Driving from NJ to Tacoma, Wa alone. (Seattle: live in, moving to)

[eribear23]

Hello,
In August of 2009, I will be moving to Tacoma, Washington from just outside Phildadelphia. I am a female and will be doing the drive alone. Can anyone give me pointers? I am wondering if there was anyone who has been in this same boat before and how many average hours can be driven a day before rest is suggested, if there is a route that is the best (I know it's far, but is there any one area I should avoid) and just all around ways to make this trip not so painful and tedious. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ira500]

I really hate big city congestion, but I-80 to Chicago and then I-90 the rest of the way would be the fastest and most direct way, but only slightly longer and much more scenic be the PA turnpike to I-70 to Salt Lake City and I-84 and I-82 to 90...that would be a route to avoid in the winter, but summer would be fine...I just drove that route from Seattle to NJ, and it seemed like much more than 500-550 miles a day was really pushing it.

[joe stixpuck]

I've done the drive, and took I-70 to Kansas City, then took I-29 north to I-90 (in SD) and took that the rest of the way into the Seattle area. If it's any longer than the routes Ira500 mentioned I think it would be minimal. I've driven all of I-70, and nearly all of I-80 and I-90, and can assure you that the route I took was both very direct and the most scenic.

My usual average is about 700 miles a day taking any of those interstates during that time of year, driving from dawn to dark, with about 1 hour worth of stops per day. That is making very good time, and driving a solid 12 hours (at least) per day. I-90 will have the least traffic and 70 the most generally.

Enjoy the trip, whichever route you travel, and be safe.

[eribear23]

Thanks so much for the information. I will take the pointers into consideration.

[alight17]

I am from Michigan and live in Denver now. I have done the Michigan to Sturgis drive a few times and the last time it took me 23 hours, with 5-6 hours in traffic in Chi. If you can avoid it and drive at night through there you are better off. Madison is a few hours past and is a good place to stop. I am a big book on tape guy. If you download some good ones you are better off for the long haul. Most unabridged ones last 10 hours. I can do 20 hours in a car with a few stretch the legs, let the dog pee stops. Being in Denver I will do this on my way back to Michigan/Wi/Fla and can knock off 20 hours easily. I will stop at a rest area, which I am not sure you want to do, and sleep for a few hours from 3-6am and am good enough to go into the next night. Find a good book on tape or 5

[alight17]

If I was to do it from where you are, I would look into the Trans-Canada highway then go south. It might be interesting to see Canada. From NJ it would maybe add 5 or 6 hours but i would bet there would be less traffic and it could be interesting.

[M3 Mitch]

Mentioned this in another thread - you might want to get AAA before the trip, assuming you are making the trip in a personal car. Resolve to save up some $ and get the car serviced well before you leave, make sure you have good tires, etc. If your car is older and burns some oil, be sure to carry some oil with you, realize that a car that does not lose significant oil level in short trips may use more oil on a long freeway trip.

Me, I would suggest getting AAA to plan the trip out for you, they will do that as part of membership.

When I was driving back to Eastern WA from Memphis, I basically just drove till the setting sun was in my eyes bad, at that point picked out the next small town and stayed there.

Trans-Canada is in interesting idea but if you have a car full of stuff, I wouldn't. Border crossing is too much hassle, or can be, now.