Has anyone here ever driven across America?

[effenheimer_IHB]

I've driven Florida to Illinois several times. Generally lame, but if you want to get off the beaten path, spend time in the Smoky Mountains.

As for coast-to-coast, I've done a round-trip in a car (1998), a one-way when moving out here (1999), and a round-trip on a motorcycle (2002). What time of year are you thinking about doing this? Most of my knowledge and experience is with southern routes. If I were doing this in the summer, I'd be crossing the country up north for sure.

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

I have driven across country a number of times. The last was when I moved from Orlando, Florida, to San Diego, California. I have been in 42 of the 50 states. The only ones I have missed are in New England, in the Mountain Northwest and Alaska. America has a lot of diversity, but there are some areas that are not too attractive. I have driven across Iowa in the winter. The entire state is fall plowed, so it was hundreds of miles of bare dirt and dirty snow. The drive across Texas gets old too. I actually enjoyed driving across the plains. There is not much to see, but as you approach the Rocky Mountains, it is fun to watch them rise up from the horizon. The mountains tend to be the most interesting because there is something to see, even from the car.

I thought you looked familiar...

 

[skek_IHB]

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[PeterUK_IHB]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I need to do some more research!! I reckon I'll need around a month to do it comfortably, right?

 

[GoIllini_IHB]

I am currently on my 10th trip across the country, second one this year. I've been in 49 states. How you do it really depends on your purpose. If you want to see the country, then a lot of planning, route selection, and available time is required. The season you choose is also important.

There is so much to see! What are your interests? Food? Geology? Architecture? Music? Sports? You could plan a trip around any one (or several) of these subjects. Compare different Bar-B-Que cooking styles (Texas vs North Carolina vs St. Louis) or visit a half-dozen different baseball parks. Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Grand Canyon in Arizona, followed by digging for diamonds at a state park in Arkansas and emeralds in North Carolina.

If, on the other hand, you just need to get from Point A to Point B, then use any of the route selection web sites and it will tell you which interstate highway is the shortest route. But mile number 435 is going to look very similar to mile number 2354. When traveling alone and just trying to reach a destination, I try to schedule about 650 miles per day and then stop. Any more than that, and it just becomes exhausting and more dangerous.

And as far as getting along with the locals along the road, I find that a smile and a "Hi! My name's XXXX" goes a long way toward making new friends fast.

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

We traveled several times across country in an RV (the "rig") during summers, when dad and grandpa were not teaching school.

I second the suggestion that you plan a theme. We've done national parks, fishing destinations, and historical sites among others. I think I most appreciated the chance to see some of the old U.S. Civil War locations and learn those stories. Good luck Peter.

 

[IrvineRenter_IHB]

I have driven across country a number of times. The last was when I moved from Orlando, Florida, to San Diego, California. I have been in 42 of the 50 states. The only ones I have missed are in New England, in the Mountain Northwest and Alaska. America has a lot of diversity, but there are some areas that are not too attractive. I have driven across Iowa in the winter. The entire state is fall plowed, so it was hundreds of miles of bare dirt and dirty snow. The drive across Texas gets old too. I actually enjoyed driving across the plains. There is not much to see, but as you approach the Rocky Mountains, it is fun to watch them rise up from the horizon. The mountains tend to be the most interesting because there is something to see, even from the car.

I thought you looked familiar...

I just saw this. Hilarious...