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

Wow that's a heck of a trip ahead and it doesn't look as though you have had much sleep. The first thing I would say is that if staying safe means arriving back in LA a day later then that is what you need to do. Secondly I would say 100% stop and get some paper maps as you shouldn't rely on electronics at the best of times. Thirdly if you are more comfortable taking the route you came on then that is worth considering, you have air con right ?

If you want to take I70 then with the aid of Google maps I have come up with the following stops to space your journey. I have taken Winchester VA as a start point. First night. Terre Haute IN [578 miles] then Abilene KS [558 miles] then Vail CO [550 miles] then St George UT [534 miles] before arriving in LA [388 miles] So as you can see, with the last day being shorter, you have room to stop a little earlier if you want on days you might become weary.

I hope this helps if no one else is on line before you leave, but remember safety and paper maps should be your priority.

Plan 'B'. If you were to make it just west of Indianapolis tonight [500 miles for an esier start] then stop around Topeka KS [545miles] Denver [540 miles] Cedar City [580 miles].

Good luck

Hi, Southwest Dave. I'm still up and packing. O_O Thank you so much for your help!!

Before I read your post, I decided to make my first stop Dayton, OH based on the earlier posts (back in February 2014) and even confirmed they had rooms available so I could walk in. Is Dayton not a good first stop?

My starting point is Vienna, VA. Going by just my phone map to the Dayton/Springfield hotel, it gave me a bunch of route changes from the 495 to the 68 to the 70. Miles just under 500 (I can't double check or this reply will be wiped out!) and a 7 hour drive, not considering bathroom/fuel breaks (I only go when very necessary - very Spartan!). The rest of the way, I hadn't figured out as I want to finish packing and sleep a couple of hours (maybe). Thoughts?

Paper maps....um, how does one do that? Maybe I'll stop in AAA on the way somewhere before UT??

How come this forum doesn't have an app?

Thank you, I'm very appreciative!

First, getting paper maps should be - and should have been - a priority before getting on the road. I think you'd be a lot less stressed if you could see with your own eyes, and your own brain, where you should be going and not having to hope that a computer is giving you good information. AAA is an option for a maps, but it is far from the only one. Pretty much every gas station on earth sells maps, or a cheaper option would be to stop at a Walmart or your favorite big box store and pick up an Atlas for about $10. Every truck stop - and even many gas stations - will also sell atlases, although they may be a bit more expensive.

Dayton may be an ok place to stop, but it really depends upon how much (how little?) sleep you are starting with. Since it sounds like you've had little to no sleep, don't force yourself to get that far. If you feel even a little fatigued, you should be getting off the road ASAP. By the time you start to notice that you are drowsy, your driving skills have already started to significantly decline. You should have no problems finding a room tonight anywhere along your route, and you don't have to look for a major city like Dayton - just keep an eye out on the road signs, you'll notice that nearly every exit says there are lodging options.

With the lack of cell phone coverage - relax! The interstates are traveled by thousands of people every day. Just like people did roadtrips for decades before there was GPS or Googlemaps, they also did roadtrips long before there even were cell phones. If you do have a problem, you won't ever be too far away from someone else who could help.

Sorry I had to leave for work earlier. As above, any gas station should have state maps on the shelf. If you make it to Dayton then you could look at Kansas City, Denver and Cedar City as 'targets' for overnights, but the same rule applies, if you start to feel as though you have done enough, look for available lodgings before you get weary.

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How come this forum doesn't have an app?

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The site and all the trip planning resources within, are all free to members and I have learnt that the costs to make it 'mobile friendly' would be huge.

Holly, if you see this in time, there is a Wal-Mart right on I-70 at exit 26 in Ohio, near Dayton. You could pick up an atlas there. If not, there is one at exit 156 near Richmond, IN, on the south side of the freeway and one at exit 104 near Greenfield, IN, also on the south side. Also, any Flying J, Loves or Pilot truck stop will have the same atlas, probably about $3 more than Wal-Mart will charge.


Donna

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

... not considering bathroom/fuel breaks (I only go when very necessary - very Spartan!).

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Holly, I hope you don't mean you'll cut down on fluid intake, to prevent you having to stop too often at rest areas. This could actually be counter productive. Keeping yourself well hydrated, especially in an air conditioned car, helps to keep you focused and alert. Be sure to drink ample water whilst on the road. On the other hand coffee, tea and other drinks containing caffeine are actually dehydrating.

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Originally Posted by Holly-Day

How come this forum doesn't have an app?

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Besides expense, your best information when on the road are, as mentioned all along, good paper maps, and the ability to read them. Resolve at this point, never to hit the road again, without good paper maps.

