First Cross Country Trip Plan - Am I Crazy?

[Barneyb]

I don’t like driving more than about 300 miles a day, when we both worked and traveled racing we were always in a hurry and drove a lot of miles a day. We’re both retired now and never in a hurry. Some times I don’t mind traveling farther, maybe 400 miles and some days less. In between campgrounds we stay at Walmart’s or flying J’s but our campgrounds are booked way ahead of time. We had friends travel this past summer and didn’t pre-plan any campgrounds and they had a hard time finding any the had spots available.
Good luck and take the time to enjoy your memories

[Sokcap48]

I would rather see you shoot for 250 to 300 miles MAX per day. And stay for more time in each spot. Go slow relax see more things do more in each area. But it is your trip not mine.
Travel safe and enjoy your trip what ever you decide.

[akeagle]

Something that seems to be tap danced around in this discussion may be that the reason for the trip can and does dictate the timetable for accomplishing it.

To use ourselves as an example, just about every RV trip we've ever taken over the years had a time restriction in one way or another which often dictated long driving days either to reach the destination or to return home. Our last trip just a few weeks ago from Alaska to New Mexico was pretty much the first exception for us. The big difference is that this was a permanent move for us, so there was no specific arrival date/time, but on the other hand we wanted to get there and start setting up our new household. The upshot is that we sort of took our time but sort of not.

Another factor in doing a few long days at the start was to get ahead of the first winter snowstorms in Alaska and Canada. We succeeded at that - the day after we left Anchorage they had a freak early storm that dumped several inches of snow on the east side of town. Its good to pay attention to weather forecasts!

One of our primary reasons for moving to New Mexico was to have the opportunity to take smaller/shorter trips to visit lots of bucket list locations, some near, some farther. The big difference now is that we can essentially leave and return whenever we want, so there should be few if any reasons for long driving days.

As some have said though, use your own best judgement as to to how long either in time or miles your driving day should be. Don't let anyone talk you into driving more than you feel like you should.

[tomato]

A lot of good advice and different opinions to consider for sure. As I mentioned in a later post, we are not retired and do have time constraints. Main plan is to get to TX, TN and IL - then home. The stops to the north (i.e. Yellowstone) were icing on the cake. I am confident the driving is doable for us at this stage (wife and I are in our early 50's), especially given the fact that we share the wheel. We've done some epic road trips in the past, but not in a MH. Depending on what is happening with our Ventana, I may change this up and stop in Nappanee for service. If we do that, the northern stuff may be out.

[jrgator]

We did something very similar in May after having ours only 4 months and several short trips. Did NM, AZ, Utah, and Colorado. We live in Florida and we both still work. Did 5,300 miles in 3 weeks and loved it beyond description. Plan to do northern out west next year with a similar itinerary. We had a few long days but that gave us more fun time at our stops. I wouldn't change a thing, though it's not popular with most, even our friends with whom we travel. They've had their coach 5 years and haven't been past the Mississippi and probably never will.

[frizfreleng]

Originally Posted by tomato

We have had our coach for 2.5 months, and the furthest we have gone is 380 miles in one day. We have a trip in 2 weeks that will be about 1,000 miles round trip, with the first leg at 420 miles. The 380 was a piece of cake, as my wife and I share the driving.

However, we have not embarked on a trip where we would be driving nearly every day, and I am looking for insights and advice. Rough trip plan for this Spring is below, but we haven't fully planned out our "on the road" stay overs yet.

We do have a bit of flexibility if things arise or we get slowed down - can add up to 3-days to the trip.

Is this too aggressive? Doable? Do most of you try to find campgrounds for the 1-nighters when in transit to your next destination, or do you go with Cracker Barrels, Harvest Hosts, etc.?

Trip Plan
• 412 miles Joshua Tree National Park 1-night
• 499 miles Lordsburg, NM 1-night
• 493 miles Sheffield, TX 1-night
• 442 miles Cypress, TX – 3-nights
• 409 miles Hot Springs, AR 1-night
• 365 miles Dover, TN – 2-nights
• 483 miles Chicago, IL 2-nights
• 571 miles Watertown, SD 1-nightconcept of RVing.
• 422 miles Mt. Rushmore, SD 1-night
• 422 miles Yellowstone NP – 2-nights
• 516 miles Ely, NV 1-night
• 423 miles Home
• Total miles: 5,373
• Total nights: 16

Thanks in advance!

Oh, that sounds like fun. Like slamming your fingers in a car door. So you race 1500 miles in 3 days to spend 2 or 3 nights and then repeat? I am not sure if you understand the concept of RVing.

[SurfsideGolfer]

I have crossed US in an RV nine times, always different routes. When younger, I did some 500 mile days, and that’s too far, turns into work, potentially ruining the trip. I stay at a campground about one or two nights each 10 days, with several days at west coast. I pull over at free spots the other days. The purpose of my trips is never to just see more pavement. Leave early in the day, always a sightseeing stop after lunch, then continue awhile.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by frizfreleng

Oh, that sounds like fun. Like slamming your fingers in a car door. So you race 1500 miles in 3 days to spend 2 or 3 nights and then repeat? I am not sure if you understand the concept of RVing.

You’re a regular comedian. I’ve been RVing for 25 years. No need to be insulting. I don’t think you understand the concept of civility.

[Mikesrq]

Now, we set out to do 5 hours of driving per day. You want to see the places you visit. When we're on a tour, we stop each night in a campground or mobile home park. Never a Walmart or other open location.

We tow a Jeep, but stop at the grocery store, Walmart, or restaurant after we make reservations, but before we park for the night.

