NeryDiaz

My son and I (and our cockatiel) are planning a car trip from Orlando to San Diego. We will spend 5 days. Where should we stop to rest on our way?

MmePerdu

I assume this is a trip to just get to San Diego, not a sightseeing trip, in so few days. I once did a similar cross-country trip but San Diego to NYC with 2 drivers and we just kept driving until both of us needed to sleep in a bed. I suggest you do the same, stop as you need to, rather than try to plan the unknowable. It takes a bit of the pressure off, no need to drive a particular number of miles a day (or night).

starrs

That's 2429 miles. My max is 500 miles a day and 5 days is just enough.
34 hours so about 7 hours a day.

I'd book hotel rooms with same day cancellation policies so you know you have a place to stay but can cancel before 6pm (or 4 in some places) if you are too tired to make it that far that day.

Here's where I'd stop -
First night - Pensacola Beach - enjoy the beautiful white sand beach and a good dinner - maybe the Hampton Inn on the beach
Day 1 = 450 miles, a little over 6 hours of driving
Second night = Katy TX - get on the west side of Houston (to miss traffic in the morning)
Day 2 = 552 miles, just under 8 hours of driving
Third night = Fort Stockton, TX
Day 3 = 477 miles and 6.5 hours - drive further if you want
Fourth night = Tucson, AZ
Day 4 - 555 miles and just under 8 hours of driving
Day 5 - 410 miles and under 6 hours of driving

Orlando_Vic

Days 1 & 2 look good, but I would (and did previously) stop in San Antonio on Day 3 and El Paso on Day 4.
In San Antonio, stop and see the Riverwalk and have dinner at Jacala Mexican Restaurant. They have been in business since 1949. Look at the reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...nio_Texas.html

This will probably mean 6 days driving rather than 5.

_____________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

starrs

Or the last day would be 10 hours and 726 miles.

I tried different routings stopping at "fun" places but couldn't find anything that worked at 500 mile intervals - other than Pensacola Beach and Tucson. If there are more days available, that will allow more interesting stops. I agree with San Antonio and Riverwalk. When I think of El Paso (and west TX), I think armadillos.

NeryDiaz

Thank you guys for your he[p. We are doing the trip, because we think that 4 or 5 hours in a plane is too much for him.

nytraveler

How has he reacted in the past to long car trips?

starrs

How old is he?
If he's not a good traveler, 4 or 5 hours in a plane may be a better choice than 34 hours in a car.

MmePerdu

I think she means the bird.