Lifey

[QUOTE=Midwest Michael;156416]First, getting paper maps should be - and should have been - a priority before getting on the road. I think you'd be a lot less stressed if you could see with your own eyes, and your own brain, where you should be going and not having to hope that a computer is giving you good information.

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Originally Posted by Midwest Michael

First, getting paper maps should be - and should have been - a priority before getting on the road. I think you'd be a lot less stressed if you could see with your own eyes, and your own brain, where you should be going and not having to hope that a computer is giving you good information.

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No kidding! I lost reception somewhere in the before Cumbreland, MD and it was gone for hours. I got lost. I finally stopped in Gainseville, MD and they gave me directions and some lady happened to also stop there from OH and she gave me a better route. Map is necessary on the 1-70, not so much on the 40 where I lost reception a total of 10 minutes the ENTIRE route. On the 70, I've lost hours of reception. I will get a map in the morning (it's now 11:30 p.m. and I barely arrived to my hotel in Springfield, OH).

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Dayton may be an ok place to stop, but it really depends upon how much (how little?) sleep you are starting with. Since it sounds like you've had little to no sleep, don't force yourself to get that far. If you feel even a little fatigued, you should be getting off the road ASAP. By the time you start to notice that you are drowsy, your driving skills have already started to significantly decline. You should have no problems finding a room tonight anywhere along your route, and you don't have to look for a major city like Dayton - just keep an eye out on the road signs, you'll notice that nearly every exit says there are lodging options.

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In hindsight, it was too far for me, actually. I'm bone-tired and my eyes look like Dracula. But I made it. SO MANY COPS in OH, and they're hunting people at every exit. Be forewarned, travelers!

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With the lack of cell phone coverage - relax! The interstates are traveled by thousands of people every day. Just like people did roadtrips for decades before there was GPS or Googlemaps, they also did roadtrips long before there even were cell phones. If you do have a problem, you won't ever be too far away from someone else who could help.

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I know, I'm too dependent on my phone and without it, compeletely at a loss. Lesson learned. :)

Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Southwest Dave

Sorry I had to leave for work earlier. As above, any gas station should have state maps on the shelf. If you make it to Dayton then you could look at Kansas City, Denver and Cedar City as 'targets' for overnights, but the same rule applies, if you start to feel as though you have done enough, look for available lodgings before you get weary.

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Thank you. I was just checking on my route for Kansas City and it seems realllly far? Like 9.5 hours far? I've driven for so long today and I've got another 2100 miles to go. KILL ME NOW. Going East was much more fun, and I'm dreading this trip back. I think (hope) it's all the personal things weighing on me and I don't want to return to LA. I wish I could enjoy the trip a bit more, but I find that perhaps the desert roads of the I40 were more peaceful? And more straightforward. The 70 cuts in/out a lot, so you have to pay attention ALL the time.

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The site and all the trip planning resources within, are all free to members and I have learnt that the costs to make it 'mobile friendly' would be huge.

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Makes sense. I understand. Thank you. :)

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

Holly, if you see this in time, there is a Wal-Mart right on I-70 at exit 26 in Ohio, near Dayton. You could pick up an atlas there. If not, there is one at exit 156 near Richmond, IN, on the south side of the freeway and one at exit 104 near Greenfield, IN, also on the south side. Also, any Flying J, Loves or Pilot truck stop will have the same atlas, probably about $3 more than Wal-Mart will charge.


Donna

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Thanks, Donna! I will do what you suggested or go to the AAA nearby and have them map it all out for me, if they have the time. :)

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

Holly, I hope you don't mean you'll cut down on fluid intake, to prevent you having to stop too often at rest areas. This could actually be counter productive. Keeping yourself well hydrated, especially in an air conditioned car, helps to keep you focused and alert. Be sure to drink ample water whilst on the road. On the other hand coffee, tea and other drinks containing caffeine are actually dehydrating.

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I did mean that, actually. But since the weather is warmer, I had a big more water and had to make a stop soon after. I know hydration is important, but I hate making so many stops when I have SO far to go. But I know what you mean. Thank you. :)

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Besides expense, your best information when on the road are, as mentioned all along, good paper maps, and the ability to read them. Resolve at this point, never to hit the road again, without good paper maps.

Lifey

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I was very short on time or I'd have stopped by the AAA in DC to pick up maps and a paper route. I did that on the way over to DC from LA, but couldn't do the same going back. I'll try to do so in the morning.

Now I'm going to try to get some sleep, because the drive was even MORE brutal without sleep. I guess I also have a lot on my mind.

Thank you, everyone! I'll check in as I can, cell reception permitting (right now, I'm on the hotel computer).

Thanks again!