HELP! I need to relocate from Dallas To San Jose

[minchu112]

Hi guys,

I am so fresh so clean in here. First time on a road trip and also my first long drive ever. I am moving from Houston to San Jose. But gotta pick up my girl from Dallas. So basically from Dallas to San Jose.

Which Intersections should I take? Any recommendations for stops and staying overnights? Can we wrap it up in 2 days' driving time?

I am looking forward to your advice.

Thanks,

Best Regards

[noFanofCB]

Dallas to San Jose - 1700 miles. That's not 2 days. It's more. Especially once in the Bayerea.

It's time for you to start looking at maps and doing some thinking about it.

[minchu112]

Dallas to San Jose - 1700 miles. That's not 2 days. It's more. Especially once in the Bayerea.

It's time for you to start looking at maps and doing some thinking about it.

it is around 1700 miles overall around 25 hrs.

I know it is my first time. I think I will hit as much as miles on my first day and stop for a good bedtime and breakfast.

Albuquerque look likes my first stop.

What do you think?

I think I can put 10 hrs for the first day with 2 break time for 1hr.
Then 1 overnight and I try to put another 5-6.
Should I check on my car along the way up there? As I researched we should stop every 4-5hrs driving.
Any recommendations for good hotels, pick up some good local foods or good photo spots?

Thanks

[glc]

Welcome to RTA!

It's not just 25 hours, map programs drive the speed limit, never have to stop for food, fuel, or rest stops, and are never delayed by traffic or construction. It's 3 FULL DAYS from Dallas to San Jose with 10 to 12 hours on the road each day, and you won't have time for any sightseeing. You say you have never taken a long trip before, so you don't really know what to expect. Professional (truck) drivers are limited by law to 600 miles or 11 hours behind the wheel each day, it would be foolish to try to do more yourself.

You need to stay hydrated, so I doubt that you will be going 4 to 5 hours between bathroom stops.

Take US-287 to Amarillo, I-40 to Barstow, CA-58 to Bakersfield, CA-99 to CA-46 to I-5 to Los Banos, CA-162 to US-101 to San Jose.

Overnights in Santa Rosa and Kingman. They both have at least a dozen hotels and plenty of restaurants.

Take your time and enjoy your girl's company, keep each other awake and alert.

[noFanofCB]

One calculation suggests that you will average 106 mph. (10 hrs plus 6 hrs to cover 1700 miles) That's not going to happen (legally).

The other calculation (25 hrs for 1700 miles) suggests you'll average 68 mph. That's not likely to happen either.

500 miles a day is the pace you should plan on. That makes it 3 days. Averaging 55mph is actually quite difficult even with high (76 mph) speed limits, short duration fuel and potty stops.

You should check your car every morning before starting - just like a pilot preflights an airplane. Look under the hood. Check the oil level, look for coolant levels and leakage, look for anything amiss. Also have a look for drips or low tires every time you approach the car from outside - just in case. Be suspicious that your car might consume more oil than you expect if you've never done extended periods of high speed running. Catching problems in the parking lot before they leave you stranded is a much better plan.

I can't help with anything along the route since I've never gone that way.

[AZBuck]

As others have pointed out, there is simply no way you're going to be able physically, let alone safely, drive to San Jose in two days. In fact, starting from Houston and going through Dallas, you're going to need four full says for this trip. And even that's assuming that your girlfriend is waiting at the curb for you, fully packed and ready for immediate departure. From your starting point in Houston through Dallas to your destination of San Jose is a total of 1,930 miles. At 55 mph, a decent miles-made-good target including gas/food/bathroom stops, that's already 35 hours. When you tack on the extra time necessary to navigate surface roads in both Houston and Dallas you're getting closer to 36-37 hours of driving. As glc has already pointed out, professional long-haul truckers with years of experience are prohibited by law from driving more than 11 hours a day. You will NOT be able to safely exceed that on your "first long drive ever." Indeed, if you can manage 9 hours a day, I'd be very surprised. And no, having a second driver does not help. The car will go no faster and you will have to make a few 'extra' stops for the other person. Also note that, because being a passenger is just as mind-numbing as driving, the Federal regulations on professional drivers count ANY time in the cab as 'driving' time. So, bottom line, you need to leave four full days from the time you leave your home in Houston until you finally arrive in San Jose. For your first day, I would recommend that you plan on getting to Dallas, picking up your friend, and stopping for the night around Wichita Falls TX. That would then set you up for three comfortable driving days of around 525 miles each, which would allow for the odd short scenic/historic/interesting stop.

AZbuck

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

Are you planning to start from Dallas or Houston - because you say Houston in the body of your post, but you put Dallas in the title and referenced 1700 miles, which would be the distance from Dallas not the 1950 miles if you're starting from Houston.

You're also talking about driving 10 hours, doing an overnight and then driving 5-6 hours more? 15-16 hours from Houston will only get you to about Albuquerque - which you mentioned as a first stop, but clearly that would be a bad idea.

You've also mentioned this is a move - so do you need to factor packing time, both in Houston and in Dallas? Keep in mind, if you're hitting the road for a cross country move, you'll almost certainly get on the road later than you anticipate, as you finish up those "one last things."

I'm guessing your best bet will be driving just from Houston to Dallas on the first day. From there, you'll need 3 full days to safely get to San Jose. Attempting it in 2 is neither realistic or safe. From Dallas, getting to the east edge of Albuquerque - where there are a plethora of hotels - would be as far as would be safe or reasonable to get in a single day from Dallas. Even that's likely going to be 10-11 hours on the road to get there. If day one is starting from Houston, then even Amarillo would be a reach, when factoring your required stop in Dallas.

[DonnaR57]

I think you may be underestimating the sheer size of Texas! Hubby and I went from San Diego to Houston one time, it took us 2-1/2 days -- and the 2 full days were VERY long days. Another time, we went from San Diego to just north of Fort Worth (Decatur) and it was also 2-1/2 days, 2 of them being very long 11 hour days.

The one positive thing you do have going for you, as far as daylight hours are considered, is that you're going west. So the days will be more daylight. However, even with that "gain" of a clock hour, you are still putting that much on your body.

I am in agreement with those that say 3-4 days. If you take 4, you may have some time to step out of your vehicle and take a photo or two. But not much else.

Donna

[glc]

I'm saying 3 full days from Dallas to San Jose - the 4th day (or part of one) would be to pack and get up to Dallas from Houston and spend the night.

[travelingman]

AZBuck has spelled it out in detail. Heed his advice.

In my estimation, 1700 miles could take as long as 34 hours! Yup, 50 mph. Well, you MAY be driving 75 mph at times, but you won’t AVERAGE 75 mph.

There are delays from traffic and construction. These can be significant. Bad weather can also slow you down or make driving at high speed more dangerous.

You are averaging 75 mph for a couple hours and it’s time to stop for fast food. You pass a moving van shortly before seeing an exit ahead. You head down the exit ramp but the clock is still ticking. You’re sitting in line at the drive through and more time goes by. It is amazing how much time this can take; and you haven’t even stepped out to stretch your legs. You get back on the road tear down the highway. TWO hours later and you finally pass that same moving van again!

That’s how the day goes by. More delays with potty stops, gas stops, and shopping for snacks. Oh, are you also stopping to get a cup of coffee? It all adds up.

Then you approach a large city and the speed limit drops.

Hopefully you won’t end up averaging 50 mph, but it’s possible