Driving across the US

TheAnnoyingOne · 08-30-2007, 11:24 AM

Although I have over 500000 miles under my belt, never had the opportunity or need for a real long distance drive. Since I now have to go to Atlanta for 3 to 4 weeks in order to install equipment and train operators in their use, I've decided to give my Prius a good workout and do the trip by road.

In planning the trip I see that I have the option of 3 routes:

1- I-10E to Mobile then I-65 through Montgomery to I-85 to Atlanta

2- I-10E to I-10/I-20 fork, the I-20E through Birmingham to Atlanta

3- I-40E to Memphis then I-78 to Birmingham and I-20 to Atlanta

Any word of wisdom from the PC community on this is welcomed.

PA Prius · 08-30-2007, 11:34 AM

Where are you travelling from? What is the distance of your trip? Our family of four did a 7,500 mile cross country camping trip out of our Prius this summer and it was wonderful. If you are interested in getting great mpg-- tire pressure up and speed down.

PA P

hyo silver · 08-30-2007, 11:45 AM

That sounds like an adventure! I can't advise you on the route, having been to LA a total of once in my life, and that was on the train. But, I have driven cross-country before.

Plenty of water and snacks would be good. Air conditioning is a safety feature on long drives - use it if you need it. A little electric cooler can be very handy for food, water, and wobbly pops. Are you travelling alone? Camping? Motelling? Sleeping in the car? Do you have time for scenic stops? Will you get the car serviced along the way? So many questions....were you asking for answers?

leachboy · 08-30-2007, 05:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Annoying One @ Aug 30 2007, 11:24 AM) [snapback]504304[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

3- I-40E to Memphis then I-78 to Birmingham and I-20 to Atlanta

[/b]

I'd vote against this one because there is no I-78 from Memphis to Birmingham--it's US78. I don't know anything about that road, but I'd prefer to stay on the interstate.

Vagabond · 08-30-2007, 05:36 PM

I did the 2nd option but I broke north before I hit Atlanta. It was an ok drive.

I think my time from LA to Atlanta was around 22 hours. My final stop was Pittsburgh. I arrived 30 hours after I left Los Angeles. I was driving by myself at the time....

wiiprii · 08-30-2007, 05:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Aug 30 2007, 02:36 PM) [snapback]504520[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I did the 2nd option but I broke north before I hit Atlanta. It was an ok drive.

I think my time from LA to Atlanta was around 22 hours. My final stop was Pittsburgh. I arrived 30 hours after I left Los Angeles. I was driving by myself at the time....
[/b]

For what it's worth, I have a 12 hour limit for myself when I drive alone long distance. It's party for safety, and partly for comfort. I also try to limit night driving.

If you do drive late at night or early in the morning (1-3am) on the freeway, it is advisable to NOT drive in the fast lane.

Drunk drivers sometimes get on the freeway going in the wrong direction. They think they are driving in the slow lane, but they are driving down the wrong way. My sister and her family were nearly killed by one of these idiots.

priimie · 08-30-2007, 06:48 PM

I-20 between Tuscaloosa, AL and Atlanta always has tons of construction going on. I would do option 1 if it were me.

mcbrunnhilde · 08-30-2007, 07:01 PM

I've done LOTS of cross-country drives from San Diego to the east coast (NY and DC). I have a sister in Nashville (i.e. my hotel), so I always end up on I-40 at some point.

If you value your sanity, do NOT go anywhere near I-10 or I-20 in Texas!! Absolutely crashingly boring, desolate, and something I desperately try to avoid. The ONLY reason I take that way is if it's late in the year and I don't want to chance getting into any snow or ice on I-40. Also, cities are VERY far apart...I had to sleep in my car one night when the few motels I found were full and the next city was an hour away. I-40 is also pretty empty, but I find it to be less ugly than I-10, and there's a better chance of lodgings.

US-78 is only about 240 miles until you get to I-20, and I've never been that way so I don't know about the condition of the road. Since it links Memphis with Atlanta, two pretty major cities, I would assume that it is high-speed divided highway with minimal in-town driving. If you want to stop in Nashville for some fun along the way (it really is a lovely city, but the collection of roads going through there was dubbed "spaghetti junction" by my brother-in-law...), you could then go I-24 to I-75 to get to Atlanta.

BTW obey the speed limits on Memphis highways!!! I was going through there very late at night and didn't see the 55mph sign crossing the Mississippi River. I got pulled over for going probably 65 or 70, but the cop was very nice when I told him I had not seen the sign. He didn't ticket me, and I promised to obey the limits. I think he radioed some buddies to watch out, because on my way out of town (cruise set at 55), I saw two or three more cop cars. I'll bet they were waiting to catch me speeding and sock it to me on the ticket! :-)

Check with gasbuddy.com to see where your least expensive gas will be on the way. I have found that the western outskirts of Albuquerque and Oklahoma City have reasonable gas prices (Love's, Flying J, etc.). Flagstaff is also pretty good (at the junction of I-17). If I remember, gas is cheaper in Arkansas (near the eastern border) than it is in Tennessee.

If you are the type who finds a motel on the road when you feel like stopping instead of getting one in advance, watch out for Oklahoma City...once you pass I-35 there's very little to choose from, and it's a long way to the next city if it's late and you want to turn in.

