Yes. We understand your plan to drive 500 to 600 miles a day.

There's nothing wrong with that. Stay with that plan if that is what works for you.

Under normal circumstances, I try to limit myself to an AVERAGE of 500 miles a day or 8 hours a day for several days of driving. I can drive 10 hours a day with no problem. Several hours of 10 hours a day is "too much" for me. That's my personal experience.

What is different TODAY is that once you get to where you are going for the evening, there's really nothing else you can do. If you drive 8 hours a day and leave, let's say at 8 am, stop for 30 minutes for a drive-thru for lunch or a bathroom break at a gas station, you are going to get to your hotel at about 4 or 5pm. What then? No restaurants are open. No movie theaters are open. No tourist attractions are open. You'll be in the hotel from from about 5pm that afternoon to about 8 am the next morning. You'll be spending about 15 hours in a hotel room. That's about 2x your drive time.

If you find a hotel at that mileage mark that works for you, with decent reviews, that's great. That's fits your mileage plan and you have a decent room to spend the next 15 hours in.

MY personal choice (and I keep trying to emphasize I am sharing what works for ME), is to stop about 60 miles before the "magic mileage mark" and spend those hotel hours in a more decent (if not nicer) hotel and then "make up" the mileage the next day. It is also your last day on the road.

IME, there's nothing wrong with having a shorter drive day especially after several days of driving cross-country. Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can DO locally with that "extra" hour, but it's one less hour in a moving car. After four days of driving, that's not a bad thing.

Now it's time for you to weigh the factors and see what works for you. Not what works for me. Not what works for Gretchen. Not what works for any other random poster on an internet travel forum. Do the research. Compare the reviews of the hotels you are considering and the distance to/from your starting/ending points. Pick the best combination of factors that work from you.

I am doing a similar road trip. Starting at a location not far from Asheville. Not going quite as far as your starting point. I'm making the same trip (for the most part) in reverse. I've shared what works for me. Gather the information that has been shared, do some research on hotel ratings and find what works best for YOU. My return will be completely different because I'm stopping at different points on the way home. But my drive OUT is basically your return trip back. What works for me may or may not work for you. Safe travels!

I understand, Starrs. I am just really stressed. I decided to stay with the plan because the hotel you suggested was unavailable for my travel date. weird. The last stop was the hardest to figure out because I don't really care for that stop but I will make the best of it. I am trying to pack and get everything done fast. This was an unexpected change in plans.

Thanks, everyone!

I am open to alternative hotel locations than Mt Vernon or other towns. I can cancel the Days Inn. I don't think Paducah would be good. DO you?

I could do a LaQuinta in Paducah. That would be 600 miles from COuncil Bluffs, IA to Paducah, KY. Is that an easy drive?

What are your concerns about Paducah? "I don't think Paducah would be good" . Why not? What reason do you have not to stay in Paducah?

ALL of this in interstate driving and ALL Of it is "an easy drive". That's the beauty of the interstate highway system. When you cross the Rocky or Appalachian mountains, you'll have some hilly terrain, but the drive is still "easy". If a winter storm blows in, that's not good but it's very late in the season for winter storms, and that would impact the first part of your drive, not the southeastern US. The last week of April should not provide any weather challenges for your trip.

I heard Paducah has a very high crime rate,

Do you think it is a better alternative to mt Vernon? It is more expensive, too.

How long do you think the drive will take from Council Bluffs to Paduck (~600 miles)?

Where did you hear that?
What do the reviews for the two hotel options look like? Decide using that.
Use Google Maps to get the drive time.

Edited to add - I'm bowing out of this thread. There are countless options to choose from. I've offered what I would do. Good luck finding the combination that works for you.

I don't understand all the angst either. And if you want to stay at a different hotel in the same town then do it . Just make the decision.
We have ALL been telling you that interstate driving is EASY and there are countless places to stay along the way, some more than others.
NOw you bring in crime rates and expensiive. When you make reservations ahead you will pay more probably. You could still look on booking.com for that particular hotel and see what their rate is.

At some point in your trip you will encounter time changes also. You'll lose hours coming east. Just keep track of that when guaranteeing a check in time.

I will also say again--the driving on a trip like this is easy but you have to keep pressing on to make your destination, You should be able to average 60mph which makes your driving day 10 hours even with stops. PLEASE download google maps and WAZE to your smartphone and learn to use it. Have a charging cord in the car.

