September-October Cross-Country
May 6th, 2017, 09:30 PM
#1
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September-October Cross-Country
Hello, I had posted some months ago about a solo cross-country trip I am planning. I am 42-year-old male. The trip is much more defined now and I would like to give the specs and get any feedback.
Dates of trip: Depart 8/29/17 and return approx. 10/17/17
Route: SF East Bay (California) – Oregon – Idaho – Montana – Dakotas – Nebraska – Iowa – Wisconsin – Illinois – Indiana – Ohio – Kentucky – Tennessee – Mississippi – New Orleans – Arkansas – Oklahoma – New Mexico – Utah – Nevada – SF East Bay
Transport: By car. Which car is still TBD. I own a Honda Civic Hybrid with about 140K miles on it, has been very reliable since purchasing used in 2011. The primary issue there is space. I did a “dry pack” and things did not entirely fit; but even if I whittle it down some it leaves me very little wiggle room, and one objective of the trip is to add to my license plate collection by going to junkyards.
Lodging: A blend of cheap motels, hostels, Couchsurfing (if it works, I have my doubts), and staying with family. In all I will probably stay with family about 40% of the nights.
Objectives: Fulfill lifelong dream of traveling cross-country; see unique roadside attractions; travel mostly via highways that are not interstates but not entirely backroads either; go to junkyards; talk with/interview people connected to the roadside attractions and other stops (will be doing some more main touristy things like Mt. Rushmore); visit a lot of museums; take a lot of photos; write a book about my experiences; visit out-of-state family; take time to reflect on my life and future.
Inspirations: Blue Highways, Travels With Charley, and a host of other, more recent cross country memoirs (such as Turn Left at the Trojan Horse and Wild).
Miscellaneous: Though I have a detailed itinerary (using Lonely Planet and roadsideamerica.com as guides for stops), I am fully aware that half of it could be thrown out the window. There is a lot of unknowns about this trip that I cannot know until I am on the trip. For instance, I do not know how I will tolerate driving several hours every day for so many days in a row, detours and unplanned adventures will take place, it is difficult to predict how much time will be spent in certain locations, etc. I embrace this, however.
I also am not certain I will stick to the 50 days. This is ideal based on being able to return to a part-time job when I return, but I am also willing to forego the job if need be. I have been working a lot of hours and saving this past year for the purposes of this trip. I will be re-joining AAA and obtaining a National Parks pass.
The average time driving per day is 3.62. The actual total will surely be more; this figure is based on city-to-city calculations and these assume as much major highway driving as possible, and also there will be detours, getting lost, etc.
Dates of trip: Depart 8/29/17 and return approx. 10/17/17
Route: SF East Bay (California) – Oregon – Idaho – Montana – Dakotas – Nebraska – Iowa – Wisconsin – Illinois – Indiana – Ohio – Kentucky – Tennessee – Mississippi – New Orleans – Arkansas – Oklahoma – New Mexico – Utah – Nevada – SF East Bay
Transport: By car. Which car is still TBD. I own a Honda Civic Hybrid with about 140K miles on it, has been very reliable since purchasing used in 2011. The primary issue there is space. I did a “dry pack” and things did not entirely fit; but even if I whittle it down some it leaves me very little wiggle room, and one objective of the trip is to add to my license plate collection by going to junkyards.
Lodging: A blend of cheap motels, hostels, Couchsurfing (if it works, I have my doubts), and staying with family. In all I will probably stay with family about 40% of the nights.
Objectives: Fulfill lifelong dream of traveling cross-country; see unique roadside attractions; travel mostly via highways that are not interstates but not entirely backroads either; go to junkyards; talk with/interview people connected to the roadside attractions and other stops (will be doing some more main touristy things like Mt. Rushmore); visit a lot of museums; take a lot of photos; write a book about my experiences; visit out-of-state family; take time to reflect on my life and future.
Inspirations: Blue Highways, Travels With Charley, and a host of other, more recent cross country memoirs (such as Turn Left at the Trojan Horse and Wild).
Miscellaneous: Though I have a detailed itinerary (using Lonely Planet and roadsideamerica.com as guides for stops), I am fully aware that half of it could be thrown out the window. There is a lot of unknowns about this trip that I cannot know until I am on the trip. For instance, I do not know how I will tolerate driving several hours every day for so many days in a row, detours and unplanned adventures will take place, it is difficult to predict how much time will be spent in certain locations, etc. I embrace this, however.
I also am not certain I will stick to the 50 days. This is ideal based on being able to return to a part-time job when I return, but I am also willing to forego the job if need be. I have been working a lot of hours and saving this past year for the purposes of this trip. I will be re-joining AAA and obtaining a National Parks pass.
The average time driving per day is 3.62. The actual total will surely be more; this figure is based on city-to-city calculations and these assume as much major highway driving as possible, and also there will be detours, getting lost, etc.
May 7th, 2017, 06:07 AM
#2
You could consider my method of cross country travel which is using Amtrak to a place where I can rent a car to make a loop and then going onward by Amtrak.
Emeryville is a great place to start.
Later this month DW and I will be taking the California Zephyr to Chicago and the Lake Shore Limited to Erie PA.
From Erie we rent a car for 11 days and will go across NY, VT, NH, ME (coastal), MA, RI and CT. From CT we go back through northern PA and stop on Memorial Day weekend for my 50th HS reunion before returning the car in Erie.
How much "stuff" do you really need?
On my first train trip I had a big backpack that loaded weighed about 44 lbs.
Check into a 45 day USA Rail Pass.
Emeryville is a great place to start.
Later this month DW and I will be taking the California Zephyr to Chicago and the Lake Shore Limited to Erie PA.
From Erie we rent a car for 11 days and will go across NY, VT, NH, ME (coastal), MA, RI and CT. From CT we go back through northern PA and stop on Memorial Day weekend for my 50th HS reunion before returning the car in Erie.
How much "stuff" do you really need?
On my first train trip I had a big backpack that loaded weighed about 44 lbs.
Check into a 45 day USA Rail Pass.
May 7th, 2017, 08:39 PM
#6
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Tom, thanks. I actually enjoy train travel and in 2001 did a similar promotion where I could travel pretty much unlimited miles with 3 stops. I only had 2 weeks however and spent "land time" with family. I'm committed to car travel for this trip but someday may do the train again.
thursdaysd, why are you picking on my title? Personally I think California to Ohio to Louisiana back to California is cross-country. I'm driving solo after all and want to do more on the trip than just drive. Anyway, please use these forums for more constructive discussion rather than unnecessary jabbing over titles.
thursdaysd, why are you picking on my title? Personally I think California to Ohio to Louisiana back to California is cross-country. I'm driving solo after all and want to do more on the trip than just drive. Anyway, please use these forums for more constructive discussion rather than unnecessary jabbing over titles.
May 8th, 2017, 03:34 AM
#7
@golrillababy - I believe in precision in language - and truth in advertising, how old fashioned of me. But I should probably have added an emoji. However, I think you should spend a bit longer here, and make some contributions, before telling others what to do.
