PA to California and Back:Roadtrip May 2010

Next May(2010), myself and 3 or 4 friends will be driving across the country. We are started in Pa and driving to California and back. The tentative schedule is the following, but will change:

Day 1 Home to Columbus, Ohio 8 hours and 20 mins drive time Sleep in Columbus

Day 2 Columbus to St. Louis, stopping in Indianapolis for a visit. 7 hours drive time. Gateway arch to the west. Sleep in St. Louis

Day 3 St. Louis to Wichita, KS stopping in Kansas City 7 hours Sleep in Wichita

Day 4 Wichita, KS to Albuquerque, Drive though northern Texas,10 hours and 20 mins. Sleep in Albuquerque

Day 5 Albuquerque to Glendale, Az Relatives in Glendale 6 hours 30 mins Sleep in Glendale

Day 6 Glendale, Az to Grand Canyon, 3 hours and 30 mins. Back to Glendale after the Grand Canyon. 3 hours 30 mins Relatives in Glendale. Sleep in Glendale

Day 7 Glendale, Az to San Diego 5 hours 30 mins. Sleep in San Diego

Day 8 Day in San Diego, Zoo?, Beach?, San Diego Padres Game?

Day 9 San Diego to LA. Approx. 2 hours. Sleep in La

Day 10 Day in LA Disney Land? Dodger Game? Other cool things? Sleep in La

Day 11 Beach along Cali Coast. Beach ideas? Sleep along coast.

Day 12 Coast near La to San Fransico, 6 hours. Sleep in San Fran

Day 13 San Fran to Lone Pine, Ca. Drive through Yosemite National Park. 7 hours. Sleep in Lone Pine, Ca

Day 14 Lone Pine, Ca to Las Vegas. Drive through Death Valley National Park 5 hours 30 mins Sleep in Las Vegas

Day 15 Day in Las Vegas. Sleep in Vegas

Day 16 Las Vegas to Utah. Atv riding in sand dunes

Day 17 Utah to Rafting the colorado river, or some other big river. Sleep along river.

Day 18 River to Denver, Co. Sleep in Denver

Day 19 Denver, Co to Omaha 7 hours and 30 mins

Day 20 Omaha to Chicago 7 hours.

Day 21 Chicago to Cleveland 5 hours 30 min

Day 22 Cleveland to Home


Still have 2-4 days to add in. Depending on driving, weather, and motivation to leave.

7000 miles driving.

20 days in a hotel. 100 dollars a night. 2000 dollars. Divided by 4 people 500 a person.

Gas 7000 miles 12 miles a gallon with an SUV. 300 dollars a person in gas.
Currently we will take a 2000 dodge durango.

Food 500 a person.

Spending money. 1000 a person.


2300 dollars a person.

There's a lot to comment about in your posting, but here is one observation: Glendale to Grand Canyon to Glendale is a very long day. Be sure to hit the road early.

In addition, I can see you adding a 2nd night in the SF area.

Leave glendale 6-7am arrive 9-10am spend the day, leave 6-7pm back at glendale 10-11pm. Maybe sleep in flagstaff on way back. Shorter ride.

Add 20% to the times a mapping program tells you. Software doesn't have to get fuel, eat, go to the bathroom, or stop at red lights or stop signs or slow down for construction or traffic.

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

That's quite a bit to take in in one go, but those extra days will come in handy between SF and Utah as it's all looking a bit rushed. You will have to leave SF early-ish to get to Lone pine after arriving [I would presume] pretty late the day before, if you are exploring the coast . Then with very little time in SF you are going to be driving straight through Yosemite with little time to look around this amazing place. You will then be heading through Utah from Vegas to Denver where you could, with a little extra time visit Zion and Bryce canyon and Arches among many other great parks.

