Long Distance Solo Road Trips...

[Mark Sedenquist]

Already I tend to speak to my dad every night (UK time)...I suspect the same will be the case in the states as I make the trek

I would think that a VoIP account would make more sense. Skype is more-or-less free and is virtually unlimited. With a laptop, headphone and camera you can speak with anyone you want in many places in America.

Mark

[findapath]

Finally! A forum with like-minded people! All of my friends, and family members can't understand why I like driving. They think I'm nuts. I live to drive. (Not a typo). I love to drive, too. I've been known to drive 1000 miles each way to go 4x4in for a weekend. Ok, I might be a little nuts.

I go to school in Rochester, NY, and I took an 8-month Co-op (basically an internship doing entry level work and getting paid an exorbitant amount of money :) ) in Phoenix, AZ. Most people would have flown out, and bought a cheap car to drive while they were were, sold it when they were done, and flown back. No way Jose! I'm not going to be coming to Arizona, home of some of the best 4x4in in the country and NOT bring my truck...That is crazy!

I'm 22 and I've got just under 300,000 miles under my belt in 5 years of driving. I didn't drive much my first year of college, because I wasn't allowed to have a car at the school.

I've done quite a few Long-Distance Solo Trips, and I've made the 400 mile trip from DC to Rochester countless times.

Arlington, VA to Jacksonville, FL - 760 mi - 1 day - Summer 2001, Summer 2003
Rochester, NY to Jacksonville, FL - 1185 mi - 1.5 days - Summer 2004
Arlington, VA to Windrock, TN - 660 mi - 1 Day - Spring 2005 (This one was for the weekend of 4x4in)
Arlington, VA to Colorado Springs to Phoenix AZ - 3 days - 2680 - Spring 2006

And of course the upcoming Phoenix, AZ to Arlington, VA trip next month. Still debating routes and stopovers, etc. I won't be totally solo, as I'll have my two cats with me.

[checkmate]

Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only crazy one that likes to do solo trips. I'm dreaming of a 2 week trip out west when I'm done with college in a year or two. I can't wait.

Great forum you guys have here.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only crazy one that likes to do solo trips.

Over the years, I have done hundreds of them. We have a "rule" around here -- at least twice a year, each of the RTA editors is required to take a solo trip. Some of the best solo excursions are the two hour and the 20-hour varieties.

Great forum you guys have here.

Thanks for being a part of it!

Mark

[Delphi]

New poster, just browsing...considering a roadtrip from Seattle back home to Virginia sometime this year, most likely September...I haven't been driving long though, and never any significant distances...but I want to go anyway, and I'd like to keep my car, and I think it'd be a good experience, and I haven't really got any reason not to go. So yeah...still very much in the conceptual stages. Don't know what route I'd take or anything. Lovin the info in this thread and others, though.

[SubSane]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the info. I'm heading on a 2000 mile trip around southern and central California next week and this has really helped me prepare for the trip. I went on a solo trip up to the Bay area before, but that was a spur of the moment and not really planned. As a result I didn't see much, so this time I have a big list of spots to visit.

I have no idea how long it'll take or how much it will cost (though I'll be doing it all on the cheap when possible), but luckily time and money aren't a major restraint. The only issue I see with my plan is I can't provide friends with a detailed schedule of where I'll be, but I figure I'll call them along the way. Plus with my curiosity I'll end up who knows where as I drive along. :)

[dmcwm]

Hi. I'm really glad I found this forum! I'm currently trying to talk myself out of a St Paul, MN- to-Prescott, AZ road trip. I want to do it, but am worried about a breakdown in my '94 Plymouth minivan. It's been really reliable but burns a little oil due to leaky valves, I think (I know... I SHOULD know). Anyone want to comment on my insanity or chickenshittedness?
Deb

[Mark Sedenquist]

Hi. I'm really glad I found this forum!

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

I'm currently trying to talk myself out of a St Paul, MN- to-Prescott, AZ road trip.

Sounds like it could be a very cool trip -- is getting a rental car a solution for you? Generally, anytime I am doing a 1000+ mile road trip I use a rental rather than add all of those miles to my personal rides.

Mark