Cross country trip...fears...

[ZeeBabar]

I don’t know if it’s appropriate to post my fears but here goes...I am south Asian and old now but way back in the 70’s, I took my first road trip across, from St. Louis to San Francisco in an old Ford with my girl friend. Then, in the 80’s, working and living in Fresno, Ca, took a few cross country trips, both, solo and with wife in a plain Honda Accord. I enjoyed every one of those.

Now, retired, at 72, living in St. Louis, I want to do it again, go from St. Louis to San Francisco and back, over 15 days, give or take a couple of days. However, upon retiring, I had got myself a cute, bright red, sports coupe. Might draw unwanted attention.

I want to make the trip but these times, brown and old, worried about safety in these times when animosity towards brown people seems much higher, though I have always had friendly experiences in the past, perhaps a little less confident I could do it driving by myself...don’t know. Maybe I am looking for encouragement.

If I decide to do it, given time of year, what might you recommend as route to take going and returning. Would ai run into winter weather issues or is it still early enough to not have to encounter it? No hiking but certainly,some scenic places to drive by and stay.

[AZBuck]

Not much has really changed about RoadTripping in the intervening 40 or so years since your last significant drive. The roads, attractions, restaurants and lodging choices have gotten a little bit better and prices have gone up, but that's about it. Yes, the vitriol surrounding the national election is still strong, but that should die down as final votes are counted and a winner declared (by the states, not the news organizations).

Your car might be attractive to thieves, but random car thefts are fairly uncommon. If it's a concern to you, though, it's a legitimate concern. You can get a 'kill switch' installed for around $100. That should prevent most random thieves from starting your car and driving away even if they break in.

As to miles vs. time, there are several possible routes between St. Louis and San Francisco that all clock in at about 2,100 miles. That could be done in just 4 days of serious driving, but you're looking for a pleasant experience while taking time to stop and smell the roses. If you only drove half as far each day, you'd still only need 16 days total to make the round trip. So you certainly have time for such a trip. It will be up to you how to distribute your non-driving time.

As for weather, even if there is early snow in the Rocky Mountains or Sierra Nevada the Interstates should remain open or experience only relatively brief closures. You can mitigate the chances of seeing such a closure by taking a more northerly route westbound (I-70/I-29/I-80) and a more southerly (I-5/CA-58/I-40/I-44) eastbound. The other advantage to such a routing is, of course, that you're constantly driving 'new' road rather than just seeing the same stuff going both ways.

So, in general, I think your fears have some basis in reality but not enough to forego this trip. Taking a few common sense precautions will help put your mind at ease and let you enjoy the trip.

AZBuck

[ZeeBabar]

Not much has really changed about RoadTripping in the intervening 40 or so years since your last significant drive. The roads, attractions, restaurants and lodging choices have gotten a little bit better and prices have gone up, but that's about it. Yes, the vitriol surrounding the national election is still strong, but that should die down as final votes are counted and a winner declared (by the states, not the news organizations).

Your car might be attractive to thieves, but random car thefts are fairly uncommon. If it's a concern to you, though, it's a legitimate concern. You can get a 'kill switch' installed for around $100. That should prevent most random thieves from starting your car and driving away even if they break in.

As to miles vs. time, there are several possible routes between St. Louis and San Francisco that all clock in at about 2,100 miles. That could be done in just 4 days of serious driving, but you're looking for a pleasant experience while taking time to stop and smell the roses. If you only drove half as far each day, you'd still only need 16 days total to make the round trip. So you certainly have time for such a trip. It will be up to you how to distribute your non-driving time.

As for weather, even if there is early snow in the Rocky Mountains or Sierra Nevada the Interstates should remain open or experience only relatively brief closures. You can mitigate the chances of seeing such a closure by taking a more northerly route westbound (I-70/I-29/I-80) and a more southerly (I-5/CA-58/I-40/I-44) eastbound. The other advantage to such a routing is, of course, that you're constantly driving 'new' road rather than just seeing the same stuff going both ways.

So, in general, I think your fears have some basis in reality but not enough to forego this trip. Taking a few common sense precautions will help put your mind at ease and let you enjoy the trip.

AZBuck

Much thanks! Don’t you think it’s already too late taking the northern route and I-80?