I'm sorry, I did not mean to offend either one of you. It is a very stressful time for me. I am young. Safety is a concern because we are traveling with a packed SUV. I am familiar with the East Coast l-95 traffic, that is why I asked about ease of travel.

I am not overly focused on cost, but it is a concern. All of the hotels have pets fees. Two of the LQ hotels have $20 pet fees. The Paducah LQ also has a $20 pet fee. (Reasonable fees, but not free)

It just doesn't make sense. One more time = READ THE REVIEWS and use those to judge how that particular hotel will feel to you. The interstate is "safe". I don't know of any town to warn you against. I'm up and down the eastern seaboard every week of the year and stay in a Hilton (usually at a Hampton Inn), an IHG (usuallly a Holdiay Inn Express) or a LQ if traveling with a pet. I glance at the reviews, mostly at the stars, to see if there's anything "off" for that particular property. Unlike Gretchen, I've never stayed at a "nasty" LQ. I started traveling for business decades ago, and way back then used AAA guidebooks for recommendations and now mostly use TA reviews. I don't stay in hotels that don't have a majority of excellent to very good ratings. Good value can be found at every price point. You are planning less than 5 stops and you have spent HOURS on this. It is NOT that difficult. If we (Gretchen or I or anyone else) keeps vetting hotels for you, you won't be gaining the skill set you need to be confident in your choices. It appears that you are waiting for someone else to tell you exactly where to stay - not only city but specific hotel. It's fine if this is new to you but the only way for you to gain confidence in yourself, you are going to have to DO it yourself. There is absolutely no reason to avoid a hotel in Paducah, KY. If there WERE a town along your route that we should have warned you against, we would have warned you.

1) Use Google Maps to determine drive times along your route.
2) Use reviews to determine which hotels sound best in the towns YOU decide to stop at.
3) That combination will help you plan a safe trip.

I've shared MY specific stops but you've dismissed those. Why would I spend more time vetting hotels for you in random towns you choose along your route.
Use my suggestion of pre-booking LQs along the way, or Gretchen's suggestion of using booking.com or ANY other method you decide works for you.

Your route is safe. 600 miles a day over several days is aggressive - and IMO unwise.
Gretchen makes a good point about paying attention to time changes.

This may sound mean, but your "wishy-washy" approach to this on two threads over the past months is concerning. If you are a nurse, I think I'd be dead on the table if you find decisions this difficult. It's not a hard drive. It's an easy drive. It's not an unafe drive. It's a safe drive. You may be "young" but I planned cross-country trips at 20 long before the internet. Use the resources at your disposal and plan your trip and stops and build your confidence along the way. If someone is fillling your head with negative self-talk, it's time to turn the channel and stop listening to them.

$20 is dirt cheap for pet fees. Most hotel chains start at $50 and go up to $100.
You'lll save that $20 per night in gas savings.

Other than picking specific hotels for you in towns as you continue to change your stops, there's nothing we can do to help you. Use the resources and pick hotels with decent reviews. It's not rocket science or brain surgery.

Edited to add - I would not stay at a Days Inn or a Super 8 hotel. Personally, I would not. I would not feel safe at them. I stayed at a Days Inn about 20 years ago and they asked for a deposit for extra towels. I also do not stay at Motel 6s or Red Roof Inns, although a lot of Fodorites do. I know members of the Day family, but the family sold the chain decades ago. Choose a LQ (and pay a $20 pet fee if needed) or a Holiday Inn Express or a Hampton Inn (and pay higher pet fees if they allow pets) and be safe. If I were picking hotels for you, those are the three I'd choose for you or any family member.

Your route is VERY different from the I-95 NE corridor. You'll see how different once you are on the road. Keep the gas tank full. Keep munchies and water in the car. Join AAA if you are not already a member and call them if you have car problems along the way. Choose your hotels, pre-book and enjoy the ride. Cross country trips are FUN! Long and tiring but fun.

Thanks for your advice. I am not trying to be wishy washy. I am just trying to get everything done quickly. I did ask for help with the route because I am unfamiliar with this type of cross country travel.

I was more concerned about towns than hotels. I did book the hotels myself. I took your suggestions of La Quintas and appreciated it. Days Inn has pet fees too. I am ok with pet fees. Thanks for helping with the LaQuintas. I did look at the ST Louis hotel - it showed no availability.


I have AAA and used it to get some discounts. :)

My last post about the journey out there was concern about weather and safe travel.



I am an excellent nurse. That was a harsh and unnecessary statement.

