started the trip I would not have guessed I could last 700 miles driving but the motorhome is so comfortable that I did it just fine.

How you plan the trip depends on the objective. Is your objective to get to the west coast at all costs (fast and furious) or are your most interested in seeing the countryside (slow and steady).
I am assuming young children. My children when young did not appreciate driving 10-12 hours a day. Going to bed and doing the 10 - 12 hours again. They tolerated it poorly as the anticipation of the destination was what they focused on. (Disney)
That said the plan should include children's activities along the way. Whether as simple as stopping at a McDonalds play land etc. Do not emphasize the final destination or they may focus on that instead of enjoying the intervening miles. The children we have do not remember the trips we took when they were 4 and 5 years old but they REALLY REMEMBER and talk about the trips that they took with us when they were older.
Destination theme parks with young children is a drag on everyone. Nothing worse than traveling a long distance and having the children pooped out when they get to the destination. They are cranky, you are cranky and you all end up miserable. They need a nap, you want to see the park and have them enjoy the experience.

My advice stay close to home till children are older.

Jspence,

This is all a set of questions that only you can actually answer.

You can plan what ever you can dream, and if you can drive the dream - So Much the Better.

You don't say what you are driving and if you are OK with all kinds of overnights. Planning where to overnight can be a big issue. If you have a large coach or trailer, it just won't fit everywhere. How well self-contained you are makes a big difference also.

Yes, as one above noted, a long excursion is just a bbunch of short excursions in close coordination.

Matt

My `rule' is that one has to stay at a location longer than it took to get there. You are not driving a long-haul truck so it makes more sense to stop and see sights along the way rather than out the side window.

Trip planning-
1. buy a weather radio and plot out the weather of your trip for about 5 days out. This can help you plan and avoid bad weather.
2. Map out your trip in approx. 300 to 400 mile segments. That is about the amount of miles most RVers like to travel each day. Pick out an RV park in that general area. Make reservations. You can always cancel reservations to allow the flexibility in your trip.
3. Buy some Emergency Road Side Assistance plan ie. Good Sam
4. Hit the road and enjoy your trip:)

I use Google Maps to work out the route.

Enter the Starting point and the final destination.

Then insert all the in between destinations that have interesting sights to see or events going on that We hope to take a look at.

Sometimes it is obvious that some places to see, are clustered around or near each other ,so We choose one location as a break point. Set up Camp and do some touring.

When the distances between stops are greater than three or Four Hundred Miles apart We usually plan to overnight somewhere within that range. I try not to travel for more than six hours in any given Day.

A set of AAA Maps used to be all that We had a few Years back. Now with Google Maps and our trusty GPS it is very easy to plan a route that doesn't involve a lot of backtracking. Saves Time and Fuel.

We try to use RV Parks as Hubs for Our multiple activities , but will overnight at Walmart* or a Casino if necessary !

This is going to be my last year off with the kids and plan on going back to work when the kids go to school in September 2014. I had originally planned on doing an east coast trip this year a trip of about 1200km one way, but trailer problems kept us from making the trip. I think the shorter trip is realistic to do in 2 weeks and the west coast trip would be possible but not much fun.

Thanks
John

Instead of driving the interstates, we prefer to make the travel part of the journey. For us, it's not just about a destination. It's the enjoyment of what's going on along the way. Some of the enjoyment is not knowing what's up ahead. If it looks like we may have a long travel day ahead, then we will make it in two days.

A marathon is just a series of short races --- strung together. Same with any long trip.

I generally set a destination, then plan the route. Sometimes a fast route, sometimes leisurely. All depends on what there is to see along the way, and if I want to see it.

Are you being unrealistic? Don't know your driving habits. But I do know, if you keep you plans flexible you'll be fine.

And remember, if the trip gets to be too much. Stop, rest, and decide to go forward, turn around, or just plain rest some more.