Connecticut to San Jose December 26

[tas246]

Hi All...

Great forum! I've been reading the numerous threads about winter driving, and i wanted to know what anyone else thought about my proposed route for December 26-January 2nd.... All of my stops have not been clearly defined as of yet-- but the route will generally look like this:



My main questions are about the road conditions in I-40 in northern new mexico and Arizona. I've heard mixed reports about the road conditions in the winter. Anyone have any experience in this area?

The numbered stops are generally where i was thinking about staying-- does it seem like i am pushing too hard? (i will have 2 other drivers with me)

Thanks-- look forward to hearing your responses!

[Robert Schaller]

At first glance, I don't see any major problems with your routing -- except those two middle days in particular are pretty long. But with extra drivers and good weather, I doubt you'll have trouble. You can run into winter weather along I-40 of course, but you have good odds of making it through OK, or with minimal delays. Interstate closures at worst are usually only a few hours before snowplow crews get things cleared for traffic. Just plan a couple extra days for "just-in-case" and don't get impatient. It's an adventure! And welcome to the RTA forum... we like it too! Bob

[AZBuck]

Bob has given you some pretty good advice, but I have a couple of slightly different takes on your trip. The first is that I think your first 3 days are pretty long. You plan to get from Hartford to Albuquerque in that amount of time. You'd have to do over 700 miles a day to make this happen. While you can do this with three drivers, you're all going to be cooped up in the car together for over twelve hours a day. This might put a bit of a strain on your friendship. You indicate that you have eight days to make the trip (if the dates you give are inclusive) and yet your map shows you doing it in five. I think you'd be far better served by adding a day or two to your drive time and use that time to actually see, experience and enjoy some of the magnificent country you'll be driving through. But in the end that's your call.

The second is a suggestion for an alternate route to I-95 down the east coast. While I-95 can be a great route, particularly if you want to see the cities of the BosWash corridor, you might prefer the more bucolic route via I-84 and I-81 to join I-40 east of Knoxville, TN. Again, this is a choice you'll have to make, but then that's what the freedom of the road is all about, choosing what works best for you.

AZBuck

[tas246]

The second is a suggestion for an alternate route to I-95 down the east coast. While I-95 can be a great route, particularly if you want to see the cities of the BosWash corridor, you might prefer the more bucolic route via I-84 and I-81 to join I-40 east of Knoxville, TN. Again, this is a choice you'll have to make, but then that's what the freedom of the road is all about, choosing what works best for you.

AZBuck

You have noticed my choice of I-95... the main reason for this is i am a bit leary of the weather on 81 in the winter. If the weather is nice we may end up taking that road.


You are correct, we have 8 days to make the trip.... I was intending on taking a day in Arizona to see some of this:

http://www.ghosttowngallery.com/

and possibly stopping by the grand canyon.

Is there anything interesting to see along I-40 in the Arkansas/Oklahoma territory? I've never been in those areas!

Bob,

Thanks for your advice about the interstate closures... I'll have to check the weather online often!

[Robert Schaller]

You'll find this stretch of highway to be a pretty route, even in winter. If you can get off the interstate for a few hours, there are many museums in NE OK* that are fun -- also the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial is a worthy stop.

*
Will Rogers Home (Oolagah)
Will Rogers Memorial (Claremore)
Five Civilized Tribes Museum (Muskogee)
Creek Nation Museum (Okmulgee)
Sequoyah's Home (near Akins)
Cherokee Heritage Center (Tahlequah)
Tom Mix Museum, Pawnee Bill Museum, Pioneer Woman Museum, Woolaroc Museum, etc, etc, etc.
You get the idea.

Just grab a good map, and take a look for the ones that interest you most.

In western Oklahoma, a visit to the site of the Black Kettle Massacre on the Washita River is worthwhile. George Custer's later day at the Little Bighorn was a bit of a "payback" for his deeds at this "battlefield."

Bob

[killer]

but you have good odds of making it through OK

What are his problems in Oklahoma likely to be? 8-)