Too conservative for the interstates

[P3TC]

At 76 years, I have become too cautious for the "I" routes. Like to drive my rig at 62, I feel I am becoming an obstruction as speed limits rise.

Since we want to make a 4000 mile visit to SD and WY this spring, I need a routing service that will send me by the "back roads".

Any recommendations?

thanks...Bill

[P3TC]

padredw wrote:
I have a feeling you would know better than I about driving through the Appalacian highways. I spent a night in Shatley Springs some years ago, but I was not towing an RV. I would like to come back there some day to see if it would be as much fun as it was then.

So, I'll skip that part of the trip and say that you could cut across Kentucky via Corbin, Danville, Harrodsburg, (Lexington if you wanted to visit that city and the Horse Park), skirting east of Louisville to Madison and Columbus, IN. Skirting around Indianapolis to the west to pick up US 36 to Decatur, IL. Working across to Mt. Pleasant and Otumwa, IA to the bypass around Des Moines. Staying well north of Omaha, NE to Norfolk, NE. (US 275, US 20 to US 83).

None of this is intended as recommendation, but to give an example of the possibility of the kind of route you asked about in your original post.

We love the hills of North Carolina--after all my ancestors came from there on the way to Tennessee and Texas.

Thanks for that, I will research that route further.

Shatley Springs remains pretty much like it has been for the lat 40 years, y'all c'mon back.

Bill

[paulj]

The Columbia Gorge is a good example of an interstate and its alternatives.

I84 is mostly flat, staying close to the river. The driver gets to see the broad layout of the gorge, but can't stare across the river or up the slopes at the waterfalls. But there are a couple of good scenic stops.

The photo was taken from above the interstate, possibly from old US30. That's the way to see the forest and falls on the Oregon side up close, but it isn't suitable for an RV.

WA14 on the other side of the river is good 2 lane state highway. It curves more and climbs along a scenic cliff face. It passes through some small towns, and offers a number of stopping points, including a few formal highway rest stops. And I think the views of Oregon side are actually better; at least you can see up to the top, not just the closest slopes.

The 3 routes complement each other. And there even more to see if you can head away from the river into the mountains.

[Busskipper]

4runnerguy wrote:
While we also take the red and black roads, there are some magnificent stretches of interstate. For instance I-70 in CO westbound at exit 254 (Genesee exit)

Glenwood Canyon:

San Rafael Swell (UT):

Columbia River Gorge:

Holly Smokes Ken did you get a Camera?

These are great - Post a few from your off road travels.

The over under on 70 and the stretch of 15 from St George to Mesquite are two of my favorites in the SouthWest.

Love the picture, hope to see more......

Thanks,

[Busskipper]

P3TC wrote:

trailertraveler wrote:

P3TC wrote:
At 76 years, I have become too cautious for the "I" routes. Like to drive my rig at 62, I feel I am becoming an obstruction as speed limits rise.

Since we want to make a 4000 mile visit to SD and WY this spring, I need a routing service that will send me by the "back roads".

Any recommendations?

thanks...Bill

In my experience, 62MPH is plenty fast enough for the interstates and U.S. highways. We get our best fuel mileage at 59-62MPH so that is where I set the cruise control. My advise is that if you have not already done so, set your travel pace at about 4-5 hours per day. We like to do 10Am-2PM. We call about noon to make sure potential stops have room for us for the night. If we need to go through any large city on the interstates/expressways, that usually misses rush hours. At 76, I am guessing you are retired, so if you haven't alseady, slow down and enjoy the journey. We have stayed places for a week that we thought we were only staying overnight.

That is really good advice....I tend to be "driven" by trip goals.
I will start the trip a week earlier to meet reservation commitments.

Thanks.

Good advice - couple other thoughts - this side of the Mississippi, the back roads tend to have a lot of lights, so my advise is to take the Interstate, once you are West of the Mississippi, we have found that most of the State highways are very good, fewer traffic lights and easy to drive. At 76 you remember that the speed limit used to be 55 on almost all Interstates so I'm pretty sure you will be fine.

As for a route Take the Interstates to Hannibal, MO - from there take Rt 36 as far West as you need to then head up to SD then over to WY. Plenty of back roads and little traffic.

As for reservations - my question is, WHY, call the day of or the day before and you should be able to find a site. I've driven 500K miles and can't remember any place I've made reservations. (one year in Yellowstone they parked us by the horse stables - called it overflow space - best site in all of Yellowstone, on a creek away from the camp fires and smoke, all alone, just perfect) we use the 10-2 rule start driving at 10 and start looking for a place to stop at 2- usually set up and relaxed by 4.

BOL, and enjoy the trip,

[GraciesDaddy]

4runnerguy wrote:
While we also take the red and black roads, there are some magnificent stretches of interstate. For instance I-70 in CO westbound at exit 254 (Genesee exit)

Glenwood Canyon:

San Rafael Swell (UT):

Columbia River Gorge:

Beeeee-YOU-tee-ful, 4runner! Especially Glenwood Canyon!

