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

[djgwilly]

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.

[junmy3]

We decide on where we want to go and then look at the route. Most of the time going from east coast to west coast we use interstates just because of the time to get there. Once we came back to Middle Georgia from South Dakota and drove on interstates for about 15 miles total. For the most part if you stay on US highways and state highways you will be fine. We did find a few state highways in Missouri that were more like county roads in other states but we just went slower and saw some amazing sites.

[ChuckV1]

As someone said time of year is important, most mountain passes are pretty clear after April/May time frame but sometimes mother nature will fool you, I have seen a freak snow storm in Wyoming in early June, snow one day , 70 degrees the next Ugh .....

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.

The best advice I can give someone who has never driven out here is pay attention to the road signs out here in the mountains passes, take your time going up and down the passes, " DO NOT STAY ON YOUR BRAKES ", if you have an engine brake or what some manufacturers call a tow function use it.

I can't say it enough STAY OFF YOUR BRAKES only use them when needed to keep you at a slower speed. When coming off a pass (Going Down) start off slow and stay that way till the last mile or so. Do not believe these cowboys who say they can go over passes at 60mph, maybe they have a trailer that weights 4,5,6000pds but even they scare me. You will see signs that say run away ramp X amount of miles ahead, these ramps are not only for 18 wheels but people who loose their brakes because they have got so hot they stop working .....:E

[2gypsies1]

There are many, many ways to travel across country. You don't have to do it via the interstates. Get off on secondary highways and you'll see a lot more of this awesome country. Of course, you go were the weather dictates. You don't travel north in winter and mid-summer avoid the deep south. Use the shoulder seasons for the rest.

[camper19709]

My only suggestion is to plan on stopping early. Driving into the sun at sundown is miserable and dangerous to say the least.

[bikendan]

welove2drive wrote:
It would depend on the time of year (snow), time frame and what you would like to see along the way. We took a summer trip (tent days) as far west as the Grand Canyon. We drove out on I-40 and returned on I-70. There is a lot to see! Let us know some details and we could give better advice.

Have fun and safe travels,
Marcia

x2

[welove2drive]

It would depend on the time of year (snow), time frame and what you would like to see along the way. We took a summer trip (tent days) as far west as the Grand Canyon. We drove out on I-40 and returned on I-70. There is a lot to see! Let us know some details and we could give better advice.

Have fun and safe travels,
Marcia

[GeoBoy]

Going to Florida is not east coast to west coast.:h

[agesilaus]

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

Only tens of thousands of people a year. I suggest deciding where you want to visit and that will determine the route you need to take.

[md_procouple]

We took I-70 most of the way from Md. to Az.
Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

[Johno02]

Right now, I would take the southern route. On I-80, you can't get there.