"My last post about the journey out there was concern about weather and safe travel."
Your route is safe.
There is virtually no risk of winter weather at the time of your trip. As recommended, on this thread and your other one, dip south if there is an unexpected winter storm. You don't have to be concerned about cancellation fees. Hotels, or at least the three major chains that have been recommended, are waiving cancellation fees during these Covid 19 times.

My apologies if I offended you. I simply can't understand your indecision. Specific towns have been recommended. You've refused those. Specific hotels have been recommended. You've refused those. Days later, you are still asking about new towns and new hotels. Why? What is the source of your indecision?

Repeating - your route is "safe". If you choose hotels with good reviews, your lodging will be "safe". What is the reason for the difficulty in making a decision? I make 5 hotel reservations each week in different cities and towns in less than 5 minutes - each and every (pre-Covid) week. You have spent well more than 5 hours on this.

Who told you Paducah KY was not safe? Have that person pick your towns and hotels, because you are certainly listening to them more than us.

Bringfido.com is a good resource that may help you find hotels along your route. I use them if an LQ is not available, but I book directly with the hotel.

These are Wyndham hotels.
Wyndham Worldwide consists of the following brands of hotels: Baymont Inn & Suites, Days Inn, Howard Johnson's, Microtel, Ramada, Super 8, Travelodge, Wyndham, Wyndham Garden Hotels, Hawthorn Suites, and Wingate by Wyndham.

I might not choose to stay at a Motel 6 or such without looking it up on some site in advance but in Kansas where i HAVE done it, they have been fine and cheap. When Starrs is travelling for business she has different needs and abilities, IMO. Not a problem to me.

There is a very highly rated Holiday Inn Express in Marion KY and it allows pets with a $25 pet fee.
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpres...hoteldetail_ex

It is 545 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa which is in your 500 to 600 miles per day range.

I meant my last thread (Raleigh to Seattle) in January.

I checked all of the weather for this trip. And I will monitor it.

When I tried the other town suggestions, I had a problem configuring the rest of the route.

When I looked into the Laquinta in St Louis area that you suggested, it was unavailable.

I started to consider Paducah because of yours and Gretchen's comments. A neighbor told me Paducah is unsafe. That is why I asked on this thread. I figured you guys are experienced travelers.

I felt good about my plans - but then I started to get concerns about the Days INN in MT Vernon. I read the reviews. They were good. Not great

EDIT: Thanks, Starrs. I booked a hotel in Marion, IL instead of MT Vernon, IL. I feel really good about this. I am excited


Thank you to everyone who helped me out. And remained somewhat patient. :) LOL

Seattle - Butte, MT
Butte, MT - Rapid City, SD
Rapid City, SD - Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, IA - Marion, IL
Marion, IL - Asheville then on to Raleigh

Ask the neighbor for their recommendation for an alternate to Paducah.

I would not stay at a Days Inn with not great reviews.

See the HIX with great reviews in Marion - post #53.

Good!

You'll enjoy the drive. There's nothing like one's first cross-country drive. It's going to be a bit weird during Covid-19 times but it's still a spectacular country to drive through.

If you have a smartphone, load the TripAdvisor app. Then have the passenger look at a town about 30 miles ahead, use to app to look for a restaurant that looks good and then call to see if they are offering curbside service. It's a way to have non-fast food along the way. I order veggies and soup from Cracker Barrel and/or Mexican restaurants a lot for lunch. Of course, the chains like Chili's etc are offering curbside service too.

Last tip - take REAL paper maps too! It's easier to "see" your progress and to see what's nearby if you ever get back that way.

If you are still leaving tomorrow or Saturday then the weather models are looking pretty darn good. Scattered storms in the West early on but then pretty mostly clear the entire week until Wednesday morning. That shows a band of storms in the east, but mostly either south or north of your intended route.

You might thread the needle. In any case, it's looking as good as can be this time of year, always subject to change of course. Good luck.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...aba1fd0c3d.jpg

Thanks, Starrs for the addiitonal information.
Thanks, Nelson for the weather map.

If you're trying to book online and it says that a hotel is not available for your dates, always call to make sure. The only reason hotels would not have available rooms these days is if they have closed temporarily.

Starrs' idea of calling ahead for takeout from a good restaurant is a GREAT idea--and if possible and it is close to the interstate, choose a local restaurant rather than a chain to support local people. BUT don't sweat that part. Order good food ahead--something you couldn't do in normal times.

Barbara is correct also--if not available on a booking site, call if that is what you really want.

