Newbie needs help

[Gabriel R]

Hello, I'm new here and new to rving. If someone here can help, I bought and old 1973 Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer and I am travelling from Portland Oregon to Charleston West Virginia. Can someone help me find the flattest route? I've tried flattestroute(dot)com but am confused. I am leaving in 2 days and was hoping to avoid the rocky mountains. I read that heading down to Los Angeles and the taking the i10 across is the flattest, but we're do I begin the diagonal cross up to Charleston WV? I was thinking EL Paso Texas? Thanks Gabriel

[momdoc]

Welcome to the forum. I am not sure you can get from the west coast to the east with out crossing the Rockies.

You are joining a good group of friends here with good information to share. Read the various threads here and ask questions as they come up or add information if you can.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!

[Randm Musing]

Hi Gabriel,


I can not offer any meaningful advice about your trip, but if you post information about your equipment you will save a lot of time and get more meaningful answers up front. Since you are in crunchville time wise, that will help a lot.


Post information about your tow vehicle such as make, model (year), engine, basically everything that you can post, and you will get plenty of advice. People here are johnny on the spot when someone needs help / advice. It is a very good community.


Good luck, safe journey, and hope all goes well.



Charles.

[TonyDi]

Wow! You are adding approximately 700 miles to your trip to do that. You are also adding about 12+ hrs of driving. I don't know how much you are will to drive each day towing a trailer.

Give us more details on your rig and your and you'll get more suggestions.

[Gabriel R]

I'm towing with a 1999 dodge durango v8 5.9l... I cannot seem to drive uphill too fast. All the other trailers speed past me. I would much rather find the flattest route. I don't mind travelling hundreds of miles more. If someone can help me plot a flat route. I noticed El Paso Texas is 3800 feet elevation. Thanks Gabriel

[twogypsies]

Don't get into the Los Angeles mess.
Don't worry about others driving faster than you!

3438 miles:

Take I-5 to Bakersfield, CA then 58 to Barstow
247 south to Lucerne Valley to Yucca Valley
62 east to 177 south to I-10

I-10 east to Las Cruces, New Mexico
I-25 north a very short distance toward White Sands Nat'l Monument
Hwy 70/54 NE to Santa Rosa, New Mexico to Tucumcari, NM to I-40 east
I-40 to Oklahoma City
I-44 to St. Louis
I-64 to Charleston

The most direct route - 2550 miles:
From Portland take I-84 to Salt Lake City, UT
I-80 to Lincoln, NE
I-29 south to Kansas City
I-70 to St. Louis
I-64 to Charleston

Have a safe trip!!!

[Gabriel R]

Thank you for the two routes. I have trouble going up steep hills. I'll probably head down to i10. I know it's longer but I think it might be the flattest route of the two if I'm not mistaken. Thank you. Gabriel