I need to go to a class in Alabama which is about 1700 miles from where I live. Thinking about towing the 5r and taking the wife and kids. My wife won't drive the truck with the trailer in tow so that would leave all the driving to me...I know this is probably a bad idea being the Newbie I am but I am just wondering what a conservative estimate of expected mileage would be to project how many days it would take us to get there? Also suggestions for overnight stays? Walmart??
500 miles towing is 10 hour day plus stops for fuel/potty/lunch/leg stretches...3 plus days of travel(one way), wife will disown you and kids will be 'Are we there yet' over and over and over. Did I mention wife will disown you.
250 miles towing is 5 hour day plus the stops.....7 days of travel (one way), wife will probably be agreeable and kids will be 'Are we there yet' but not for as long.
So how much time do you have fro trip out and back (remember it's 3400 miles)
Walmart overnighting with kids.......not my 1st choice. Kids need to run around, burn off pent up energy especially after a day traveling in the truck. Parking lots.......kids running around.....dark parking lots....kids running around
Figure out your route......factor in travel distance.........go to RV Park Reviews look up CGs in town close to your travel distance. Overnight in a CG with tired wife/kids.....better option.
Ask your wife what she would be comfortable with, using 50 mph.
Personally, I would locate at least 3 possible landing sites within an hour or two of her estimate. Then you can drive until she or the kids help decide went to park it.
Always remember, if momma ain't happy, nobody is happy!
I would stay at state park campgrounds, or US Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds. They will usually be nicer to stay in than a commercial RV park, and have stuff to do. I've not ever seen one that was expensive either. Many states have a website where you can plan and reserve campsites, and the USA CoE campgrounds can be reserved at recreation.gov.
We plan our days not by miles driven, but where the next overnight stop will be.
If you are in Yuma and will be going down I10, then it will be easy to find places in NM, TX, and LA to camp. If you happen to be in western LA, there is also a very nice RV park at the Coushatta Indian Casino, about 25 miles or so off of I10.
You will be driving roughly 4,000 miles. Fuel cost will be $1200 to $1500 dollars. Depending on how long you need to be at the class, you must add CG cost. Then ask yourself if it might be a better idea to fly and stay in a Hotel. Pencil to paper should help. I have crossed this country many times with an RV. For us, 1700 miles would be 5-6 days if no one was chasing us.
On the freeways you'll be going more than 50 mph. You'll average about 50 miles in an hour because of bathroom breaks (how many kids?) and reststops. Push too hard everyone will be in a foul mood and exhausted
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