Advice - New Jersey to San Antonio

[meggers9000]

Hi All!
I was just looking for some opinions on what are MUST stops on my upcoming road trip to San Antonio (Lackland AFB) in mid-April. My friend and I will be taking 81S to I-40W, the goal is to pit stop for some fun in New Orleans before continuing to our final destination :) We dont want to veer too far from the highways (no more than 15miles) because we still have a deadline to get to our best friend's graduation from Air Force bootcamp.
We are big into:
-dive restaurants (bbq & seafood fanatics)
-wacky roadside attrations
-adventurous activities (climbing, cliff jumping, zipline, etc)

THANKS in ADVANCE!!

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

First question - how much time do you actually have for this trip? If you don't have time to go more than 15 miles off the highway, I kind of wonder if you'll have time for adventure activities which generally take up quite a bit of time.

Second - have you checked out RTA's Map Center? We don't really believe in "must sees" on this forum, but that feature of this site will give you information about hundreds of potential stops along your route.

[meggers9000]

Hi Michael-
We are leaving Tuesday afternoon and must be at the AFB for orientation by 1pm on Thursday. We are going to drive through the night and are more interested in activities from Knoxville on. We figured on breakfast in Knoxville then maybe climbing/exploring near Chattanooga, then afternoon in Birmingham then New Orleans for nightlife/rest then leave early to finish the trip

plus we are road tripping back so i we cant do somthing on the way there, we can hit it on the way back

[Midwest Michael]

I'm sorry, but are you listening to yourself?

You plan to do a 1800+ mile trip in less than 48 hours and you think you'll have time for extra time for activities and nightlife? Ignoring the fact that you won't have any sleep, and think you'll have the energy to do all those things, you don't even have enough hours in the day. Its a full day drive, without any stops, just to get from Knoxville to New Orleans even without all those extra things you want to do. Even in a speed run, this should be a 3 day trip.

Your expectations can only be described as impossibly unrealistic and reckless to even attempt. Trying to drive this plan as you've listed, without any room for rest, is so far beyond dangerous, I can't really find the words. If this is all the time you have, then buy some plane tickets and have a good day/night of partying in Texas, but please don't even think about driving as you've proposed.

[meggers9000]

I am sorry, but I dont not believe that I asked for a lecture. I just asked for fun things and places to eat along the way. I am not the only person that is driving, there are six of us (my best friend and I are planning it) and we are taking an RV which equals plenty of time for each of us to rest between turns driving.

Obviously this site is not for me, I refuse to be judged for the way we are doing the trip.

Thank you for your help and condescending comments

[Southwest Dave]

I am not the only person that is driving, there are six of us (my best friend and I are planning it) and we are taking an RV which equals plenty of time for each of us to rest between turns driving.

While the RV is moving everyone has to be seated and belted up by law. This is more uncomfortable than sitting in a car for long periods and being a slower moving vehicle will take longer.

Sorry you feel the way you do, but what Michael has said is solid advice, you simply won't have time for activities even if you took a full 3 days which is the least we would recommend for you to do this trip safely.

Good luck, but the rest is up to you.

[Midwest Michael]

No, you didn't ask for a lecture, but you asked for a help on your trip and the reality is that your trip not only is not safe, it is also not possible.

Disregarding the incredible amount of danger you are taking with the lives of yourself and everyone else on the road, even if you don't ever stop for sleep, you simply don't have enough hours to do what you've proposed, and offering the kind of "help" you are asking for is a waste of our time and yours.

Doing this in an RV will not make it any easier, in fact, it will make it more difficult. Every passenger still needs to be seated and buckled up when the RV is in motion.

If you choose to disregard the advice, that is certainly your choice, but if you were coming onto this forum expecting people to get people to give you encouragement to engage in such foolish and reckless conduct, then you are correct that you have come to the wrong place. We wish you well, we hope you will think about your plans and come to your senses, but I don't think we can provide any additional help.