Northern VA to L.A. Trip & Mountains

[Old Grape]

Planning a trip in late Sep early Oct to drive from Fredericksburg, VA to the L.A. I have driven it 4 or 5 times over the years in a car but it has been a long time since the last trip. I've never driven our coach in the mountains before. It does have an exhaust break. My 06 Tour has a CAT 350. I would like to ask for some suggestions/advice on a few items. First any recommendations on whether to let the transmission do it's thing on its own or possibly down shift to 5th or 4th when starting down the various down grades with exhaust brake on in both cases? Also any recommendations on overnight stopping locations. Hope to make it in 5 days

[skigramp]

2600 miles in 5 days ... over 500 miles a day ... that does not sound like fun to me ...

Rather than worry about what gear to shift into ... I suggest that you make sure that your speed is under control at the top ... and as the speed builds up (even with your exhaust brake) you should STAB your brake pedal to bring the speed down 10 mph and then LET OFF ... otherwise your brakes overheat ...