Moving LA to MD, need advice

[glc]

As I plan the drive, I am guessing that 300 miles a day is about 6 hours.
Is that reasonable for 1 person to drive in a day?
Am I over/under estimating 50mph, (with a 26 ft truck towing a car)?

I think you are estimating very well. If all you want to do is get there, and are taking Interstate highways, you could reasonably drive about 500 miles a day. That's going to be 10 to 12 hours on the road if you can handle that. Make sure you take a break every few hours.

Request a diesel if you can, you will save on fuel costs. Diesel is about the same price as gas right now, and a diesel will get considerably better fuel mileage. My son in law has rented Penskes several times to make long moves, he tells me the diesels get about 10 mpg loaded and the gas trucks get 6 to 8.

I'd recommend low to mid range chain hotels at Interstate exits away from large cities. You will have the best of all worlds that way - examples are Motel 6, Super 8, and Rodeway. They are generally very easy to access and should have a back lot or double spaces for parking long rigs.

[Midwest Michael]

I think you're estimates are perfectly fine, and if anything, they'll likely be on the conservative side. I suspect you might be able to make slightly better time than you are expecting, at least once you get comfortable on the road. I'd expect that first day to go pretty slow as you get used to driving the large truck/trailer combo, but that will get easier as you make your way on the road.

I would very much agree about getting a diesel if possible. I've used Uhaul for my big moves, and diesel will get you a few extra mpgs and seems to have a bit more power than a gas engine, especially when you'll be dealing with one of the larger sizes of trucks.

[slbphd]

Thanks everyone for your help. The move is coming together, and I am feeling excited and as comfortable as I can be with the adventure.

What are your thoughts about a car dolly vs a trailer? My car is in very good shape with very low miles, even though it's a 1999 model.

The price is about a $300 difference.

Also, I don't have one of those fancy phones. Does it make sense to get a CB?
I had one 30 years ago, but I imagine they're so different now.

My thoughts about the CB stem from construction and weather delays (there's no tornados at the end of August, right? I imagine just thunderstorms).

[glc]

What are your thoughts about a car dolly vs a trailer?

It depends on exactly what your car is. I see it's a 99, but what make, model, and transmission? FWD, RWD, or AWD?

I'm old school, but I won't travel without a cell phone and a laptop with a wifi card. I haven't used a CB in 25 years.

[Midwest Michael]

Assuming your car can be towed on a tow dolly (check your owners manual, most front wheel drive cars are fine, but AWD cars a big no), full trailer will be a little easier to get around with, primarily because with a tow dolly you can not back up, at all. However, I'm not sure that's something that's worth a $300 difference. What I would recommend, and what I've done in the past, is to talk with the people at the actual rental location and see if they can reduce the cost. Since you are already spending a good amount of money on a cross country rental, they may be willing to work with you and get the price for the full trailer closer to the dolly price.

You can see Thunderstorms at any time of year with the right conditions, its not something that's a purely seasonal phenomenon. However, it would be past peak season for severe weather, and even if it was the peak, the odds of seeing a twister on any given trip is quite low.

[PNW Judy]

I assume that's a cellphone, right?

Well, several regulars here are big on having a CB. However, I don't have one and just haven't seen the need for one.

I do, however, have a cellphone. I really encourage you to consider getting one for this trip. You don't need to invest a lot of money. You can get a pay-as-you-go phone at most any big box store these days for very cheap. This way you have something if you do have an emergency situation. And you could easily call and let your son know who well you're doing.

Ya know, back in the old days before cellphone were common, if I saw a car stalled on the side of the road, especially if it was a road that is not well-traveled, I would sometimes stop at the first payphone and alert the state patrol in case the people needed help. When I first got my cellphone, long before most people still had one, I would call in for people. But, nowadays, I assume that everybody has one and don't make any attempt to help.

If you decide not to get one, at the very least I recommend you purchase one of those banners they used to sell (if still available), that says something to the effect of "Help needed, please contact police" or you might be sitting by the side of the road for a very long time.

[Lifemagician]

.............Am I crazy to do this, as my sons suggest,..........

Don't worry!! They'll get used to it.

Mine eventually did.....

Lifey who always travels alone

[slbphd]

Hi, thanks for your comments.

My car is a saab, so I'm okay with the dolly or the trailer. I'll see if I can petition the cost lower from Penske. That was a good idea.

I do have a cell phone, just not the fancy kind with internet. That's why I was thinking of a cb, so I could hear about any problems on the road.

Are there best times to travel/drive? Or on a trip like this it doesn't make a difference?

[glc]

If your Saab is front wheel drive, a dolly should be fine, but if it's all wheel drive, you need a trailer.

[PNW Judy]

I do have a cell phone, just not the fancy kind with internet. That's why I was thinking of a cb, so I could hear about any problems on the road.

Are there best times to travel/drive? Or on a trip like this it doesn't make a difference?

While a CB would be better to alert you to sudden problems up the road due to accidents, etc., you might also want to visit the websites for the DOT's for the various states you're driving through and jot down their information phone numbers. Many also use 511 as the number to call, but not all. You could call in the morning, or on breaks during the day, if you want to check the status of the roads you'll be driving over the next day or few hours.

This is one reason why some advocate having a CB. If it's something you think you'll use and enjoy, there's no reason not to get one.

Time to drive? I think a lot of this just depends on what time of day you prefer driving. Me? I like getting up early and getting started, preferably no later than 7am, preferably by 6am. I generally don't stop until close to sunset. I prefer a longer day with a lot of time for longer stops along the way. Just do what feels comfortable to you.

However, I do adjust this based on the sun. Here's what I mean...when heading east, and if I'm driving on a road traveling due east and it's nice weather with a strong sun, I might leave a bit later until the sun is a bit higher in the sky so I'm not blinded by the direct rays. (If heading west, and the road is heading due west, just the opposite. I'll try to not be on the highway when the sun is setting.) Sometimes this means just a short window, maybe 30 minutes, where driving is a witch so I'll just pull over for a quick break. I just hate driving blinded.

Here's another tip...if you are staying in a bigger town or a city where traffic congestion might be an issue in the morning, stay on the east side of the city (since you're traveling east). Those going west should stay on the west side. This way when commuters are driving into the city for work, you'll be driving out of the city and, thus, should avoid the worst of the congestion. Don't be driving into any major city in the morning if you can help it!