Dallas-SF driving: early september (truck, insurance, travel, across)

[bingroy]

I am graduating this Summer and will be going to the Bay Area for my first job. I will start from Dallas in early September and want to reach the Bay Area in 2-3 days. I plan to travel from Dallas to Lubbock to Albuquerque, rest there for the night, then from Albuquerque to Los Angeles, rest there for the night and then onward to San Francisco. I will have all my clothes, books and kitchenware with me (that will fill the trunk and the back seats of the car.

I drive a Toyota Camry that is really old (1991). But it runs very well. It has a V6 engine, runs very well, has new tires and is generally pretty well maintained other than some rust at the bottom (the car was in the East Coast before I got it).

It gives around 25 miles to the gallon on highways and has a 12 gallon gas tank.

1. What precautions should I take about the car? What are the points of inspection I should get done on the car before I embark on the trip? What parts typically fail in such an old car on such a long trip?

2. Where should I plan to get gas along the way?

3. Which AAA membership would you guys suggest (normal/premier)?

4. I have never driven for more than 3 hours at a single go? What precautions should I take so that I dont fall asleep at the wheel, dont get bored?

5. Where along the way should I be careful about safety? Highway Patrols pulling people up for going 5 miles over the limit? California checking every car?

6. The car has Texas license plates and has Inspection sticker till May 2010. How soon after reaching California do I have to get new vehicle emission stickers? What documents should I carry about the car, in case I get pulled over by the highway patrol?

[faithfulFrank]

I can't answer all of your questions...others here will....but I will suggest the AAA Plus. The regular AAA only tows 5 mile...the Plus will tow up to 100 milers, plus there are other benefits....the regular is hardly worth having, IMHO.

Frank

[Boompa]

Gas at Flag, plenty hotels there. Needles then across the desert to Barstow. Then take California 58 past Edwards AFB and get gas in Mojave. From there you will be going over the mountains and tehachapi pass. downhill to Bakersfield, gas and stay there. Then you'll go north on I-5 across the Central Valley and turn west on 505 or 580 (I forget which) to Livermore- Pleasanton. from there follow 580 into Oakland and across the Bay Bridge. I have driven it so many times I could do it blindfolded.

I can't help you with the age or condition of your car. when you get to California you have to register it there. You will need a smog inspection, that can get tricky with a car that old. You will need proof of insurance and the title. I think they only give you 30 days but figure on doing it by the time your tags come due.

[caligurltotx]

I have driven cross country solo once and then again with a friend from CA to TX. I say first and foremost make sure the car is up on maintenance. Have tires checked again, inspect all lights, change oil if needed and make sure AC is up to par. Like someone said you will go thur deserts and in Sept it may still be pretty hot.

If you are driving solo I say give yourself more time and pace it more. I only drove during daytime from CA to GA and got a room at night. Can't recall how long it took (3 or 4 days). And with help from CA to TX, we left Saturday morn around 7 a.m. and got to Dallas Sunday eve but we got a hotel Sat night around 10.

Like driving anytime or place you need valid registration, proof of insurance and a valid DL. I don't worry about Highway Patrol cause I am never driving illegal in any way. Unless you running drugs don't worry about the police. Just try to stay within the speed limit or as close as you can. Sometimes you find yourself doing way over and it doesn't seem like it. I think it got something to do with being in the car so long, it feels like you are going slow.

I highly suggest AAA, have had them for years and love them!! They will map your trip out for you and give you hotels to stay along the way and I think food and gas points also.

Last and most importantly SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY! I don't care if you are male or female keep in mind not everyone out there is out to do good by you. Even the truck stops are filled with criminal element. I recall the story of a young girl on a road trip and she stopped at a rest area with a McDonalds. Went to the restroom and was murdered. Turns out the cook was an ex felon that was never truly rehabilitated and should have still been where he functioned best...behind bars. He saw she was alone and followed her into the restroom.