Tips on Driving from Tampa, Florida to Austin, Texas. (Miami: rent, how much)

[Jala47]

[posted this in the florida thread, figured i'd post it here too for some extra help]

I've been going over it in my head for nearly a year now and I figured I'd try and get some information from some experienced people.

The furthest I've driven from Tampa without stopping was only Tallahassee, though I have gone to Miami and back in a day, but that was driving with someone.

Currently in the hunt for a driving buddy, which is going miserable. I can't seem to find anyone who is willing to tag along and keep me company.

I'm trying to make it to Austin as fast as I can without stopping, though it doesn't seem to be the way to do it. I've looked it up and says it's roughly 17 hours away.

I'd appreciate any tips, suggestions, questions and then some...

[LittleCityATX]

Here's a suggestion, take two days.

Seriously, why not just get a room around the half way point and save yourself the aggravation and danger of trying to power through?

[At1]

We drove from South Florida to Austin. You need to stop! It's long drive and resting over night is just safer. Personally, I max out an 13hours in the car.

[robino2001]

I did SA to Tampa a couple of years ago (almost the same drive)... we stopped near Pensacola going to Tampa, stopped near Mobile coming from Tampa. It's a long drive... nothing special to it... IH10 the whole way except for splitting off and taking 12 through Baton Rouge instead of 10 through New Orleans.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by LittleCityATX

Here's a suggestion, take two days.

Seriously, why not just get a room around the half way point and save yourself the aggravation and danger of trying to power through?

I agree, I have made many similar trips, both non-stop and straight through. Both with another driver and alone. When I drove straight through, with the help of lots of caffeine, I needed a full day of sleeping in and napping to recover from the trip. So it didn't really save anytime.

The only time I made the trip in one day and didn't regret it was when my wife and I drove a rented Lincoln Continental. The ride was so comfortable it wasn't nearly as strenuous or tiring as the previous trips had been. I was surprised at how much difference it made.

As far as looking for a driving partner, check out the student unions at local colleges, they often have directories where riders and drivers can hook up.

I figured there must be internet sites that do this these days, so searched and found several.

Ridester - The way to rideshare anywhere in the USA

Hitch a Ride Now - Ride Sharing and Car Pool Organization - Save Some Green

GoLoco

[Jala47]

Thanks for all of the tips. It does look like taking my time and really taking in all of the scenery is the way to go... Though if I do find someone to tag along I'm pushing through.

It really is a shame gasoline is as expensive as it is.

Would really love to go driving around site seeing, but it's not as fun as if I had company.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by Jala47

[posted this in the florida thread, figured i'd post it here too for some extra help]

I've been going over it in my head for nearly a year now and I figured I'd try and get some information from some experienced people.

The furthest I've driven from Tampa without stopping was only Tallahassee, though I have gone to Miami and back in a day, but that was driving with someone.

Currently in the hunt for a driving buddy, which is going miserable. I can't seem to find anyone who is willing to tag along and keep me company.

I'm trying to make it to Austin as fast as I can without stopping, though it doesn't seem to be the way to do it. I've looked it up and says it's roughly 17 hours away.

I'd appreciate any tips, suggestions, questions and then some...

17 hours isnt a bad drive and is easily doable in a day. Here are my recommendations for hardcore driving

1) Get a good nights sleep
2) wake up and leave as early as possible 3 am so that it is dark at the start of your trip not at the end
3) Dont eat or drink anything so you only have to stop for gas (prob 3 times)
4) If you do find yourself getting tired, pull over and sleep for an hour or so. It will be the middle of the day so there is a lot less worry about getting mugged.

Alternately there are plenty of towns to stop in. If you do stop, dont stop halfway. Go say for 12 hours the first day and then do 5 the next.

By the way google says the drive is 18 hours. These days google is actually pretty accurate for driving times.

[Jala47]

Actually, when I checked it was 19 hours. I just figured that would be driving at the speed limit. Which we all know not everyone does all the time.

So I figured I'd be making it there an hour or so early. Then again with stops and such, it'd probably be roughly 18.

I like that plan, I might just rent the car the day before and drive out early in the morning and stop somewhere in Pensacola or Mobile.

Still leaning towards bringing someone with me if I can, it'll make things smoother.

[Jala47]

Just throwing this out there but, I've received soo many more helpful replies from the Texas thread than the Florida one.

[dziner]

My husband and I will be making that trip in May. He did the trip two years ago with a buddy, stopping in New Orleans for a day and a night. NO is a bit out of the way, but we may do the same thing to have an adventure as opposed to a drive.