how far to drive every day

When I was younger, I did Brussels-Istanbul (1,500 miles) in two days, very little sleep. Those were bad dangerous roads and many borders stops in weird countries.
Did it several times.
Now, 45 years later, in the US, I don't like to drive more than 300 miles (the 6 hours rule). I prefer to go slower: 300 miles then stop 2 days.

I am slowing down.
Soon, I will be at 200 miles a week. And that is if we want to move.

I love reading threads like this.

When we were both working we drove about 10 hours a day just so that we could get to our destination. Then we relaxed.

Now we are retired and drive about 6 hours a day.

Also, we both drive so we don't get too tired. We stop about every two hours to stretch our legs and walk the dog.

We usually start around 6 - 7 am and drive till dusk

Start driving at 6:00 AM and off the road by dusk if trying to reach a specific destination where I will be holed up for awhile! If not then after the morning work rush and off by 3:00 PM to set up and relax before another day of driving. Usually 300-350 miles.

when I was young we could do 1,000 miles without stopping except for fuel. Now I like the 300 or 3:00 rule.

When you find a place you like, stay for a day or 3.

You didn't say who your traveling companions are and their tolerance/comfort of road-time?

If we're road traveling (without camper) we try to leave early. Adults grab a cup of coffee, maybe a piece of toast to soothe the stomach gremlins, and the kids drag to the vehicle with pillows and/or blankets.

Most of the time we drive about an hour, then check the state of consciousness in the back. If they're awake, stop for fast food and restrooms. If not, another 30-45mins and stop before we hit the Turnpike.

It allows us to get a little distance under our belt while the kids get to rest and avoid the sleep penalty.

Then I can drive until lunch, which sometimes is early, sometimes later, depending on how everyone feels. As we look for lunch, I try to hit a gas station at the same time, then I can wash up and we go in for a sitdown restaurant lunch- or fast food if we have lots of distance to go. THIS is where hauling the camper is different. We will have the option of pulling off somewhere and going into the camper for sandwiches, walking around, etc.

I try to make sure we stop and get everyone out walking every 3 hours at least. Not just for restrooms, but circulation and cramps are greatly reduced, just by walking into and around a convenience mart.

For this year's big trip, we are planning on traveling into the night while the kids sleep and pull over and move everyone to the camper at a rest area or whatever. The goal is to allow us to have a leisurely start in the am to arrive around lunchtime or so at our campground destination, look around a bit, grab lunch, get travel/tour maps, etc and then be ready at checkin time to park our camper and setup.

Hopefully, it will allow everyone to get to the CG and settled just before the crankiness sets in. So that's somewhere around 6-7hrs the first day, and under an hour the second day. About 600 miles to our first stop for 2-3 days, then about the same to our next stop.

We also avoid rush hour. If traffic gets bad, we stop for lunch or whatever. I'd much rather drive longer into the night than sit in stop and go traffic ;)

When we have longer distances, I'll drive 10 hrs in a day, but by the time we arrive, everyone is wiped out and we just eat and crash and start our day in the am. 6hrs is fine, 8 is doable, 10 is pretty much the limit unless there is some major push, then it is a Dad's job to give up his rest and drive while everyone else sleeps through the night :C

I've driven 24hrs straight, but not with my family. They are too important to push that long.

So far this works for us and is the plan for the upcoming trip(s).

Hopefully it will give you a picture of our situation and help you pick what is right for you ;)

I like how you think Lwiddis! Sounds like a future plan to me when we start our journey!

As so well put in the prior replies, find a comfortable distance and time frame but be willing to change it to meet your daily desires. We are heading from Seekonk Ma to Olympic NP (via US Route 2)then down the coastal highway some, then turn left at some point and drift back home this summer. We're figuring 12 weeks for this trip. I'm planning 225 miles per day however as I'm mapping it out I see days that will be 150, because We want to stop and site see, and others 250/300. We stop for 1 day after driving for 5 days. Just to take a break. We are planning on a week at the Glacier NP. I don't know how far down the west coast we will get, but there is always (God willing) next year. The bottom line is to enjoy yourselves. There is so much to see in this beautiful country of ours.

We don't move every day but do not like to go more than 200 miles. Seems to be tiring after that point. When we can, we drive less. Sometimes the distance is necessary to find a campground in some areas of the country.

6600 in 60 days or 110 per day? I don't like to move every day so I would be looking for 350 miles and then two days no driving. Not everything is spaced evenly so adjust as needed.