PA to California and Back:Roadtrip May 2010

I've done my share of "whistle-stop" roadtrips where I see more things but don't have time to see them in-depth. And then, of course, I hope to get back to some of those places in the future to explore them more but, this way, at least I've seen 'em. So I understand. But I've never done it for that many days in a row. And it does get tiring.

I guess I'm thinking that getting out to the coast to do SD, LA, and SF are really increasing your total mileage. Maybe cut those out for a future trip and focus more on the other areas. Just a thought.

If you do decide to do all those places, just try to build in some rest days. Days where you spend most of your day lazing on the beach or a pool or whatever, with maybe just a tad bit of sightseeing in the late afternoon. You might just need one or two days the entire trip like this but I really think you're going to need to recharge your batteries at some point. Just try to plan a day like this in a really cool spot.

Yeah we might take a rest day but were all young, so we should be able to stay strong. The West Coast is our main focus for this roadtrip.

If your main goal is the west coast, then I would look at actually zipping by all of the cities in the east that you've listed. Right now, you've got some very short driving days driving days until you get out west, and then some really killer days when you are in the area you say you want to enjoy.

Several of your first days are under 500 miles, yet you are trying to do some really intense 700+ mile days as you get out west, or you end up doing days like your Grand Canyon day which would be, simply exhausting.

I'd increase your first few days so you are covering 500-600 miles each day (8-10 hours actual travel time), that should still give you time to make some short stops each day, but will get you out west to your goal faster. I'd also cut out KC from this leg, as it is out of the way.

I'd be looking at stops around Indianapolis, Springfield MO, Amarillo TX, and Flagstaff. Your second day would be a little shorter than the rest, giving you a little more time in St. Louis if you'd like. Stopping in Flagstaff also sets you up very nicely to visit the Grand Canyon BEFORE you go down to the Phoenix area. That's going to let you enjoy the place without being forced to do a 18+ hour day to get there and it eliminates the backtracking you'd have to do by heading to glendale first. Doing this also will give you a chance to spend a little time with your relatives, and not just use their house as your motel.

That should give you about 2 extra days on the coast, so you won't just have to race from one city to the next, trying to see everything in one day.

thats a very good idea. I think we will work on that schedule. Our goal will be to get to Flagstaff as quick as we can. Driving as many hours a day, without getting toooo tired. I am going to work on the new schedule, adding in those extra days. Thanks. And keep giving more feedback.

Where in PA are you leaving from?

Eastern PA. Pike County PA

How does it look? Feedback.



Day 1 pike county, pa to Indianapolis,Indiana 11 hours and 20 mins drive time Sleep in Indianapolis, IN

Day 2 Indianapolis to Oklahoma City, OK Gateway arch to the west. Sleep in Oklahoma City drive time 11hrs 12 min sleep in Oklahoma city

Day 3 Oklahoma City to Flagstaff AZ Drive time 12hrs 15 Sleep in Flagstaff

Day 4 drive to grand canyon 1hr 30min.. DAY AT GRAND CANYON sleep in Grand Canyon

DAY 5: Grand Canyon to San Diego Drive time: 8hrs 40min stop in phoenix sleep in San Diego

Day 6 – Day in San Diego

Day7- Day in San Diego

Day 8- San Diego- Los Angeles 2 hr drive time

Day 9- DAY in LA

DAY 10- DAY in LA

DAY 11- LA- SAN FRAN 6 hr drive time sleep in SAN FRAN

DAY 12- DAY SAN FRAN Alcatraz tour sleep in SAN FRAN

DAY 13- SAN FRAN- Yosemite national park drive time 4hrs 30 min sleep in park

DAY 14- HALF DAY IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK drive to Lone Pine CA drive time: 4hr 15 min Sleep in Lone Pine

DAY 15- Lone Pine to VEGAS drive thru Death Valley national park drive time: 5hrs sleep in Vegas

DAY 16- Vegas-Arches National Park drive time: 7 hrs sleep at Arches National Park Moab, UTAH

DAY 17- ATV SAND DUNES explore national park. Sleep in Moab UTAH

DAY 18)- RAFT WEST WATER CANYON DAY TRIP sleep in Moab UTAH

DAY 19- Moab Utah- Denver 5hr 30 min sleep in DENVER

DAY 20- DAY IN DENVER sleep in Denver

DAY 21- Denver- Omaha/Cedar Rapids Iowa drive 8-11 hrs?

DAY 22- Omaha or Cedar Rapids- Chicago sleep in Chicago drive time 5-7 hrs

DAY 23- DAY in Chicago sleep in Chicago
DAY 24- Chicago-home 12 hrs 10 min

DAY 25- HOME!

I picked Milford - the fastest way to Flagstaff from there is I-80/I-76/I-71/I-70/I-44/I-40. That's 2300 miles and 4 long days of driving 10+ hours a day. I show overnights in Dayton OH, Springfield MO, and Amarillo, TX. This does not account for any time spent in STL. If you want to spend some time in STL, you can push things accordingly - maybe to Indy the first night and Rolla MO the second night. If you guys like good steak and decide to stay in Amarillo for a night, I highly recommend the Big Texan. They also have a motel, but it's not a good value.

EDIT: You posted while I was typing - I do not recommend you try to make it in 3 days. Your drive times are too optimistic.

I don't recommend you try to do Chicago to Milford in one day. Denver to Omaha is reasonable, Cedar Rapids is pushing it. Omaha to Chicago is reasonable.

5 drivers, I think we can make it to flagstaff in three days. Each person 3 hours of driving a day. than sleep in the car for rest. Also we wont go from chicago to milford. Probably split it up.

I realize you're young and energetic. However, professional truckers aren't allowed to drive that many hours over multiple days in the interest of safety. You might do OK but you might be over-estimating yourselves. Or you might make it fine to Flagstaff and then be too zonked to enjoy the Grand Canyon.

If you're determined to do it, please follow these tips:
* definitely rotate drivers
* the driver and passenger-seat navigator must both be rested so the navigator can help and ensure the driver stays alert
* sleeping in a car is not all that restful but the other three should try to nap; if they can't, at least lean back and close their eyes for awhile
* nobody should be pushed to do their entire 3-hour stint if they're too tired to make it
* do NOT subsist on junk food as it can cause sugar crashes, even in healthy people without diabetes, and make concentrating harder to do; eat healthy
* stay hydrated; water is better than pop, especially sugar-laden pops; at the very least, alternate sugared drinks with water
* when you stop for food/fuel/whatever, everybody should be active to get the blood flowing; run to a scenic overlook or the restroom, wherever; hop, skip, jump if there's no place to go
* it's best to get a break from driving at least every 2 hours, so watch for interesting scenic overlooks or other places to do this; even a short 5-10 minute stop if you're really moving during the stop can make a big difference

This is one of those things that probably will be do-able if you take these types of precautions but not really advisable. The last thing you want to do is get so tired at the beginning of your trip that you're dragging once you arrive at the places you're wanting to see. But your youth, enthusiasm, and following these guidelines might carry you through.