New York to California - best route

nystitcher wrote:
Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to write with tips/insights and good wishes! I am reading everything and taking notes. Yes this will be our first (hopefully not last) time heading out west in an RV. My mother keeps asking why we just don't fly, but then again camping is not in her vocabulary! We have a family occasion in CA so that's why we are trying to get there as "fast" as we can(I have to laugh everytime I write that) and then we can take more time on the way back. I really need to retire!! Dick B had asked if there was a compelling reason to take a C class and the only one I could think of is that is what we own! ;-) I will keep you posted as to how we make out - thanks again all!!

If you really want to get there as fast as you can, you'll have to do more than 200-300 miles per day.
Get under way at dawn, do 250 miles stop for lunch, take a nap, then do as many more as you can before dark. We normally get between 500-600. to do it under 5 days, you really have to push it.
Set your cruise control at 65, will get you 520 miles in 8 hours.
Setting the cruise at 70 will only get you 560 miles in 8 hours and a lot less gas millage.
The key to getting there in a week, is long days on the road.

Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to write with tips/insights and good wishes! I am reading everything and taking notes. Yes this will be our first (hopefully not last) time heading out west in an RV. My mother keeps asking why we just don't fly, but then again camping is not in her vocabulary! We have a family occasion in CA so that's why we are trying to get there as "fast" as we can(I have to laugh everytime I write that) and then we can take more time on the way back. I really need to retire!! Dick B had asked if there was a compelling reason to take a C class and the only one I could think of is that is what we own! ;-) I will keep you posted as to how we make out - thanks again all!!

Tom/Barb wrote:
Our normal trip from Seattle to Albany NY is 5 days. We have done it is as little as 48 hours (5 drivers) and fuel stops only, that doesn't happen any more.
I don't like I80 & 90 east of Chicago, I'd do the I-70 & I-74 to 80 at Davenport.

a good point, Chicago. going by on the South on 80/90 always sucks. I tried somebody's "shortcut" once dropping down south to a parallel road but that was dreadful.
bumpy

Our normal trip from Seattle to Albany NY is 5 days. We have done it is as little as 48 hours (5 drivers) and fuel stops only, that doesn't happen any more.
I don't like I80 & 90 east of Chicago, I'd do the I-70 & I-74 to 80 at Davenport.

We have driven I-80 between Chicago and SLC many, many times. It is definitely the workhorse of the nation, as roads go, and there is plenty of truck traffic, but except for rush hours around larger cities (a relative term, considering the OP is a New Yorker and nothing else will seem large), it's not a huge problem. Rocks can get thrown on the 2-lanes too (happens all the time out here!) Lots of campgrounds - both private and state parks - available through Nebraska especially, and enough across Illinois, Iowa, and Wyoming to help you out with places to stop. As others have pointed out, you (the OP) didn't mention a timeframe, but I hope you have lots of time. We don't like to drive more than about 300-350 miles a day, and it would take us about 5 days from Chicago to Salt Lake (as an example). Then you're only about 3/4 of the way across. :)

after trucks threw up rocks and broke his windshield a couple of times, my BIL started using Hwy 30 (IIRC) in Nebraska which parallels I-80. there is a Cabelas there to spend money at.
bumpy

NYsticher,

I-80 would be your fast way, but at 200/d is it 15 and 300/d only 10 road days. You better be planning on a bunch flatspotting because you won't be near campgrounds a lot of the way. That means doing your own food too.

We have done this stuff, but it sounds like this is your first. If that is the case, try something else first. We regularly do 300+ days, but we are very familiar with what we need and one of us gets to be a full time navigator to locate both fuel and End of Day places.

I wish you fair roads and smooth traffic.

Matt

I have made the trip numerous times. Last trip was out of Bayonne NJ, took the 78-76 West to the 70 into Denver, 25 North to the 80 Cheyenne west thru Salt Lake, Very desolate thru there but still good freeway. Thats the most direct that will keep you out of the 80-90 area of southern Chicago ( bad traffic).
Weather this time of year shouldn't be much of an issue just make sure you watch the weather channel for severe weather and adjust accordingly.
If time was no issue, 40 is a very nice trip through some beautiful country!
Safe travels,, enjoy the scenery!!

80 all the way. I would recommend getting an EZ Pass if you don't have one, but coming from LI you probably already do. June is typically pretty nice weather across the midwest and plains and could be still chilly in WY. Enjoy the trip!

Bumpyroad wrote:
I-80 across Nebraska is a major truck route and I would avoid it if possible.
bumpy

So would I, summer on the salt flats, you'll be running the dash air and the roof air, and your dogs will still be miserable. It is the shortest route, So if you must, run it at night.
Plus, have your Class "C" ready for hot weather.