first solo road trip and scared as hell....

[lhuff]

I'm glad that you're looking more comfortable with this trip idea. Why don't you try taking some 1 day trips before the many days of short trips trip? Like drive 200 miles away to something you've always wanted to stop and see, but never taken the opportunity and then turn around and go home. It will help you to judge what you're capable of in one day. Like - I know that I can drive from Keithville to New Mexico in one day, but can't sustain that type of schedule for more than one day. I'm just too tired the next day.

I'll be looking forward to seeing more of your itenerary. I've never really traveled in those parts of the country - but I'm really good at moral support. :)

Laura

[steelfan81]

i would definitely go for it as well....

before last october, the farthest that i had driven was columbus, ga to see my buddy down there (like extended family). i felt a bit apprehensive as well. the main thing is to always have a backup plan, in case you have car troubles.

be sure that you have plenty of money to go around, not just for gas and hotels, but also for places/sites that you would like to see on the way there and back.

above all else, have fun. you will enjoy yourself if you love driving. when i got back, i felt like a changed man myself. i felt very at peace with myself.

[birdybird]

thanks again one and all for the moral support! I have, in the last week, talked myself in and out of this trip about 50 times!! sheeesh..... :b
I had some options for travel partners but they are falling through. I've considered the fatigue factor as well ( as laura talked about) and will think about taking some long "day trips" to prepare myself. My problem is, my husband always does the driving on long trips and he isn't coming with me for this trip. The longest trip where I've done all the driving was recently, when I drove from NC to mid-georgia- about 7 hours- stayed one day and drove back 7 hours. I was tired, but OK ( but also not alone on the trip)
Anyway....I continue to think of options for this first solo road trip....One option I just considered- in order to cut down on the solo drive time for my first time- is to fly out to Denver, then rent a car and drive the rest of the way to Boise. I'd give myself about 4 days so I could stop and see the cool sights along the way. One way tickets are pretty cheap and I can get a pretty good deal on some rental cars so......As you can see, I'm still in the planning stages but I'm still determined!!
As a matter of fact, I just purchased my one way ticket back from Boise to Raliegh, NC so I feel like I've made the first step towards making this a reality!!!
Any suggestions for the Denver area and the drive would be great!!
Birdy

[lhuff]

I got my license when I was 20 (late bloomer here), totalled my parent's car in a serious wreck (not my fault) almost immediately and purchased my very first car in December after I'd turned 21. Guess what my first real drive in my car was? A 5 hour drive back to school in New Orleans in my brand new (to me) car. I was scared to death - never driven out of town alone, still in pain from the wreck, etc. But my Dad convinced me that I'd never go anywhere if I didn't go this time. Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet. I managed to put almost 8,000 miles on that car in the first 5 months I owned it. I think I managed to get over my fright. :)

So - I guess I'm trying to say - don't let your lack of experience and fright get the better of you.

Good job on the plane ticket. You seemed to have your heart set on driving to Boise, so don't give up on that dream yet.

Laura

[UKCraig]

Absolutely agree with Laura - just go for it - if the worst happend and you end up hating it (you won't) then it's an experience you can look back and laugh about in a weeks time, once you've arrived at your destination!

Don't worry too much about the fatigue either. Idon't mean just go out there and drive and drive, that's stupid - you need to keep it in mind when planning, but I found that I was having such a great time out on my own that I could have driven on and on and on!

[PNW Judy]

Solo travel gives me an adrenaline rush that sustains me throughout the trip. It's when I get home that fatigue sets in. I need a day or two to recuperate because, yeah, I just keep going. The thrill of discovery makes it hard for me to stop for the night.

I think you've budgeted yourself enough days so that fatigue shouldn't be a factor. I think you need to average about 300 miles per day. We typically recommend that people don't go over 500/day so you're well below that range. Breaking the drive up is important, too. I typically get up early and drive for 3-4 hours when I'm fresh or until I get to something intriguing. Then I might explore for 2-3 hours, then drive 2-3 more hours, then stop for dinner and relax for awhile, and then drive for another hour or so. The trick is not to drive to do it straight-thru but, rather, alternate driving with playing. You won't feel so tired then. And, if you do get tired, there's nothing wrong with stopping in a nice park for a bit of a nap or, at least, some people-watching and relaxation.

(Oh, pack a blanket and pillow so you can stretch out for a daytime nap somewhere. Even 15-20 minutes can make a huge difference. And also pack a comfortable fold-up chair or chaise to lounge in.)

Flying into Denver and just doing that drive is actually a great idea. It might not feel so daunting for your first trip and will give you a good taste. I bet you'll love it so much that you'll start planning your next road trip as soon as you get home!

[birdybird]

I do have my heart set on doing some kind of solo road trip this summer and you all have been tremendous support to me thus far! Thanks so much!
After talking to my hubbie last night- who would so do the road trip with me if he had the kind of job where he could take off without giving them a years notice...oy...( I am self employed so I have freedom to take off when i want) - I have reorganized my trip to involve some fun with him and then still a chance to do my first solo drive!! Here is what we are thinking...

Fly out to Denver ( I'd get a one way, he'd get both ways) spend a couple of days there touring the sights. Then, he'd fly back and I'd take off ( rent a car) to spend the next 3 days taking my time driving up to Boise, Idaho. Might even go up into Wyoming and see if I can hit Yellowstone, if it's not too far. If not, I"ll do southern Wyoming, down into Salt Lake and then a relatively short drive up to Boise. Then spend the rest of my time ( 4 days) there with sister and Mom- then fly back with my Mother ( I already purchased that plane ticket)
I am astounded at some of the cheap one way ticket deals I have found online!! wow! Rental car deals abound too, so I am feeling more hopeful about this trip now. It's a good combination of sharing some of the sights with my sweetie, while also getting a chance to do my solo road trip....
Any feedback would be great....Have NO idea about Denver, never been there, so I better get crackin' on my research!!
Birdy

[TravelingAg]

My family always gets a little worried about me when I take solo trips too.


To calm them down I always leave a mapped route with them. And I call every evening (and morning too if that makes you feel better) to check in and let them know I arrived at the next stop alive. That way, if something does happen and I don't call in, they will know where I was supposed to be.

And if you are concerned about getting worn out you may want to schedule an off day. Pick a stop somewhere along the way that you might enjoy and take a day off. Sleep in late, do a little sight seeing and get to bed early. That will help re-energize you. Especially if you decide not to fly to Denver and drive the whole way instead.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I do have my heart set on doing some kind of solo road trip this summer and you all have been tremendous support to me thus far!

Birdy, I know you are not a teenager, but you might find this article helpful -- because you can adapt some of the ideas and use them with your family.

Mark

[cool]

Hey birdybird,
I've never done a long solo trip before, but your trip seems perfect to me! In your case, Boise is just the destination, but you have enough to be excited about-your journey! I am sure you will enjoy your drive & remember it for a long time to come too!
Take lots of pictures & share it with us here:)

cool