Planning my cross-country drive. Any last-minute words of advice? (hotel, hotel, vacation)

[GreenMachine]

To all those who have followed my posts, I have bought a car -- a used 2000 Honda Accord. I am leaving Tuesday morning to drive from Los Angeles to Boston. I am going over the Rockies. I want to know if anyone has any last-minute advice. (Don't try and talk me out of it, okay?)

A few notes:

- My car is front-wheel drive.
- I have had my car thoroughly checked out.
- I have ordered a brand new set of ALL-SEASON tires to arrive Monday. (I'm driving on the roads, which are generally plowed, so I do not want Winter tires.)
- I am packing blankets and plenty of food and water.
- I am bringing a cell phone.
- I have a AAA membership

If you have nothing to advise me on, just wish me luck. And please, no more references to the Donner Party. They were headed toward California, I am headed away from.

GreenMachine

[skytrekker]

Good luck Greenie

It seems you should be fine- in great shape for the drive east. Weather east of the Rockies looks to be mild to warm south of I 70- north of this interstate there appears to be a frontal zone with colder weather, with possible icy or snowy conditions some of the time

Click this link for Hartford CT weather
WFSB.com - Weather Maps

and GOOD LUCK and welcome!

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Good luck Greenie

It seems you should be fine- in great shape for the drive east. Weather east of the Rockies looks to be mild to warm south of I 70- north of this interstate there appears to be a frontal zone with colder weather, with possible icy or snowy conditions some of the time

Hey, that's awesome! Thanks for checking the weather for me. Yes, I'll be in your neck of the woods soon! This is a permanent move, not a vacation, by the way.

Cheers!

Greenie

[skytrekker]

Oh I know its forever- I have seen your great posts on the forums of the New England states, snowed here tonight about an inch-stopped now. Weather has been colder then normal the last 10 days-looks unsettled in the next 7 day forecast period.

As I said above, you sound all set to drive across the continent, and in the Boston area- I have a 2002 Mazda- with tires 50% 'left' on the tread-- with new all weather, you are in better shape then me.

[Tek_Freek]

Only one concern. If you are not used to driving in winter weather (Midwest and Eastern winter weather, that is) be very careful if you run into snow and or ice. I'm not just talking about your possible inability (from lack of experience) to drive on roads with these conditions, but being aware that even those who live through this every year do stupid things on these roads.

Be extra cautious around semis. If they hit a slick patch and jack knife you don't want to be there. Be aware of traffic coming towards you. If they lose control and the center median is full of ice and snow they can't stop and can come right across the lanes.

Watch for large SUVs. It's amazing how many people think they are invincible when driving these. They are usually the ones you see upside down off the road.

I am not trying to scare you. I am not trying to discourage you. I just want you to be careful.

We had our first serious snow last week. I narrowly missed being hit four times in one trip across town and back. Two of the four idiots were on their cell phones. The other two were driving too fast and couldn't stop.

If you end up in traffic on slippery roads (overnight at a hotel or getting food, etc) and are stopping, slow down early and stop short. This gives you some room to pull forward if the person behind you can't stop in time. Yeah, watch that rear view mirror when stopping. Look for driveways or other "outs" when stopping. That kept me out of an accident last week. I had stopped way short on a hill because of a driveway I could use to bail if needed. I thought I was going to need it. A big SUV came down the hill too fast and just as I was about to pull out of it's way the light changed and I was able to accelerate away from it. The light changing became my out instead of the driveway. No vehicles in front of me allowed me to start forward sooner. SUV driver was on a cell phone.

You know how ABS brakes work? Assuming your car has them, that is. Stomp on the brake pedal and Stay on the brake pedal. You'll feel a slight "bouncing" and hear the brakes "chirp" as they catch and release. This is what they're supposed to do and it is more likely to happen on slippery roads. Mine do it when I back out of our driveway on snow. Steep driveway! Chirp, chirp, chirp all the way down.

Be careful and have a good trip!!

[GreenMachine]

Trek-Freek,

Really good information. Thanks so much. I appreciate it. I am going to take it slow. I plan to only drive during the daytime, and I have no problem cutting a day short to rest in a hotel. I do not want to hurry.

[crazyworld]

Stay safe.............

[skytrekker]

Tek Freek made some great suggestions

for those leaving California's mostly balmy climes- driving in snow and ice without lots of experience can be very stressful. The first impulse is to panic- and thats understandable.

Do not drive at night if at all possible- if it begins to snow or there is frozen precipitation of any kind get off the road and seek shelter at a motel if at all possible- ASP

And yes be careful- I who have been driving in New England since I got my drivers license at 17 dislike driving in snow or ice-
and respect winter conditions-

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Tek Freek made some great suggestions

for those leaving California's mostly balmy climes- driving in snow and ice without lots of experience can be very stressful. The first impulse is to panic- and thats understandable.

Do not drive at night if at all possible- if it begins to snow or there is frozen precipitation of any kind get off the road and seek shelter at a motel if at all possible- ASP

And yes be careful- I who have been driving in New England since I got my drivers license at 17 dislike driving in snow or ice-
and respect winter conditions-

No worries. I've live many years on the east coast. I know what it's like to take a spin on black ice! I plan to be very cautious. I am not going to take any chances driving when I'm tired.

I will check over all these posts again when I leave to make sure I have everything firmly planted in my brain.

g.

[skytrekker]

Then you should be fine Greenie

There are some native Californians moving to both Connecticut and Vermont on the CD forums
and they constantly ask about driving in winter weather. Since they have never experienced it.....