Some places require more time. State/National parks, definitely. We spent several days in and around Mt. Rushmore. We stopped in the Bad Lands National Park for 2 days. The nighttime sky tour by a ranger was the best. Mt. Rushmore was good for a day, but I thought the Crazy Horse Memorial was even better the next day. On the way to Denver, there was a mastodon dig in South Dakota that popped up in my research. It was a one-of-a-kind museum.

Point is, don't try to see everything at once. Get to where you're going and then spend some time. You'll find after cruising the country that most places aren't that different; but those that are do require 36-48 hours to explore. More if it's a national park.

Originally Posted by tomato

We have had our coach for 2.5 months, and the furthest we have gone is 380 miles in one day. We have a trip in 2 weeks that will be about 1,000 miles round trip, with the first leg at 420 miles. The 380 was a piece of cake, as my wife and I share the driving.

However, we have not embarked on a trip where we would be driving nearly every day, and I am looking for insights and advice. Rough trip plan for this Spring is below, but we haven't fully planned out our "on the road" stay overs yet.

We do have a bit of flexibility if things arise or we get slowed down - can add up to 3-days to the trip.

Is this too aggressive? Doable? Do most of you try to find campgrounds for the 1-nighters when in transit to your next destination, or do you go with Cracker Barrels, Harvest Hosts, etc.?

Trip Plan
• 412 miles Joshua Tree National Park 1-night
• 499 miles Lordsburg, NM 1-night
• 493 miles Sheffield, TX 1-night
• 442 miles Cypress, TX – 3-nights
• 409 miles Hot Springs, AR 1-night
• 365 miles Dover, TN – 2-nights
• 483 miles Chicago, IL 2-nights
• 571 miles Watertown, SD 1-night
• 422 miles Mt. Rushmore, SD 1-night
• 422 miles Yellowstone NP – 2-nights
• 516 miles Ely, NV 1-night
• 423 miles Home
• Total miles: 5,373
• Total nights: 16

Thanks in advance!

[TurbineGuy]

Originally Posted by tomato

A lot of good advice and different opinions to consider for sure. As I mentioned in a later post, we are not retired and do have time constraints. Main plan is to get to TX, TN and IL - then home. The stops to the north (i.e. Yellowstone) were icing on the cake. I am confident the driving is doable for us at this stage (wife and I are in our early 50's), especially given the fact that we share the wheel. We've done some epic road trips in the past, but not in a MH. Depending on what is happening with our Ventana, I may change this up and stop in Nappanee for service. If we do that, the northern stuff may be out.

I get it, been there done that and still have the tee shirts. Truly enough 'tis better to take a leisurely drive and stay for a couple of days but family is family. If it were me, and it has been, I would rock to TX and boondock along the way, you can carry enough water. If need be, plan ahead for a campground once along the way to overnight, dump tanks and refill the freshwater, etc. I would scoot to each stop, spend extra days with family and then beeline for home, boondocking and catching small events along the way. I would plan other dedicated trips for Rushmore, Yellowstone and 1,000 other destinations. THAT is why you have the RV. Enjoy the trip!

[drgoodson]

I think you are being way too ambitious.

If you do it as planned, you will certainly see a lot of America, but not actually get to experience it.

We typically try not to travel more than around 300 miles per day, which typically works out to 5-7 hours on the road.

Some of our most memorable experiences have been “finding” local gems by getting off of the Interstate and larger highways. You may not travel as fast, but if you’re having fun-so what?

So slow down and enjoy your trip!

[tomato]

Originally Posted by TurbineGuy

I get it, been there done that and still have the tee shirts. Truly enough 'tis better to take a leisurely drive and stay for a couple of days but family is family. If it were me, and it has been, I would rock to TX and boondock along the way, you can carry enough water. If need be, plan ahead for a campground once along the way to overnight, dump tanks and refill the freshwater, etc. I would scoot to each stop, spend extra days with family and then beeline for home, boondocking and catching small events along the way. I would plan other dedicated trips for Rushmore, Yellowstone and 1,000 other destinations. THAT is why you have the RV. Enjoy the trip!

Makes good sense and starting to lean that way.

[alton]

Originally Posted by tomato

We have had our coach for 2.5 months, and the furthest we have gone is 380 miles in one day. We have a trip in 2 weeks that will be about 1,000 miles round trip, with the first leg at 420 miles. The 380 was a piece of cake, as my wife and I share the driving.

However, we have not embarked on a trip where we would be driving nearly every day, and I am looking for insights and advice. Rough trip plan for this Spring is below, but we haven't fully planned out our "on the road" stay overs yet.

We do have a bit of flexibility if things arise or we get slowed down - can add up to 3-days to the trip.

Is this too aggressive? Doable? Do most of you try to find campgrounds for the 1-nighters when in transit to your next destination, or do you go with Cracker Barrels, Harvest Hosts, etc.?

Trip Plan
• 412 miles Joshua Tree National Park 1-night
• 499 miles Lordsburg, NM 1-night
• 493 miles Sheffield, TX 1-night
• 442 miles Cypress, TX – 3-nights
• 409 miles Hot Springs, AR 1-night
• 365 miles Dover, TN – 2-nights
• 483 miles Chicago, IL 2-nights
• 571 miles Watertown, SD 1-night
• 422 miles Mt. Rushmore, SD 1-night
• 422 miles Yellowstone NP – 2-nights
• 516 miles Ely, NV 1-night
• 423 miles Home
• Total miles: 5,373
• Total nights: 16

Thanks in advance!

When I was in my fifties I would do 600 miles daily. All we seen was the highway. Now in my late sevintys I am pushing to do 400.

[bird6465]

If you assume 50 miles an hour for the day including stops, fuel, lunch, breaks, you can see how much driving time youll have per day. I don't see how you'll have any time to see anything but the highway in front of you. When we go long distance, we lay over every third day and take it easy.