Driving cross-country, any suggestions.

[eshbach]

Starting early friday morning I will be driving across the country in my "awesome" '91 volvo 740 turbo-brick.

the farthest i've ever driven before is about 300 miles. this tirp will be from california to pennsylvania (college to home), so it will be about 2800. the wagon will be fully loaded with all my computer stuff, guitars, cascade, etc.

I'm wondering if anyone here has any suggestions or experience with long trips and can give me some pointers on making 14-hour driving days more bearable.

thanks.

[STEvil]

Listen to talk radio (gives you something to think about, therefore keeping you awake).

[FrozenPC4Brain]

Get some audio books to listen to.
It's reading untill you drop book on face but keep on reading anyway.

Be sure to buckle up n BE SAFE!
Pull over for cat naps if required!


Have a safe trip

[bfx]

Usual stuff -

Get the car ready - oil change, good tires, etc.

Plan your route - with alternative routes if needed to avoid nasty weather. This time of year the midwest is prone to thuderstorms, etc.

Try to hit large cities at non rush hour times.

Personally, when going west to east I prefer getting a late start in the morning. Traffic won't be as bad and the sun will be above the horizon enough that you aren't looking straight at it.

And try to avoid the sea to shing sea syndrome (http://www.onelapofamerica.com/Cannonball/stories/1975.htm) - getting there late is much better than not getting there.

Find a rest stop every couple of hours - get out, walk around, relax for 15 or 20 minutes.

Etc.

bfx

[Disposibleteen]

these trips are actually quite fun, i went from ohio to california last summer, stopping by in arizona and new mexico so sight see. It was great.


Make sure no one takes your computer gear out of the back of your car, keep it covered.

[jjcom]

I just went to Cananda so nice long trip, but the driver would crank the radio and start singing Queen (so would his son and someone else I was riding with) "I want to ride my bicycle..." So I would put on my headphones and start listening to some Jo Dee Messina or other country. Pop in your favorite music cd in and crank the volume. Then just the normal get the car checked, new tires (if needed) change the oil, etc.

jjcom

[craig588]

Get a CB radio so you can find out early about accidents or traffic blocks. IIRC it's channel 19 for general communication.

[afireinside]

^^thats a good idea craig

Lots and lots of soda/coffee/bawls/jolt/your favorite form of caffine is a good idea as well ;)

BTW, where in PA are you? I want to see that cascade if you're near philly :D

[perkam]

GEEEE PEEEEE ESSSSS !!!!!! Cant stress the importance of that enough. Get one and you'll never get lost.

Perkam

[[XC] leviathan18]

nice music something to eat drink plan your trip stop every 4 hours of driving and just have fun if you fell sleepy pull over and just rest and if you can go with a friend that is even better

[Disposibleteen]

GEEEE PEEEEE ESSSSS !!!!!! Cant stress the importance of that enough. Get one and you'll never get lost.

Perkam
why waste the money, just buy some maps, sometime you can pick them up free at roadside rest stops.

[Disposibleteen]

^^thats a good idea craig

Lots and lots of soda/coffee/bawls/jolt/your favorite form of caffine is a good idea as well ;)

BTW, where in PA are you? I want to see that cascade if you're near philly :D
i used to live in pennsuaken NJ, i have since moved, it was a shame while i was there i knew no people who were good with computers.

[afireinside]

Arg you're like the third person I've met that used to live like 5 minutes from me but moved away :stick:

[zabomb4163]

why waste the money, just buy some maps, sometime you can pick them up free at roadside rest stops.

they also help you avoid radar traps

[Disposibleteen]

GPS detecs radar????? And all this time i just thought it told you your global position

[black rose]

audio books, rest every 4ish hours or when tired, keep well fed/hydrated. a roll of toilet paper / paper towels has saved me from a few rough times (spills, sudden "urges", etc.), cell phone car charger, sunscreen and sunglasses, comfortable shoes (I like flip flops myself), as well as the advice the other members have posted. also, a digital camera so you can post pics of the weird/cool stuff you saw during the drive. have fun and be safe. :cool: :cool:

[bxa121]

maintain your health, but most importantly maintain your car. keep it full of water..

its whats gonna get you to where you wanna go at the end of the day..

[zabomb4163]

GPS detecs radar????? And all this time i just thought it told you your global position

should read more


Get a CB radio so you can find out early about accidents or traffic blocks. IIRC it's channel 19 for general communication.

[[XC] leviathan18]

there are some gps that include a software that indicates to you where are the radar traps road angel or something like that is called

and yes toilet paper is a priority xD

[Disposibleteen]

how can they do this, police constantly move? Got a link to a site supporting this?

[eshbach]

well i made it. sorry i didn't respond earlier.

i had some car trouble early but PC ICE helped me out :)

i tried to use most of the tips but basically i just drove until i was falling asleep then pulled off. it's a long boring drive and not much helps that (especially when doing it solo).

afireinside, i'm in camp hill. mapquest says that's about 115 miles from camden.

[afireinside]

Damn thats pretty far away :( Unless of couse you want to bring the cascade to my house. You can have your name at the end of the 3dmark project title :D

Good to hear you made it to the east cost safely. East coast>west coast

[Crankster]

Damn thats pretty far away :( Unless of couse you want to bring the cascade to my house. You can have your name at the end of the 3dmark project title :D
Can i siggy this afireinside?

[bfx]

Glad you arrived safely.

It's always good to complete that type of trip and unwind afterward.

bfx