East to West

[djgwilly]

Has anyone traveled East coast to West coast, and if so, what was the route you took. Looking for the best way to go for new RVers

[vermilye]

Another "away from the freeways" route, at least in the summer is US2. I've driven across the US on all the interstates & most of the older US routes, and 2 is my favorite. Mixed sections of 2 & 4 lane roads, interesting small towns along the way.

If you arrive at Glacier National Park after the Going to the Sun Road is open (usually late June or early July) be sure to drive through the park. You can't take your Class A, but if you don't have a towed vehicle, there are shuttles or better yet (but more expensive) one of the red Jammers for the drive through the park.

[1stgenfarmboy]

If you are wanting to get from one to the other as fast as you can go interstate< if you are wanting to see the country try rt50, it goes all the way and I know quite a few retired full timers that love traveling on it because you drive by the mom and pop diners and road side stores.

[JoeH]

djgwilly wrote:
Has anyone traveled East coast to West coast, and if so, what was the route you took. Looking for the best way to go for new RVers

Several times over the last 20 years-- the route depends on what you want to see and where you want to visit. This year we will go from Fl to Maine to UP of Michigan to San Diego ,then back to Fl across the bottom.

[X-OEM]

The west coast is a big place. Two factors will come into play here.

First, are you thinking about Seattle or San Diego? Your route would likely be VERY different for those two destinations.

Second, the weather. Leaving now and heading for Seattle along a northern route would entail some risk. If you are not as you say in a hurry, you can do that. Not my favorite as we like warmer weather and so does your coach. Not all campgrounds are open either so that adds some cerebral activity.

Maybe some more help with your "goal posts" would get you some specific answers that you can use.

About the car, been discussed many time here and elsewhere, but your size rig means you could leave the car at home. Not many places you can't access with a 28 foot rig including practically all sites you want to see. Parking in a big city can be tougher, but that would not be a problem very often.

I have often wished we could get by without a car as it gets to be annoying hooking and unhooking, not hard, just another step in the process that is sometimes done in the rain. We are 40 feet so NOT doable without a car. Yes, you can rent, but we like to be out and about most days so rental cost would be way too high. We spend one day in ten at the park without leaving. You may be different so do the math.

[Atlee]

Plus one. You must decide what you want to see.

In 2014 we went from Richmond, VA area to Los Angeles and return of course.

I went the southern route, I-20 once we got to Mississippi. Of course, I was off the interstates when ever possible. I'd veer north and south from that general line, depending on what I decided to see.

Many times, if there was a decent US highway running parallel to the interstate, I'd drive the US highway. More and better things to see, and could drive at a perferred pace.

agesilaus wrote:

djgwilly wrote:
Has anyone traveled East coast to West coast, and if so, what was the route you took. Looking for the best way to go for new RVers

I suggest deciding where you want to visit and that will determine the route you need to take.

[RGar974417]

It depends where you are going and when you are going. Most of the year I would go Pa Turnpike to I-70 to I-44 to I-40. But you may want to take a more southerly route December though February. We have hit snow on I-40 in New Mexico and Arizona even in April.

[donkeydew]

way to vague. buy a good road atlas,google,trip advisor and rv park review all will help in planning. everyone has different likes and dislikes.start researching what you wish to see along the way and the trip will design its self.
the further south you go the flatter and hotter it gets,north has more mountains and weather.
planning a trip can be almost as fun as the trip its self

[Thom02099]

djgwilly wrote:
Has anyone traveled East coast to West coast, and if so, what was the route you took. Looking for the best way to go for new RVers

We are thinking about leaving NH and traveling to Florida. Has anyone ever done that without hauling a vehicle? Someone once told us it would be less expensive to just rent a car for the day you need it than to haul a vehicle all the way. What is everyone's opinion on that.

You'll get more informative responses if you can clarify the potential conflicting information.

Are your plans to go to the West Coast, ie, California/Oregon/Washington?

Are your plans to go to Florida (not on the West Coast)?

Are your plans to go to Florida FIRST, then go to the West Coast?

And...when do you plan to do any of this?

Makes a difference as to when and where.

[2gypsies1]

ChuckV1 wrote:
But one thing that you will come across out west is mountain grades an passes with 40 percent grades for 10, 15 or more miles, some with switch backs so make sure your brakes are up to par.

:E Whoa! ... a 40% grade? I don't think one exists!!!

OP: Regarding your concern for towing a car and fuel.... there is virtually no added cost to towing a car. It does make it a lot more convenient for siteseeing though. It just depends on YOU and how you travel and tour the areas. We love driving country roads, gravel roads, etc. That's where you'll find the prettiest areas.

[mgirardo]

4runnerguy wrote:
NH to FL is not east to west! :h

Perhaps it is east coast of NH to west coast of FL. 🙂

-Michael

[Busskipper]

djgwilly wrote:
Leaving northern NH in Nov and heading south. We will both be retired so time is not an issue. Just wondering about hauling a vehicle if it was worth it. thanks We are driving a class A 28'

Depends on your "RV Lifestyle" - we never travel without the Toad - sort of a security blanket for me - and when fuel prices were in the $4.50 - $5.00 range it was used in the spoke and wheel travel system we would use.

IMHO it totally will depend on you - with 28' I could likely go without - as the Coach is just a little longer than the Toad.

As for travel anywhere, pick locations then head on out - if you need to be on the I's, then use the I's, but if you can go off the road a little, I would guess you might just discover a lot more of the Country you are looking for.

If you have an "A" to "B" trip just use Google and adapt it to your travel style. We have tended to slow down and take a lot more time getting to where we are going, but ..... Often I will still push Hard and Long after speaking with the Granddaughters, as they are generally destination that we focus on and Eye to Eye is so much better than Ear to Ear on the Phone.

We are all different so "Mine" might not work for You.

Best of Luck,

[4runnerguy]

NH to FL is not east to west! :h

You need to give more information for more informed answers.

You ask if you need a car. How long are you planning on staying? Are you going to one destination for some time or will you be travelling to different parts of the state? Are you already set up to tow with your rig, or will you need to buy everything involved? If you don't have the proper equipment, you might be dollars ahead to just rent a vehicle for the time you're needing it at your destination. You can probably rent a compact car for a week for just over $200. (Renting for the week is usually a much better deal than a day here and a day there.) Of course if towing a vehicle is something you plan on doing often, the investment will be worth it.

The extra fuel costs from towing may make renting a better option. Again, the important question is how long will you be in FL?

Finally, is your rig capable of towing the extra weight comfortably and are you comfortable with towing something behind your rig?

[djgwilly]

Leaving northern NH in Nov and heading south. We will both be retired so time is not an issue. Just wondering about hauling a vehicle if it was worth it. thanks We are driving a class A 28'

[Ivylog]

I was going to say I-80 since the only info you sort of gave us was NH. Without more info on time of year, how long you have, type of RV, and reasons for trip, we are just guessing.