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My son and I are heading to the Keys in April from Baytown. All automated maps show us shooting across to the East side of Florida. I have never road tripped like this, but it seems to me it would be faster to go down the West side and cutting across the Everglades at the South end? Between the two of us, we are not stopping at official lodging, but would love to know about nice rest areas on the route safe to catch a few hours of shut eye. Any help or suggestions appreciated.
Welcome to the RTA Forum!
First off, It's well over 1300 miles from Houston to the Keys - which means more than 24 hours on the road (no matter what those automated maps might tell you). Trying to do that without stopping for a FULL NIGHT of sleep is homicidally dangerous, in fact, this is farther than professional drivers are allowed to do in TWO days. Trying to do this with just "a few hours" of sleep seated in a car means you will be every bit as dangerous on the road as a drunk driver. Fatigue is a killer, please take it seriously, and don't for a second think that having 2 drivers significantly helps solve this problem.
As far as route, the fastest/shortest would be to take I-10 to I-75 and then the Florida Turnpike (Toll) diagonally from the Orlando area towards Miami. Taking I-75 all the way down the west coast and then across the Everglades adds a significant amount of miles, because you go east to the Gainsville area, before going back west to hug the coast between Tampa and Naples, before turning straight east again. It would actually be shorter to go all the way to Jacksonville and down I-95 than to go down the west coast.
But again, please rethink your plans and actually stop for a full night of sleep. Your life, your sons life, and the lives of everyone you will be sharing the road with is at stake.
Thanks! I appreciate your explanation and concern. A "few hours" is 6. We just don't want to do the hotel aspect, so seeking safe stop and sleep spots along the route so our options are on our map. Perhaps a truck stop along the interstate allows passenger vehicles? State run "comfort stations?" State line welcome centers?
Now, to research the toll roads. Thanks again!
6 hours is not a full night sleep, especially when talking about doing it in a car, in at best - a well lit, and noisy parking lot, especially when you're talking about the level of work that's involved in driving nearly 1400 miles. Again, what you're proposing would be illegal for professional drivers, what makes you think that you can safely do what professionals can not?
Rest Areas (including welcome centers) are generally not safe places to sleep, unless they have 24 hour security.
On our last two trips, my husband and I have attempted to use rest areas to catch an hour or so of shut eye. Ours, however, was not for the purpose of a full-nights sleep. It was only because we started our day's trip very early in the morning to avoid awful traffic going through LA.
We both commented that we got a little rest, but not much sleep. Traffic comes and goes constantly, a lot of it loud. People slam their vehicle doors and then yell across the compound. We were in daylight, so we had sun to dodge -- a person trying to do this at night would have the parking lot lights and car headlights.
Most rest areas will post their rules about overnight stays. The most common is "8 hour parking only; no camping." Some come right out and state, "no overnight parking."
Truck stops/travel centers will have similar rules, only they may not post them. You can ask for permission and may get told where you can park that would be out of the way yet safe for you. Be kind and courteous and do some business there -- buy your fuel, a meal, or similar.
But I do not recommend staying overnight in your car on a long haul trip. If the cost of a motel room is a bother, get a discount coupon book. If you and your son can handle it, get a room with two beds and share the expense. Your life and your health depends on it.
Donna
It is both illegal and extremely dangerous to stop for 6 hours at a rest area, unless you have permission from the security guard. In FL they have had some bad experiences with people who chose to do just that., including the murder of a family of four tourists, some years ago. Since then many of the rest areas have had armed security, but unfortunately they are all along the east coast. There are only two or three truck stops which will allow overnight parking and use of their facilities. One is south of Jacksonville, the other is just south of Kissimee. (I have stayed at both, my vehicle is set up with a bed etc. for a comfortable's night sleep. Curtains on the windows and plugs in ears.)
But you will need to stop before you get to FL. Divide the miles in half and look for a cheap motel in that area. Use a coupon booklet or coupon off the internet to get motel discounts.
That is obvious. If you had you would not make the suggestion of doing this trip without a proper night's sleep. If you think that you will be able to get any sleep at all sitting up in a car, in the noise and light of a busy truck stop or rest area, you are deluding yourself. You may be able to doze for a few moments, but you will not be in any condition to be a safe driver. Two of you with the doors locked and the windows shut will soon become very uncomfortable. With the windows open you won't be able to sleep for worry of been broken into. Studies have shown what Michael stated. Fatigue is the insiduous enemy of driving long distance, mainly because you are not aware of it coming on, and by the time you are tired, you will have been driving for a long time with reduced concentration, reaction, and all the other matters which are needed to drive safely. It is the cause of thousands of deaths on US roads every month.Quote:
I have never road tripped like this, ....
Lifey
Windows down?
April nights in Florida could be pretty warm or humid, especially with two people in the car, so any overnight stops would probably be with the windows rolled down. That will make it even less likely that you'll get any sleep.