Yeah, tell the neighbor to get you a room--how do they know for heavens' sake. Be real. My hometown happens to have a high murder rate at the moment which is deeply disturbing to me. No one in a motel has been murdered.

Thanks, Barbara.

Gretchen, I am more concerned about theft of vehicle contents than murder. LOL

You guys won't believe it - but I have traveled extensively abroad. I lived abroad too. I would have planned this trip a lot differently if the country was not under lockdown. Lots of places I want to see, but not when everything is closed.

I am thankful for everyone's input. I feel good and have learned new things. :)

Take Care.

You are so overthinking this. Take any real valuables in with you. Park under a light in the parking lot. But the risk for theft is so small, it's really not worth worrying about. If you have your grandmother's pearls, take them in with you. If you have a laptop, take it in with you. If you have a custom made bike on a bike rack on your car, take that in with you. Otherwise, if you stay in a decent hotel anywhere along the interstate, the risk of someone breaking into your car is slim to none. If it happens, that's what insurance is for. Not worth the worry.
Where is "home" for you originally? Is it likely for cars to be broken into and things stolen from them where you are originally from? Your route is nothing like the I-95 NE corridor, in traffic and/or crime.

Philadelphia. Theft from vehicles is somewhat common.

Gretchen asked earlier about the angst. This thread has been illuminating in reading things that you are very worried about that I really never worry about. I've driven back and forth from the SE to the mountain states since I was in my 20s. I've never had a mishap, on the road or in a parking lot. I've traveled the US by car - my own if within 6 hours of Atlanta and/or rental car after flying to another city for the past 30 years. I've never had anyone break into my car nor have had a co-worker have a car broken into. I don't rent cars in NYC but have driven out of NYC. In cities like Philly, I do valet park but because self-parking is not an option.

This is said from a very respectful place - I hope you can lessen your worry and I hope this road trip gives you an insight into what non-urban areas of this country is like. If you have AAA in case of car trouble, a road map to see where you are if there's a gap in your cell phone connection and keep snacks and water in the car in case you get hungry before the next stop, you are going to have a safe and happy trip.

And I'm going to make a point of staying in a Paducah hotel and do a review about it - after this darn shutdown is over! Safe travels!

Anna, I have stayed in Motel 6 with a car loaded. In fact I never travel to or from Denver without my car being loaded to the gills. Starrs is correct==park under a light, etc.

We lived in NYC and our car was broken into reppeatedly!! AND there was nothing in it!! Finally left the glove boc OPEN so they could see there wasn't anything! LOL

Since Annadeg has been out here in Seattle maybe she is aware that vehicle prowls are not rare here. I never leave anything in my vehicle, even to go to the grocery store, and we live in a very safe area. But it is everywhere around here. We don't even leave the vehicle registration in the vehicle (yes, that is legal here). We have moved cross country a handful of times and did have an issue once many years ago in San Diego with our car being broken into. Thankfully we had taken everything into the hotel room, and yes, we were parked in a lit location and very close to the entrance. Here though, whether it is a suburb, in the city or at a trailhead, nope, I won't leave anything in the vehicle. I know numerous people whose vehicles have been broken into, even with nothing left inside.

Well, that's so very helpful.

As a travelling nurse doesn't your company pay your way by air both ways? Seats should be cheap right now, planes mostly empty, and planes likely exceptionally clean, and pets usually are no obstacle. But if you must drive...
I have some general thoughts based on a few cross-country driving trips from the PNW.

From Seattle, although it would be 50 - 100 mile further for the total trip, I always use I-90 to Ellensburg, WA, I-82 to apx. Umatilla, OR, I-84 to east of Ogden, UT, thence I-80 *either* through Omaha NB to Davenport, Iowa, thence I-74 and east, *or* I-80 & I-25 to Denver, thence I-70 to St. Louis & I-64 east. (Note: those cities are NOT where I'd stop, they're just to give sense of the route.

Why that route? Especially through the rockies that route is the "flatest" with less mountain driving (though you so have some), hence faster, and less tiring (though less interesting)

I would NOT make advance reservations to give you flexibility to adjust to how you're doing driving miles/day, weather, road conditions, etc. I WOULD make reservations each night for where you think your next stop would be. Each night watch the weather ... but doing a quick look right now, that doesn't look to be much of a problem, at least, out west. But watch the weather, you can hit freezing temps. and even major snow sometimes almost anywhere in the mountain west or the great plains.

