How many miles a day can we go?

[randster]

Hi everyone, new to the RV world and we are first time renters. We plan on driving from Florida to New Hampshire in a 32 foot class C (Entegra Esteem). How many miles a day could we reasonably drive, given we know driving around 60-65mph is reasonable? Do you think 500 miles per day is too much? I know we would miss out on the true adventure side by just driving all day but we have a small window of time where we can go.

Thank you for any advice; this forum has such wonderful information!

[garmp]

As an older gentleman once told me, Go by the two's. Don't drive over 200 miles a day, slow down & smell the roses. Don't drive two days in a row. And always, always arrive at a campsite by 2:00 o'clock, that's cocktail time.
Since we've retired, we pretty much like to follow those words of wisdom, with the only exception of possibly driving two days in a row. But the 2:00 o'clock rule is the law!

[ksg5000]

When I first got my RV I used to travel from Portland Or to Los Angeles often ... about 1,000 miles. I made that trip in two days with no problem (with two young kids and wife who didn't want to drive the RV). I found that leaving very early was helpful. Things changed as I got older - my two day trip is now 3 days.

[Terryallan]

Lwiddis wrote:
Doesn’t sound like much fun to me....500 miles a day

Minimum of 10 hours. Pretty long day driving.

[Matt_Colie]

Randster,

By now you should have figured out that there is no simple good answer to your question.

First, there are a few questions that you have to answer (honestly):
*Do you plan to enjoy the journey?
*Is the rig comfortable to sit in?
*Is the rig comfortable to drive?
*Will there be only one driver?
*Do you plan to use non-campgrounds for overnights?

So,
*If you plan to enjoy the journey, then you need to plan to take your time and look up interesting stops along the way. This can add a lot of time to the travel, but also add immeasurably to the memories.
*If the driver's seat is not long term comfortable, while this can be changed, being less than comfortable can wear you down.
*If the rig is not a one finger drive and requires constant attention, then how comfortable the seat is does not matter, you can only maintain that attention lever for a given period.
*If you have two drivers, the days travel can be greatly extended. If you have a driver and a navigator, this can also unload the effort of driving to a great extent. Just having someone to bring you a beverage on demand is a great advantage.
*If you will only do overnight stops at a campground, you had best add in the time to get to the campground and in your slip to the day's travel. There are huge variables available here.

This is all from a guy that has logged more that a few 1000+ miles days even some in recent years. We travel now in an antique motorhome that is very comfortable and can co-drive if the situation requires, but we try to avoid Bonzi runs as they are not something one can enjoy.

At one time, I was draging a competition sailboat all over the country. The truck was not comfortable and neither was the excursion. I did, however, learn the value of planning. Things are easier if you have at least an idea where you are stopping and when.

On these boards, you will find RVers that are 2-2-2 people. If this is your plan, then it can work for you. These are usually full-timers that -Travel 200 miles -Are at the campground at 2pm -Stay there for 2 days. If you don't have anywhere to be, that is just fine.

What you really have to do is work a few excursions and find out what you are comfortable with doing. The one big caution here is that driving tired is a very good way to end up dead.

Matt

[bobndot]

I just cancelled our NH, Vt, Maine vacation for 7/26. My friends that live up there advised us to stay home bc local governments are taking this seriously. They do not have the hospital capacity to handle a severe outbreak.

NH, Vt. Maine, really don't want you in their state if you are traveling from FL or other infected states.
They update the laws/rules often, I would suggest you to stay on top of things as they might change while traveling to NH.
They have a attestation form to sign when you arrive . You can test negative today and retest tomorrow and be positive.

