Los Angeles to D.C. - First Time, Needs Tips/Input

[Lifemagician]

The 70 cuts in/out a lot, so you have to pay attention ALL the time.

Driving a motor vehicle requires 100% attention 100% of the time. You cannot be distracted from the road, from the vehicles around you, what they are doing and how this impacts your driving. You need to be alert to this ALL the time.

I must say, I 100% agree with Michael, mail that phone home, or at least, switch it off. (I had to do that when I found myself becoming too reliant on my gps. I switched it off.) Get good maps and 'know' where you are at all times.

Your stress is exacerbated by driving after dark. It is much more stressful than driving during daylight hours. Try to be on the road by the latest 9am and get off before the sun sets. That should give you 11 hours - ample to cover the distances. Don't forget, you have an extra three hours heading west. When you get to your destination, get to bed early. Don't be up till all hours, fiddling with the internet. It is sleep you need, not chat.

But most importantly, drive carefully, drive safely and stop frequently. Remember, it is better to arrive late, than dead on time.

Lifey

[Holly-Day]

Don't worry, guys. I'm not texting/driving. I even have my phone on a stand so I can have both hands on the wheel. I make quick pull overs when I see something I find beautiful about the scenery and upload it for friends to see. But when there's no reception, I'm cut off. At least their feedback keeps me entertained.

I do have my music, but that has only taken me so far. Hoping for a more positive day.

I slept 6 hours, an improvement on 2 hours the night before. I'm now just heading out of Springfield to Independence, MO...where my next hotel will be.

I wish I had time to look around here but not enough hours. Will check in when I can.

Thanks for keeping me sane/safe. :)

[DonnaR57]

Independence has a number of good motel choices, and if you get in early enough, you could go see the National Frontier Trail Museum or the Truman Presidential Library. Both are located in Independence.


Donna

[Midwest Michael]

Don't worry, guys. I'm not texting/driving. I even have my phone on a stand so I can have both hands on the wheel. I make quick pull overs when I see something I find beautiful about the scenery and upload it for friends to see. But when there's no reception, I'm cut off. At least their feedback keeps me entertained.

While your hands may be on the wheel, it still doesn't sound like your attention is on it, if you are focused on uploading photos reading the feedback you get as you travel down the road. Either way, based on what you have told us, I still think your focus on "being connected" is having a very negative impact on your trip.

I slept 6 hours, an improvement on 2 hours the night before. I'm now just heading out of Springfield to Independence, MO...where my next hotel will be.

You're now planning to drive 600 miles - which means you're going to be on the road again for at least 10 hours, and you're doing it after having just 8 hours of sleep over 2 days. It also means you're going to once again be driving after dark.

Honestly, I can see why you're having so much stress about this trip. You continue to push yourself to the brink. I think if you'd followed the advice you've been given by several people about planning a shorter day, getting off the road before dark, and not focusing on having to get to a specific destination, you'd have a trip that would be a whole lot more safe and enjoyable.

[Holly-Day]

@Midwest Michael I have to be in LA first thing Friday, as I said. Don't have control over that decision.

[Holly-Day]

If I get up early enough, I'll try them first thing. Thanks, Donna!

[Lifemagician]

@Midwest Michael I have to be in LA first thing Friday, as I said. Don't have control over that decision.

You need to accept what you can't change, and change what you can.

If you can't change the fact that you need to be in LA at a certain time, then change what you are, and have been doing, to make sure you get there. Keeping doing the same thing day in, day out, and expecting a different outcome is said to be the height of insanity.

May I sincerely suggest that you focus on getting there, and forget about focusing on your phone... forget about photos. If you are pulling over to take photos, etc., you are wasting a lot of time which could be far better used getting you off the road before dark, and into bed for a good night's sleep. I have to disagree with Donna, no matter what attractions there are in the places you stop, you do not have time to go see them.

Focus on the tirp. Focus on sleep.

Lifey