Find latest started threadsOkay, we'll have to factor that in. If we are able to go 400 miles a day, three full days of driving, are we closer to reality?
Okay, we'll have to factor that in. If we are able to go 400 miles a day, three full days of driving, are we closer to reality?
So to summarize, going from Nashville to Santa Fe in two days of driving is unrealistic.
How, then, about the drive from Charlottesville to Asheville? Assuming we don't do the entire Blue Ridge Mountains Prkwy, but something like: http://goo.gl/maps/m4uCi (373 miles), could that be done with three drivers, starting early from Charlottesville and beingn willing to go on all day?
It is a extremely unrealistic to expect you will be able to average 40 mph on this road, as I said the maximum speed is 45, but it is much less in many parts of the road. Your average speed is likely to be 30 mph or less. Mind you, that's assuming you never stop at any of the many viewpoints and other attractions along the route. Its a fantastic drive, but it isn't a road that works with speed, and 3 days would normally be considered about the minimum if you stick to the BRP for the drive you are talking about. Mind you, the BRP also isn't a road where you can easily get off and jump back onto a freeway to make up time.Originally Posted by cromoglic
Okay, then that's something to consider. If we go Nashville to Santa Fe (approx. 1200 miles) at 400 miles a day, averaging close to 50mph, with two overnight stops along the way, then? We really don't have much more time for that stretch of road. That leaves around 9 hours of driving per day, not including stops, which is around 3 hours per driver. adding an hour or two for fuel each day, I guess it's still far-fetched...
RoadTrip Guru & Enthusiast
You are simply trying to do too much in too little time. Perhaps you need to scale this trip back a bit or create some more available days. A RV is not an efficient way to put down a bunch of miles in minimum time.
Enjoy the scenery.
Don't be over optimistic here. Whereas I love to wing it, I have also turned up at RV parks which were full. Especially so in the middle of the holiday season, and at popular attractions. I would at least, always call a day or two ahead, just to make sure.
That is if you do not stop for photos/videos, and take time to absorb the amazing vistas.
In case you have not yet had a chance to check out all the planning pages, you might find this page interesting. I did!
Lifey
If you go back and read what I wrote several posts ago, I suggested you could do the trip in 2.5 days, and I even included where I thought you should aim to stop.
I've also said that 500 miles a day is a good number to shoot for for a full day on the road in an RV (assuming Interstate driving, not 2 lane scenic byways), so I'm not sure why you're now talking about 400 miles being the max?
Thank you all for your more realistic view on this trip. I realize that we may have underestimated the distances by quite much.
Our RV company agrees that we'll be unable to do much more than 55mph on the freeway. They also say that we aren't allowed to go more than 400 miles per day.
Since it will probably be more convenient in cities and towns, and also a lot faster, we're considering switching to a regular car. We've done the math, and it will probably be no more expensive for us (we got a good price including the one-way fee). Do you think our trip and schedule seems more likely in a regular car?
Sure.
As mentioned above, the choice of an RV is more a lifestyle choice. With the focus of your trip, distance and attractions, especially with the time you plan on spending in urban areas, it seems like a wise choice.
Enjoy the planning.
Lifey
Yeah. An RV would be both fun an convenient, but I think you are right. And we weren't planning an RV trip, we just wanted to find the best mode of transportation for the route we chose.
I suppose that means some of our time estimates will be more accurate, especially when it comes to freeway driving? That would be a relief :-) The car we're looking at is likely to be able to go quite fast. I don't know how heavily speed limits are enforced on US roads (nor how much above one could potentially go). Not that we plan on speeding across the US, but these are things worth factoring in for when we find ourselves with less time than planned.
Edit: another thing off importance is that we'll be able to get a hgher mpg. I don't know hw much exactly, is 15 unrealistic?
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