Road Trip

[seXieleXie]

a friend and i are thinking about driving cross country. we've never done a road trip that required more than one day of driving, much less the 5 we're planning to take in getting from san francisco to new york city.

anyone ever done a drive like this? anyone have pointers? horror stories? antecdotes?


anyone? anyone? buller?

 

[Azwed]

Stop by Vegas and see WH.

Cruise through Kansas and see Sin

or better go down through texas and see like 40 people.

I would hit up the grand canyone if you have not seen it.

Do you want to go north or south?

Or cut diagonal up to NYC?

 

[Rubyfruit]

Lex, what an adventure! Do it and be safe and have fun.

The furthest I drove was by myself to Mulege, Baja, from L.A. It took 17 hours and I did it straight through.

 

[alexandraaah]

8000 miles in six weeks, but I'm sure everyone's getting sick of seeing this posted as I feel like it's all I talk about.

Getting ready to do it again, only a little more abbreviated.

I'm also planning on meeting YOU so don't go anywhere.

Ask me anything you want to know; it was the experience of my life.

 

[Mischka]

or better go down through texas and see like 40 people.

I second that!!

I've driven cross country once, but it was during a move and I was driving alone. I booked all my hotels in advance so I'd keep an even pace along the route and know I'd have a bed to sleep on.

If there's a specific city you're dying to see, it might be worth it to go ahead and book a room there as soon as you can figure out what night you'll be there. Go to that city's visitor's bureau website, and scan through all the non-chain local hotels. Call them directly on their local line to find out the price. I've stayed in the best places for a fraction of the generic hotel prices that way.

 

[seXieleXie]

i wish i could stop and see people but unfortunately the route we're looking at takes us north and through states like idaho and nebraska...

 

[Azwed]

i wish i could stop and see people but unfortunately the route we're looking at takes us north and through states like idaho and nebraska...

You can see my roommates exgf.
Uhh yeah i guess you would not want to.

How close are you going to minessota you could see Myst and Monk.

 

[Private Vasquez]

Don't take that left turn at Albequerque. It's a loo-loo.

 

[mistressastra]

I would suggest emergency stuff in the trunk.

A gallon of water, a working flashlight, first aid kit, lots of maps, at least one credit card with a high limit (for repairs, motels, meals) , and be sure to get your vehicle checked before you attempt any desert crossings. Cell phone if you have one. Maybe AAA can help you.

 

[Azwed]

Ahh yes make sure that at least one of you knows how to change a spare tire before you leave.

Also make sure your spare tire has air and will hold that pressure.

Check the air in the spare tire if it is a compact one it should be 60 lbs if it is a standard it should be about 33-35 lbs.


Leave the tire alone for a couple of days and check it again to make sure it holds the pressure.

I always have my small tool kit with me and a few spare parts. I can't fix anything major but minor stuff like a belt or damaged oil filter I could fix.

 

[seXieleXie]

i know more about cars than my friend, and that is sad. i can change a tire, change the oil, check the fluids, the very basics. he can pump gas.

 

[Starfish]

When will you be doing this?

I am right off of 80-90 (Ohio Turnpike). Once you get out east, you really don't have too many choices of roads to take to NYC. YOU HAVE TO STOP HERE!

If you are coming through in mid july or after, I'd love for you to stop in and meet me. I'd give you a place to stay and some yummy food!

 

[Azwed]

i know more about cars than my friend, and that is sad. i can change a tire, change the oil, check the fluids, the very basics. he can pump gas.

Great then you are just fine thats all any average person needs to know.

Modern cars are so reliable, and complicated, that you don't need to know anymore then that. You aren't to the stage that you know enough to be dangerous, like me and I have had my share of fuckups, which is also a good thing.

 

[seXieleXie]

that's way cool of you fishie we'll probably be leaving around the 19th of august or so. the plans are still up in the air because he doesn't know when he needs to be back in new york for his job training, but don't worry; the promise of yummy food and the fabulous fishie is more than enough to make sure i'll keep you posted.

 

[Mischka]

he can pump gas.

Oh please tell us he'll be pumping more than that. It'll make for some interesting "What I Did For Summer Vacation" stories.

 

[Starfish]

that's way cool of you fishie we'll probably be leaving around the 19th of august or so. the plans are still up in the air because he doesn't know when he needs to be back in new york for his job training, but don't worry; the promise of yummy food and the fabulous fishie is more than enough to make sure i'll keep you posted.

