relocating travel
Jul 25th, 2014, 03:43 AM
#1
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relocating travel
I am relocating to Las Vegas from Pennsylvania. I need to leave within two weeks and am planning on driving so I can take a few possessions with me. I have given myself four days to get there, so obviously this is not a sight seeing trip. Any ideas or suggestions would be tremendously appreciated. This is my first time driving across country.
Jul 25th, 2014, 04:38 AM
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Here are a few hints:
1) Go to Google Maps or Mapquest and enter your departing and arriving locations to determine the best route to follow.
2) Have your local auto mechanic give you car a complete service BEFORE you leave - check things like tire air pressure, tire condition, break system, engine cooling system, air-conditioning, change oil, etc.
3) When driving keep an eye on the fuel gauge so you don't get caught in the middle of nowhere without any gas.
4) Keep your cell phone hand and well charged.
5) Take a short break every few hours to stretch your legs. DO NOT drive when sleepy or drowsy.
6) Keep a few small bottles of water handy "just in case".
7) When you do stop make sure to lock your car. Likewise try not to leave anything of value in the car in plain sight when the car is unattended.
1) Go to Google Maps or Mapquest and enter your departing and arriving locations to determine the best route to follow.
2) Have your local auto mechanic give you car a complete service BEFORE you leave - check things like tire air pressure, tire condition, break system, engine cooling system, air-conditioning, change oil, etc.
3) When driving keep an eye on the fuel gauge so you don't get caught in the middle of nowhere without any gas.
4) Keep your cell phone hand and well charged.
5) Take a short break every few hours to stretch your legs. DO NOT drive when sleepy or drowsy.
6) Keep a few small bottles of water handy "just in case".
7) When you do stop make sure to lock your car. Likewise try not to leave anything of value in the car in plain sight when the car is unattended.
Jul 25th, 2014, 06:03 AM
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If you are not used to driving long distances consider taking a little more time to do the trip.
Be sure you have very good paper maps that cover the whole distance. GPS can be unreliable - esp in terms of traffic, accidents and construction.
Never let the gas in your tank go below half- keep it topped up at all times.
Have a hotel reservation made when you leave in the morning - and make sure the hotel knows who to contact if you do not turn up as expected.
If getting off a major highway know something about the area you will be going to - at times the areas can be less than salubrious.
Agree not to eave anything visible in the car if it won't be under your eyes at all times - esp if parked in a hotel/motel parking lot overnight.
Be sure you have very good paper maps that cover the whole distance. GPS can be unreliable - esp in terms of traffic, accidents and construction.
Never let the gas in your tank go below half- keep it topped up at all times.
Have a hotel reservation made when you leave in the morning - and make sure the hotel knows who to contact if you do not turn up as expected.
If getting off a major highway know something about the area you will be going to - at times the areas can be less than salubrious.
Agree not to eave anything visible in the car if it won't be under your eyes at all times - esp if parked in a hotel/motel parking lot overnight.
Jul 25th, 2014, 06:41 AM
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Have a hotel reservation made when you leave in the morning - and make sure the hotel knows who to contact if you do not turn up as expected.
I am not sure this is necessary or even prudent. You might go further than you think--or be more tired than you think. The distances are great in the west on the interstates--but so is the speed limit higher--and remember you will "gain" time as you cross time zones--and daylight driving time.
I have driven I70 many times and from PA that should be a pretty straight shot for a good part of the trip. In Kansas there are many very reasonably priced and adequate motels right along the route.
I am not sure this is necessary or even prudent. You might go further than you think--or be more tired than you think. The distances are great in the west on the interstates--but so is the speed limit higher--and remember you will "gain" time as you cross time zones--and daylight driving time.
I have driven I70 many times and from PA that should be a pretty straight shot for a good part of the trip. In Kansas there are many very reasonably priced and adequate motels right along the route.
Jul 25th, 2014, 08:13 AM
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.....Never let the gas in your tank go below half- keep it topped up at all times........
Wow, where do you think she is going? This not the outback. She is in civilization the whole way and not driving in the winter time. Probably never more than ten minutes from a gas station.
Get the GasBuddy and Hoteltonight apps. Around two, three o'clock take a break and get an estimate for where might want to stop for the night. Remember you will have day light till around 8 to 8.30 pm. Fire up hoteltonight or hotwire and see who has deal.
