My wife is 90 I'm 88 we cannot fly back to MI. from Tempe Az where we've been on vacationing. What is the best route for driving back. I never driven this trip before. I'm in good shape and not on any meds. Sure could use some help. Thanks
Printable View
My wife is 90 I'm 88 we cannot fly back to MI. from Tempe Az where we've been on vacationing. What is the best route for driving back. I never driven this trip before. I'm in good shape and not on any meds. Sure could use some help. Thanks
Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !
I'm sure someone will be along soon with a detailed response as I do not have first hand knowledge of possible routes. It would help if you were to mention your hometown location to aid with routing. It does look to me like you will need at least 3 overnight stops (depending on how comfortable you are with long drives)and keeping to Interstate where possible will be your quickest and safest choice.(I-40/44/55 possibly) Have you your own vehicle or will you be renting ? I'm not sure the current state of play with being able to rent, Hotels etc. I wish you the best of luck in getting yourselves home.
Dave.
Right now, I would not be driving anywhere. There are limited services available in most places, and you don't know who you will meet. Are you able to extend your holiday and wait until the stay in place emergency is lifted? I am glad you are both in good health, but you want to take all care to stay that way, and not take any risks. You have a decade on me, and there is no way I would take an almost border to border trip in the current climate.
Lifey
If you must do this, it's really not that bad. Gas stations and most hotels are open, and food is available for drive through or curbside pickup. These services are essential to serve the truck drivers delivering goods. I would stock up on non-perishable foods for the trip that you can eat in the car. Restaurants offering takeout are limiting their hours. Note that Michigan is on a very strict stay at home edict, only things essential to life are available. Even Walmart has closed sections of their stores that sell non-essential items such as clothes and shoes.
We do need to know where in Michigan you are going, this will affect the recommended routing.
First, just to be clear, we cannot offer medical advice and we don't know your exact situation, so whatever suggestions we might offer have to be filtered through your own judgement. Personally, having already canceled two trips for this spring and summer because they entailed flying, I understand your absolute reluctance to take that mode of transport. Also, I agree with Lifey that if postponing this trip is at all an option, that's what you should do. If you decide that you must make this trip there are rules you must keep in mind AND be aware that each state is in charge of closing it's roads, services, and other facilities. At least check each state's web pages for shelter-in-place orders and other decrees that might simply make your trip illegal if not impossible.
Let's start with some general travel rules. I would stay away from major Interstates. Not because those roads themselves are more dangerous, but because they are the main traffic arteries and the essential thing you want to do is to stay away from people. Much of the 'old' US Highway system is still out there and while slower than the Interstate system, that relaxed pace may be just what you want. Using those roads means that you can stop for gas and other essentials in small towns that otherwise have less contact with the rest of the 'world' and as noted, minimal contact is what you're after.
Like other accommodations, motels on these roads will have seen reduced occupancy, and will not only be happy for your business, but might have rooms available that haven't been used for several days. Ask for that. I'd also make sure I had a mask (check the CDC website for instruction on how to make your own) and rubber or latex gloves for handling anything, including gas pumps, on your trip. Remember to turn them inside out when you take them off - i.e. touch only one side (the inside) of the gloves.
As to a specific route, here's just one possibility: Leave Tempe on AZ-87 to Payson and then take AZ-260 to Show Low and US-60 east. At Hooker OK switch over to US-54 and stay with that to Pittsfield IL. At this point you'll be getting into a more congested area so staying on 'back' roads will become more difficult. So from Pittsfield to Kalamazoo, you can use a few Interstates, indeed you almost have to, but I'd still swing well around Chicago by using I-72 to Champaign, then I-57 to Onarga. 'Finally' use US-24 to Logansport and IN-25/US-31 to South Bend, US-20 and IN-15 to Michigan and then MI-103/US-131 to the Kalamazoo area, which I used as a 'destination'. Once there, you'll know better how to get to your ultimate goal than I do.
Again, the above routing is just one possibility. The main idea is to find a route that keeps you as far away from everyone else as possible. Because you'll be using slower and less direct routes, the drive will take a bit longer than normal and a lot longer than on-line mapping routines will tell you is possible. If your 'home' is in far southwest Michigan, you might be able to make it in four very solid days of driving, but plan on five at least.
And the best of luck to you.
AZBuck
I'm going to disagree with Buck here - I would stay on the Interstates, taking appropriate bypasses around large cities. I just wouldn't leave the car near any large city, I'd stay and obtain services at smaller towns along the Interstates. The traffic will be way down except for trucks.
