NEWBIE planning on driving from Corona, CA to Durham, NC

[Mark Sedenquist]

Motels will be designated by a red circle with a bed icon. Continuing to zoom in will show more establishments and/or give you a bit more info such as the motel's address and rating.

Actually, just to be clear, the maps used in the Map Wizard and the Advanced Maps are custom to RoadTrip America and we don't use any of those generic icons (like the red circle by a bed icon.)

Edit: Ah, yes, it is true that one can scroll in and see those icons, but RoadTrip America has no influence on what motels are shown. At the point of scrolling in, those motels appear on the map pane because they pay a fee to Google Maps.

Whereas the lodging options identified by the White Flag with the "L" indicates those establishments that we recommend and have visited and written about.

The attractions that are visible on the Map Wizard and Advanced Maps pages were identified by bonafide roadtrippers who personally visited them and wrote about the places. And there are several "Lodging" options, but they tend to be unique lodging experiences and not ones found as part of chains on the major roads.

As a member, you can use the Advanced Maps options and search for Lodging attractions that we have written about.

...and I apologize to AZBuck, he was accurate with his comments. I had never noticed, because I don't use the background images that are on the Google Maps.

Mark

[DonnaR57]

For what it would cost you to buy a trailer, you could use a moving service or rent a truck and have your car shipped.

I was thinking similarly. Renting a truck-car trailer would be cheaper, too. However, at least if you own it, there are no "must return by X/XX/XX date" - generally, 8-9 days on a cross-country move.


Donna

[DonnaR57]

Normally I would suggest I-15 to I-40 all the way. However, I-40 is closed indefinitely at the TN/NC state line. Being that this is December, I'd go south. Take I-10 to I-20 to I-85 back to I-40. This also avoids most mountain driving.

Suggested bypasses:

Phoenix - use Loop-202 south
DFW - stay on I-20 east
Birmingham - use I-459 north
Atlanta - use I-285 north
Charlotte - use I-485 north

.

Using this route (a good one for towing a truck full of stuff), and using the formula of about 500 miles per day, here are some suggested overnights:

Willcox, AZ (520 miles)
Odessa, TX (520 miles)
Marshall, TX (500+-) miles but one must traverse DFW as pointed out)
Birmingham, AL (510 miles if you stay on the EAST side of it)
Then Durham is about 530 miles from there, but you have to traverse ATL.

That's your overnights for driving this in 5 days. If you'd like to take 6 days (as I would do), your mileage per day would be less and of course, different towns/cities. (My husband and I prefer to stay in the suburbs rather than in the cities, especially when towing.)


Donna

[Mark Sedenquist]

Wherever you stay, always speak with the front desk and see if you can park where you can see your tow rig and trailer from your room (first choice) or where it is visible from the front desk (second choice.)

Hotel/motels are often accommodating for this request.

And park so that your tow vehicle is turned in such a way that it can easily pull out of the space without having to back-up if the parking lots fills up overnight.

Mark