We would drive from our home in North GA to Ocean Shores or the Oregon Coast and have taken many different routes. We once drove the mini-van straight with only one hour sleep on the side of the road in MT and multiple meals at McDonald's. All in less than 48 hrs.
In Feb, we drove from Atlanta to SA. I-10 from Mobile to SA about beat us to death towing. So, we are heading from San Antonio up to Oregon and then back to N.GA in July, we'll be coming back the northern route because of the heat and road conditions.
When we drove from the Grand Canyon up to the Redwoods on another CC trip, advice was to drive through the Mojave Desert at night. Best advice ever. The mini-van radiator had no problems overheating. But I've never seen any warnings on the northern route.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3 (38RSSB3)....our custom home w/2011 upgrades
2010 Ford F450 KR CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
RWDIII wrote: First,Thank you for your service
I would stick with option one.
Do a mapquest.You have 3000+ miles of driving with a trailer.With a family and stops,you will do good to avg 55,witch means if you drive 9 hrs a day ,you will have 6 days of driving.I assume this is a PCS.
I am retired military and my son is aNavy CPO ,who has 1 more PCS till he retires.
Anyway,good luck to you and your family
Semper Fi
Randy
Yep, PCSing! Last duty station before retirement! We are planning about 6-9 hours per day. the Southern route was to facilitate seeing old friends in Dallas, Texas and Shreveport,LA. Although now we will be back on the east coast, we'll be able to see them more.
Thanks for the insight!
NSDQ!
hitchup wrote: I'd stay on the northern route, too.
We would drive from our home in North GA to Ocean Shores or the Oregon Coast and have taken many different routes. We once drove the mini-van straight with only one hour sleep on the side of the road in MT and multiple meals at McDonald's. All in less than 48 hrs.
In Feb, we drove from Atlanta to SA. I-10 from Mobile to SA about beat us to death towing. So, we are heading from San Antonio up to Oregon and then back to N.GA in July, we'll be coming back the northern route because of the heat and road conditions.
When we drove from the Grand Canyon up to the Redwoods on another CC trip, advice was to drive through the Mojave Desert at night. Best advice ever. The mini-van radiator had no problems overheating. But I've never seen any warnings on the northern route.
Yeah I thought about the heat, higher elevations and pulling my trailer with a 1/2 ton truck might be a lot to deal with. Even though my trailer only weighs 6000lbs loaded, with heat and high elevation makes for engine and tranny issues if you aren't careful!
Also, just outside of Rapid City SD (near Rushmore) is Ellsworth AFB. There is a free Air Museum there. I can't get enough of watching the B1Bs flying in and out of there. Beautiful area in general.
4x4Bob wrote: Can you get more time for Trip? 8 days is mighty tight for that distance.Route #1 is Approx 4,000 miles or 519 per day. Will not leave much time for sightseeing. Add in the unexpected i.e. a storm, mechanical problems, etc and you might be late on arrival. Also, for trip planning you should plan on averaging about 50 MPH since you will be towing.
If you look at another route: Olympia, Salem Or, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Atlanta Ga, Savannah. It is approx 2,995 miles or 369 miles a day. Yes, you will miss a lot of the big attractions, but you would have a better chance of sticking to your arrival schedule.
Yes, you can drive through Yellowstone National Park. However, it is very large, about the size of Rhode Island and the roads are narrow with a lot of traffic jams as people stop to look at animals. To stick to your schedule you will have to do a drive by look at the park.
Which ever way you go, you will see a lot of different country and will never forget the adventure.
Bob
I can take as much time as we need; the Army will only pay up to 9 days; I don't mind paying out of pocket. The only down side is the time spent sight seeing is time lost for house hunting.
Beachums wrote: And , this should have been the first post, but thank you for your service....
It's an Honor and a privilege. The US Army has taken good care of me; I paid it back a few times, but the last 16 years have been awesome and I wouldn't change it for the world! Thanks for thinking of us!
I was going to say go to Wichita falls and turn left.... hehe..
Sounds like you got a good plan going for you. Being in the spring/summer months now the north route would be best for me. Having said that you probably have noticed the 2012 thing is really churning up the bad to extreme weather the middle of the country. Either North route or South route is still going to get you...
Just saw a bad boy spinning up off the SC/GA coast in the Atlantic yesterday - Unheard of this time of the year around here.
Have a safe and wonderful trip across the US of A. If you need more time just call up the first shirt and tell them RoyB said give you more time hehe...
You know that's going to work....
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
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Two more items that I would like to suggest to help you on your trip.
1. If you do not have a copy already, get a copy of The Next Exit (not to be confused with the cheaper Exit Now). This book will provide information about each up coming on/off ramps on the Major Interstate Freeways. Will not cover every road, but you will be on Interstates on your trip. Gas station, restaurants, other items of interest for a traveler,etc.
2. If you have a lap top computer you can visit a hot spot or some campgrounds have WI-FI service and then you are just a click away from help/information on the RV.Net site.
Bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
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End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
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