Los Angeles to D.C. - First Time, Needs Tips/Input

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There will be sections of highway where you won't have a signal. Exactly where, and for how long will depend on your phone and your provider.

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The only stretch without service that readily comes to mind is on I-70 in Utah between Salina and Green River - 108 miles without ANY services or cell coverage. The first few miles out of each town has cell service, and there's about a 3 mile stretch right in the middle with weak cell service. No gas or rest areas with bathrooms.

If you take I-40, etc. you should have near-continuous coverage all the way.

Hi again, everyone!

Sorry for my delay in responding. The day of the move is coming up pretty quickly and there's SO MUCH TO DO: from getting my oil changed, tires rotated, brakes checked, mail forwarded, visiting AAA for their TripTik and getting a route/maps, looking up hotels, etc...it's a lot of stress.

Anyway, I've decided I'll be taking the I-40 route through AZ/NM/TX/OK/TN/W.VA. I don't want to face any bad weather situations on the road, as I'm traveling alone. It would seem that Flagstaff is not a bad place to stay the first night but reading all your posts, I'm concerned that it seems:

1) I can't drive faster than 60mph
2) It's going to take a minimum of 5 days to get across (it's a big country, I know!)
3) And state troopers...dear Lord.

I think my drive up to SF, I was driving 85-ish most of the way. When I drive alone, it takes less time because I don't need to stop as often as when with a companion. And, I can eat in the car while driving when alone. I have no idea what the I-40 looks like but I'm not planning on stopping too many places - maybe just a few sight-seeing bits on the road. If I wasn't driving alone, I wouldn't be worried about stopping here/there and driving later into the evening - but as I am alone, I'll be making less of those stops.

Since I've never been to any of the states I'll be passing through, would anyone recommend any specific must-see sites? Specifically, in Flagstaff, AZ (been to the Grand Canyon already); Albuquerque, NM; Gallup, NM; Amarillo, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Memphis, TN (Graceland - worth it?); Nashville, TN (not a country fan, but any sites?); and West VA I suppose. The rest, I'm familiar with.

Also, what service provider have any of you found to have the best reception cross-country? I'm going to get a prepaid back-up phone from Walmart (about $15) for emergency calls in case my provider doesn't do its job on the road. However, I AM in the market for switching providers because I'm just about sick of Sprint "updating towers" for the past 2+ years which = crap service for the consumer.

Also, what hotel chains would you recommend? I was looking at Courtyard Marriott or Best Western.

Any input is welcome.

I'm freaking out about this trip but I'd really like it to be safe and enjoyable, if a bit rushed.

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

1) I can't drive faster than 60mph
2) It's going to take a minimum of 5 days to get across (it's a big country, I know!)
3) And state troopers...dear Lord.

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No one anywhere said you can't drive faster than 60mph. What was said is that if you driving at or even slightly above the speed limit, (ie 75-80 mph) you will average 60 mph over the course of the day, once you factor in the most basic, minimum stops for things like fuel and food, and slowdowns for things like traffic.

Yes, it will take you 5 days to make this trip safely, and yes, if you are planning to drive 85 mph or more, you should certainly plan to spend some time getting to know state troopers.

And really, being that you are driving by yourself, you should actually be stopping more often, to give yourself a break from the road and stay focused. This is true for any trip, but when you are driving by yourself, you don't have anyone else to help keep you engaged, and that makes it that much easier to drift off or suffer highway hypnosis. These don't have to be major stops, but even stopping and walking outside of the car even for a few minutes makes a big difference. Here are some of the many places along the way that would work very well for your trip. RTA's map center can also help you find things that would be "must see" for you, based on your interest.

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Anyway, I've decided I'll be taking the I-40 route through AZ/NM/TX/OK/TN/W.VA. I don't want to face any bad weather situations on the road, as I'm traveling alone. -

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As was stated before, taking I-40 isn't going to be a sure fire way to avoid bad weather. If you really are concerned about the weather, you should be keeping your options as open as possible, and keeping an eye on the forecast. It's too early to say what will happen next week yet, but there are certainly cases where I-40 sees bad weather, that could actually be avoided by going farther north.

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

I'd really like it to be safe and enjoyable.

