Road Trip: Atlanta to San Francisco

[Plasdom]

I will be making a long road trip from ATL to san francisco in a few days. I drive a FWD vehicle and I don't have chains for my tires. I will pretty much be following the route on maps.google.com. I wish to avoid any mountanous areas that will require snow chains and the like. Is my route ok? You can see it by typing in atlanta to San francisco on maps.google.com.

Also, are there any must see places on the way? Lastly what tips advice will you give? thanks

[Mark Sedenquist]

I will be making a long road trip from ATL to san francisco in a few days. I drive a FWD vehicle and I don't have chains for my tires. I will pretty much be following the route on maps.google.com. I wish to avoid any mountanous areas that will require snow chains and the like. Is my route ok? You can see it by typing in atlanta to San francisco on maps.google.com. Also, are there any must see places on the way? Lastly what tips advice will you give? thanks

The only guaranteed way to avoid snow this time of year (between Atlanta and San Francisco) would be to be to travel through Mexico. Sorry, but you need to be prepared for snow along the entire route, but especially the stretch from Oklahoma to the California border. It isn't that big a deal. Here are some tips to consider.

[Plasdom]

Thanks for the reply. I am actually not worried about the snow. I have driven in NorthEastern winters with the same car for a couple of years. It is just the mountain + snow I want to avoid. I know that going through Utah+Nevada I will go through mountains and was wondering if it was the same going through the south.

Would you say snow chains are unavoidable? Where can I buy them if so

[Mark Sedenquist]

I am actually not worried about the snow. I have driven in NorthEastern winters with the same car for a couple of years. It is just the mountain + snow I want to avoid. I know that going through Utah+Nevada I will go through mountains and was wondering if it was the same going through the south.

Your route would seem to follow I-40 and, as such, you won't go through any section of Utah. The snow you will be hitting that would be of concern to me would be in the panhandle of Oklahoma and Texas and to much lesser extent on the grades around Flagstaff, Arizona. In all cases, I don't think chains will be necessary -- except for possible closures near Flagstaff. Since you have front wheel drive and experience in snow and ice -- I would venture that you will be fine. One of the reasons I carry chains is so that I never have to use them, (inverse logic being what it is).

Would you say snow chains are unavoidable? Where can I buy them if so

Just about every tire store carries traditional metal chains nation-wide. The ones I prefer are hardened plastic and those are available online. Do a search for chains on this forum -- we have a couple of professional installers who have posted tips.

Mark

[Plasdom]

Most excellent. Thanks. Now to find places of interest to visti on that route

[Mark Sedenquist]

Most excellent. Thanks. Now to find places of interest to visti on that route

The section of the route that goes through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and part of California parallels old Route 66 and there are plenty of places to get off the Interstate and wander about. One of the best resource sites for such discovery is the one maintained by Guy Randall. Here is a link starting in Texas and you can "travel" west-bound to see his choices for adventure.

Before you get to the western section of the journey, I would suggest stopping at Hot Springs National Park and get "the treatment". (Believe me, you will remember it). Another place I would stop (mostly because I have never taken the time...) is Ed Galloway's Totem Poles in Foyil, OK.

There is nothing like good grub as you travel west and here are a few suggestions for you -- warning these are not necessarily "corporate places": The Rock Cafe in Stroud, OK; The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo (try their 72-oz steak if you dare); Del's Restaurant in Tucumcari; The Museum Club in Flagstaff, Idle Spurs in Barstow and the Harris Ranch near Coalinga on I-5. (you may notice a slight tendency to beef products in this list).

Hope this helps!

[HMD102007]

Wonderful... exactly the thread we needed to find because this is pretty much the route that we'll be doing this October. Saved us starting a new thread! We'll post any questions here - as and when we think of them.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Wonderful... exactly the thread we needed to find because this is pretty much the route that we'll be doing this October.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Come on back when you have more questions.

Mark

[HMD102007]

Thought I would bring this back to life as Editor Mark did say to come back if we had any questions.
We've booked flights... we're arriving ATL on the 4th October. So, 255 days and counting.

A general question. Any hire car companies to AVOID? At this stage, finances are not a problem - we believe that there is little sense in looking to save pennies in this department. A reliable hire car from a decent company is worth the additional cost.... but we don't want to be stung by companies that have a reputation.

Any advice?

[Mark Sedenquist]

A general question. Any hire car companies to AVOID? At this stage, finances are not a problem - we believe that there is little sense in looking to save pennies in this department. A reliable hire car from a decent company is worth the additional cost.... but we don't want to be stung by companies that have a reputation.

I guess my recommendation would be to avoid the "local" firms -- personally I prefer National -- I find that their cars are consistently clean, relatively low-mileage and in good running condition.

Mark