Help me out a little bit. I am posted on here because I have one year to plan this amazing road trip. What is a must see in the west coast. I am rushing from san fran to lone pine to vegas to denver. We want to ATV sand dunes in Utah, Raft the Colorado River Class IV RApids. Any ideas? Help? I plan on using this fourm for the next year. So everybody's help will be much appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bpoore05

Help me out a little bit. I am posted on here because I have one year to plan this amazing road trip. What is a must see in the west coast. I am rushing from san fran to lone pine to vegas to denver. We want to ATV sand dunes in Utah, Raft the Colorado River Class IV RApids. Any ideas? Help? I plan on using this fourm for the next year. So everybody's help will be much appreciated.

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PLEASE don't just drive through Yosemite in a day! That is an AMAZING place that deserves at least one whole day in Yosemite Valley, but a week would be better!

I'm just cringing at your itinerary, and hoping that you have time to add in more days at each location, rather than rushing from place to place--there's SO MUCH to see!

My only other note would be that if you plan to raft the GC, you'd better start the permit process now. It's my understanding that it can be difficult to get one of the few permits given to those who want to raft, and should be started one or more years in advance (or purchase a spot on a guided rafting trip).

Slow down and ENJOY!

My advice would be to add at at least a week or cut out some destinations. There are so many places that are worth exploring that you're basically just zipping by.

And I think you're going to find this pace hard to keep up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PNW Judy

My advice would be to add at at least a week or cut out some destinations. There are so many places that are worth exploring that you're basically just zipping by.

And I think you're going to find this pace hard to keep up.

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I can see what you mean. Yeah there is a lot. But we are going to zip by columbus, indianapolis, st louis, kansas, new mexico. Than start exploring the west. Grand Canyon, to san deigo, up the coast. to vegas utah and denver. And than zip by omaha, to home. just looking at chicago and the other cities.

I mean we can spend a week at each destination but realisticly we cant spend 2-3 months doing a road trip. So over the next year we are going to decide what major points we want to see.

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.

Take 3 days and go visit the arch in STL. You are going right through there anyway.

Wow, you have alot driving ahead. When you go to Disneyland say hi to Mickey but I don't get to go till December. Drive safe.

Less than 8 months before we head out west. We still a lot of work to do.

Departure: DAY 1 Matamoras PA -> Nashville TN TDT: 14hrs

DAY 2: Nashville TN -> Nashville TN DAY IN NASHVILLE

DAY 3: Nashville TN -> Armillo, TX TDT: 14hrs

DAY 4: Armillo TX -> Grand Canyon, AZ TDT: 10hrs

DAY 5: Grand Canyon, AZ Grand Canyon, AZ DAY IN GRAND CANYON

DAY 6: Grand Canyon, AZ Pheonix, AZ TDT: 3hr 30 min

DAY 7: Pheonix, AZ San Deigo, CA TDT: 5 hr 30 min

DAY 8: San Diego, CA San Deigo, CA DAY in San Diego

DAY 9: San Diego, CA BEACH->Los Angelos, CA TDT: 2 hrs

DAY 10: Los Angelos, CA Los Alngelos, CA DAY IN LA

DAY 11: Los Angelos, CA San Fransicso,CA TDT: 6hrs

DAY 12: San Fransicso, CA San Fransicso,CA DAY in San Fran

DAY 13: San Fransicso, CA Yeosimite NP,CA TDT: 3 hrs 30 min

DAY 14: Yeositime NP, CA Death Valley --LAS VEGAS TDT: 9 hrs

DAY 15: Las Vegas,NV Las Vegas, NV-->Moab Utah TDT: 7 hrs

DAY 16: Moab, Utah Moab ,Utah ATV-ing

Day 17: Moab, Utah Moab ,Utah Colorado River

Day 18: Moab, Utah UNCLE MYRON Lake George,CO TDT: 6hrs

Day 19: Lake George, CO Lake George, CO Rock Climbing, Incline

DAY 20: Lake George, CO Lake George, CO Quad, Horses, COWBOYS

DAY 21: Lake George, CO Kansas City, KA TDT: 10 hrs

DAY 22: Kansas City, KA St. Louis, MI TDT: 4hrs

DAY 23: St. Louis Chicago, IL TDT: 4hrs 30min

DAY 24: Chicago, IL Chicago, IL DAY in CHICAGO

DAY 25: Chicago, IL Arkon, OH TDT: 6 hrs

DAY 26: Arkon, OH Home TDT: 7 hrs HOME!

