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Khenson · 07-27-2010, 09:42 AM

I am picking up my new RV in California and driving it back to Delaware. We are taking a month to do it and are visiting a few cities along the way. The following route was recommended by Google. I wonder if some of you might review these directions and offer suggestions on it. Are there roads on this route you would avoid? I am driving an 08 HR ADmiral 35' V8 with 6spd Allison and Workhorse.

Thank you!!

Thousand Oaks, CA to Dover, DE - Google Maps

CD · 07-27-2010, 10:57 AM

Khenson
In Wa. you may want to consider going to Tacoma, turn onto SR16 to SR3 to SR104 and then to 101. You will have better , wider roads and not so crooked. It is about 15mi farther but probably won't take as long. The trip along Hood Canal is a senic route but slow and crooked.

1ciderdog · 07-27-2010, 11:39 AM

Boy - that is sure not the shortest route but does have great stops. You might consider staying in an RV park in Washington state near a ferry service and take the ferry to Victoria. If you haven't visited the following National parks this would be a good opportunity - time permitting: Out of Spokane you might want to go up through Kalispell MT with a side trip to Glacier (you can't take the RV through Glacier National Park because of size restrictions) then drop down to Wyoming, Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks and on to your stop in Denver. When leaving Michigan you could pass by Niagara Falls. I've visited these places several times and we don't pass them by unless time is limited. Go slow and enjoy as best you can.

Stillwater · 07-27-2010, 12:13 PM

I sure don't want to discourage anyone from visiting us in Canada, but, unless you have a very specific need to go to Victoria then it is an expensive side trip. It costs us $ 207.00 one way for 90 minute boat ride that's why we only leave once a year. If you really want to do Victoria a couple of suggestions is to park the MH in Port Angeles and walk on the ferry or there is a passenger only ferry from Seattle to Victoria called the Victoria Clipper. Both ferries land you right downtown where all the tourist attractions are or there are lots of tour buses in the area as well. Walk on with the ferry (Black Ball Ferry Line) is $15.50 ea. one way and you arrive about 10:00AM and it looks like from June 17 to Sept 7 you can catch the 7:30 ferry back. The Victoria Clipper is about $90.00 one way and gives you about the same amount of time in Victoria the only difference is the clipper ride is about 3 hours compared to 1 1/2 hrs. The only problem I see is being able to park the MH somewhere that you feel comfortable leaving it. If your going to visit someone tell them to get their butt down to the wharf to pick you up and show you around. The drive up to Port Angeles is worth seeing and so is Victoria I'm just offering a couple of options.

Khenson · 07-27-2010, 07:29 PM

Thank you...

I do have a friend that lives on Vancouver Island. That is why we are going there. He will be picking is up and bringing us across on the ferry. We will leave our RV off the island.

RVhauler · 07-27-2010, 07:58 PM

Remem ber that you don't need a passport to get into Canada but MUST have passport to return back into the states

RVThere · 07-27-2010, 08:45 PM

You may want to drop down from Bozeman and at least drive through Yellowstone. You are so close, it would be a shame to miss it. Mammoth Hot Springs, down to Old Faithful, across to Y'stone falls, down to Y'stone Lake. You can then leave through the east entrance and take a dip in the hot pools of Thermopolis.

When passing Princeton, IL on I-80, stop for a Culver's Butter Burger! There is a Wal Mart right across the street for overnight camping.

In addition to Cooperstown, your route takes you close to 3 other Hall of Fames - Football in Canton, OH, Hocking in Toronto, and Basketball in Springfield, MA. All great stops if you are into sports.

Wayne M · 07-27-2010, 08:56 PM

Only a month!

Fast trip.

wa8yxm · 07-28-2010, 09:37 AM

Well.. I don't know why you are going to Denver or to Battle Creek Michign, home of the latest oil spill (yes, they had one yesterday just up river of Battle Creek)

But I assume you have a reason.. MOST of that portion of the route I have travled and it's good.

When you get to Battle Creek, I don't know if they are still in business since I"ve not been to B.C. in some years... but they are still listed on a few web pages I just mentioend.

HENRY'S ICE CREAM
97 CALHOUN ST
BATTLE CREEK MI 49017
616/968-8854

Very good ice cream

There is another place in Jackson MI that is good too

The only routing issues is this.. The put you back on toll roads as fast as possible coming out of Battle Creek... I'd take I-94 at least as far as I-275 then drop down picking up 75 to Toledo and save on toll, or take US-23 down from I-94 Not much difference millage wise but a big difference in toll road fees.

Of course if you go a couple miles FARTHER east on I-94 you can visit Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum but that's up to you (That would be in Dearborn, MI)

skigramp · 07-28-2010, 02:26 PM

This route looks like it emphasizes cities and avoids great natural scenery ... Big Sur, the Oregon Coast, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills, Rock Mountain National Park, Custer Battlefield, the Badlands,

Historical Spots: Reagan Presidential Library, SmokeJumpers Station in Missoula, Pitchfork Fondue in Medora, ND, Mandan ND (Lewis Clark wintered there), Deadwood, SD, The arch in St Louis and the museum in the base (Jefferson Expansin)

There are a several great surprises along your route ... the Archway over I-80 at Kearney, NE ... the Amana Colonies near the intersection of US-151 and I-80 in eastern Iowa ... Herbert Hoover presidential Library just west of Iowa City along I-80 ...

alageezer · 07-28-2010, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skigramp

This route looks like it emphasizes cities and avoids great natural scenery ... Big Sur, the Oregon Coast, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills, Rock Mountain National Park, Custer Battlefield, the Badlands,

Sure would be a shame to miss all these places.

wkdwitch · 07-28-2010, 05:45 PM

Strange end point. Not a lot of places to park a Motorhome at State st & Loockerman. ..unless you are going to a bank.

Khenson · 07-29-2010, 12:05 PM

Thank you so much for all of your contributions! I may be cutting out the Vancouver Island excursion to give us more time to check out Yellowstone and other points in between.

@wa8yxm:I grew up in Battle Creek so that's the reason I am going there. Don't recall Henry's Ice Cream but I will check it out!
@skigramp: Yes, google's intent is destination, not journey. I will do my best to see these sights!
@wkdwitch: ??? I live in Dover...no I will not be stopping literally at State and Loockerman. That's google's end point.