NY to Seattle in Late December

Me and a friend are moving to Washington right after Christmas. Two separate vehicles. Is it certain death, as my father believes? Anyone who has made the drive and can offer suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -ASolo

Your dad is funny.

If your major concerns are the weather and road conditions, you're going to be fine so long as you stay in touch with weather reports and the like. Most of your route is going to be through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. It is generally too cold for frequent snow events in late December, but you always have to watch out for changing patterns in the mountains.

As for road conditions, I can personally vouch for most of the states you're driving through that they do a good job of keeping up the roads. Even in the most sparsely populated areas, you're going to find interstate exits with gas, food and lodging every twenty or thirty miles.
You will also find designated rest areas along the way, some of which are equipped with TV screens showing weather conditions.

Prepare your route and some emergency supplies, become a member of AAA, and just stay alert. Should be a fun trip.

Good luck and safe driving.



AB

i drive this route roundtrip at least once a year if not more and i too am making the move back to seattle next fall. they do a great job keeeping the roads plowed just keep an eye out for the SUV's who will still drive 75+ miles and hour no matter what the conditions are. have fun and be safe!!

Thank you both for your replies. Although my parents would probably be happier if you wrote that such a drive was suicide and should not be made under the best of circumstances, your experiences should at least help them sleep at night.

My next concern lies with the budget we will be trying to maintain throughout the trip. Basically, we don't have one. The plan is to make it to Seattle with as much money in pocket as possible. So far very little planning has gone into this. As of now, we are talking about driving 12 to 14 hour day/nights, each in our own vehicle, so essentially, we are making this trip by ourselves. How much should we look to spend on preparations? How much for the trip itself (gas, food, lodging,etc...)? Any tips, hints, and suggestions are appreciated.

I can only verify what others have said in the forum. You can expect to achieve apx. 50mph plus or minus because of conditions you don't control (weather, traffic, etc). Solo driving coast to coast (I have done it) even for young guys can be exhausting. A 10 hour day before rest can be tough. Every so often take a 15 minute stretch. Can you tow-bar one of the vehicles or otherwise? If not grab a couple cheap 2 ways to keep in touch. Feed out of an ice chest you stock. Don't sleep in the vehicles with the heaters running. Perhaps a sleeping bag to bundle if you are going to hit roadside rests. I advise other if the weather is going to go bitter. A propane stove to heat up some soup or coffee at rest stops. Good commons sense. Good luck.

Unless this is flat-out emergency -- do not drive more than 8 hours per day in winter weather conditions. If you were a professional driver with 1,000,000+ miles of experience you could certainly consider a couple of those long days, but 14/hours for three or more consecutive days is a recipe for trouble.

If the roads are dry and conditions perfect 10 hours is fine. But from experience, if you hit ice storms in Kansas or drifts in the Rockies six hours of 25 mph can exhaust you. When you take a driving break -- try doing some stretching and running or playing frisbee, catch, get some other hand/eye coordination excercise to rest the "far" distance sight muscles.

I agree with what has been posted, with the exception of sleeping at rest areas overnight. That's not a good idea, and illegal in most places (gives the highway patrol a good enough reason to look through your things and ask lots of questions)

If you're trying to get an idea of costs, try to estimate what gas will cost you and work from there. Figure out how many highway miles you get to the gallon and then figure on 2900 miles if you stick to the interstates. Gas prices have been fluctuating, but you'll be able to get a sense of what the cost might be.

As far as cutting lodging costs goes, a friend and I once went a week sharing single-bed motel rooms and alternating who had to sleep on the floor. One of us would just stay in the car while the other checked in. It's a little dishonest, but trust me, the motel is glad to have your business in most locations. You can find reasonable rates if you plan ahead of time...AAA is an excellent resource. For a very reasonable annual membership fee, you get 24-hour roadside assistance anywhere in the continental U.S. and free maps, guidebooks, etc. (I've recommended AAA so often on this forum, I should work for them!)


AB

i dont know about anyone else but when i drive cross country and go long hours like you want to do, i find i can safely drive significantly less hours each day. i usually do 17, 14, then 12 depending on which relatives or friends i am staying with.(and that is in the summer) you will tire a little more each day if you are going full force. as for cheap lodging most people on this forum disagree with me but i like motel 6. I only stay long enough to sleep (i actually sleep on top of their beds wrapped in my own blanket and pillow) and shower. i personally only require 4-6 hrs of sleep maybe 8 if i am super tired from driving so i would rather have cheap than luxurious. as for food i usually keep a small cooler that i fill up with hotel ice each day that i keep water, fruit,and lunch meat in. bagels for breakfast. plus other goodies like pretzels peanuts etc. cuts down on the $ for meals on the road. i agree you should get the two way walkie talkie radios. they are handy and keep you from getting stir crazy by yourself (trust me you will start to talk to yourself outloud)AAA is also a must. dont forget tolls. as for which route to take I-90 (south dakota) or I-95 (north dakota)watch the weather reports. in december it might not make a difference which you choose but I did the trip two years in a row late oct/ early nov. one year south dakota had a huge storm and ND was fine the other year it was the opposite. most importantly CHECK IN WITH YOUR PARENTS EVERY DAY!!! LOL keeps them from worrying too much and it is always smart anyway to let people know where you are, what your route is etc. have fun

There are many rest stops that allow you to sleep over. If not allowed there is usually a sign or they will be closed off after dark. I have personally used them on several ocassions and have never been hassled by the police. Also, I have left rest stops that I don't feel comfortable with. I have even used Fire Station Parking lots with success (I don't advise the same with a Police Station), nor do I advise cold weather sleeping with the heater running.

