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Know this is the 21st century, though would appreciate your wisdom, IF I decide to venture across
the USA, Seattle to possibly Charlotte, NC with stops along the way.
Essentials for driving, how long should one drive for the day, DH would venture two hours, break for 5 minutes, usually covered 400-500 miles a day.
Note: When I traveled to Kansas City by bus from CA, in 1965, folks thought I was very daring !
Two hour intervals are good. Give you a chance to stretch, clear your head. If you're going to places you haven't been before, plan your route (AAA is helpful) enough that you know what exit to look for in a new town. Have a great trip!
Long drive, Averaging 500 miles a day its going to take you 6 days to cover the 3000 miles. i'd also budget in a day or two for a built in rest time so probably gonna take 6-8 days. if you are planning a return trip i'd budget at least a week or two at destination just to get your energy back,
If i felt the slightest apprehension on making a trip like this i'd book a train or plane.
Essentials for driving, how long should one drive for the day...
DH would venture two hours <-- reasonable
break for 5 minutes <-- not nearly enough; it's never less than 30 minutes.
usually covered 400-500 miles a day <-- hopeful
I'd suggest that you break this 3000 mile trip down into a few legs with a couple of days rest with each:
1) Seattle to Missoula... 500 miles with a TON of things worth stopping for along the way.
1a) Missoula to Minneapolis... 1200 miles then take a day in Minneapolis too.
2) Minneapolis to Chicago... 400 miles but man you just gotta take a day or two in Chicago when you can.
3) Chicago to Charlotte... 800 miles (ugh) hot and flat until you get to Tennessee.
Last edited by MrRational; 07-06-2012 at 01:23 PM..
Install a GPS such as Tom Tom or such. Program the GPS only to the very next stop. And reset at each start. Allow 3 hours of driving in Am and 3 hours of driving in the afternoon. Stop just outside of cities or in less crowded areas for overnights. Try to stay on interstates when possible. Change the oil etc at the dealership every 3000 miles and ask them to check the vehicle as well for additional concerns. Ask priceline to search for rooms. Ask shop safe to create a series of safe credit card numbers to use on the trip. By all means go. Have fun.
If you are a member they will give you maps (Triptiks) TripTik Travel Planner - AAA
G ood point about Changing oil and filter before you leave ,but oil changes of 3K are a bit of an overkill, follow the manufacturer's suggested oil change intervals that can be found in the owners manual and are probably in the 6-8K range.
We'd all be interested in a write up of how the trip went..
We drive Phoenix to Minneapolis twice a year. It takes us 3 1/2 days each way (1750 mi). We make a pitstop every 2 hours and then 1 hour for a lunch break then on to a motel.
Mr. Rational: Re your post above, it's hardly all flat between Chicago and Charlotte! Depending upon one's route, this drive includes mountainous areas of Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina itself.
Now, hot is another question atm...
In addition to a multitude of other attractions of various kinds.
OP: once you plot your course, I'd suggest obtaining tourist info from all the states through which you will be traveling and seeing what's interesting along your way. As you've decided on a very long drive, why not make good use of your time and see the sights?
Know this is the 21st century, though would appreciate your wisdom, IF I decide to venture across
the USA, Seattle to possibly Charlotte, NC with stops along the way.
Essentials for driving, how long should one drive for the day, DH would venture two hours, break for 5 minutes, usually covered 400-500 miles a day.
Note: When I traveled to Kansas City by bus from CA, in 1965, folks thought I was very daring !
Thanks as always to this helpful Forum.
At this point more info could be provided if we knew a few more details.
So how much time do you have for this trip?
is it going to be a return trip or just one way?,
what time of the year are you planning to travel?
,what type of vehicle will you be traveling in?
Traveling Alone?any medical needs?
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