From Mass to Cali and back

MagillaGorilla wrote:
Anyone ever make this trip? I am going to do it in the summer of 2016. That gives me a little over a year to plan it. Looking for tips, best routs, stuff to see, places to stop and general advise.

Note: I have NEVER taken a motorhome this far. I have owned one for 8 years and my longest trip was 90 miles each way.


RV = 36' Damon Daybreak with Ford V10.

I have done several trips from CT going west. I believe you are going to be pushing it and not having time to see what you are going out there to see. I did one trip across the northern state to Yellowstone and that took two months. If your time is limited to three weeks I would not go as far as you planed and enjoy more of the places you go. Try going to Gettysburg, DC, Blue Ridge PKW, Smokey Mountains, Graceland then north and back home. Enjoy what you see. Good Luck

On my travels, I've found that if I plan for a 50 mph average (potty breaks, fuel stops) it comes out pretty close. So 600 miles means a 12-hour day. That's brutal. Even 400 miles is pushing it. But that's my family and I'm no speed demon either.

3 weeks sounds like a quick trip. Is there a reason that you're going to California, or was that just a plan based on having 3 weeks. I'd rather travel less distance and spend more time seeing sites.

On further note, if you see Mt. Rushmore, be careful coming off that mountain. I didn't get into a low enough gear fast enough and my brakes almost didn't stop me and the toad at the bottom. I quickly became reacquainted with my religious roots coming down that hill. Then to beat all, there's a crosswalk at the bottom. Note....just because there's a crosswalk, that doesn't mean the vehicles have the ability to stop. Look before you step into it.

Tom

I wouldn't travel like that. I would much prefer to make the trip part of the journey. We plan on doing a loop around the country, but we realize that we can't do it until we have plenty of time (retirement).

I'm ready to take call it a day after about 4 to 6 hours on the road.

I have 3 weeks MAX to do it in. So I figure I will drive 400-600 miles each day that I drive and then stop for a full day every 3rd day or so. Is this to ambitious?

I would consider a circular loop across the states. I would look at the southern states during the spring/fall, and the northern states during the summer. And personally, I don't think which direction you travel along the west coast will make one bit of difference in your enjoyment.

I did this 1987----by the time we got back we had been gone 2 Months and had traveled 14,000mi----had no itinarary. Got up each morning and looked at a MAP then took off.....remember what roads were like back then. Lots of things we saw are now gone such as what was destroyed by the fire in Yellowstone.....Have fun.

We stayed in Yellowstone. What a neat place to see. Also see mt Rushmore , Devils tower. Take your time it will be a great trip. I retire in 3 years and plan on going back.

Magilla-G, how long are you going to take for this trip? It will take you at least a week to drive straight to California and another week to drive back to Massachusetts. So, you will need at least 4 weeks at a minimum.

It also depends on which route that you want to take. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse are a must-see in South Dakota. If traveling south, you have to see Graceland in Memphis (bring your blue suede shoes).

Northern California has the huge Redwood trees... absolutely amazing. You will feel like a gnat standing next to one. And, if your tow vehicle is small enough, you can drive through one of the trees that was carved out in the 1930's (we drove our Honda through it).

Good luck, safe travels,
MM.

Google; Top 100 places to visit USA. then plan your route. Have fun.

Where do you plan to go in CA? It's a big state and there is lots to see and do. One suggestion that was made to us was to take I-90 out to Seattle and then drive down the coast. Driving from North to South gives you the ocean on your passenger side rather than on the other side of the road. I-90 is pretty much main street USA with more sights than you probably have time for.