I've been kinda playing with the idea of a cross country roadtrip for a long time. I figured I'd check with you guys to see if anyone has done it and get some impressions and opinions. If anyone has done it, what kinda time/distance were you really comfortable with day after day? I'm sure it's possible to crank out 1000 miles in a day, but I'm not sure how feasible that is multiple days in a row.

Thinking back, I don't think I've really gone much more than 500 miles in a day. I was kinda mapping out a route and it looks like something around 6000-7000 miles from South Florida to California, hitting a few stops along the way. Could I reasonably count on knocking out 800-1000 mile days several days in a row? You guys have any advise or insight on the matter? Should I just get a plane ticket somewhere or is this kinda thing a good idea? haha.

 

I did the AKA rally in 2004 and 2005. Drove from NY to LA, it took about 5 to 6 days. Any less time it's no fun.

We went from NY to Memphis (that was horrible, it took forever), Memphis to Dallas, Dallas to Alburquerque, ABQ to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to LA.

We stopped back in Las Vegas and stayed with 2 strippers we met while we were in LV the first time. Then we drove from LV to St. Louis in 24 hours. That was the absolute worst. The drive from LV to Denver was so incredible. The drive from Denver to STL will make you want to kill yourself.

If your car is modified and loud that will get on your nerves quickly.

We also drove from philadelphia to key west but Florida isn't that exciting@! lol

 

I don't see the point in traveling 6,000-7,000 miles only to hit a few stops along the way. What's the point of traveling cross country if you're not going to stop places, and are going to be so tired of driving that you won't be able to appreciate anything you see from the car a long the way?

 

I hate living so far down in FL, it's a good 9 hours and 600 miles just to get to Alabama Thanks for the input, I'm sure it'd be a trip you'd remember the rest of your life.

 

That was part of my question, what kinda distance is feasible and still allows you to enjoy the trip. Guess I didn't word it to be clear enough. Plus, there isn't exactly anything to see that I haven't already seen, between South Florida and Colorado/Nevada/Arizona so you might as well try to cover that distance as quickly as possible so you can appreciate Vegas, LA, the grand canyon, the rockies, etc...

 

I went X-C in May from Philly to LA. We did anywhere from 600-800 miles a day and had planned stops along the route. We started on Monday and got there on Friday. 1000 miles a day is ambitious and the first day is the toughest. I remember leaving at around 5am on the first day and thought I was cooked about 4 hours in (lots of caffeine helped though). We didn't do any sightseeing on the way, but I thought going through some states in the S I had never been to before was sightseeing enough. That said, coming from South Florida, take the southernmost route possible. We took I-40 through Missori, Oklahoma, and the Texas panhandle, and hit some absolutely frightening weather. Driving through New Mexico and Arizona were an absolute treat and the S was surprisingly comfortable throughout. If you have any questions, shoot me a PM.

 

I would just fly out and drive around the south west then..

If you're not going to enjoy the first 2,000 miles of your journey, thats $275 in wasted gas, $200 in wasted hotels, however much $$ in wasted food, and two days wasted vacation.

That pays for your plane ticket and rental car..

 

Yeah. I was at least on a rally/race with 50 other cars...What I would do if I was in your situation and plenty of time. I would fly in to phoenix, drive up towards the grand canyon head west out to san diego, drive north up along the PCH until you hit san francisco, then head over to lake tahoe then down through the sequoias then over to las vegas, then from las vegas to denver then fly out of denver.

You would see so many cool sites and experience probably the most exciting parts that america offers. I'm 28 and have traveled pretty much all of the U.S. by car and that would be the route I would suggest. It would probably take you less than 2 weeks and you would also get to see some cool cities too while you're at it.

But you would have to get a rental car that would be fun to drive. I have to tell you, carving down the canyons and around the mountains was bonafied bad ass.

 

did NJ to CO this summer...we wanted to get out because it was not a road trip but a climbing trip. the drive was hell...3 people in a mazda 3 with the crappy motor...non stop. make sure your passengers are agreeable..i wanted to strangle one of the girls and the other one could not drive smoothly..she constantly hit the accelerator and then coasted down to speed...rinse, repeat. i finally had to intervene. also, i could not trust them to drive late at night or in rainy weather so i ended up doing the lions share of the work

we crashed the free breakfast at a hampton in and freshened up in their bathrooms so we were not totally gross

SO...have fun but really think about it