How far is it safe to drive in one day?

[EyesOnWheels]

Except stopping for meal and bathroom breaks, I can keep driving from 4am to midnight. Distance would depend on the speed.
Only thing is watch out for your "biological clock". I find that from 1am to 4am my body wants to shut down from driving.

[Gary]

The current record is held by Barry Stiefel who wrote about a trip he did on 10/26/03 in which he visited 21 states in 1 day. If you go to his website you will see the breakdown of this trip and his 50 states in 1 week trip. It takes a very unique person to do this type of driving. This coming Sunday Nov. 2 ,I will attempt to break Barry's record. This is only for a very experienced long distance driver that knows his own body , mind , and limits.
I personally drive many miles at all times of day with my job as a District Manager in circulation for USA Today. I currently hold the record for quickest visit to all 50 states with my son Peter in 2001. 8 days and 20 minutes. I have 'Trained" if that's the right word to be one of those strange unique people that can safely do a trip such as this. I've done a few 1200 mile single day trips in about 18-20 hours. Naples, FL to D.C. and Yellowstone to Vancouver as examples. I've even done a dry run on the trip I'll do Sunday by testing different routes for efficiency.
For me, the key is efficient travel, good audio entertainment, and as my daughter calls it "The map in my head" that is always on. No need for GPS. So wish me a good ride, minimal traffic, and great weather on Sunday Nov. 2nd as I cruise from Vermont to Mississippi. Then I can answer this question with new data.

Gary

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Gary,

I wish you well in your attempt at the record, good luck and have a safe journey. As you rightly say, it's not something "most" people should attempt.

I will look forward to seeing how it turns out for you.

Dave.

[glc]

I go from Joplin to San Diego once or twice a year to visit my sister. It's a 1600 mile run. I could *probably* do it in 2 days, but I haven't tried to yet. I take 3 days, and it does take me a day or 2 to recover. The most I've pushed in 1 day in recent history is 805 miles, but I was cooking and did it in just over 12 hours - gotta love that 80 mph speed limit in West Texas! I'm 59 years old and know my limitations, in my far younger days I do have some 1000 mile days under my belt. I no longer am comfortable driving well into the night. I drive a F-150 which for me is a lot more comfortable than a small car. I make the trip out a speed run, and sightsee/explore on the trip back.

To the OP - I'd recommend a stop about halfway. Des Moines isn't far enough for the first day - if anything, push the first day, not the second.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Gary,

This is a wild challenge -- looking forward to hearing how it went!

Mark

[Gary]

Hi Mark,
Barry's record will live another year, gotta postpone the trip due to some last minute changes in family plans. Sorry!

Gary

[Mark Sedenquist]

Gary,

I am sure the record will stand another year.

Hope the family issues are easily resolvable.

Mark

[Northern Jeff]

My personal best was Couer D'Alene to Dickinson, ND, 826 miles in 12hours with stops for gas and food. The roads were beautiful and straight, I was awake and alert the whole way, and it was day #2 of my first road trip so I was pretty stoked to just see the countryside flying by.

Also at the time I thought Montana still had no speed limit on the interstate so I did 80 - 85 through most of the state. Whoops.

Different roads and different days can really kill your energy levels. I drove a mere 300 miles from Williams, AZ into Utah this summer, pulled off the road twice because I was falling asleep at the wheel, got to my hotel at 4pm and slept for another 3hrs. Sometimes you just have bad days, no matter what your route plans are.

[glc]

I can't believe I got stopped last March on I-94 in Montana out in the middle of nowhere on a beautiful clear day with hardly anyone else on the road doing 81 in a 75. Got away with a warning though.

[Luther IV]

the speed limit on I95 may be 65-70, but i havent seen anyone drive that speed on that road in a long time. Usually, my average speed on I95 is 75 to 80, just to keep up with traffic. but there are plenty who break that