This is all great, thanks for the advice. When you've locked your keys in your car as often as I have, AAA is a must. Throughout the past few years my gold card has been my wallets crown jewel and saving grace on numerous occasions.

I like the idea of driving less and less as each day passes, that seems like something that could work for me. as for sleeping at rest-stops, we'll take it as it comes, more than likely we'll opt for cheap hotels.

One concern. I've read in a few other message boards that tire chains are a must for this trip. I've got a four wheel drive vehicle, My friend has goot a font-wheel drive intrepid. Is it necessary that we both invest in chains?

Depending upon conditions, 4-WD will not get you pass the DOT closures (if any happen). Now, 4-WD and snow tires works, or 4-WD and chains, or 2-WD & Chains, but you would be amazed how often SUV's with 4-WD can be found in the ditch...

After driving in virtually all of the lower 48 states, I can count on one hand rest areas where over-night sleeping is allowed. Day-time sleeping (as long as it looks like "resting") is allowed and even encouraged in 99% of the rest stops I have seen.

It would be very helpful to know where you have found these other rest stops that allowed the night-time sleeping.

While I defer to the Editor that the word "many" may have been used out of contex I have found them to exist. I also accept that might not be a place of choice for all. I admit to it being not recently but a few that I can remember (if not the exact spots) is a nice one in Florida (somewhat crowded), Georgia (Patrolled but allowed)and a couple or so I used out in the Western States. I have on more then one occasion seen different rest areas where cars and Tractor Trailers seem bedded down for the night. If not allowed it is usually signed or gated. Even if the alternative is a couple hours it is better then falling asleep at the wheel.

The bias I have observed is against sleeping in passenger vehicles. If the "sleeper" is in a tractor trailer or even a RV -- generally there is no problem with sleeping over-night. But sleeping in a car or light-truck is generally NOT allowed in any state-run rest area after dusk.

Thanks for identifying where you have found 'em. The next time you are out and about on the road -- keep a list -- inquiring minds want to know!

In fact, tractor-trailer operators have a near carte blanche to sleep wherever they feel it is safe to park.

While I agree that enduring a hassle from local law enforcement is better than falling asleep at the wheel -- I can tell you that 99.999%% of law enforcement personnel would prefer that drivers get a motel room if they plan to sleep more than 20 minutes.

Not wishing to monopolize this string and meaning no disrespect to the Editors position or opinion this "inquiring mind" can safely say that I am quite aware of Law Enforcement and Public Safety. That is an astonishing percentage you are using about law enforcement and 20 minutes. A good portion of patrol officers that I would speak with, for various reasons would care less about 20 minutes. I can just as easily say that 100% of the officers I talk to PREFER that no one carries illegal weapons. It isn't going to happen (stopping illegal weapons) and neither is 20 minutes. In the case of being hassiled one needs to be aware that when an officer decides to speak with you for whatever reason he is also making observations for his personal safety and towards Probable Cause. Failing that he may want to act on a reasonable hunch by asking for Consensual Permission to search your car. Denying it can produce further results, especially for young people; a dog, a supervisor, etc. Granting it will definitely produce further results if he finds something. I live in a resort area where the major portion (NOT 99.999%) of youth in vehicle arrests come from minor stops where an officer observes something he shouldn't. Officers in general (more so highway officers) except the fact that they were young poorer travelers once too, and needed rest. More then I have suggested in these forums catching sleep (not winks) in a Rest Area. True that may not be overnight sleeping but it is also more then 20 minutes and I have found it tolerated. I always recommend to young travelers the use of good common sense coupled with courtesy that inquiring officers deserve. It sometimes goes a long way. I still would use an authorized rest stop I was comfortable with if the need arose and it would be for more then 20 minutes.

While a person can "get away" with sleeping in rest areas (mainly because the states' highway patrols maintain less of a presence late at night), it is still most often illegal. One way or the other, plainly stated, the most important issue is it isn't a safe thing to do.

Sleeping in your vehicle you are vulnerable to others whose intentions may not be benevolent. If you are asleep, you do not see the bad guys coming, and just because you are surrounded by other cars when you go to sleep, you may wake up later to find yourselves all alone. Very recently in my state, a young couple was shot to death while sleeping in the back of their pick-up truck, and this is not the first time I have seen that happen.

You can find inexpensive accommodations in most areas (just stay away if it is a place that charges by the hour). Also, I advise you to run a search for American Youth Hostels -- you will find there are several along your route, or close to it. You can typically stay a night at a hostel for less than $25 (sometimes much less) and they have seemed safe to me the few times I have used them. They are communal -- you share dorm-style sleeping accommodations with others, bathrooms, even kitchens.

Hmmm. I would think that you are no longer in your 20's (I haven't been for three decades or so either)

Me thinks Patrol officers are more tolerant of someone in their 50's sleeping than someone in their 20's. Just my personal observations here.

How do I get AAA?

You can find a local office in your phone book -- or just run "AAA" in internet search and follow the links to the "join" section.