SoCal to Washington, DC

[HoyaDub]

I've done DC to SoCal already... went through Grand Junction, CO & Vegas... took 5 days. I'd like to take the southern route and do it in 3-4 days. Anyone have any suggestions? I pretty much just need to pick reasonably spaced stops along the way.

[PNW Judy]

If, by southern route, you mean I-81/I-40/I-15, then I just don't think it's a good idea. You're talking roughly 2700 miles into LA. 675 miles/day over 4 days. 900 miles/day over 3 days. We generally recommend people limit their driving to a maximum of about 550 miles/day.

You're planning on doing what would be illegal for professional truckers to do.

If you insist on doing this, please read our tips for a speed run so you can try to do it as safely as possible. I sure hope you can add a day or two so you can do this trip more safely. It would be more fun, too, as you could then sightsee a bit instead of just going pedal-to-the-metal.

[Midwest Michael]

I'd certainly echo Judy's concerns about the pace you are looking at. 4 days would push your physical limits close to the breaking point, and 3 days would just flat out be unsafe, unless you've got 3 people driving and sleeping in a strict location.

Keep in mind that going a "Southern Route" via I-40 is just 25 miles shorter than going via I-70/Colorado, so you won't be getting any time savings by going this route.

If you do force yourself to do this trip in 4 days, even spaced stops would look something like Gallup, NM; OK City; Nashville; and finally DC. You'd need to plan to be on the road for 12+ hours each of your 4 days on the road.

[HoyaDub]

I'd certainly echo Judy's concerns about the pace you are looking at. 4 days would push your physical limits close to the breaking point, and 3 days would just flat out be unsafe, unless you've got 3 people driving and sleeping in a strict location.

3 days does seem unrealistic, but 5 days was extremely easy... and the drive from vegas into SoCal was a joke and a wasted day. We had so much time those last two days it wasn't even funny.

Keep in mind that going a "Southern Route" via I-40 is just 25 miles shorter than going via I-70/Colorado, so you won't be getting any time savings by going this route.

This is a good point.

If you do force yourself to do this trip in 4 days, even spaced stops would look something like Gallup, NM; OK City; Nashville; and finally DC. You'd need to plan to be on the road for 12+ hours each of your 4 days on the road.

That was quick. You know your stuff! So, if you had to pick 3 evenly spaced stops, going through i-70, between socal and dc where would you select?

[Mark Sedenquist]

The ideal number of speed run drivers is three, I've completed the LA to Washington, DC run with two drivers twice in less than 68 hours. I wouldn't recommend that. It's dangerous and irresponsible. But like Judy says, if you gotta do it and your are going to do it along I-70 with three overnight stops.... I would stop at Grand Junction, Kansas City, Columbus and then the final push into DC.

Mark