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Driving from San Diego CA to Great lakes IL in FEB

Driving from San Diego CA to Great lakes IL in FEB

Old Nov 29th, 2016, 03:18 PM
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Driving from San Diego CA to Great lakes IL in FEB

Just wondering if anyone has any tips or recommendations for our trip. My husband is in the navy and we have to drive our 2007 Toyota Tacoma from San Diego to Illinois end of Feb 2017. We will be going east to Austin then straight up north to Iowa then to Great lakes. Our current route has us going through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa. We have never really been anywhere else other than the west coast. Are there any routes to watch out? What kind of conditions are we expecting? Our truck is also rear wheel drive ( I know that sucks ) how can I help make sure we arrive to Illinois alive?!!!! Any information or tips what to bring, would be amazing!!!
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Old Nov 29th, 2016, 04:44 PM
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You need to watch the weather very carefully and listen to the local weather channel as you drive. and be ready to pull off the road at the nearest motel if you find you are running into a big storm. Too bad about the rear wheel drive - they are very difficult to manage in ice or snow - esp in such an aged car. Has either of you ever driven in winter weather?

Before you start have the car checked over completely and make sure tires and brakes are good and all fluids full. Be sure you have an ice scraper for the windows, a long handled brush to scrape snow off the vehicle, a snow shovel to dig out if necessary, a couple of bags of cat litter to use in case you are caught on ice, blankets and food and water in the car in case you are stuck on the side of the road. And never let the gas tank go below 1/2 before filling it up again.
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Old Nov 29th, 2016, 09:41 PM
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Will you have at least 600 lbs. of household goods in the bed of the truck? If you can get winter tires installed now do it. You can order a set of tire chains online and when they come practice putting them on and taking them off.
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Old Nov 30th, 2016, 07:43 AM
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My experience in Kansas (granted primarily I-70) during snowy weather is that, with the exception of very heavy snows (particularly further west), continuous traffic on majory interstates will effectively keep the roads pretty clear. One tip may be to consider a later morning departure should there be a snow.

Part of your journey on i35 north may be a toll road if memory serves.

Bridges and overpasses will sometimes be more slick than surface roads (and often have signs warning the same).
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Old Dec 1st, 2016, 02:58 AM
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All good advice. Tacos are great trucks, and coming from California, yours is likely not to be a rust bucket.

Here's some more advice, I hope good. It's all stuff I have learned the hard way.

Don't commit to a route until you know the weather, as above. I-35 may be great, but it may be a solid sheet of ice. Ice is much worse than snow. Even a 4WD is useless on ice.

Allow two more days for the trip than you think you will need because you may have to wait out a day or two in a motel somewhere. Have some food with you and something to pass the time.

Don't drive after dark or before dawn. Melted snow freezes as sheets of black ice (ice you can't see) overnight. Listen to local radio so you know what is happening outside where you are and ahead.

The worst possible thing that can happen to you is sliding off the road and down an embankment where no one knows you are there. This is not very likely, but you increase your chances of getting out okay if you have warm clothes, boots, heavy socks, gloves, a powerful flashlight and some high calorie foods. Keep your phone charged and your tank full.

The thing that has gotten me in the biggest trouble is thinking, "I'll keep going; it's bound to get better." It isn't bound to get better, and twice I found myself in real sh*tstorms.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 09:26 AM
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I've driven in snow but I hate it!! Ok thank you you've been super helpful!!
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 09:29 AM
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We won't have too much in the bed the Navy is moving all of our stuff we will just have our suitcases. We planned to only drive during the day too so that's good. We def will get snow tires and chains just in case. Thank you everyone !!!!
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 09:31 AM
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Where would I find weather updates for snow or ice ? I'm worried about getting cell service and not finding out about weather until too late. Is there a specific radio station that works everywhere ?
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Old Dec 3rd, 2016, 10:02 AM
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If you don't have much in the bed of the truck, stop at Lowes or Home Depot and get at least 4 50lb. bags of sand.
You will be able to use them on walks if they are icy if you don't have to use for traction if you get stuck.
Tune to a local radio station somewhere 40 to 100 miles ahead on your route. Pack sleeping bags and some emergency food just in case.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 05:13 AM
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You are likely making more of this than is necessary. Check the weather. Absent blizzard like conditions, some how midwesterners seem to make due in inclement weather. You will too.
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Old Dec 7th, 2016, 04:38 PM
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You may want to change out your windshield washer fluid to a freeze proof fluid also. I live in Southern Illinois and drove to Minnesota one winter and my fluid froze and I was unable to clean my windows driving down the road. Hope this helps.
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