[AZBuck]

If you need 100% absolute certainty that you will see NO adverse weather on a 2,000 mile trip, you're not going to get it, ever, anywhere. As I mentioned, the Interstates are kept open if at all possible. The are, after all, known officially as the "National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". They are the nations main arteries and having one close for even a day, let alone two, would be highly unusual, especially this early in the season. If you do hit weather you're not comfortable driving in, just take a day off. You've got time. This is why I suggested taking the northerly route outbound and the southerly route home, when you might be on a slightly tighter but still comfortable schedule.

Personally, I wouldn't let the small chance of seeing weather, the even smaller chance of seeing any road closures, and the almost nonexistent chance of experiencing a significant delay keep me from making this trip if I wanted to.

AZBuck

[ZeeBabar]

If you need 100% absolute certainty that you will see NO adverse weather on a 2,000 mile trip, you're not going to get it, ever, anywhere. As I mentioned, the Interstates are kept open if at all possible. The are, after all, known officially as the "National System of Interstate and Defense Highways". They are the nations main arteries and having one close for even a day, let alone two, would be highly unusual, especially this early in the season. If you do hit weather you're not comfortable driving in, just take a day off. You've got time. This is why I suggested taking the northerly route outbound and the southerly route home, when you might be on a slightly tighter but still comfortable schedule.

Personally, I wouldn't let the small chance of seeing weather, the even smaller chance of seeing any road closures, and the almost nonexistent chance of experiencing a significant delay keep me from making this trip if I wanted to.

AZBuck

Agreed! Now, how do I plan. I suppose I head west from St. Louis on I-70 to Kansas City, take I-29 to I-80 west. I would likely drive around 500 miles the first day, probably less each following day till I get to San Francisco (where ai plan to stay 2-3 nights at my brothers place). I want to identify some towns to stay at.

How do I best plan a trip. In the past, I just headed out, pulled into a motel when ai was ready to sleep.

[glc]

Take I-435 around the NE side of KC. At Nebraska City, take IA-2/NE-2 into Lincoln to US-77 to I-80.

In the past, I just headed out, pulled into a motel when ai was ready to sleep.

You can still do this. If you want to make this trip in 4 days, look at overnights:

Grand Island NE
Rawlins WY
Elko NV

This is just over 500 miles a day.

If you want to take part of a 5th day - which may be advisable so you don't hit SF at rush hour:

Lincoln NE
Cheyenne WY
Salt Lake City UT
Reno NV

This is around 450 miles the first 4 days and a bit over 200 miles the 5th day.

[ZeeBabar]

I am planning a trip, posted earlier, from St. Louis to San Francisco. I don’t mind doing it in 4-5 days. I just want as scenic a route as possible this time of year without being unsafe for a rear wheel drive car.

Going on I-70, Plan is to head to Hayes, KS or nearby for the first night. However, for the next 2-3 days, I need help. Leaving Hayes, KS, I want to do the most scenic drive through to Salt Lake with a night ot two on the way.

Is it best to stay on I-70 to Denver or is there a nicer route. I have been to the Rocky Mountain National Park but are there others? Your suggestions are appreciated.

Moderator Note: PLEASE DO NOT CREATE NEW THREADS -- KEEP ALL OF YOUR NEW QUESTIONS IN THIS SAME THREAD.

[glc]

If I-70 doesn't have weather issues, take it to Green River UT, then US-191 to US-6 to I-15.

875 miles, can be done in 2 days, suggest overnight in Beaver Creek (440 miles from Hays, 1 hotel, under $100), Eagle (460 miles from Hays, 1 hotel, over $100) or Glenwood Springs (500 miles from Hays, 3 hotels, 2 under $100, 1 over $100).

[ZeeBabar]

If I-70 doesn't have weather issues, take it to Green River UT, then US-191 to US-6 to I-15.

875 miles, can be done in 2 days, suggest overnight in Beaver Creek (440 miles from Hays, 1 hotel, under $100), Eagle (460 miles from Hays, 1 hotel, over $100) or Glenwood Springs (500 miles from Hays, 3 hotels, 2 under $100, 1 over $100).

Thanks. I could go from Hayes, Ks to Green River, UT via I-70 or through US 50. Is I-70 preferable?

[Mark Sedenquist]

Thanks. I could go from Hayes, Ks to Green River, UT via I-70 or through US 50. Is I-70 preferable?

Well... I-70 is one of my favorite highways in the USA?:

The San Rafael Swell

And, if you have the correct vehicle: Off-road along the I-70

Mark