Please do. If I don't meet a literotican soon, i'll split in quadrants and go quad ranting.

 

[seXieleXie]

Oh please tell us he'll be pumping more than that. It'll make for some interesting "What I Did For Summer Vacation" stories.

lol. sorry. he is my dearest friend. i love him to pieces. and he makes glamorilla look straight.

 

[patient1]

When will you be doing this?

I am right off of 80-90 (Ohio Turnpike). Once you get out east, you really don't have too many choices of roads to take to NYC. YOU HAVE TO STOP HERE!

If you are coming through in mid july or after, I'd love for you to stop in and meet me. I'd give you a place to stay and some yummy food!

You're considering driving back to college then, ? Well if you want another free meal, I'm near main street USA between Starfish & NYC.

 

[erosman]

i wish i could stop and see people but unfortunately the route we're looking at takes us north and through states like idaho and nebraska...

I drove to college several times - not quite as far as you are going, but close. Main thing I would redo if given the opportunity, is give myself margin. Don't try to force it, just keep a reasonable pace.

lexie, I'll buy you and your friend a meal when you come across I-80 between Laramie, WY and Ogalla, NE. I am south a little in Colorado, although I'll probably be working in Nebraska around the middle of August. That would be a treat. I might have to put together a care package, too.

 

[rider]

Sounds like fun, Lexie.

I used to drive semi coast to coast. Get a cell phone if you don't already have one. Go to the State Patrol or Department of Public safety website for each state you will go through and get the emergency phone # for the Highway Patrol in each state, write it down, and put it in your glovebox. Carry some extra drinking water in the front, and a couple of gallons in the trunk for the car if it needs it. That is about a 2900 mile trip, and you may want to add another day on. Otherwise, you will have to average almost 600 miles per day, and that is more tiring than you think. I am not saying you won't be able to do 600 miles a day, but try to enjoy the trip, and 600 miles, day in and day out if you aren't used to it can make a trip a lot less fun. Take frequent rest breaks, about every couple of hours, get out and walk a bit. take a couple of small pillows to put behind your back if your car doesn't have lumbar adjustment. Like other posters have said, get your car checked out, and also double check the spare tire. Carry a spare credit card for repairs-trust me if you break down on the Interstate you will be taken advantage of. Something that might cost $50-75 at home will be at least twice that on the big road. Don't trust strangers. Carry some pepper spray on your keychain. Try to stop at truckstops, etc and NOT rest areas, especially at night. Only carry a small amount of cash on you, hide the rest in a bag or somewhere. Have one maxed out or expired Credit Card you carry to offer them something with no value. These are just things I have learned from driving and managing drivers. Good luck, and enjoy your trip!! Let us know how it goes.

 

[bluntforcemama]

i know more about cars than my friend, and that is sad. i can change a tire, change the oil, check the fluids, the very basics. he can pump gas.

Come visit Monk and me! We'll buy you dinner.

 

[patient1]

Oh- A word of caution. Buying the cheapest generic gasoline along the interstate ( these places aren't into repeat business.) can get pretty expensive &&& time consuming if it's got a high % of rust water & clogs your fuel filters . A filter on the line ahead of the injector is a quick,cheap & easy repair. One on a fuel pump inside the gas tank isn't.

 

[teddybear4play]

a friend and i are thinking about driving cross country. we've never done a road trip that required more than one day of driving, much less the 5 we're planning to take in getting from san francisco to new york city.

anyone ever done a drive like this? anyone have pointers? horror stories? antecdotes?


anyone? anyone? buller?

Give me six weeks, after I'm done with a road trip to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, New York City, Boston, and Niagara Falls.

I never have good luck on vacations, so I don't know whether I should be excited or scared as all hell.

Plus, I have to break my Lit addiction for a week.

TB4p

 

[patient1]

And another thing ( speaking as one who thinks a 600 miles is a day-trip)..

Take some over the counter pharmaceuticals along. Nothing throws off a timetable like GI tract disorder. It only has to affect one of the people in the car to be a problem.

It's not so unlikely, either.Maybe we can assume clean & fresh food & beverage every time the entire trip. You'll be using public restrooms, & chances are high that the last person to open the door on the way out didn't wash their hands like you did. Next thing you know you're eating fries & a sandwhich with your hands or something. Oops.

 

[Azwed]

Good advice.