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It has been much easier in retirement, with time on our hands, we have been able to incorporate the driving and stopping with local events, even if it meant going out of our way for a few days. For instance, we took a long way round so we could be in SD during bison round-up weekend (an experience not to be missed, IMO), in Banff (Canada) during Snow Days, in VT during foliage weeks, in KY during Derby, etc.
Sounds dreamy Ol' Wanderer...
BTW, is this road tripping all by car, or do you also have an RV?
If by car, do you have a favorite motel/hotel chain or do you do B&Bs?
Sounds dreamy Ol' Wanderer...
BTW, is this road tripping all by car, or do you also have an RV?
If by car, do you have a favorite motel/hotel chain or do you do B&Bs?
Cheers!
Nope, we have never owned anything larger than a 4-door sedan. Some of our cars did not even have 4 doors, such as the Mini Cooper in which we drove across the US and Canada. As far as lodgings go, we mostly stay at hotel/motel networks where we can accumulate points for free nights -- for instance, Choice Privileges (12 brands), HHonors (10), Marriott Rewards (14), Starwood (10), Wyndham Rewards (10), InterContinental (8), etc.
Nope, we have never owned anything larger than a 4-door sedan. Some of our cars did not even have 4 doors, such as the Mini Cooper in which we drove across the US and Canada. As far as lodgings go, we mostly stay at hotel/motel networks where we can accumulate points for free nights -- for instance, Choice Privileges (12 brands), HHonors (10), Marriott Rewards (14), Starwood (10), Wyndham Rewards (10), InterContinental (8), etc.
That's wise, that way you get discounts. I think Comfort Inn is part of Choice isn't it? They're true to their name in our experience. Very comfortable beds.
Yes you can do that, I drove from MN to San Diego last summer, we stayed one night in OK and one in AZ. On the trip back we spent a few nights at the Grand Canyon then drove straight back to MN.
Ive driven from New Haven, CT where I live to Los Angeles, CA.
a few years ago when I was 21 in my VW Gti mk3.
I left New Haven at around 10PM getting on I95s
-Got on I80w and arrived at Cedar Point in Ohio by morning. Enjoyed a day at Cedar Point.
-Made it to Chicago on I80w by the night and stayed with some friends.
That marks roughly 24 hours.
Left Chicago By noon and got back on I80w
Iowa
Nebraska
Wyoming
Utah
- I15s
- Arrived in Las Vegas before midnight and stayed the night
that marks roughly 48 hours
Had breakfast and left Las Vegas
-got back on I15s
-made it to Pasadena in Los Angeles by dinner time.
So that was less than 70 hours of driving, having fun, and sleeping.
I will mention I was with someone else that only put in about 8 hours of driving time.
The drive back I was by myself.
I left LA by nightfall, drove through San Francisco and stopped in Georgetown, Colorado to get a nights rest.
The next day I left Georgetown and hoped back on I70e
I stayed on I70e and drove straight though the night until I made it all the way home.
So... I drove non-stop from Georgetown Colorado to New Haven, CT. I think it was 27 hours total, only for food once and gas. 1900 miles.
My husband and I are driving cross-country and back this summer in 11 days. We'll be seeing friends and sights along the way, and even attending two social events. (We got lucky--they are the same day about an hour from each other--one is afternoon, one is evening.)
That said, we've both traveled extensively through the US and this trip is more about seeing some friends and a few odds and ends of places we haven't been able visit before.
Our hotel rooms are already reserved, 100% free on points earned through business travel and my AmEx. We've got to pay for parking in a few places. Our only big expenses are fuel and food.
11 days, cross country and back...whew!
Having done several cc trips in cars and on m'cycles, I dunno what one 'sees' in those ~4 1/2 days out, and repeat coming back, but hope it's a good driving trip.
GL, mD
11 days, cross country and back...whew!
Having done several cc trips in cars and on m'cycles, I dunno what one 'sees' in those ~4 1/2 days out, and repeat coming back, but hope it's a good driving trip.
GL, mD
Like I said, we've already "seen" a good chunk of the country--I've driven cross country more than a dozen times, my husband has done so a few times. There isn't a single place we are going that I haven't been before except Paso Robles. This trip is more to visit with friends (albeit too short with each), but they are scattered between here in Florida and San Francisco, so flying isn't a viable option.
We'll be stopping to see friends in Phoenix, Anaheim, West Hollywood/Beverly Hills, Paso Robles, Carmel, San Francisco, Napa, Houston, and New Orleans.
We looked at other options, but in the long run given our time, budget, and the way people are scattered about, this was the best way to see everyone we want to see.
By the way, we'll be in Anaheim ~62 hours after we leave Florida, that will include having dinner with a friend in Phoenix. We don't need 4 1/2 days in each direction.
Most of the "sites" we want to see are seen while driving--the coastal highway in California for example.
Like I said...
We looked at other options, but in the long run given our time, budget, and the way people are scattered about, this was the best way to see everyone we want to see.
Most of the "sites" we want to see are seen while driving--the coastal highway in California for example.
The point being made is that with an 11 day there and back time frame...
the "sites" you'll be *able to see* are only going to be what can be seen while driving.
The point being made is that with an 11 day there and back time frame...
the "sites" you'll be *able to see* are only going to be what can be seen while driving.
Be safe. Hope you enjoy the trip.
We're spending a day at Disneyland, we're going to the Griffith Observatory, and we're going to Muir Woods, among other things that require actually getting out of the car and doing something.
It's not ideal and for people who haven't made the trip before, I would recommend spending three week minimum on it. But for the road warriors out there, it's quiet doable.
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