Realistic time to get from East to West Coast in a Class A gasser?

[palasz]

Hi-

My wife and I need to move from Philly to Seattle with 4 pets. We are thinking about buying a Class A gas motorhome. We have experience towing boats and trailers long distances. We would drive as much as we could per day and stay in hotel parking lots (not sure about this). Our goal is to just get there. I am thinking 300 miles a day is realistic but am seeking advice from this group on what IS a realistic number of miles to drive per day in a big motorhome... We would probably both be driving..

We may be able to coax another family member to help with driving..

Thanks,

Mike

[rk911]

before we did the RV thing we once drove non-stop except for gas, food and relief stops, from sacramento, ca to des moines, ia. took 36-hours. google maps has the distance from philly to seattle at 2800-mi. at an avg speed of 50-mph that's 56 hours or seven 8-hr days (with stops more like 10-hr days) or nine 300-mile days.

if you have a 3rd driver you may not need to stop to sleep.

time a factor? gonna sightsee along the way? your hotel lot scenario may not work...at least not without paying. you need permission from management to squatt, overnight park, on private property assuming no local ordinances against the practice. some walmarts, cracker barrels and flying j truck stops DO permit ONP with permission where local laws allow.

there has to be a less expensive way to get from here to there unless you are planning to keep the MH after the move?

[grindstone01]

My wife and I hauled our fifth wheel from Cal to Mich a couple of years ago and averaging 300 mile days, it was a long 10 day grueling trip. During the trip, we needed 2 tires replaced on different days which also slowed us down. If you have the option, I would drive a smaller gas efficient vehicle (van) and double the daily mileage. The fuel $$ saved would be better spent on pet friendly motels.

[rte154]

You will probably get a lot of different answers to that question. There are a lot of variables to that scenario. Type and condition of mh and the terrain. 300 miles is a realistic goal. A strong crosswind for example can make even 300 miles very tiring. Not sure about the hotel lots either. With 2 drivers you may find youself driving well over the 300 mile goal.

[palasz]

Hi-

We would plan on keeping the MH and maybe using on the West Coast. We have big animals that we can not pack into the belly of a commercial flight and can not figure out another way to get to West Coast except private plane charter which I am not thrilled about...

We would pay for a night at hotel so I'm assuming they would let a 35ft MH park? Maybe not...

M.

[Scatterbrain]

We made the drive from Va Bch to San Diego in two weeks. No really long days, and we stopped at several parks along the way. I'd imagine you could easily make it in less if you're just going straight through. Across the middle of the country we often would just find an RV park to overnight in or pull into a rest area and nap.

[rk911]

Originally Posted by palasz

Hi-

We would plan on keeping the MH and maybe using on the West Coast. We have big animals that we can not pack into the belly of a commercial flight and can not figure out another way to get to West Coast except private plane charter which I am not thrilled about...

We would pay for a night at hotel so I'm assuming they would let a 35ft MH park? Maybe not...

M.

what kind of animals? another probkem with hotel lots is space. the AllStays Truck & Travel app will let you search for ho/motels with truck parking.

[MSHappyCampers]

I agree with the 300 miles per day, but you will need to find other parking besides hotels. Most of them can't accommodate larger RV's pulling trailers.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[rte154]

I don't understand why you would want to pay high prices for a motel. There are plenty of rv parks to stay in along all interstates. That is the main advantage of the rv, having your own bed to sleep in and with the pets rv parks are definitely the way to go. Cheaper too.

[momdoc]

300 miles a day is doable and is actually our max for a day (we try for 250 max). Hotels will probably not work but many Wal - Marts, Cracker Barrel, Cabrella's will all work for an overnight

Good luck.

[UTTransplant]

By myself I generally drive 300-350 a day on travel days. Of course, doing it for 10 days will be more tiring. If you could plan a two day stop every 3-4 days, you would be even better. But two drivers should be able to do 300 miles a day even for that many days. Plan a nice long lunch stop with a good rest (I try for a short nap).

[old golfer guy]

Last June we bought a MH in Florida. Took me a little over 5 days to get back to Calif. But that was just me, no wife or dogs. !2 hr. days most of the time. Gotta consider I used to own a moving company and 12 hr. days on the road were not uncommon.

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by old golfer guy

Last June we bought a MH in Florida. Took me a little over 5 days to get back to Calif. But that was just me, no wife or dogs. !2 hr. days most of the time. Gotta consider I used to own a moving company and 12 hr. days on the road were not uncommon.

Just drove 504 miles today in 36ft Dutchstar gaser. Left 8am arrived at5:27. 1 gas stop 2 other stops to walk and feed dogs. Long day but doable. Some light rain at times very little wind. All interstate from Ga to Melbourne fl. Towing crv with Cricket in side.
Cruise at 65. One 15 min of slow traffic due to rubber neckers.

[Honwing]

Making our 4th round trip between Seattle and Carrabelle, Florida next week. Carrabelle is a beach town 50 miles south of Tallahassee. Leaving on March 27th with our 40’ Itasca Horizon and plan on 10 days max when traveling between 9am and 3pm. 300 miles easy. Between 8am and 4pm we can do it in 8 days. 3100 miles total. We book our campgrounds around Noon each day using Passport America, KOA, or RV Parky and have never had any issues getting a site. Usually pay between $25-$40 for 50amp and full hookups. 400 miles is our max as I am the only driver. The only issue will be the crazy weather that has plagued this country lately and might cause us to lay down a day or two to avoid damage. No hotels for us.