Ask the thousands of families and friends in NJ, NY, MA and numberous other places, who have lost loved ones. Their inconsolable grief at not being able to have been there to comfort them in their last moments, and in many cases not being able to have a planned send off.Quote:
Originally Posted by glc
All over the world it has now been proven that staying at home and not mingling in public is the one and only way to beat this scourge - until a vaccine is available. Even then it is debatable as to how safe we can be.
Those who work in essential businesses which are still open are heroes; they put their lives on the line each and every day. It is difficult in those places to keep up physical distancing. Wearing masks and gloves helps to an extend, but are no secure way of not getting the virus. Just look at how many doctors and nurses have now died - even those who had all the PPE they needed.
It is a very bad thing, and needs to be treated as such at all times.
Lifey
Michigan is presently a hot spot. I don't think it's a good idea to go there.
My parents are about the OP's age and their facility has them staying in their apartment and no visitors are allowed. (Seattle). My 91 year old friend is similarly confined to her facility - no visitors. (Loveland, CO.)
Colorado has several counties that have prohibited non-residents on their roads. I'm pretty sure that doesn't apply to the interstate but it suggests that travelers might not be welcome lately.
I don't have a route for you but just a heads up. I know that Utah is not on your route but I just read that Utah is going to start making people who enter the state complete a travel declaration form. I wonder if other states will follow.
https://www.abc4.com/news/drivers-en...arting-friday/
Utahtea
Stay out of Michigan until it’s well past it’s peak. I have relatives working in the hospitals and their ICUs are packed. God forbid, you DO get sick, you don’t want to be there now.
As a retired healthcare worker, let me warn you about masks.
To protect yourself, you need an N95 mask, which you probably will find impossible to obtain. All the other masks are to protect OTHERS from YOUR cough and spit. Furthermore, these N95 masks must bu professionally FIT TESTED to your face to ensure that you are provided with one that fits you. I know. I fit tested thousands of employees! An improper mask or an improperly fitted mask may only give you a false sense of security and offer little protection. If you have dentures, it may be impossible to get a good fit with any mask.
If I had to travel over such a distance, and you don’t, I would consider flying. Check with your airline. From what I gather, the planes are flying 90% empty in order to promote social distancing within. You’re only in the plane for several hours six feet or more away from the closest passenger. Check if this is true for your flight. But again, I would stay put.
Here’s info on Delta.
Looks like fewer than 10 people are flying per flight.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.for...ASA%253D#ampf=
Sorry, Lifey, but you're badly misstating GLC's position, and I think you know it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lifemagician
He was referring to things not being that bad in terms of traveler services - something it would appear you even understood as you've since edited your initial post to adjust your original statement on the matter. At no point was he saying that COVID-19 isn't something to take seriously.
Obviously, travel of any kind is strongly discouraged now. I would certainly advice the OP to continue to stay in AZ for the time being, especially because of the extra risks that come with being over 80+ years old.
I would also avoid moving back to anywhere in the Detroit Metro area, because of the severity of the outbreak there which is putting a severe strain on medical services there. However saying all of Michigan is a problem is a gross overstatement. Outside of Greater Detroit, the problem is on par with the rest of the country.
Ultimately, if it's determined that a trip absolutely must be taken, then all of the essentials are still there. Fuel is still available everywhere. food is available via drive through and curbside pickup (While grocery stores are open, I would discourage using them on the road due to increased interaction and risk of contamination). Motels are still allowed to be open, although it will require extra planning as some have closed. Of course, extra steps also need to be taken with things like gloves and masks, knowing that those things my reduce the risk, it certainly doesn't eliminate the dangers and potential of obtaining and/or spreading the virus.
My two questions are, where in MI are you going, but also, were you in Tempe as a snowbird or as an out-and-out vacationer?
If you're a snowbird, chances are you can stay right where you're at, unless you're renting a place and they've already got somebody moving in behind you. I know the heat in Tempe can be obnoxious, beginning any time this month, but perhaps the heat would be an easier thing to tolerate than you think.
Others have asked where you're going in MI. My husband and I both agree that you're better off on interstates, since those motels are not as likely to be closed as those in small towns that do not see a lot of visitors in April. There will also be a better selection of places to "grab and go" a meal, or (if in a motel at night) to deliver something straight to your room.
No matter whether you take the interstates or the slower US and state highways, you'll want to choose how far to drive each day, where to stop, and perhaps get your overnight accommodations reserved before you leave. On every hotel reservation form I've ever filled out, there is a place for special requests. That's where you can make a comment that you'd like a room on the first floor, or one that hasn't been used in a few days, etc. You can also find out what's around the hotel you're looking at -- go to Google Maps, enter the address of the hotel in the bar, and it will show you all the businesses in the area, including gas stations, fast food and restaurants.
