Well I looked back at my last CA-TN post and it is has been 2 years since I made the Bay Area - Nashville drive. Since that time I have been taking advantage of flights that were reasonably priced. But since this trip I am going for a month visit I want my car so another drive is upcoming.

I am planning to leave the Bay Area and stay in LA overnight before attempting a 2 day trip. Therefore first question is has anyone made this trip in 2 days and was it too hard on your body? Do you have any suggestions on where to stop for a good stretch along the way? Also, places to grab lunch on the go?

Next, I am planning to stop in Amarillo, since it appears to be the half -way point between LA and Nashville, and wondering if there are any recommended causal places to get a nice healthy dinner (I do not eat red meat but poultry and fish would be great) and in a good latte in early in the morning with a nice scone?

Thank you in advance for any input. I hardly recognized Fodor’s since I haven't travelled lately....

I made the same trip back in the early 80s just before Christmas. I was a starving student and needed to get to Memphis. I found someone who was delivering a car from Oakland to Nashville and needed people to share the driving. There were four of us in the car, all strangers, who shared the driving (although I did the bare minimum.) Because there were four of us we drove straight through, just stopping for gas and food. I don't think the others trusted me to drive in the snow). You might find people at Berkeley, Stanford, USF etc. who need to make the trip and would be willing to share the driving and the gas.

Oh no, my Nashville real estate agent told me about his three friends who did a non-stop and I know I need at least need a good night sleep and good food along the way. I just hoping that the one night is enough of a break.

However, based on your experience would you do that trip again non-stop? If yes, stopping once overnight probably should work out ok for me. I'll have either one of my daughters or my daughter's friend to ride with me, so I will have some company. I don't know if I will let them drive since my car is brand new, so that is another concern being the only one driving.

Thx cferrb for your input.

Too long. I have done plenty of solo cross-country trips myself, but close to 1,100 miles first day and 900 plus the next is too much for solo driving.

Why are you overnight in L.A.? San Francisco to Nashville is close to 2,400 miles, and if you don't detour and overnight in L.A., then it's right about the limit of what I'd suggest anyone doing.

First night you should get to Flagstaff, AZ. Second night somewhere in western OK, like Clinton. That way you will be driving about 11-12 hours a day.

I agree - too long. Not good for you OR the other drivers on the road. I just drove that distance in January and split that distance in 3 days (2 long days and 1 shorter). I just used Google Maps to get an idea. The actual locations don't matter that much but I used Albuquerque NM and Fort Smith, AR.

That would give you a 789 mi/ 11 hour day, 723 mi/ 10.5 hr and 498/ 7.5 hour day.

Stay on the eastern side of whatever city you stop in so you don't get caught up in city traffic in the mornings.

My recollection (and it's very fuzzy) is that it took us about 40 hours. I definitely would not want to have to do all that driving by myself. LA to Flagstaff is pretty much a full day's drive, especially since getting out of LA can be unpleasant. I do have a friend who has driven Albuquerque to LA in one very long day, but I don't think she wants to do it again.

If Alb is too far, try making it all the way to Amarillo

Ah, heck! Do it! Amarillo by morning...

Well I just mapped it - if I leave the bay area and go to Amarillo 19.5 hours and from LA 15 hours (plus I can visit with my family and I have somewhere to stay [low on hotel points]). If the traffic is good on the 405 and 10 I can easily make the Bay Area - LA leg in 5.5 hours with 15 minute stop and stretch at Harris Ranch. I can try and think of it as the warm-up....

Two years ago we stayed in Bakersfield overnight at my in-laws and from that point stopped overnight in Flagstaff, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, and Memphis plus all the touristy stuff I could find.

Starrs I thought about breaking up the trip in 3 days, but I keep going back to how Amarillo is right in the middle if I leave out of LA and I-40 is such a easy drive. I guess if I triple up on yoga before going it should be OK. The positive is from my previous trip I know where to get some good hotels if I start feeling burned out.

Thank you all for your input, and I will definately have someone with me - that part has been settled. Now to find my early morning lattes.

Well, you're a better man/woman/driver than I.
Be careful on the road!

There is big difference between driving solo and rotating between two drivers (or more). If the OP have two people driving, they can definitely make it to Amarillo, or Nashville, if they want to...

I think the other person in the car is "company" - not a rotating driver. That was the impression I got. That impression may be wrong though.

I am "woman" who loves to travel. If my daughter goes I will let her drive my car with no problem, however if my daughter's friend goes I don't think I can let her drive my car since it is only a few months old - hard to believe I already put 10,000+ miles on it.

But I am hoping my daughter goes because she knows all my little travel "quirks" like getting up early when it is dark or not.

Plus this trip should really be nice because I have XM. OK I am ready.

I see. Well, I don't know then.

Personally, longest "non-stop" I have done solo is Washington, DC to Houston. That's 1,400 miles or 20 hours. And it was insane.

The longest "sane" drive in a day for me, solo, was Mitchell, SD to Missoula, MT, for almost 1,000 miles. But that was done in winter with no traffic at very high speed, and it took no more than about 12 hours.

L.A. to Amarillo is close to 1,100 miles, and can't be done that quickly without risking some serious fines.

Well, I've done 25 hours non-stop, rotating drivers. But, I was 20 years younger and smart enough to decide "never again".

I drive a lot for business and I HAVE done a 10 hour day (5 hours, spend some time there and then 5 hours back). But, it's painful.

I've learned that my comfort range is 500 miles a day or 8 to 9 hours a day. And, even then, I don't enjoy the drive - just enjoy "making time".

Good luck, kdm. Just remember - driving tired or sleepy is just as dangerous as driving drunk. I'd split it in 3 days. We were so beat we ordered in and ate in the room each night. Maybe yoga IS the trick

Good points - maybe I will split it into 3 days stopping in Albuquerque, & Oklahoma City overnight.

Yoga is great - it keeps me patient and calm when I am driving.

Thx again

kdm, I think that's a great idea.

Lee Ann

kdm, I live in OKC so if you decide to stop here I can give you places to enjoy on your overnight. ABQ and OKC are good stops and we've made that drive many times between those two.

OKC - Memphis is a full-day's drive, and an especially long one if you encounter unfriendly weather along the way. I'm not sure when you are traveling but spring weather can bring rain and unfortunately tornadoes.

I didn't even think about the weather because it has so great here in Northern CAL lately. BeachGirl, now that you mentioned the weather I remember when we drove through OK in June 2 years ago it was raining quite hard, but everything was so green.

Probably won't go anywhere but just swim and rest at the hotels. But if you can recommend someplace to grab dinner (something light - chicken fish, etc) I would appreciate it. We'll stay at the Sheraton (I think Midwest City)where I can use my points. Thank you

I do not recommend Midwest City. Can you stay at the Sheraton downtown?

http://www.sheratonokc.com/?t=s&lang=212&id=3340

This is very convenient to I-40 and also walking distance to restaurants.