Western MA to VA to Graceland to Sante Fe

[Rebecca Ratzkin]

I'm moving back to Los Angeles and starting my drive the second week of August. The plan as it stands is to go from Northampton, MA (western Mass) to Jefferson's Monticello, VA to Graceland, TN (Elvis lives!), to Sante Fe, NM and then finally to LA.

I would prefer to take smaller highways as they are more scenic and slower - and I have to drive slow upon pain of my licence being taken away.

Any ideas? I'd also like to know if anyone has suggestions of other off the beaten path spots close to my already planned stops listed above.

Thanks.
-Rebecca

[Mark Sedenquist]

Rebecca,

This a public forum -- are you aware you just made a public announcement that you intend to break the laws of 1/2 dozen states? Beyond which, driving without a license, is crazy -- in some of the states you are considering driving through, if you are stopped for any reason the police authorities are REQUIRED to impound your vehicle. Are you sure you are willing to take the chance of losing your car?

When I first read her posting, I thought she meant that she is in serious jeopardy of her license being taken away if she commits an infraction.

If the editor is correct, and you are driving without a license, most any contributor to this site would agree with his condemnation of your travel plans.




AB

[kristy]

i would definately not drive without a liscense. i dont know about anyone else on this forum but i have been pulled over and tailed a few times for no apparent reason i can think of other than my out of state liscense plate. i have yet to recieve a ticket in these instances but without a drivers liscense you would get your car impounded like the editor said. you may have better luck with a Mass. liscense plate than i do with a Ny plate, i am not aware of Ma being as disliked around the country as Ny is but i wouldnt chance it.

[Mark Sedenquist]

After reading AB's message, I re-read your original posting and perhaps your intent was that you wanted to drive slow to avoid any more tickets. A wise course of action in any case.

If so, there are plenty of scenic avenues available to you.

From Elvis-land, I would pick up US-60 to Carthage, Missouri and then west on US-400. But I still wonder about the reference to driving slow... Speed limits on US highways are close to the Interstate routes, so I guess I still don't understand what you are seeking.

[Rebecca Ratzkin]

Thanks to all those who are concerned about the legality of my trip - driving without a licence.

First let me be very clear - I have a valid licence and valid registration and valid auto insurance. I am doing nothing illegal. But I am on warning that if I receive another infraction, that would jeopardize my licence. I want to be extremely safe and slow. I am going to be extremely safe and slow.

I'm sure there are many scenic routes along the route I chose that would make the slow drive worthwhile. All I ask is that someone suggest one they particularly like. Describe it so that I can have a better idea of which route I might want to take.

-Rebecca

[Mark Sedenquist]

Rebecca,

Thanks for clearing that up. A number of the expert roadtrippers who contribute to this forum are retired and/or active peace officers and I could almost hear the "gnashing of teeth" on the readings of your first query.

Interstate highways are actually easier to drive and therefore easier to stay within the legal limits. If that is your highest priority than stay on the Interstates. When you drive the smaller two lane roads, the chances of getting a speeding ticket increase 30% to 40%. This is due to the number of smaller jurisdictions you will pass through with lower speed limits. A large percentage of these smaller town's annual budgets are based upon the expectation that tourists will over-look the posted 25 mph signs in seemingly sparsely populated areas.

So, while I applaud your expectation of finding scenic drives as you travel across the country, it seems unwise to rely on an expectation of it being easier to stay within the legal speed limits on two-lane highways over those found on the Interstates.

I cannot agree more. I would stick to the interstates the entire way out.

In addition, I strongly suggest that you try not to drive slower than posted speed limits on the interstates. I have passed quite a few overly cautious drivers being followed by highway patrol. If you stay between the speed limit and five mph over the limit, you will blend into the flow of traffic more smoothly.



AB