This year, I would also look each day at one of the coronavirus reporting maps like at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/...-us-cases.html - especially their list of counties sorted by % of population affected,.and try to void stopping for gas or lodging in any of the latest hot spots. (Mind you, those are usually related to testing in some way; an area that doesn't test much will show as less affected than it is.) Be sure to handle gas pumps with a disposable paper towels or disposable gloves and take the usual precautions like taking something with you to clean surfaces, especially door handles, at places you stay.

I think this ship has alreacy sailed and many of your ideas were floated. But you also offer other good ideas.

Late to the party but just had to comment on Paducah. I stay there frequently and feel very safe. There are several nice motels just off the first exit as you enter KY. Pre-Covid 19, there were lots of places to dine-I am sure many are open for carryout and all the chains (McDonalds, etc.) are represented. Lots of places to get gas. I am guilty of not carrying everything into my hotel at night and my SUV has never been bothered there. I dare say I have spent over 50 nights there over the past 5 years.

Glad you spoke up. It's never occurred to me to completely avoid a city / town based on idle chatter. I rely on reviews - both on TA and the hotel chain's website. I don't stay in hotels that get bad reviews and will drive another 30 miles more to stay in "better" hotel. One of my last trips was to a small town in coal country in KY. It didn't have a Hampton Inn or a Holiday Inn Express, by moderate standbys. The local person recommended a hotel in a chain that I never use. It was that or drive 30 miles on very curvy roads in early morning. The hotel was fine; older but very clean. I parked under a light in the parking lot. I've driven with a FULL van for over 20 years and no one has ever bothered my vehicle and there are a few hundred of people like me on the road almost ever night (my company and competition) and I don't remember anyone ever having a break-in. I am a firm believer that if one does their research and chooses a hotel with good reviews, the odds are excellent the experience will be a good to satisfactory one. I take in my laptop and a suitcase, and sometimes just my hanging clothes (for the next day) and a small bag of things I need overnight. Would I do this in downtown Chicago, Philly, NYC, MIami, etc? No. But I do it in the Miami area at Hampton Inns or Homewood Suites with self-parking. IMO it's not about the name of a particular town but where you choose to stay in that town. Works for me. I couldn't travel for a living if I were stressed about my vehicle each night. IME that's unneeded stress. I DO think one's first cross-country trip is a great way to see not only the geography of the rest of the country, but the differences in the rest of the country. They are probably already on their adventure and I hope it's going well.

I'll offer this other possibility of a review--booking.com has reviews of the hotel you choose and that has been helpful to me

But for the eclipse a couple of years ago we stayed in N Charleston, and area we would NEVER choose and even that was fine.

A funny story. My place was in the path of full eclipse, but is very wooded. We bought tickets for the eclipse event at a nearby winery. The afternoon before, a lot of us were at a neighbor's cabin, just hanging out and talking when one interrupted the conversation, pointed at the sundeck (built by the previous owner) and asked what time it was. 2 pm. Direct sunlight on the sun deck. Total silence as we stared at the beam of sunlight. Months of planning with different arrangements made, and the sun deck next door was in a perfect location! Then we all shrugged and decided to keep with the plans. The winery/ vineyard really did the day up right and it was nice to be in the midst of a large (uncrowded) group for the eclipse. Fun to listen to everyone's reaction.

Back to the topic - Gretchen, I agree. No matter how one vets the particular hotel, I think it's smart to use THAT kind of info vs just crossing off an entire city due to hearsay. Paducah KY has a population of 25K. Is it really reasonable to say there's NO hotel that's a viable option in Paducah KY? Reviews on any travel site says otherwise.

I do hope their trip is going well. Wish they would check in!

Well, that eclipse day was the day we started our beach week in Litchfield, north of Charleston. But Charleston was to be the longer time, etc. Prices at hotels for that Sunday night (eclipse onMonday) were $500+ !! N. Charleston was $120 or so. BUT then guess what--it rained in Charleston so cloudy.
We headed on up to Litchfield, unloaded our stuff and went a few miles south to Georgetown and found a perfect place to watch!! Memorable time.
Next one is 2024 and my home town in southern Ohio is right on the path for about a 5 minute eclipse. Road trip.

I didn't realize that.

Off to research! Thanks!

It is a wide path from Texas to Ohio. And really wide.

Thanks! I checked it out. Considering MO or Little Rock. Maybe even Paducah. ;)

Interestingly Columbia MO was the epicenter of the last one. They opened up the stadium at the University for watchers.