Upstate NY to LA

[Raj]

I am my family (wife and 4 year old) have to relocatefrom NY to LA. We want to drive down and our friends have adviced us to avoid I-80 route and instead take I40 route. I want to know how much time will I need for my whole trip and how will be the driving conditions along I40 during end of Feburary. Please help.

[Mark Sedenquist]

If it were me, and my family, I would take I-80 over I-40. Yes, winter storms can hammer the northern parts of the country, but the road maintenance is generally better along I-80 than I-40.

The distance is about 2900 miles and will take five long days of driving.

I generally agree with the editor on this one. For a relocation drive (as opposed to a drive for pleasure), I'd suggest I-80 simply because it is the most direct and has more frequent opportunities for services along the way. If you've never crossed the country by car before, some places you'll travel through will make Upstate New York seem like a major metropolitan area. Especially having 4 year old in the car- you're going to want the fastest route.

That said, I still am a big believer in being able to adjust a route in the event of difficult weather conditions. Pay extra attention to <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/links/conditions.htm">weather forecasts<a/> in the few days before you set out on your drive, and keep an eye on them from your various motel/hotel stops along the way.

Also, and this is important..

JOIN AAA IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY A MEMBER.

-Free Travel Information (Maps, Tourbooks with motel info)

-24/7 Roadside Service (they've rescued me from some VERY desolate places...look up Presho, South Dakota on a map!)





Good luck and safe driving.

AB

[Mark Sedenquist]

OK, so what is the story of the break-down at Presho?

Actually, that is just off the interstate, so what about it struck you as desolate? That is prime pheasant country... and it is home to the Lyman County Historical Museum...

Mark

[Quebec Gen]

I agree with Mark, I'd use I-80 too. Not because of road maintenance (I never used I-80 during winter so I don't know about that) but coming from the North East, I think the scenery is more interesting for the first part of the trip at least. I-40 becomes more interesting to me only in New Mexico when the scenery changes drastically (desert and mountains) but it depends on your tastes. I-80 is certainly the most direct route and it'll take 5-6 long days depending on your driving experience and the weather.

Good Luck!

It was actually between exits and on a Sunday afternoon. I was speaking in relative terms.




AB

[Mark Sedenquist]

Just kidding. When you are broke down, even a location near an Interstate highway can look desolate.

Luckily, I have been "rescued" more times than I can count, since I rarely follow my own advice for prudence when traveling in the off-the-map places.

mark

I checked with my friend who has a better memory of such things. He remembers that we broke down closer to Murdo, SD and that the "rescue truck" came from Presho.

It really doesn't matter. Anytime you're more than 20 miles between services or exits on the highway, you're in a desolate area if you ask me.


AB

[Robert Schaller]

South Dakota is one of those places that when you see it, with the exception of a little ranch fencing here and there, you can imagine that it still looks like it did when the buffalo roamed...free. Beautiful.