Cross Country drive advice? (PA - CA)

[melloh]

Hello, Gentlemen and Ladies.

First off, sorry for the off-topic post. But, I figure this is a car adventure, so where best than to ask fellow driving addicts? Also, some of you may notice I posted the same thing on bfc, but I know many only follow one forum.

I will be returning home from the Philadelphia Convention Center to Redwood City (Silicon Valley area), CA. Here's the nitty gritty...

Leavin PA Nov 19 or 20
Hope to arrive in Redwood City by Nov 25 (Thanksgiving), but willing to arrive late to enjoy it while I can (I don't wnat to kill myself).

Should average 600-750 mi/day (right?)

I'm hoping the collective geniuses spread across America here can offer suggestions on pit stops and planning advice.

Suggestions I hope to receive:

Routes - especially historing like Route 66. Staying away from scary twisties b/c I unfortunaly will have a very loaded old (95) VW Golf GL (my e30 is home in CA), but "interesting" roads are welcome.

FOOD - I am addicted to BBQ. But, I'll eat anything - esp anything "special" to a location. I love trying foods.

MUSIC - I love JAZZ, and any old American live music (like bluegrass and even honkey tonk). Just note... I'm yellow-skinned, and would like to keep my skin attached (unfortunately, some bigotry still exists in the south and I don't want unnecessary risks when traveling alone!). I also enjoy a good cigar with good company and/or good music.

SAFETY TIPS - Like what to carry with me (road flares, duct tape, flashlight, spare cap & rotor, oil, water, ??).

Thanks for reading thus far. I hope to hear your minds!!!

[mrsleeve]

well you will have to worry about weather and snow and iceing that time of year

In a car you should be able to cover 900-1000 miles in about 15 hours and 600-700 in 11-12 hours so long as you have good weather.

Dont push yourself past your limits if you dont know what they are just drive till you get tired or till you are uncomfortable with conditions. Get a good room and good nights sleep.

I do this kinda thing all the time, and shoot for 1000 miles a day, and if I get too sleepy a quick 30min power nap to get me to the hotel is not outta the question.

What are you driving well determine what you need in the car with you. Winter, time = a few snacks, BLANKET, and warm cloths, and some bottles of water.

[NKRoberts]

What are you driving well determine what you need in the car with you. Winter, time = a few snacks, BLANKET, and warm cloths, and some bottles of water.

Yeah I would say drink plenty of water and try to stay away from junk food.

[melloh]

Yeah, I'll be packing plenty of fluids, for myself and the car, and jerky (the perfect rode trip food IMO) and trail mix. I 'll be checking weather forecasts before heading out and pick up chains/cables if I need them.

I'll be fine regarding clothing as I'll have everything accumulated living in NY for 12 mo. packed in the car anyway (including winter clothes, blankets, etc).

No worries on driving myself to sleep or whatnot. I've done plenty of 500-800 mi. rode trips (at one point, driving from LA-SF was almost a commute). Also, I've picked up good habbits as my father drove big rigs and taught me well. I have no problem pulling over to nap/rest as necessary.

Thanks for the advice - please do keep it coming!

Cheers,

Henry

[Need4Speed1299]

Flux Capacitor.

[u3b3rg33k]

I drive from WI to VT and back at least once a year. Pardon me while I re-hash what others have said. I like to talk.

My suggestions:
take water and healthy snack food along. eg grapes, carrots, peanuts, etc. It's not strenuous driving, and you're getting less exercise than you would doing nothing at home. stopping to eat a burger each time you get slightly hungry ads cost rather quickly, and all kinds of salt (not to mention calories) you definitely don't need while sitting on your ass all day.

Most importantly. If you get tired, find a place to pull off and take a nap. If you catch yourself doing the head bob thing, you're way too tired to be safe. Even if you fall behind on your schedule, it's still better (and cheaper) to oversleep an hour or so than it is to get pulled over and ticketed (yes, you can be ticketed for driving while tired), or worse, a collision of some sort.

Depending on traffic (cities / construction can be hard to avoid), you may not cover the ground you want. I usually aim to be sleeping during rush hour, as it's annoying, wastes my clutch, and increases collision risk - not to mention you just sit there, and sit there, and sit there.

I have occasionally had a second driver along with me. Wow does that make it easy. Drive until you're starting to get fatigued, then switch. Even if you're not getting quality sleep, just sitting there in the passenger seat with your eyes shut for a few hours makes worlds of difference. it makes getting that 1000 miles/15 hours much easier.

Another topic of conversation I'd love to entertain would be why I should be allowed to cruise at 100mph when there's good weather and no traffic. Anyways.

I usually have a few gallons of coolant mix and a case of 15w50 in the trunk, as well as a toolbox with most of what I could need to fix most problems (aka, tools to change a tire). I've only had a flat tire once, and I love having a full size spare, even if I do have to spend 30 minutes unpacking the trunk to get to it. The fact that my spare still says "Made in W. Germany" on it is a bit frighting, but that's another matter entirely.

[Fusion]

Cocaine will keep you awake.

[z31maniac]

I'd also pack some basic tools and vehicle spares. Couple quarts of oil (cars will tend to drink a bit under prolonged highway speeds), coolant, belts or belt if serpentine.

If you were leaving earlier/later I'd tell you to stop in Tulsa (on Route 66) and I'd buy you a beer. But we're leaving for Nassau on the 21st.

Have a safe trip!

[357]

If you're looking for good BBQ, check out Gates' or Bryant's in Kansas City.

[melloh]

I drive from WI to VT and back at least once a year. Pardon me while I re-hash what others have said. I like to talk.

Depending on traffic (cities / construction can be hard to avoid), you may not cover the ground you want. I usually aim to be sleeping during rush hour, as it's annoying, wastes my clutch, and increases collision risk - not to mention you just sit there, and sit there, and sit there.

Ditto that. On long road trips, I tend to drive in the middle of the night or outside typical traffic hours (I had to drive through Los Angeles a LOT). I actually am more accustomed to driving during "off" hours.