How many miles have you towed in one day?

DW and I are headed to Gallup, NM on the 19th. That's 586 miles. Doing it all in one day at the DW's request. Going to see the Grand Kids for Christmas and she's anxious. Once we get over Raton, there isn't much problem.

All58Parks wrote:
We will often get 600 to 700 miles in on our first day, to get us away from home and past all the stuff we've seen a bunch of times, then slow down. My family, (Wife, 8 year old son and 11 year old daughter) actually really enjoy the driving days. We spend almost the entire day talking, playing word games, telling stories, using Google to research and read about the places we go through, etc. It's great family time, and even though I do all the driving, I look forward to those days.

Here's an example of why: A few years ago we drove by an abandoned farmhouse along the interstate in eastern Oregon, and my son asked "Dad, who's house was that?" I quickly responded with "Emily", just the first name that came to my mind. What ensued was nearly two hours of everyone in my family making up a story about this fictional family that lived in this house, what they grew up to do, what their kids did. We incorporated towns and landmarks that we were passing into the story. My daughter drew a family tree to keep track of all the people that we were making up. It was a great time, and years later we look forward to passing that abandoned farm house every time. There are even a couple of recurring family jokes that come from that story.

A long day of driving does not have to be grueling, and it does not have to be boring.

It mostly about attitude.

All58Parks, Great Story! In life “attitude” often determines your direction. I was born and raised in the Deep South. When I got a job transfer to Wyoming, many of my co-workers were in disbelief. Some questioned, “What are you gonna do in all that cold and snow”? My answer, “I have two options, I can sit, looking out the window at the falling snow, and feel miserable, OR, I can look out the window at the falling snow, and think, WOW...I’m going skiing tomorrow”!

I hurry when I need to, stop and smell the roses when I can!

We will often get 600 to 700 miles in on our first day, to get us away from home and past all the stuff we've seen a bunch of times, then slow down. My family, (Wife, 8 year old son and 11 year old daughter) actually really enjoy the driving days. We spend almost the entire day talking, playing word games, telling stories, using Google to research and read about the places we go through, etc. It's great family time, and even though I do all the driving, I look forward to those days.

Here's an example of why: A few years ago we drove by an abandoned farmhouse along the interstate in eastern Oregon, and my son asked "Dad, who's house was that?" I quickly responded with "Emily", just the first name that came to my mind. What ensued was nearly two hours of everyone in my family making up a story about this fictional family that lived in this house, what they grew up to do, what their kids did. We incorporated towns and landmarks that we were passing into the story. My daughter drew a family tree to keep track of all the people that we were making up. It was a great time, and years later we look forward to passing that abandoned farm house every time. There are even a couple of recurring family jokes that come from that story.

A long day of driving does not have to be grueling, and it does not have to be boring.

It mostly about attitude.

memtb wrote:
It’s quite easy for those of us, who are retired or have abundant vacation time to impose our travel limits on someone who isn’t as blessed! The OP stated that, he was only going to “push” the first day! With limited time...he’s driving past what his family has already seen, in order to give his family more time in Yellowstone. I’m guessing that he’s a fairly young man....unless he waited “very” late in life to start a family. So his desire to “cover ground” the first day (while everyone is well rested)..... seems “pretty darn smart” to me!

Someone gets it. Great post Todd! Thank you!

I've done 970. Started out in N Va, 4AM went to MCO, picked up my wife at 7 PM and drove another 70 miles to NSB. Even slept an hour in SC. Carry 130 gal of fuel and Eat on the run. Now I'll do 590, to Elizabethtown Ky and the next day to Ky Lake, take a day off and fish then go to OKC.

It’s quite easy for those of us, who are retired or have abundant vacation time to impose our travel limits on someone who isn’t as blessed! The OP stated that, he was only going to “push” the first day! With limited time...he’s driving past what his family has already seen, in order to give his family more time in Yellowstone. I’m guessing that he’s a fairly young man....unless he waited “very” late in life to start a family. So his desire to “cover ground” the first day (while everyone is well rested)..... seems “pretty darn smart” to me!

filrupmark wrote:
We have a 300 mile limit. By the time you get ready to leave , drive 300 miles and setup that's about 3:00 in the afternoon. That leaves a little time to enjoy instead of going 600 miles having a few issues and arguing because your tired . Vacations are for enjoyment.

Ditto

I have done 600 on a couple of occasions, it makes for a long day. If it were just me I could drive 8-900, but with a 5yo that's not happening.

500 with a travel trailer in 10 hours and if I didnt have to do it again I wouldnt, at least down the east coast. Its tough driving. However I understand that towing a fifth wheel is easier. Still 10 hours in the saddle is enough time as it s also the journey not just the destination.

I did Laredo Texas to Athens Alabama in 1 day it was around 1100 miles