Hello, I am new to the forum and new to the idea of RVing. My wife and I are strongly considering purchasing a class A motorhome to make the drive from Tucson, to the Bremerton, WA area--we would actually intend on making the drive multiple times per year, hence the need to purchase the RV. The catch is, we will also be transporting our dogs and want to make the trip as safely & quickly as possible. Our plan is to alternate driving while the other rests. Is it even remotely logical to think that two people--allotting for gas stops & a few doggie stops--to make the drive in under 30 hours? Or, is the drive really a two-day affair with these conditions?Any input would be appreciated and helpful. Thanks in advance for any responses.

You won't be making the same miles per hour in the Class A that you do in a car or pickup. If you're able to drive long distances, you can probably do 6 or 7 hundred miles a day, but boy, you'll be wore out when you get there.One thing, you won't need to stop at an rv park or anywhere with a dump station or even water if you're going to do it in 2 or 3 days, so that will help on time. We did a trip from Silverdale WA to San Antonio TX in 4 days one time in order to get home for a funeral, but I wouldn't want to do that again.

There must be some logical reason for the need to drive that far in such a short of time! Just curious!! IMHO, I question how "safely" the trip could be made even with 2 people switching off driving. In addition to fuel stops, you will have dog potty stops and this plan assumes that you will have no mechanical problems along the way i.e. flat tire or that you won't run into traffic issues. After about 5 hours, my back, neck aches and my butt is sore and numb:):)I think you will find that typically, the average RVer will drive between 400 to 500 miles per day and then find an RV park for the night. Personally, if it were an option, I think I would choose to fly instead of driving with the time restraints you are planning.

Google maps shows 1,620 miles - 24 hours. That's an averge speed of 67.5 MPH which you won't make because you'll have at least three fuel stops and how many times will you have to stop for the dogs? If it's a diesel pusher, it won't be that comfortable for someone to try sleeping in the rear when the diesel RPMS are always changing and the transmission is going up and down through the gears. It's more restful to try sleeping on the couch. Been there, done that on two trips - Boulder, CO to Vancouver, WA in 18 hours and Vancouver, WA to Anchorage, AK in 99 houirs.And then when you get to your destination, you're going to spend most of the first day sleeping.I'm not saying you can't do it, it's just that it won't be enjoyable and on the following trips I bet you spend the night someplace so you can get some decent rest.Bill

Why would you want to make the trip so quickly? It's far more pleasant to stop for two or three nights. Trust me, your dogs will be happier, too!

I've made that trip (from Yuma), and did it in 4 days, driving a reasonable time/distance each day, and allocating enough time to register in an RV park, get set up, cook dinner, etc. We arrived fresh, not exhausted from non-stop driving...Either I-5 or US 395/97 are good routes, but the scenery is better on 395/97. Our stops are always in Lone Pine, Likely and just south of Portland.US 395US 97RegardsGemstone

Tucson, AZ to Bremerton, WA area: How quickly?

14 Replies

jhlady
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
We do pretty much the same trip twice a year. South of Tucson to the Portland, OR area. The fastest we have done it was three days and more usual is 5+ because we sight see along the way. Portland to the Seattle area would probably add another day. Keep in mind that if you take the I-5 California route and are towing anything the speed limit is 55 MPH as compared to Arizona and Nevada where they are 75.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2013
Actually, we're on that drive right now. We left the Tucson area May 13 and are still around Eugene, Oregon as of today - almost one month later!! :) We like to explore places. There are many routes to take but most will be approx. 1700 miles of driving - deserts and mountains - even if you stay on interstates.
JacktheMastiff
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
Not chartering a private plane. Which would be necessary since our dogs are NOT cargo.
sh410
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
For the cost @1.00/mile you could fly cheaper.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
I'll bet $100 that your sales person does not own an RV or has ever driven one:):)
I think your perception is accurate, the salesman just wants to earn his commission and sell you the Class A rig!! He/she has little interest in being honest and upfront with you about your planned trip:) Go with your gut and find another sales person:)
JacktheMastiff
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
Thank you so much for the responses!

Believe me, I would much prefer to take my time making the drive. Unfortunately, our situation requires it be made rather quickly.

We were reminiscing some 20 years ago back to our college days when we made driving trips that covered anywhere from 800 to 1200 miles in one day. The thought was that with a Class A (gas powered, BTW) one of us could rest—something we didn’t do in college—while the other drove. If I am reading the responses correctly, we need to allow at least two days of driving to make the trip safely.

We are contemplating purchasing another home in/on the Kitsap penninsula so this is a trip that we would be making a few times per year. The RV salesperson thought the two of us making the drive straight through would be no problem--I am sure he was acting altruistically :-).
MaverickBBD
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
Have done the Wa. coast to Yuma in four days. That was pretty reasonable for late October. A lot will depend on the time of the year you are making your trips. I would not do it in any less then four days. Five would be more likely. That would be four nights worth of stop. Winter driving on 5 in Ore and Wa can be a bear sometimes.
paulj
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2013
If the goal is simply to drive long distances nonstop, wouldn't a minivan be a better option than an RV? There is still room for a person to sleep (on a reclined seat). Fuel economy would be much better. But would it be less tiring to drive?
agesilaus
Explorer III
Jun 07, 2013
Even in 2 days at 800+ miles a day that is a exhausting trip. I did 1200 miles in a suburban pulling a popup in about 30 hours once and swore it would never happen again. If you go up the 101 to Bremerton you won't be making 60 mph, and going to Seattle to take the ferry won't be fast either.

Take your time and enjoy the trip, the dogs won't be in any rush.

BK
Gemstone
Explorer
Jun 07, 2013
I've made that trip (from Yuma), and did it in 4 days, driving a reasonable time/distance each day, and allocating enough time to register in an RV park, get set up, cook dinner, etc. We arrived fresh, not exhausted from non-stop driving...Either I-5 or US 395/97 are good routes, but the scenery is better on 395/97. Our stops are always in Lone Pine, Likely and just south of Portland.

US 395

US 97

Regards
Gemstone