Winter Roadtrip ... NJ to Los Angles via Southern Route

[lola111]

Hi All:

In the Planning stage for a 15 day trip from Northern NJ to Los Angles , CA.

I am a bit hesitant because my car is a classic 73 VW. I've ALWAYS wanted to do a trip likt this.

Planning to drive down the East coast to Georgia or so and go across route 10 (not sure).
Hoping to be able to do some camping once I reach the south. Have Tent and
Down sleeping bag. I am thinking about 300 miles a day maybe less.

I would like some comments on preparing the VW for the long trip, what extra spare parts to take (considering the age of the car) ... any ideas for routes that are off the BIG freeways... and what I might expect in TX. It's so big and I think a bit desolate in the Western part. Should I go North there and take Route 40 ? Finally campgrounds along route 10 that you have loved.

I want to avoid mountain roads and big grade and stay on flat roads as much as possible.

Well there you have it. Hope to hear from all the EXPERIENCED travelers.... And if anyone is an extreme healthy eater .. what do you use in your cooler ?

Best,
Lola

[Mark Sedenquist]

I am a bit hesitant because my car is a classic 73 VW.

If the car is well maintained, you should be fine -- although that car is approaching 38 years old, so it be a shame to be spend some of your hard-earned holiday time in a service garage...

Planning to drive down the East coast to Georgia or so and go across route 10 (not sure). Hoping to be able to do some camping once I reach the south. Have Tent and
Down sleeping bag. I am thinking about 300 miles a day maybe less.

Is this a round trip adventure? If so, it will take at least 23 days to cover the ground if you're sticking to 300 miles per day...

I want to avoid mountain roads and big grade and stay on flat roads as much as possible.

As you've seen on another thread -- I-40 has some significant mountain grades, if you really want to avoid mountain passes you'd need to use I-80, although you still need to cross the continental divide someplace!

And if anyone is an extreme healthy eater .. what do you use in your cooler ?

Here are some tips about cooler recipes!

Mark

[lola111]

Thanks Mark for the quick reply....

And for the food link...

No this a one way solo adventure...

I thought that Route 10 avoids mountains roads and grades is that not correct ???

Thanks for any help,

Lola