"Out-of-state visitors are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days or take a COVID-19 ... Visitors from New Hampshire and Vermont have been exempt from the rule ... received a negative COVID-19 test result, will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, ... The form must be provided during check-in at all Maine lodging, …

[memtb]

“IF” you are in good health, and can swap off driving every few hours, and “need” (restricted time) to cover a lot of ground quickly ......500 miles is “very” doable. However, 500 miles east of the Mississippi River is far different than 500 miles west of the Mississippi River......cities and traffic can make 500 feel like 1500miles. We’re crowding 70 years of age, and a few years ago made it from Northern Wyoming to South Louisiana, towing a 40 ft. 5th wheel..... in 2 days travel. Much harder than it was 20 years ago.....but, doable. Not recommended....but doable. Would I attempt the same trip down the east coast......probably not! memtb

[Gjac]

I depends on how old you are and your ability to drive. When I was 21 I drove from Ct. to Miami straight through, took me 24 hrs. It took a whole day to recover. Mid 30's-50's with kids and a Hi top van I would leave Ct at 6:00 pm and drive until tired then wife would drive, basically 4 hrs off driving and then sleep for 4 hrs off and on. We made this trip twice a year for 52 years stopped only for gas and breakfast. Now that we are in our 70's and don't have to get back to work we stop half way after 10-12 hrs. If this is your first time there are some interesting stops along the way to see to break up the trip.

[mgirardo]

The most I've driven our Class C in a day was 900 miles, left 9 am and got there around 12:30 am. Normally, I'd drive 700 - 800 miles in a day. We live in Southeast GA and have family in Southwest NJ. We've seen most of the sites along the way, and we just want to get to our destination. Our Class C had great road manners, no white knuckle driving and no exhaustion at the end of the day.

I'm still young, just turned 47 and have been driving this trip towing our HTT, driving the Class C and driving various cars/trucks for over 14 years. We started taking this journey driving through the night. Leave 8 pm and get there around 7 am, but that is tough. Now we usually leave 3 am and get there around 3 - 4 pm. I'm sure it will get harder as I get older, but right now it is not a problem at all.

-Michael

[js218]

500 - 600 miles a day no problem, all depends on your comfort level.

[ford_truck_guy]

for us.. 500-600 is a normal day.. EXCEPT when we leave for home from FL... we stretch the vaca as long as we can and leave as late as we can.. That 1st day's drive home is usually about 800 miles.. We go from Disney to Doswell VA the first day..

It will ALL DEPEND on your tolerance to driving and dealing with traffic.

[Camreal]

Usually make 500 miles for 1st day out and 500 miles last day on way home.

[Tvov]

valhalla makes a good point... why not fly to New Hampshire, then drive a rental RV around? That might give you an extra day or two in New Hampshire?

Just the daily cost of the rental may compare close to plane tickets. And that way you are not spending time in the rental just driving, but actually camping and sight seeing for a longer time when you get there.

We have driven twice from Connecticut to Florida (WDW of course!). A lot of driving, but we own our camper that we used in Fort Wilderness.

Of course, all this is dependent on the situations with travel restrictions and quarantining....

Just stuff to think about.

[valhalla360]

FULLTIMEWANABE wrote:
Twenty plus years ago, we thought nothing of pulling a 36ft 5er as a "weekend warrior" I think is the term often used, starting at 3pm when the kids got out of school and stopping in a rest area at around 2am/3am in the morning then doing another 8 hours the next day starting around 8am, to get most of the time at our destination.

Fast forward to today and hubby being 63 years of age, we sometimes feel driving an hour is far enough LOL. You have received awesome advice in the fore mentioned posts. YOU will find YOUR groove, just on your first couple of trips out don't book anything if you can, albeit have a plan for where you can stop after 3 hours, 5 hours, 8 hours maybe. Take it all in stride, the journey is half the fun, not just the destination.

Happy & Safe Travels.

Yeah, we shoot for 100-150miles on a travel day and yes we've had 1hr drive days.

We have done longer but it's something try to avoid.

Have you already made the rental? If not, I would seriously consider renting closer to your destination and flying there.

[BarabooBob]

Almost every time we head from Wisconsin to go west, our first stop is the Badlands. That is a 650 miles first day. We have seen pretty much everything in this area a couple of dozen times so we just blow through. From there on, we get where we get. On the way home we will frequently knock off another 650 mile day.
We both normally get up at sunrise anyway so we just pack everything in the TT the night before and roll as soon as the coffee is brewed. We stop for 10 minute "walk-abouts" every couple of hours and every 4 hours we top off the gas and do bathroom stops.
I keep trying to slow down but it is difficult for me for some reason. I always want to see what is around the next corner.

[midnightsadie]

look into flying real cheap fares, and planes are cleaner than they,ve been in 50yrs.