You have gotten ten responses that have each told you that you were being way too optimistic about how many miles you could cover in just a few days. You now plan to cover over 1,800 miles of driving in your first two days on the road!?!? This is simply not possible. Until you get a handle on what is actually doable, say 600 miles a day even with multiple drivers, you are simply setting yourselves up to be grossly disappointed at best, and a danger to yourselves and others at worst.

AZBuck

In order to give yourself more time - maybe you should set priorities. What is it exactly you want to see in California? From all the other things you are doing it seems like you want the outdoorsy adventure - rugged landscape type stuff. So if that's what you are looking for then there are some ways to narrow your focus in California. If you are not interested in, museums, overpriced amusement parks, historic type sites like "old towns" etc but rather the natural landscape - there is time to be saved in San Diego & LA. Don't get me wrong I love these places but what is it you want to do? If you like natural beauty - like the Grand Canyon then driving up through Big Sur is a must - and in my opinion far better than Seaworld & the zoo.
Suggestion for you and your friends - check a travel book out at library and each make a top ten list of must sees - and figure out what you agree on (at least for California)

I understand, thats why I am on this site, to find out information.

emc thanks. I believe we ill want to go to the beach in san deigo/l.a area. It is more of an outdoor/nature adventure, but the ocean is a must see.

Your drive times are all wildly optimistic. You MUST add 20% to what a mapping program says for fuel, potty, rest, and food stops - and allow for traffic delays. You should NOT try to drive more than 550 miles in one day. Your first 2 legs are each over 900 miles, and the next leg is over 700. NOT particularly wise.

It looks like you are just going to be blasting up I-5 to get from LA to SF. Are you sure you want to do that? There really isn't anything to see - but if you took 2 days going up the coast, you will be very impressed.

Yosemite to LV via DV should really be done in 2 days.

LV to Moab via Interstates will just be blowing by some of the most spectacular scenery in the world - all the southern Utah parks. I'd allow 3 days for that and hit Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef on the way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bpoore05

I understand, thats why I am on this site, to find out information.

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If you are really on this site to find out information, then I would suggest that you start taking some of the advice you've been given several times already.

When you come up with a plan that has wildly unrealistic plans in terms of driving distances, you are told this repeatedly, and yet you don't change those plans - and in some cases make them worse - its going to be hard for other members of this community to believe that you have any interest in finding out information or that you have any interest in planning a fun and safe roadtrip.

Your driving times are wildly optimistic - as in impossible to actually achieve - and the amount of ground you are trying to cover falls somewhere between not fun and not safe. However, you have already been told that several times in this thread. No one here can force you to change your plans, but please don't insult us by saying you are trying to learn when you keep ignoring the advice that several people have provided.

Im working on the changes to the beginning of the trip, but there is still much more to be commented on. Everyone is just pointing out the beginning of the trip.

By the way there are people who drive 1500 miles straight through in one day.

NO: People have commented on all portions of your trip

NO: No one safely drives 1500 miles in a day. Period. To base your first novice RoadTrip on the irresponsible actions of a few reckless individuals who try such stunts is the height of folly.

NO: You are not taking any of the advice which many, many individuals have taken considerable time and effort to give you.

NO: There is simply no point in entertaining your questions anymore.

AZBuck

Sure there are some reckless people who drive 1500 miles in a day.

There are even more people who drive with a blood alcohol level double or even triple the legal limit, and some of them get home without killing someone, and can even justify their behavior.

Using either as an example of how to approach a roadtrip shows just how little you care about being responsible on the road.

In either case, Buck has said it quite clearly. You have chosen to ignore the vast wealth of information that you've already been provided (including lots of information beyond the warnings about your reckless start) so there is no point discussing this further.

If you'd like to spend some time looking at the advice you've been given and come up with a responsible plan that takes into account all the advice you've been given on a vast number of issues regarding your trip, we'll look forward to hearing from you at some point in the future.

But until you reach that point, consider this thread closed.

Why this thread was closed and the poster banned.