An issue of safety .....

[annerk]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

This. Check the rest stop rules along your route in case you need to pull off and take a break. In Florida, most rest stops have armed security and allow for up to a three hour nap at the rest stop. Not sure how it is in other states, but it might be similar.

Fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel kills.

Most states limit the time to two or three hours, although some give as long as six. I can drive about 400 miles, take a power nap, and then drive another 400 or so if I absolutely have to, but 600 a day is pushing my limits. Sharing the driving with another person, I've done as much as 1200 in one stretch, but that was in my younger days when I had a lot more energy. I don't think I'd do that again.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by annerk

Las Cruces has a Hilton Garden Inn that is reasonably priced and very safe. I would feel comfortable leaving things in the car, as long as it wasn't something obviously valuable like a wide screen TV or diamond ring on the dashboard.

Irrelevant. That hotel doesn't accept pets. Before offering advice, consider reading the thread.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by Jkgourmet

Irrelevant. That hotel doesn't accept pets. Before offering advice, consider reading the thread.

There was a lady with a cat in a carrier checking in ahead of us when we were there. So perhaps they do if you ask and are willing to pay a deposit.

[jtur88]

Live dangerously. Start out in Oregon with a paper road atlas, and see if you can find your way to Florida by yourself, using nothing but the map and the road signs. It's a challenge, alright, but what is life without a few adventures.