If you decide to drive, take along a bottle of hand sanitizer and a thing of Clorox or Lysol wipes, gloves and some sort of mask. When one of you fills the car with gas, either use the gloves or IMMEDIATELY use hand sanitizer. For restroom facilities, you're almost better off trying to use truck stops/travel centers when possible -- even before COVID-19, I found them to be fairly clean, a lot cleaner than rest areas! Wash your hands a lot and try to stay away from other people as much as possible -- staying in smaller towns will make that easier.
Donna
To add to what Donna has said, to keep it in perspective:
Here in Joplin MO, a small city with a population of 50k on I-44 only one hotel has closed, and it's no great loss, it was an el cheapo dump that's been on the market for several months and half its rooms were condemned anyway. Some of the hotels have closed off floors because business is way down, but they are still open. Most of the restaurants in the hotel district, which is right off Exit 8, are open for curbside pickup, just phone in your order or order it online and go pick it up. Fast food drive throughs are open, and some even let you walk inside to order and pick up. However, most are closing right after dinnertime, getting something to eat late at night is difficult, the best bet is gas station convenience stores. As of today, we have only had 5 reported cases of the virus in the city and no deaths.
If you absolutely must make this trip, this is what you will probably find across the country except in large metros and virus hot spots if you stick to the Interstates, which I recommend.
Again, only do this if you absolutely must. To condense this down, you have 3 choices the way I see it, from most to least desirable:
1. Stay put in Tempe.
2. Fly home.
3. Do the drive, using Interstates, be off the road no later than 6 pm, do not stop in large metros or any hot spots. Bring non-perishable food, only get a to-go restaurant meal in the evening after you are off the road and in a hotel. Gloves, masks, wipes, and hand sanitizer are mandatory in my opinion.
I totally agree about the gloves, masks, wipes, and sanitizer. If you must travel, be sure to have those things ready at hand, but depending on how soon this trip has to commence, there may be a problem with availability of those items. I live in Phoenix full time. I know the city well, and I know where to shop, but honestly, we haven't had a bit of luck locating any of that sort of thing since all of this started. People are still snapping up certain items faster than the stores can re-stock. That probably won't change any time soon.
If you're in a rental property, you might ask the management company (if there is one), since they would probably have access to some things (like hand sanitizer) through their commercial suppliers. (And if not, they may have other suggestions).
My opinion? You really should postpone the trip until things settle down a bit. Whether you go or stay, I wish you the very best of luck. You've got a lot of spunk, to even be contemplating a cross country trip right now.
Rick
Just a thought (for anyone) on the hand sanitizer issue.
If there are any places near you that normally work with alcohol (like making drinks of whatever type), check with them. At least in this area, many have gone from making drinkable alcohol items to making hand sanitizer. It may be different than you are used to (often more liquid as they don't add the stuff that commercial companies do to make it a gel) and possibly more expensive (remember they are used to pricing for liquor) but it does seem to be more out there than the usual options that aren't right now.
This may also be possible with other items, look for the "odd" options. When the issues of toilet paper first hit, someone reported finding it in a marine store - after all, larger boats have on board restrooms, so they'd need it too - but a place most of us wouldn't even think about.
I am not a medical doctor, but a few things to research on your own and keep in mind about the coronavirus and viruses in general:
Viruses are not 'alive' in the usual sense of the word. they do not ingest (breath, drink or eat), they do not reproduce (on their own), and they do not excrete. They only replicate by getting inside a living cell and causing that cell to duplicate them.
They are a strand of DNA/RNA that, when not inside a cell, folds in upon itself leaving an outer coating of lipids (fat) that increase the chances that a cell will ingest and reproduce them.
Lipids are broken down (denatured) by simple soap. Thus the repeated recommendations of the CDC and other health officials to wash frequently with warm soapy water for 20 seconds at a time. Soap is at least as effective as alcohol on viruses and is much cheaper and readily available.
AZBuck
Earlier in this thread, it was mentioned that maybe car rentals are not available.
I just received an email from Enterprise. They are open to serve whomever still needs a rental. I would guess that would mean National is also still open, since they are under the same corporate umbrella.
Donna
All the majors are renting cars, both local and one way. Some are even loosening up on restrictions such as age and cancellation policies but also have closed a lot of neighborhood locations. You may have to go to the airport to get one.
Yes - I know someone who had a rental from them last month (due to a prior accident) and at one point it was looking like even though he had gotten it locally, he might have to drive an hour (and two counties, across a major river) away to return it (which would then mean a long trip back with the Enterprise person driving, as they drop you off).
Haven't heard from him since, so I don't know if they eventually made a closer option available (maybe having a rep drive the long distance to the closer office which would limit the time they needed to ride together to get him back home)?