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Obviously, we share your desire and aim to help make not only your trip but every trip discussed here meet those criteria. Read back through all the advice you've gotten so far and you'll see (we hope!) that every bit of it was directed towards that end. And each and every bit of it had the same basic premise in mind: This is a long-haul drive that needs to be treated as the work it is. You need to keep a steady pace and take two or three 'time-outs' during each day to take a break from the otherwise unending monotony of being behind the wheel for hour after hour, day after day. Specifically, I'd refer you to my previous answer where I laid out for you towns that should be your target for each day, and gave you a link to restful stops just off the highway that won't slow you down too much. Others have advised you and tried to allay your safety fears. This trip will largely be what you make of it. Plan as best you can, and then enjoy the adventure!

AZBuck

You should not have any significant gaps in cell coverage all the way across with any major provider, as long as you are within 5 miles or so of a numbered Interstate highway. If you insist on buying a backup, get one from a company that uses the Verizon network.

Any of the hotel chains should be fine for a quick overnight stay, there's nothing that would make me recommend one over another unless you are a member of an affinity program. All the chains have budget, midrange, and high end properties. I usually stay at hotels right at Interstate exits in smaller towns or in the suburbs of big cities, and I'm happy with budget range. If you are going to stay around a bigger city, if possible stay on the eastern side so you don't have to fight the morning rush on your way out.

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

Since I've never been to any of the states I'll be passing through, would anyone recommend any specific must-see sites?….Albuquerque?….

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Here’s an older post with links to a bunch of stuff in Albuquerque, Grants, and Santa Rosa, including some places to eat.

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

I'm freaking out about this trip but I'd really like it to be safe and enjoyable, if a bit rushed.

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Getting ready for a trip like this can be hectic, but once you get out on the road it’ll be fine. :-)

A quick and cheap stop in Albuquerque would be the Rio Grande Nature State Park. There's a short hike along the Rio Grande, which is a really dirty river at that point. Another place for a few hours, if you're interested, is the National Nuclear Museum. Lots of history and the science of nuclear energy there. It's not far off of I-40.

Another place along I-40 that might be worthwhile for a restful stop: Petrified Forest National Park. Even if you only drove north through the Painted Desert portion, got out and took a walk, it's beautiful.

Western I-40 is really very pretty to drive through!


Donna

I just wanted to share (belatedly) that my above trip went very well, with a few minor hiccups (clean/safe hotels were challenging in NM). I took the 40 from LA to the 81 (destination: Northern VA) and made it in 5 days. Some days felt longer than others, but it was rather exciting and I mostly enjoyed it. I traveled alone and seemed to do well, though arriving at destination cities at 1 am and trying to find hotels were, at times, a bit scary. But at least hotels were plenty because it was March and low season.

That's why it's painful for me to have make the trip back to LA. :( Not only do I have to leave behind a critically ill family member, but I was also hoping a job situation in NoVA would pan out, and it didn't. To say I'm disappointed is not even the tip of the iceberg. :'(

It's now 3:30 am EST and I'm getting on the road for the first leg of my trip in 5 hours. I didn't get a chance to plan out the trip (long story) so I don't even know my route. I do know I want to take a northern route instead of the 40, due to the very warm southerly weather. I recall some here had suggested the 70 on my trip East but I avoided it because of inclement weather. The 40 - stopping in Flagstaff, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and Nashville - worked out very well.

But now that I need to make my way back to LA, my phone mapquest only gives me options from the 80 or 40. I am leaving from Northern Virginia in a few hours but I'm not sure where my first night in a hotel should be? I thought Columbus, OH (open to suggestions) via the 70 but again, my phone (only internet atm) is only showing 80 or 40 routes....so I'm at a loss. Any ideas how/where I'm supposed to go: i.e., via 70, but not zigzagging all over the country? What cities should I stop in? I need to be in LA by Thursday evening, unfortunately not flexible due to obligations there.

I'll await in hopes that one of you might be awake and can give me pointers/some help? I'm still packing, so I'll be up a while yet.

I'm so tired already... :/zzzz

Thanks!

Oh, bless you, AZBuck. Just reading over your response from my original trip and maybe I can use the 270 to 70 to 15 route and make my first city Dayton. Is Columbus, OH nearby? How do I make my mobile map app to give me this route as an option??

I'm re-reading everyone's response and it's helpful, again!

Did I mention I'm really tired (and been crying for 3 days)??

Thanks everyone!

To glc: No cell coverage in UT could be a huge problem. omg...

(sorry, I'm replying on my phone and it's not allowing me to quote whom I'm responding to).