From Mass to Cali and back

MagillaGorilla wrote:
I am not afraid to drive. I am a road warrior of sorts. I drive between 35k and 55k per year. When making the trip (in my car or truck) to visit my mother in Florida, I have done the 24 hour trip straight through too many times to count. I prefer to stop around the Georgia/Florida line and then finish up the short trip the second day.

What I have yet to do is travel a long distance driving a MH. I assume it is much more work and more stressful than driving my car that far. Based on that I am inclined to think that 8-10 hour driving days will be plenty. Also I know that that 8-10 hours will bring me much shorter distances in the MH.

I once did Boston to Daytona in 16 hours door to door. We were only going for 3 days so we needed to make tracks.

I think you will find driving your coach long distances actually easier than a car or truck. I prefer to drive the coach long distances, it is more comfortable and you can see more.

Drove from California to Florida last November in seven days as we had to get there for a cruise. Couple 10 hour days and I wasn't tired even with me being 70.

MagillaGorilla wrote:

What I have yet to do is travel a long distance driving a MH. I assume it is much more work and more stressful than driving my car that far. Based on that I am inclined to think that 8-10 hour driving days will be plenty. Also I know that that 8-10 hours will bring me much shorter distances in the MH.

Magilla,
I'd pretty much agree that the MH drive lends itself to a more leisure pace than a car.
I know that my old F53 sure isn't as quick & nimble! Kinda beats on you on a long trip. (Although I'm sure the big DP's that fly by me are much more comfy!)
A couple years ago we left Myrtle Beach early afternoon and intended to make a WallyWorld/CrackaBarrel overnite along the way, but missed the exit we wanted to stop at. So wife says "Why don't we just keep going?" Grabbed a coffee and drove straight thru to Mass.
Around the 15hr. range - Wasn't too too bad, but remember thinking I sure wouldn't want to push anymore than that.
Can't wait for retirement & having the luxury of taking as long as you want to get somewhere!

jmanatee wrote:
We did it in 2011 You can see details of our trip here http://www.outerland.com/rv/t_11_XCountry_01.cfm?whatarea=T2011

How did you get 50 days off?

I am not afraid to drive. I am a road warrior of sorts. I drive between 35k and 55k per year. When making the trip (in my car or truck) to visit my mother in Florida, I have done the 24 hour trip straight through too many times to count. I prefer to stop around the Georgia/Florida line and then finish up the short trip the second day.

What I have yet to do is travel a long distance driving a MH. I assume it is much more work and more stressful than driving my car that far. Based on that I am inclined to think that 8-10 hour driving days will be plenty. Also I know that that 8-10 hours will bring me much shorter distances in the MH.

I once did Boston to Daytona in 16 hours door to door. We were only going for 3 days so we needed to make tracks.

It is not ambitious it is ridiculous!

This is how I have made a reasonable trip within a short period of time;

accept the hospitality of truck stops and rest areas
empty tanks
have breakfast/dinner
fuel up every night
lunch, walk the dog, rest areas in West can be very inviting


learn to put up with noise or get good at picking spots in the lot.

This type of travelling saves an enormous amount of time and energy



Pick a number of places to see or be at. Lets say its the Redwoods or Yosemite, The Corn Palace, 4 Corner's, New orleans, Grand canyon, The Grand Coulee Dam (tour) Las Vegas etc.
Research them to get an idea how long you would like to be there. Use these times to get a good rest and possible camp ground facilities. Plan your route to hit these places without retracing your steps. See what you come up with with 3 weeks.

Next time you may know where you want to spend more time.

Drive at comfortable speeds, passing everyone chews up a lot of energy, You may go a lot further driving at a slower speed simply because your not stressed.

Night time views are not to be discounted. Many cities look a lot better at night and are a lot easier to get through.

Get a nice big coffee mug and have snacks throughout the day. Try and plan the trip so you are stopping at sites in the direction of home. This gives one a better idea of how much time is left.

Take the fastest route to the desired heading West of the Mississippi and East on thee way back. You may be very surprised just how much ground and sites can be covered, in fun and relaxation.

CloudDriver wrote:

MagillaGorilla wrote:
A question about Yellowstone:

If we go there and don't have a TOAD, will we still have a good trip or will we be stuck seeing the inside of our camper and nothing else?

i know very little about how Yellowstone works or is set up.

Finding parking for a MH would be the biggest problem. Should be less of an issue early or late in the day.

Rental cars are available in West Yellowstone.

oops - clicked on quote rather than edit.

MagillaGorilla wrote:
A question about Yellowstone:

If we go there and don't have a TOAD, will we still have a good trip or will we be stuck seeing the inside of our camper and nothing else?

i know very little about how Yellowstone works or is set up.

Finding parking for a MH would be the biggest problem. Should be lees of an issue early or late in the day.

Rental cars are available in West Yellowstone.

We did it in 2011 You can see details of our trip here http://www.outerland.com/rv/t_11_XCountry_01.cfm?whatarea=T2011

Quick facts
Santiago de Cali, usually known by its short name "Cali", is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in western Colombia with an estimated 2,319,655 residents according to 2005-2020/DANE population projections. Wikipedia
Population:2.04 million (2005)
Area:217.8 mi² (564 km²)
Founded:July 25, 1536
Sources include:UNdata

That will be quite the drive!