You probably will have a choice of I-70 or I-80. I-80 would be easier through the mountains while I-70 west of Denver through the mountains would be much prettier. And I think I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska is much nicer than I-70 across MO and Kansas. If you know your route, could make some specific recs for that route.
Wow, where do you think she is going? This not the outback. She is in civilization the whole way and not driving in the winter time. Probably never more than ten minutes from a gas station.
Get the GasBuddy and Hoteltonight apps. Around two, three o'clock take a break and get an estimate for where might want to stop for the night. Remember you will have day light till around 8 to 8.30 pm. Fire up hoteltonight or hotwire and see who has deal.
You probably will have a choice of I-70 or I-80. I-80 would be easier through the mountains while I-70 west of Denver through the mountains would be much prettier. And I think I-80 across Iowa and Nebraska is much nicer than I-70 across MO and Kansas. If you know your route, could make some specific recs for that route.
Jul 25th, 2014, 09:58 AM
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If the OP is used to doing very long days of driving by herself - all of this would be fine.
But I strongly suspect if that were the case she would;t be here asking for advice about it.
When driving alone long distances it's easy to try to get too far, not to realize how tired you are and get caught up in the push on to the next place. And just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't get into bad weather. My parents got caught in a dreadful rainstorm in W VA and could only get off the highway by following the tail lights of a huge truck to a fast food place. Otherwise they would have been sitting on the side of the road for more than 3 hours - since they just couldn't see well enough to stay on the road.
This is possible anytime - as is fog, tornados (god forbid) and some sort of car problem (you just never know). Since the OP asked for advice - it was provided.
If fmpden doesn't need it - that's fine.
But I strongly suspect if that were the case she would;t be here asking for advice about it.
When driving alone long distances it's easy to try to get too far, not to realize how tired you are and get caught up in the push on to the next place. And just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't get into bad weather. My parents got caught in a dreadful rainstorm in W VA and could only get off the highway by following the tail lights of a huge truck to a fast food place. Otherwise they would have been sitting on the side of the road for more than 3 hours - since they just couldn't see well enough to stay on the road.
This is possible anytime - as is fog, tornados (god forbid) and some sort of car problem (you just never know). Since the OP asked for advice - it was provided.
If fmpden doesn't need it - that's fine.
Jul 25th, 2014, 11:23 AM
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I've done a quick cross-country drive a few times, by myself, and one of the best tips I got (and I am pretty sure it was here!) is this:
Most interstates have a circular route around the cities. If you are heading east, spend the night on the Eastern edge of the city or just a little bit past it. That way, when you get up in the morning and are ready to hit the road, you will be traveling AGAINST all the morning traffic in to the city.
Most interstates have a circular route around the cities. If you are heading east, spend the night on the Eastern edge of the city or just a little bit past it. That way, when you get up in the morning and are ready to hit the road, you will be traveling AGAINST all the morning traffic in to the city.
Jul 25th, 2014, 11:32 AM
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I will make the suggestion that for St. Louis (if you take I70) do NOT take the belt/circular roads around--just go straight through. The beltways can be just as congested--and take you miles around the town.
This person needs to stay on the western edge, if following the above advice.
This person needs to stay on the western edge, if following the above advice.
Jul 25th, 2014, 12:15 PM
#9
Does anyone think this OP might have the mental resources to realize that driving in ANY metropolitan area during a rush hour/morning commute time can be problematic? And that she is wise enough to either leave early in the morning if staying in such an area or making sure she stays overnight in a non-metropolitan area?
As to gas and running low, along most interstate routes there are stations which stay open 24 hours a day.
As to gas and running low, along most interstate routes there are stations which stay open 24 hours a day.
Jul 25th, 2014, 03:51 PM
#11
If you live anywhere east of Clarion, PA, I would plan on 4.5 days. Las Vegas is 2220 miles from the Clarion exit of I-80.
First day to Ottawa, Illinois (west of Chicago). Second day to Kearney Nebraska. Third day through Denver to Glenwood Springs Colorado. Soak in the hot spring there. About 600 miles from Glenwood Springs to Las Vegas (9.5 hours).
First day to Ottawa, Illinois (west of Chicago). Second day to Kearney Nebraska. Third day through Denver to Glenwood Springs Colorado. Soak in the hot spring there. About 600 miles from Glenwood Springs to Las Vegas (9.5 hours).
