Community Forums

KulJ · 09-26-2020, 07:26 PM

Hello!
My family and I are moving from New York to Los Angeles, California in March. We decided to Take a road trip so we’re going to drive with a trailer attached to our car with all of our stuff in it. We’ve never done anything like this. Never went on a road trip and never towed a trailer on a vehicle.
What would be the best route to take?
I would assume the least amount of mountains would be best. We don’t mind a long route as long as it’s the safest. Please help!

rk911 · 09-26-2020, 07:37 PM

"mountains" <> unsafe but if you want the flattest route i'd head south to I-10.

Bob_C · 09-26-2020, 07:47 PM

X2.....

twogypsies · 09-27-2020, 12:32 AM

You said you've never towed a trailer with a car and you'll have all your stuff in it..... make sure your trailer isn't overloaded for the specs on what your car can tow. That could be more dangerous than driving mountains.

You're going in March which is still winter in some states so I'd advise heading south at an angle to I-10 and taking it across.

I-40 can get snow in the western states. We encountered a blizzard the end of April around Albuquerque, NM.

Have a good trip!

Isaac-1 · 09-27-2020, 12:45 AM

Keep in mind it is not so much about elevation change, as it is about sudden elevation change, crossing Wyoming on I-80 is generally a much easier drive than crossing Colorado on I-70, as it tends to be longer, gentler slopes. Of course that assumes you time it right and don't get hit with strong cross winds, which seem to be more common on I-80 than I70. Time of year is another big factor, and I too have seen blizzard like conditions close I-40 in New Mexico in late March for 48 hours or more.

vsheetz · 09-27-2020, 01:23 AM

March. Least steep grades. Go south to I10, and follow it west to San Diego, then north into LA area.

Skip426 · 09-27-2020, 01:28 AM

JMHO: U Haul trailers are thief magnets , ship your stuff you'll enjoy the drive much more.
As twogypsies mentioned you don't want to be overloaded either , family and luggage for a 6/7 day trip will probably be all the load your vehicle can handle .

BTW: You haven't mentioned the car , modern front wheel drive cars don't have much of a tow rating, some depending on engine /trans combinations, may say not to tow anything , have you checked your owners manual.

rk911 · 09-27-2020, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

March. Least steep grades. Go south to I10, and follow it west to San Diego, then north into LA area.

i-10 goes direct into LA. i-8 branches off i-10 and goes to san diego.

CountryB · 09-27-2020, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KulJ

Hello!
My family and I are moving ... to Los Angeles, California

Ouch. I'm sorry for you.

450Donn · 09-27-2020, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CountryB

Ouch. I'm sorry for you.

X2. Sure hope you have a electric car!

NY to CA is like jumping from the frying pan into the fire

Glenn and Kathy · 09-27-2020, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rk911

i-10 goes direct into LA. i-8 branches off i-10 and goes to san diego.

And you don't want to take I8 to SD as there is a long steep climb about halfway across California just west of El Centro.

Glenn

BillJinOR · 09-27-2020, 12:28 PM

I10 to be sure. You’ll miss almost all the beautiful west but You say all your stuff in a trailer behind your “car”. You either have no stuff or your car is a truck? No “car” made today can tow more than a small uhaul with a mattress a chair and a bicycle inside [emoji6]
I exaggerate but hopefully you get the point. Ship the stuff and drive the car if you have “any” stuff

saddlesore · 09-27-2020, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

I10 to be sure. You’ll miss almost all the beautiful west but You say all your stuff in a trailer behind your “car”. You either have no stuff or your car is a truck? No “car” made today can tow more than a small uhaul with a mattress a chair and a bicycle inside [emoji6]
I exaggerate but hopefully you get the point. Ship the stuff and drive the car if you have “any” stuff

I Concur..Ship your possessions..

From NYC area.. I-78 to I-81, to I-40w to I-30 (Little Rock AR.), to I-20, to I-10 and west to Cali.

Isaac-1 · 09-27-2020, 12:51 PM

If the 7-9 day forecast looks unseasonably warm, follow the above directions, and substitute I-40 west From Little Rock, AR to Flagstaff, AZ, then I-17 to Phoenix, and I-10 on across to CA. I-40 is mostly a gentle climb going west, though you will have a fairly significant descent on I-17, but downhill is less stress on the engine and transmission than climbing is. It is more scenic, and there are some interest roadside stops that are RV / towing accessible, Meteor Crater, etc. to brake up the drive.