Memphis to Mesa Verde NP with one overnight, CRAZY?

"We are traveling in a 35'motorhome and towing a car. We have 20 days, are driving one way and flying home". Going by way of Memphis by way of Atlanta is only 100 miles further from the Treasure coast...2200, instead of 2100. I-40 west of Memphis is pretty ruff.

I agree with trying to get there as fast as possible and with 20 days one way but I'd get to Santa Fe in four days getting it down to 400+ miles/day.

firefly925 wrote:
Leaving end of June and driving from treasure coast area to Mesa Verde. Want to drive as much as possible on the front end to maximize our time out west. What is the simplest route to travel, I-10 or was thinking of going up to Memphis and across on 40. Any other routes recommended? We are traveling in a 35'motorhome and towing a car. We have 20 days, are driving one way and flying home...have 2 kids ages 14 and 11.

Much thanks in advance.

Also,how much time should we allow to get there without killing ourselves in driving, driving, driving...

firefly925 wrote:
Thank you all for your replies and suggestions, a huge help as we have not done this before. Mesa verde is our first stop then GC North Rim Zion and Sequoia NPs. Will need to meet up with family friend who will take over RV somewhere in vicinity of San Fran. Was thinking flying out of San Jose or Oakland. I've got all the NP reservations made with just a couple of nights at each spot. Any advice is most welcome. When this opportunity arose we jumped on it thinking it would be a memorable trip for us as a family before the kids get much older, there are moments where I feel we may have bitten off more than we can chew. If time were limitless it would be no big deal, but 20 days is about the max for me and work vacay. Thanks again.

firefly925 wrote:
Traveling from Memphis to Mesa Verde with plans to only stop once overnight in between, is this absolutely crazy? If I have to I can cut a day at Mesa Verde and add another day to the traveling to get there, but I'd rather not if I don't have to. Also, recommendations of where to stop for the night. Was thinking we could make it to Amarillo area...Much thanks to all of you pros out there.

Just went back to get your History - sort of filled in the blanks/questions - simple answer to the Question 1253 miles in two days - Sure - BUT - If I were you I'd look at these options;

IMHO, cut out the Memphis leg - pick up those Days - just head to Mesa Verde - Couple things come to mind - One leave right after work and Drive that first afternoon/night - 6-8 hours 300-400 miles, will just make the drive to Colorado easier - Suggested Route - if visiting friends in Memphis catch them on a long weekend another time, use every minute for the trip out West to see the WEST.

Let's say you cut out Memphis leave early, drive hard long days and get to Colorado a couple days early - Run into the San Juan's - the Kids will love it - Ouray - Silverton -4X4 trails to die for - Lakes - Streams - Wild and Fun places - Telluride - Lake City - Durango - RR - .............. easily use the couple days saved from Memphis to explore and enjoy just a touch of Colorado.

I know you have this thing all planed, just another thought from someone who has done these CRAZY trips before. (Kids will LOVE Colorado, one of mine lives there now) So I suggest you get yourself out there - get some elevation (Cool) and enjoy one of the most beautiful areas in the Country.

Just another mans Thoughts, Best of Luck, No Wrong Choices,

firefly925 wrote:
Traveling from Memphis to Mesa Verde with plans to only stop once overnight in between, is this absolutely crazy? If I have to I can cut a day at Mesa Verde and add another day to the traveling to get there, but I'd rather night if I don't have to. Also, recommendations of where to stop for the night. Was thinking we could make it to Amarillo area...Much thanks to all of you pros out there.

That you are asking "is this absolutely crazy?" indicates you have some reservations about doing it. Only you know you comfort level for such a trip. As was pointed out, at various speeds, you will cover specific distances. Can it be done? Yes it can. Should you do it? That's for you to decide. One thing to keep in mind -- once you get to Mesa Verde, depending on where you are staying, there can still be a challenge and you should be fresh for it. If you're staying at Morefield in the park, you still have to drive a distance inside the park that is mountain driving. Being physcially tired when doing this is not advisable. Also, once you do get there, the agenda inside the park can also be a challenge, with a lot of physical activity to see the various sites there. Only you know whether you (and whomever is accompanying you) are up for that.

300 miles or 3 p.m. for us.

If you are pulling a trailer and driving at 60 mph you will average around 45, which works out to around 28 hrs of driving. If you are in a motorhome driving at 80 mph and averaging 65 it is 20 hours, not to bad for two days.

You know what you can do or are uncomfortable trying. I would push the first day, get a good nights rest and loaf in the next day. The scenery gets better after Santa Rosa, NM.

Unless you are still in your 20's or 30's, driving that far (Amarillo, TX) is body draining. From Montgomery, Al area, I stop in Bossier City / Shreveport, La area, then on to Amarillo.

rv2go wrote:
Heck, go for it. It's only about 1250 miles.
For a stop in Amarillo, take a look at the Overnite RV Park. I-40 at exit 75.

Not hard at all. We went from central FL to Yosemite in 3 1/2 days once.

If your wife can spell you on the driving, maybe. The fartherest I ever took my 5th wheel was 650 mi in one day, for an extreme emergency. We were wiped out. I was in my early 60's then; couldn't do it now. And that was only one day, short day the next, two days in a row ----WOW!

Assuming your 35' MH handles well it's very doable. I do the 1500 miles to CO in two days and I'm up in age. Yes, I'm retired but there is not much in between that I need to see again compared to CO, WY, MT, UT.

* there is a Passport America CG on the boarder of TX which is half way. You are a member of P A.

Heck, go for it. It's only about 1250 miles.
For a stop in Amarillo, take a look at the Overnite RV Park. I-40 at exit 75.