I am driving for the first time from Detroit to Palm Springs, with a stop in Phoenix to visit relatives (as well as other stops, of course) in a Ford Focus. Can any snowbirds accustomed to driving south in November, when the risk of snow increases, recommend a route for a lone driver? Looking for safety, rather than speed, although scenic would be good too. Thanks for advice.
Welcome to RTA!
The "safest" route would be the most direct, fastest route using Interstate highways, avoiding the lake effect snow belt south and east of Chicago. In this case, there would be an 85 mile stretch of US highway.
Look at I-75 to Toledo, US-24 to Fort Wayne, I-69 to Indy, I-70 to STL, I-44 to OKC, I-40 to Flagstaff, and I-17 to Phoenix. This is just over 2000 miles and would be a 4 day drive. Look at overnights around STL, OKC. and ABQ. It would be best to stay on the western side of the cities to avoid morning rush hour when you leave.
A scenic shortcut if the weather is good would be to get off I-40 in Holbrook AZ, take AZ-77/AZ-377/AZ-277/AZ-260/AZ-87 to Phoenix. This cuts off 40 miles and adds no time to the trip.
PHX to Palm Springs is an easy 4 hour drive, I-10 all the way.
I have heard that Indiana is one giant speed trap. Some suggest Chicago to St. Louis as long as I time the trip when snow isn't forecast for the area. Comments, anyone?
Don't exceed the speed limit and you'll be fine. I criss crossed IN five times this year and never had a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by coachellacanuck
Lifey
Are you Canadian? My concern is that "speed trap" states like to pull over cars with Canadian licence plates even if they are not speeding because they know it is easier for us to pay the fine that fight it, as we are travelling through.
Fact is, I am usually a nuisance because I travel under US speed limits. They are so much higher than ours, they make me nervous in some states.
Thanks for the input.
I've been pulled over in Illinois more than I've been pulled over in Indiana. Admittedly, it's a 1 to 0 score, but the premise that 1 entire state is worse than others for speed traps is a bit silly. If anything, my experience is that Indiana is a state where the "flow of traffic" tends to be quite a bit over the posted limit.
As long as you aren't drawing attention to yourself, either by going 10+ over the limit or by being the fastest car on the road, you aren't likely to run into many problems in any state.
Plus, going via Chicago means you'd have to deal with Chicago traffic, which can mean significant delays, especially through the I-80/I-94 corridor through NW Indiana/Southern Suburbs.
Thanks to you, as well, MM. I have driven through Chicago on a Sunday with few delays so I guess if I timed it for a Sunday departure from Detroit on a day when no snow is predicted, it could work out.
I think the original route suggested makes a lot of sense, though. Thanks to all!
Have you ever driven between Windsor and Toronto? I have to laugh a bit because while the posted speed limit on the freeways of Southern Ontario might be 100 km/hr (60 mph), There have been many times where I've been doing 130km/80mph and been passed like I am the slowest car on the road!Quote:
Originally Posted by coachellacanuck
That's one of the drives on which my driving appears to be hazardous, too, because I actually go the speed limit! And between Edmonton and Calgary on QE2 I can't bring myself to drive 110 km/h! I feel like I should have a bumper sticker that says: "I drive the speed limit. Deal with it!"
I am not Canadian, but our speed limits are similar to yours. When driving in the US I never drive faster than 110kph/64mph, no matter what the stated speed limit is. I have just completed 27000 miles without a problem, just let the fast ones fly past..Quote:
Originally Posted by coachellacanuck
You won't be a 'nuisance' if you keep to the right hand lane on interstates and stay aware of what is behind you on two lane roads, making room for them to overtake at the earliest opportunity.
Lifey
Rather than an inflammatory slogan on the back of your car - which could cause hostility - why not put your national flag in the rear window. I have my flag in the window, and I am sure it has helped. For one it shows I am not a local - not familiar with the surroundings or the traffic - though your number plate should make that clear. Not every one looks at number plates though.... a large enough flag is hard to miss.Quote:
Originally Posted by coachellacanuck
Lifey
I wouldn't let speed traps worry you. You have had some good advice. This past summer, we drove into an area that we were told to "avoid like the plague, it's a police trap, they'll pull over all out-of-state plates!" We not only drove into that area, we stayed overnight in a motel, ate dinner and got fuel there (the next morning). We not only didn't get pulled over, we didn't even see a police car except when we were walking from our hotel to the restaurant (about a block and a half away)!
Obey the speed limit, don't call attention to yourself, don't be slower or faster than anyone else, and you'll be fine.
BTW, I'd avoid Chicago as well. We did, this summer, by going around it. Even though we added mileage, we didn't regret it at all.
Donna
I know this is a little off the road, so to speak, but can anyone point me in the direction of a forum where I can find out how long I can stay in the USA, as a Canadian citizen?
Thanks!
That's easy!
You also will need a passport.Quote:
Canadian visitors are generally granted a stay in the U.S. for up to six months at the time of entry. Requests to extend or adjust a stay must be made prior to expiry to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
Thanks!
So six months from when I most recently entered the US early August means I can stay til early February 2015. But, if I fly home to Canada in November and re-enter the USA in December and drive back to Palm Springs, then I can stay til May?
It has been suggested that the new tracking system between Canada and US, where passports are scanned at each entry into each country, is going to make it more problematic for Canadians who make a habit of leaving US for Mexico, for example, for a week and then re-enter US and start another 6-month stay.
Surely you have checked your local US Embassy site. If it is anything like the US Embassy site here, it will have all the details. Why go by what others suggest? Get the facts, straight from the horse's mouth.Quote:
Originally Posted by coachellacanuck
Once upon a time anyone could cross over into Canada for a week or even a few days, and get one's visa renewed. But those days are long since gone.
Lifey
The link I provided is to the US Embassy site in Ottawa. With the questions you are asking, my best advice would be to call the consulate that covers the area you are in (probably Toronto if you are near Detroit) and ask your questions directly. The consulates and phone numbers are on the site.