miles driven per day?

[zippyphil]

So I have been making my "itinerary" with google maps for a while now, I have been breaking up my overall trip into 300 mile legs. This would only be driving time, not including any stops along the way. This trip will start in Florida and go to fairbanks, AK. I am planning on visiting National Parks along the way.

1st major stop Mount Rushmore National Memorial 3-4 days
- Denver, CO 2-3 days
2nd major stop East Entrance - Yellowstone National Park, N Fork Hwy, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 5-7 days
3rd major stop Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Mt 3-4 days
-Banff
-Jasper
Following the Alaskan highway into Fairbanks,AK.

So I guess My question is really about 300 miles a day. Do you think that would be pushing it too hard in on day? Should I only factor 150 miles? I am not under any time restraints and this would only be a guide to follow.

I have not crossed the borders since the 80's in Maine. What should I expect crossing the border going from Glacier to Calgary?

-Zippy

[zippyphil]

Lauren, this pretty much would be my retirement, eventually using AZ as my new home location. After leaving AK I would like to make my way down to San Diego.

Donn0128, road conditions are a definite.

A hitch and hop, your whole comment would be viable. I think we are on the same pages.

Ivylog, you are right on a few things I have questioned myself. Flying and buying RV might not be the best choice because like you said you need a brake-in period. You are probably also right about over planning. Lol just about all of my "reservations" will be over nighters at wally world until WY.

I think that's it for now,
Zippy

[Ivylog]

It seems like everything of interest out West is 500 miles apart so that's what I do in a day. Having done many trip out West, there is not much in between that I need to see again so we do the 1500 miles to CO in two days. Based on your previous posts and a two year adventure in a small Class A or C I would not make any reservations and let your trip play out on it's own. Bad weather or a place you really like should determine how many miles you put in and how long you stay, not NO MORE than XXX miles/day and X days at Yellowstone. Sounds to me like you are over planning this for one person.
I would not want to try and get the kinks out of a RV that I flew to and start my trip from there. You need to do several short shake down trips in GA first as even new units have plenty of things that do not work right.

[A_hitch_and_hop]

Well Zippy,

Sounds like a nice trip to me. You did not say what your RV was and how fast you normally drive. I made a similar drive this summer and followed you going route back from Seattle. 1. Yellowstone is "BIG" we stayed at Flagg Ranch just south of the South Entrance and were happy with the location and the hook ups. It is convenient to make daily trips into Yellowstone and into Grand Teton. You need to get up early see the animals and to beat the traffic. Most people stay in bed until mid morning and drive slowly through the park. When you leave, the road through the Park will take you through West Yellowstone and north to Shelby on I-15 and then west to Glacier. We stayed in Cut Bank near East Glacier, which is less commercial than West Glacier and were able to see Two Medicine lake as well as riding the park shuttle across the Road to the Sun to the West entrance. There is also an interesting Blackfoot Museum at Browning. Our crossing into Canada on I-15 was uneventful. Check passport and questions as to if we were bring firearms or alcohol. On your way back, you might want to consider seeing Little Bighorn, Mt Rushmore area. There is a great county park Hardin, Montana and be sure to visit Pompey's Pillar on I-94 just east of Billings.

As to driving time and distance, on the days we drove, we would be on the road early 8 AM and planned to stop by 3:PM. Most of the "Sightseeing" type tourist stops along the way didn't open until 9AM and the stops were 1 to 2 hours at most. We planned our two night stops around the larger attractions. Some days we only drove 150 miles, other days we were able to make 300. I pulled a 25 foot 5th wheel and at 55 to 60 MPH. It seemed to average out with rest and fuel stops at about 50 MPH.

There is a lot to see on your trip and you might as well take your time and see as much of the land as you can. There are a lot of hidden "Gems" along the way and you may never have the chance to go back.

[Crazy_Ray]

500 mpd that's it for us. JMO

[agesilaus]

You be better off asking this in the Alaska/Canada forum here. There is a long running thread on people heading up to Alaska in 2015. It seems a bit strange going up north to Rushmore (IMO one day there is plenty unless you are going to visit other area spots like Badlands or the caves) and then turning south to YNP.

As for speed, yes we used to push it until we got to our target area doing 500-600 miles per day. But since I've retired 300-350 is our target. I haven't been up to Alaska but the impression I get is that you better moderate your speed on the Alcan because frost heaves can make large 'bumps' in the roadway that you do not want to hit at high speed.

As for the border crossing, the impression I get is that if you have all the paperwork ready-passports and pet certificates ready-- then most of the time you get a quick passage thru the customs port. But they may randomly pick out RV's for a full search where you have to pull out all drawers, open all closet doors and get out of the RV and they will search it top to bottom. Again the other forum will have people that have been there.

[donn0128]

300 miles a day can be a lot or not much at all. It really depends on road conditions. It can be a long days drive from Portland to Penticton, BC. But a short day driving from Portland to Sacramento. Figure 300 miles a day but don't lock yourself into that number. Drive until you get tired and then quit. Border crossing? Rabies vaccine certificate, pet food in original package, proof of insurance and passports for everyone should do it. When asked simply tell them your going to Alaska to site see.

[Lauren]

First of all - God bless ya; what a great venture!

I don't see what your rig is and that might make a difference.

You will get all sorts of answers here but I will pass along what I have learned from 16 years of part time doing this.

No time restraints!? Wow, then don't push it.

Driving? Depends on the roads and whether two lane or interstate. We generally figure about 250 miles or so per day if interstate and 200 or so if two lane - depends on the road. And we stop every couple of hours to stretch out backs, hit our self attached porta pottie and walk the dog.

Another thing we do is if we do two single night overnights then the third one we stay two nights even if nothing is really there; just to relax. We try to plan that one for someplace we kinda would like to see just a little - maybe never been there before or need to do a grocery run, etc. On the two nighters we unhook, otherwise stay hooked up.

Like you say - that is driving time. Not taking time for places we are visiting.

We just put on about 6300 miles over 68 days; half towing and half "touring". I got a stress reliever steering wheel cover at WalMart and I swear to God it works!

Oh, crossing into Canada there is no big deal at all. If you have a pet brief records. And your passport for you. DO NOT plan on taking any firearms into Canada - a big no no and not going to be fun if you get caught.

Be safe - enjoy.

Lauren

[Mandalay_Parr]

If I am just going from here to there I drive 500 miles a day.