San Francisco to New York - 8 days

[MarcoFerraz]

Helo,

I live in Brazil and I’m planning to drive from San Francisco to NYC next August (late August).

My plan is to spend 8 days on the road (interstate i80). I won’t share any driving because I’ll be alone, so I think that driving 6 hours per day is reasonable. I don’t want to be extremely tired when I got NYC (a bunch of friends are expecting me there)

I also intend to stop a bit in Chicago…..

Questions:

1) Do you think this plan is feasible?
2) Should I expect a very hot weather on the way?
2) 8 Days are sufficient?
3) Can you give me some safety tips? I don’t think I have reasons to be worried but I ‘ll be alone…

[Mark Sedenquist]

I live in Brazil and I’m planning to drive from San Francisco to NYC next August

Welcome to American and welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum!

My plan is to spend 8 days on the road (interstate i80). I won’t share any driving because I’ll be alone, so I think that driving 6 hours per day is reasonable.

Eight days is a reasonable period of time, but I think if you are planning to spend some time in Chicago that you need to plan to spend 7-8 hours on the road each day. The total distance is ~ 2900 miles and so if you divided that into 7 driving days (one day in Chicago) you need to cover at least 415 miles per day. With stops for fuel, food and the inherent slow-downs of traveling through major cities in America, you can expect to be on the road for at least 7.5 hours each day. If you spend more than one day in Chicago or other places along the way, you need to plan to spend 8+ hours on the road. If you really only drove six hours per day, and you spent a day in Chicago, it would take you a total of ~9.5 days to reach NYC.

2) Should I expect a very hot weather on the way?

You should be prepared for summer weather, here are some summer driving tips.
Here are some scenic stops along I-80.
Here are some tips about eating from a cooler

3) Can you give me some safety tips? I don’t think I have reasons to be worried but I ‘ll be alone…

Here are some tips about solo travel and
road trip safety,
a discussion about driving distances in a day
and doing a speed run....

Happy Planning!

Mark

[MarcoFerraz]

thanks a lot Mark....my major problem is that I have only 8 days for this trip and I'd love to enjoy a bit of Chicago....I think I can drive a real good distance for at least 2 days so I'll be able to save some extra time to enjoy in Chicago.

[PNW Judy]

I guess I'm not much of a city person. I would rather squeeze out time for the national parks and other places you'll see along the way than seeing a city. But that's me and this is your trip. I suggest that you figure out some kind of benchmarks of where you have to be each day to squeeze in Chicago but, at the same time, if you're charmed by someplace along the way and linger there leaving you little, if any, time for Chicago, just enjoy it and go with that flow.

Also, read-up on the speed run advice that Mark linked to. The adrenaline rush of being on the road will keep you going for awhile but fatigue will set in at some point if you're not careful. If you hit that wall when you still have lots of miles to burn, the trip can become far less fun and your driving far less safe. So just be aware of that and listen to your body's needs for rest. Even if you end up having to miss something, the rest of your trip will be far more enjoyable.

[Midwest Michael]

I think I can drive a real good distance for at least 2 days so I'll be able to save some extra time to enjoy in Chicago.

If you spend 2 days in Chicago, you'll still reasonably able to do the trip in your remaining 6 days, but as Mark mentioned, you'll have to push your miles up a bit. You'll be looking at sticking to 8-10 hours everyday to cover the distance.

However, I would recommend keeping your days relatively equal. Trying to drive "a real good distance" for a couple days could result in pushing yourself too hard and being exhausted for the rest of your trip. Keeping long, but even days, will be easier on your body and more fun in the long run.

[MarcoFerraz]

well guys...thanks for the advices.

The stops I have in mind are: GOING EASTBOUND

WINNEMUCCA
EVANSTON
CHEYENNE
KEARNEY
DES MOINES
CHICAGO
YOUNGSTOWN

I think the distances are pretty much equal don't you think?