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Did you go I- 40 or I-20? We have three small kids, a dog and our pet snake.
It should be an adventure to say the least.
We did I-40 From Calif.to Arizona, NM, OK,ARK,TN.
We drove seperatly in two vehicles and was towing a travel trailer and two dogs.We left late Tues, afternoon to get ahead start. Could have made it friday night to where we needed to be in Mooresville but stayed in a town called Waynesville. Took our time Sat. morning and arrived by Sat. at 1pm.
We had no kids to worry about. I hope you have a t.v in the car!!!
Left the Monterey Peninsula( Calif.) at 4 pm Tues. to get ahead start.Got to Waynesville N.C by friday night and into Mooresville by Sat.
Overall 4 days.
In November 2004, I drove from Boise, Idaho to Bangor, Maine. I never touched I-40, but the distance and time of year are pretty similar. I was making the drive alone, so I was able to make real quick eat and potty breaks along the way. The whole drive took me three days -- the first two days, I was trying to outrun a snow storm. The third day, I was driving in the snow storm the whole time (I-90 from Eerie PA thru Worcester Mass). The third day really sucked...
In December 2005, we did a trip in the opposite direction (again, never hit I-40) but this time the whole fam damily (wife and 3 kids) came with. We left early, ate fast food in the car every time, and kept driving until at least 11pm every night. That trip took four days.
I'd plan on four looong days at least. Planning on five days would be much easier on your family.
We are leaving in 20 days, with a moving truck and 3 small kids....driving from CA to NC. I was searching around for info on the drive, and found your post.
Hope the move went well....if you happen to read this, and have some advice, I would greatly appreciate it!
When I drove my parents back to the Carolinas from Southern CA in December 2004 we took the I-20 (my Dad has some concern with some of the higher elevation areas on I-40 during that time of the year?). We had perfect weather driving all the way through...but if you are looking for scenic...this would not be the way I would want to go again...boring
The I-40 route probably isn't any less borring. You drive through a lot of desert, then alot of nothing untill you finnaly hit some nice scenery towards the end of Oklahoma. I've done the I-40 route twice in the past two years. I thoght it was rather borring.
When I drove my family from SoCal to NC in June a year and a half ago, it took us 5 days. Actullay, that's 5 nights of Motels, probably closer to 6 days. We didn't rush it. If it were up to me I'd have just bought a case of RedBull and drove straight thru.
I wouldn't recommend stoping at meteor crater. I feel it was a waste of money. $8 to look at a big hole in the ground. Whoopie!
We are leaving in 20 days, with a moving truck and 3 small kids....driving from CA to NC. I was searching around for info on the drive, and found your post.
Hope the move went well....if you happen to read this, and have some advice, I would greatly appreciate it!
We are leaving in 30 days.Where are you moving to?
The I-40 route probably isn't any less borring. You drive through a lot of desert, then alot of nothing untill you finnaly hit some nice scenery towards the end of Oklahoma. I've done the I-40 route twice in the past two years. I thoght it was rather borring.
When I drove my family from SoCal to NC in June a year and a half ago, it took us 5 days. Actullay, that's 5 nights of Motels, probably closer to 6 days. We didn't rush it. If it were up to me I'd have just bought a case of RedBull and drove straight thru.
I wouldn't recommend stoping at meteor crater. I feel it was a waste of money. $8 to look at a big hole in the ground. Whoopie!
Here is the "stick a needle in my eye" part....look at a map and see how long you are within the borders of TX while traveling on I-40...now scan over and view the I-20.....see the difference?
We will be driving from CA.to NC. in early January we will be going I-40.
Anyone know the road conditions that time of year?
If you will have problems it will be from Williams,Az to Tucumcari,NM and from Nashville,Tn to Asheville,NC.I presume you will come 101 south to 46 at Paso Robles to I-5 South to Button Willow and cross to Bakersfield to 58 up Tahachapi and to Mojave bear left into Barstow or Linwood to pick up I-40 east.If you are hearing Bad weather in Arizona turn south in Needles on Cal 95 to Videl Jct.
Turn left to Parker,Az and when you cross the Az State line turn right on
Az 95 south to Quartsite,there you will pick up I-10
I have traveled I-40 many of times during late December and early January.
One thing i can tell you for sure that it is more than likely going to be windy from the Texas pan handle all the way to Flagstaff. You do get freak snow storms along this corridor. The sun is shining ever so brightly only to see a dark patch in the sky. No big deal, right?! Think again. I've ran into a blizzard in Gallup one time.
After awhile, i've gotten tired of the winds on I-40 and just took I-10 all the way across from south of Tucson. A little longer?!, yes but it's nicer of a drive especially when you're driving between El Paso and San Antonio at night. The moon looks so close it feels like you can reach out of your vehicle and touch it.
Hope this helps.
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