Boston to San Diego

[smadams2]

Hi Everyone,

My friend and I are moving from Boston to San Diego in September. We're hoping to make it out there in 5-6 days. We know we need to drive about 8 hours a day. We have a rough idea of the route we want to take, but could definitely use some help with the planning.

We're thinking of driving down I-81 and hooking up with I-40. Would you recommend taking I-40 the rest of the way? We wanted to drive on Route 66 for the experience, is that feasible given our time constraints? If it is, where would you recommend getting on? We like the idea of the Southern route, but we're open to any ideas and suggestions. Thanks a lot!

[Mark Sedenquist]

My friend and I are moving from Boston to San Diego in September. We're hoping to make it out there in 5-6 days. We know we need to drive about 8 hours a day.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! The shortest possible distance between these two points is 3,050 miles. By going to I-40 route, you will add 200 miles to the journey (so not a big deal) but if you want to make it in five days, you will need to travel at least eleven hours every day. I think you were figuring 75 mph and the only way to AVERAGE 75 mph in this county is to drive most of it closer to 100 mph or have a police escort. Lots of cross country trip experience tells me that you will be very, very lucky to average 56 mph (especially if you are hauling much in the way of gear for this move). The 56 mph average speed assumes that you drive at or in excess of the posted speed limits when you can -- but allows for traffic slow downs, fuel and food breaks.

If you add much of Route 66 in the mix, you need to figure an additional 6-8 hours of travel time.

If you do decide to include part of Route 66 -- look at our resource page.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

By the most direct route possible (I-90/I-80/I-76/I-70/I-15) Boston to San Diego is roughly 3060 miles. By your proposed I-81/I-40/I-15 route, it is about 3150, depending on how, exactly, you get to I-81. In either case, you'll have to do over 600 miles a day to make it in 5 days or over 500 miles a day to make it in 6. You can drive 600 miles in a day, but it is work and not an 8 hour joy ride. It will get old after a few days and you and your friend will still be cooped up in a very small space for more days to come. 500 miles a day will allow you some time out of the car, not really all that much - but it will be a big help. When I moved to Tucson from the DC area, it took 4 full days of solid driving and you are talking about adding a full day's drive to either end. If I were you, I'd treat this like the hard job that it's going to be and just try to make some steady progress across the country. If after 4 or 5 days you find yourself a bit ahead of schedule, all the better. Then you can look for some place among the wonders of the west or southwest to spend your 'free time'. But I really wouldn't count that chicken until it has hatched. If you're going to be driving a truck, pulling a trailer, or even just driving a fully loaded car, things are only going to go slower. Sorry to throw a damper on your enthusiasm, but it really will be better for you to plan on not having any spare time and then be pleasantly surprised (an outside possibility) rather than expect this to be a sightseeing jaunt and finding yourselves with only a day or two left to get to San Diego when it is still far away (a very real possibility.)


AZBuck