victorydave1
Hamburg MI
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Joined: 11/09/2005
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Okay! I'm starting longer trips (RV & Truck shake down is done) were ready!
Planinng a trip from Michigan to South Dakota using a Coast to Coast resorts for nighty 2 day stays then move on to Rapid City for a 2 week stay. From there I'm not sure?
I'm trying to plan this with 400 mile days max, got a book of resorts, got'a GPS but I guess theres alot of work in between. Daily mileage about right? or plan on less? do I take major roads, secondary roads for more adventure ( my RV is over 13 foot tall, so I'm not sure about secondaries)?
I guess what I'm asking is how do you plan a trip? coast to coast has a lame site that relys on a old Map Quest program that doesn't even show mileage. Garman GPS has a nice program that I'm planing to use and just plug in all the addresses of each resort. That should do, But anyone got a better idea?
Thanks victory dave
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Jayco-noslide
Galesburg,Il., USA
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Joined: 11/24/2004
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Well 400 miles would be our maximum with less preferred, but we are seniors and in no hurry. We definitely need to arrive to a campground in the 4-5 PM range; much later and things start turning ugly. Takes too long to pick a site, too late for an empty stomach, etc. We use state and national parks or forrests the majority of the time with some county parks or a private RV park(not my favorite) or a Walmart parking lot mixed in. I use a combination of Mapquest(mainly for distance) and the Trailer Life Campground Guide or the internet to look a state's state park website. I would never get locked in to membership campgrounds but just don't care much for the manicured, city park look of private campgrounds.
Jayco-noslide
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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Joined: 08/08/2003
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Most of the time we only have the very loosest of plans. We go where the spirit moves us and stop when we feel like it so a day may be 400-500 miles or hardly any. When we see something of interest we stop. BTW, we're seniors so any time constraints are self imposed.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
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H4Adventures
Minot, North Dakota
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Joined: 01/17/2008
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We used AAA for the on-line trip tick, you can even select to show campgrounds and attractions. I am pretty sure you have to be a member tho. We did get the RV membership so we have a little additional insurance on our trips. It doesn't show all the campgrounds, but there sure are a bunch to choose from so far. It also has the same features as google maps or map quest but on AAA you can save your trips in the site for future reference or planning on the fly (internet service required).
2007 Zinger ZT30BH
2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC, 6.0/4.10
2004 Chevy Trailblazer
2003 Tracker Avalanche, 150EFI Merc.
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rlhoge
Colorado Springs
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Joined: 08/13/2007
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400 miles sounds like a reasonable distance. My wife doesn't like riding more than 6-8 hours, so that's our limit, too. We're not of retirment age (yes, I'm jealous). We plan our trip expeditiously. For campgrounds, we look at the internet sites along the path. We also use this forum. For activities and touristy "stuff" we also use the internet. I request visitor quides from the states along the way and from the larger cities. Once I get the guides, I can plan some activities and look for campgrounds. Planning is part of the fun, although my wife gets a bit frustrated when I show her an alternative to some plan we just agreed to the day before. 
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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I usually shoot for closer to 250-300 miles a day, but I am old and grouchy and like to set up/relax early.
bumpy
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VernM
Marion County, AR
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Joined: 06/21/2006
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Two, maybe 3 HOURS max. Then find a place to stay. If it is nice, stay longer than one night. You won't know how nice it is unless you give yourself some time to relax and look around.
It is the trip, not the destination, that matters most. Read, or re-read William Leat Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" and "Prairy Erth."
VernM
GMC Conversion van/Wells Cargo MiniWagon trailer
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Steveque
Central California
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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I use Microsoft Trips and Streets. It seems to give me what I want. I have unchecked all attractions - food, hotels/motels/ etc. All I have left are campgrounds. When I cross country, I drive anywhere between 300 and 450 miles. I usually stay at KOA's since they are mainly pull through and I do not have to unhook my tow vehicle and trailer. I normally drive 55 mph especially in those states with that max speed for towing. I will drive up to 60 in those states that allow it. I stop about every two hours for gas or coffee or both and to walk the dog.
Steve Quesenberry
Central California
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DarkRubiTJ
Livingston, Tx.
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Joined: 04/04/2006
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Normally our rules are 6 hours of driving and no driving after dark. That works out to be about 300 miles a day. We are in NW Wyoming right now and want to be in Houston for Mothers Day so we are going to have to push hard to get there. Not looking forward to it.
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Galvorien52
Stafford MO
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Joined: 02/06/2007
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We try very hard to be sure we're getting to the campgrounds with plenty of daylight left - nothing more harrowing than trying to find somewhere you've never been before. Or setting up in the dark. We also limit ourselves to 300 to 350 miles a day so as not to become burnt out with driving. Helps with gas consumption, too. DH likes highways, I prefer the secondary roads - highways are so BORING! But if you're in a hurry to get somewhere and don't want to investigate the sights along the way, definitely use the highways.
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