[padredw]

I have a feeling you would know better than I about driving through the Appalacian highways. I spent a night in Shatley Springs some years ago, but I was not towing an RV. I would like to come back there some day to see if it would be as much fun as it was then.

So, I'll skip that part of the trip and say that you could cut across Kentucky via Corbin, Danville, Harrodsburg, (Lexington if you wanted to visit that city and the Horse Park), skirting east of Louisville to Madison and Columbus, IN. Skirting around Indianapolis to the west to pick up US 36 to Decatur, IL. Working across to Mt. Pleasant and Otumwa, IA to the bypass around Des Moines. Staying well north of Omaha, NE to Norfolk, NE. (US 275, US 20 to US 83).

None of this is intended as recommendation, but to give an example of the possibility of the kind of route you asked about in your original post.

We love the hills of North Carolina--after all my ancestors came from there on the way to Tennessee and Texas.

[4runnerguy]

While we also take the red and black roads, there are some magnificent stretches of interstate. For instance I-70 in CO westbound at exit 254 (Genesee exit)

Glenwood Canyon:

San Rafael Swell (UT):

Columbia River Gorge:

[GraciesDaddy]

A hitch and hop wrote:
I usually am driving between 60 and 65 and find that on the Interstates, I am not a problem when there is light traffic and find that I am keeping up with the traffic when it gets heavy. I do make it a practice to flash by lights to the truckers ( and other RVers) when it is clear to cut back into the lane I am driving. I most often will get a thank you return flash from the truckers as it lets them know that they can come back into the right lane safely.

BRAVO, to you, AH&H, for continuing this practice! It has it's origins in the 2-lane roads of times gone by and a 2nd BRAVO to the truckers/RVers who know what it means to give a "Thank You" flash of the marker lights!

As to your situation, P3TC, at 76, your reflexes have probably slowed at bit and a 60-65 MPH range is a good one for you. Keep in mind, however, the minimum speed on most Interstates is 40. You are well above that speed as your comfort zone. Taking into consideration the total distance of your trip, a lion's share of I-driving might be more beneficial. Once you get out west, you can pick the brains of fellow travelers (preferably those with rigs the same size as yours) as to which of the backroads are safer and passable for your size rig as switchbacks can be a bear if you have to back up to make one without snagging the fender of a passing car with your back bumper... or your toad. The Interstates in the Midwest are, for the most part, flatter, smoother and less curvy than in more mountainous areas, ergo, you can put some miles behind you on those thoroughfares! Also: Interstate Standards for vertical clearance is 16 feet in rural areas and 14 feet in urban areas... There are exceptions to this, of course, but compared to U.S. routes, you can find yourself in a really sticky wicket if you haven't scoped out your route(s) on a U.S. Highway in advance or sought the advice of the area natives.

But: The Bottom Line of all of this is to do what YOU are comfortable with. This RVing Stuff is supposed to be FUN, right?! If it isn't, perhaps it might be time for some re-evaluation and re-adjustment of what you're willing and able to perform.

[2gypsies1]

Driving the secondary roads with our 40' motorhome was always our first choice. We hate mile after mile of billboards and semi trucks. We're retired so definitely not in a rush. There are some beautiful campgrounds along the roads as opposed to in and out parking-lot type of RV parks along interstates. We never had a problem getting fuel or overhead structures. Farmers need fuel, too. Recently our travels have been in the west. I'm sure overhead structures would be a concern in the east. . . but then, there are places to research this before taking off. It can be done.

[azchuckmo]

The only issue I see just using the none Interstate hwys is availability of fuel for your vehicle, and at time low overhead structures.
Chuck

[camper19709]

I drive the back roads and the interstate. When on the interstate I usually drive 60-65. And in the right lane. Let the others go around. On the back roads I will try and move over when possible and safe to let the "train" of cars behind me pass.

[pitch]

I use both. I avoid large cities like the plague and will detour 100 miles off the interstate to get around. Just depends on the trip where we are on that trip the mood we are in and maybe even the color of the sky. I don't tie myself to anything.

[turbojimmy]

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:
One idea I would add is this: If you are considering a particular stretch of 2-lane, you can get on the web and look at the road on google maps street view and get a good idea what it's like.

I do that. My kids think I'm insane but it's prevented me a lot of hassle. I look for tight spots, bridges, small towns, etc.

I take my RV to the Poconos regularly. The GPS routinely wants to take me across a bridge that spans the Delaware that has an 11-foot height limit and a 4 ton weight limit. After a few trips I caught on, but Google Maps saved me a couple of times.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

One idea I would add is this: If you are considering a particular stretch of 2-lane, you can get on the web and look at the road on google maps street view and get a good idea what it's like.