cross country move/road trip
 

My mom and I are moving me across the country and doing it by car. I have a few worries and I'm hoping for some suggestions. Here goes: My biggest problem is the security of what's in my car over night. We're staying at pretty nice places but that doesn't necessarily say much about the area or the security of the parking. A lot will be in the trunk but there will definitely be stuff inside and maybe even on top. I'm also hoping for some tips on what to take to make the trip bearable and safe. We'll be driving for up to ten hours a day and I'm wanting to put together an emergency road kit (although I do have AAA) as well as an in car survival kit. Any thoughts, suggestions or anecdotes would be greatly appreciated!

Have done that or similar things a number of times. Neve any problem with motels. We park in front of the room. Things on the top might be problematic if they aren't in a carrier. What is it--bike?

I would suggest bringing in anything that is inside the car & visible. It's not the hotel itself that will be the problem but what prowls the parking lot at night. I remember when I graduated from high school (dog years ago) & our car was broken into in the parking lot of a hotel where we spent the night. Many of my "prized" possessions were stolen. I learned way back then if you have it on display then consider it up for grabs. And crime wasn't near as bad back then as it is now.

Doing a 10 hour drive is hard on the body. Do make stops to stretch your legs. Are you switching off driving? Taking a break every 3 hours won't really slow you down or tire you out from driving non-stop.

Good luck!

I've done such trips many times. Never had a problem. Usually stayed at semi-decent motels and asked for ground-floor rooms with the car parked right outside of the door. That way, you can hear anything going on with the car.

I've done TX-DC-TX, TX-RI-TX, RI-WA, RI/CT-CA-RI/CT. All with tonnes of things inside the car.

We have done this many times, due to military moves. We learned early on to bring everything into the hotel rooms. One one move we were parked near the hotels office, but in the morning we found our wildshield halfway pried off! Thankfully they did not get anything. Yes it is a pain to haul all the stuff inside, but for peace of mind you can't beat it.

As far as staying safe, a lot depends on what route you are taking and what time of year, like if its summer and you are going through the south it is different than if you are going in winter through the mountains. Either way be sure to have some basic first aid items, extra food/water, and a working cell phone.

Definitely take breaks from driving. Keeping a small cooler in the car filled with healthy snacks will also help. Carrots, grapes...that sort of thing is much better than eating junk and then wanting to nod off.

Wow - your windshield, huh? I guess somebody figured it was quieter than just breaking a window! That's terrible. I am figuring we'll bring everything inside that can be seen... I guess I'm just a cynic. I don't mean to sound like a terrible person, but on our longer stays (2 days here, 3 days there) leaving my "prized" posessions in the rooms freaks me out a little. Still, I know there's risks with everything. Thanks all for the advice/encouragement!

This is all worrying me - will be driving son to college 1000 miles away - so minivan will be stuffed with all sorts of things. The idea of hauling it all into hotel room at night (actually 2 nights - on mid-way and one at destination since we would not be able to unload into dorm until next morning) is overwhelming. I guess there is no other option - but if anyone has any thoughts, let me know.

Maybe I could just bring in obvious things - computer, for example. If they steal his clothes in suitcases, etc. other than obvious damage to car, it woulf not be as catastrophic.

miss world--yes, the windshield...amazing huh?! The worst part was that it happened on our 2nd day of the trip (in CA) and we had to be in GA in just a few days due to dh's orders so we didn't have time to get it fixed...so used duct tape to keep it in place for the rest of the trip. That was 13 years ago and we still laugh about it:)

I definitely understand your feelings about prized possessions...I am the same way. I usually stack everything in a corner of the hotel room and put dirty clothes on top...that way if someone wants to rummage through then they will think twice. Gross I know, but so far it has worked:)

Another thing to think about with this...if your car does get broken into you may think twice about filing a claim with your insurance company. Many companies are raising rates or cancelling policies even based on one claim and you would hate to be in that situation with a smallish claim like that. Just my opinion though.

Yes, moving, especially cross country, can be a pain...but it can also be a lot of fun. Be sure to stop for even wierd things along the way to break up the trip and just have fun!

Think about it this way - if you have a minivan or station-wagon full of household goods or junks, will a thief dig through all the stuff to find if anything's valuable? I don't think so.

Take the jewerly, the computer and important documents inside. Don't leave anything small and valuable visible from the outside.

Maybe I'm just not paranoid enough. :D