If you stop in Memphis (or Nashville) for the night, remember that Atlanta is in a different time zone. I almost screwed up a tight schedule one time when I didn't realize that until I was on the road. Fortunately, I had allowed enough time for leisurely driving--so I just changed to get-there-quickly driving and things worked out. :-)

Have a great trip!!!!

leachboy · 08-30-2007, 07:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mcbrunnhilde @ Aug 30 2007, 07:01 PM) [snapback]504558[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

If you want to stop in Nashville for some fun along the way ... you could then go I-24 to I-75 to get to Atlanta.
[/b]

The drive along I-24 from Nashville to Chattanooga is beautiful.

TheAnnoyingOne · 08-30-2007, 10:01 PM

Thank you all -

mcbrunnhilde:
Absolute grand response - It will be a solo drive and, since I do not have any serious deadlines, plan to do a daily drive of approx 8 to 10 hours, daylight only. You are right, the I10 & I20 pass in the middle of nowhere and the I40 is the most appealing. I may take your advise and do the Nashville-I24-I75.

Between the Prius NAV and the Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS on my LapTop I'm pretty confident that will not end up in Nome, AK

..and thanks for the tip

re I-35 near Oklahoma city -

wiiprii:
Thanks for the Drunk driver tip

hyo silver:
My unit of measuring time is: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night

Before I leave I'm doing my 30K service, buying a new camera and getting from the AutoClub a bunch of Motel/Hotel info.

leachboy:
Noted & thanks

I'm looking at a Wednesday 9/5 departure - will see.

08-30-2007, 11:24 AM	#1
TheAnnoyingOne Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: -118.15476, 34.112134 Posts: 266 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Although I have over 500000 miles under my belt, never had the opportunity or need for a real long distance drive. Since I now have to go to Atlanta for 3 to 4 weeks in order to install equipment and train operators in their use, I've decided to give my Prius a good workout and do the trip by road. In planning the trip I see that I have the option of 3 routes: 1- I-10E to Mobile then I-65 through Montgomery to I-85 to Atlanta 2- I-10E to I-10/I-20 fork, the I-20E through Birmingham to Atlanta 3- I-40E to Memphis then I-78 to Birmingham and I-20 to Atlanta Any word of wisdom from the PC community on this is welcomed. __________________ Silver Pine Mica , Glass Breakage Sensor, Integrated SIRIUS

08-30-2007, 11:45 AM	#3
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,430 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 32	That sounds like an adventure! I can't advise you on the route, having been to LA a total of once in my life, and that was on the train. But, I have driven cross-country before. Plenty of water and snacks would be good. Air conditioning is a safety feature on long drives - use it if you need it. A little electric cooler can be very handy for food, water, and wobbly pops. Are you travelling alone? Camping? Motelling? Sleeping in the car? Do you have time for scenic stops? Will you get the car serviced along the way? So many questions....were you asking for answers? __________________ My other high mileage, low emission vehicles are my bicycles and my shoes.

08-30-2007, 07:01 PM	#8
mcbrunnhilde Opera singin' Prius nut! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 596 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've done LOTS of cross-country drives from San Diego to the east coast (NY and DC). I have a sister in Nashville (i.e. my hotel), so I always end up on I-40 at some point. If you value your sanity, do NOT go anywhere near I-10 or I-20 in Texas!! Absolutely crashingly boring, desolate, and something I desperately try to avoid. The ONLY reason I take that way is if it's late in the year and I don't want to chance getting into any snow or ice on I-40. Also, cities are VERY far apart...I had to sleep in my car one night when the few motels I found were full and the next city was an hour away. I-40 is also pretty empty, but I find it to be less ugly than I-10, and there's a better chance of lodgings. US-78 is only about 240 miles until you get to I-20, and I've never been that way so I don't know about the condition of the road. Since it links Memphis with Atlanta, two pretty major cities, I would assume that it is high-speed divided highway with minimal in-town driving. If you want to stop in Nashville for some fun along the way (it really is a lovely city, but the collection of roads going through there was dubbed "spaghetti junction" by my brother-in-law...), you could then go I-24 to I-75 to get to Atlanta. BTW obey the speed limits on Memphis highways!!! I was going through there very late at night and didn't see the 55mph sign crossing the Mississippi River. I got pulled over for going probably 65 or 70, but the cop was very nice when I told him I had not seen the sign. He didn't ticket me, and I promised to obey the limits. I think he radioed some buddies to watch out, because on my way out of town (cruise set at 55), I saw two or three more cop cars. I'll bet they were waiting to catch me speeding and sock it to me on the ticket! :-) Check with gasbuddy.com to see where your least expensive gas will be on the way. I have found that the western outskirts of Albuquerque and Oklahoma City have reasonable gas prices (Love's, Flying J, etc.). Flagstaff is also pretty good (at the junction of I-17). If I remember, gas is cheaper in Arkansas (near the eastern border) than it is in Tennessee. If you are the type who finds a motel on the road when you feel like stopping instead of getting one in advance, watch out for Oklahoma City...once you pass I-35 there's very little to choose from, and it's a long way to the next city if it's late and you want to turn in. If you stop in Memphis (or Nashville) for the night, remember that Atlanta is in a different time zone. I almost screwed up a tight schedule one time when I didn't realize that until I was on the road. Fortunately, I had allowed enough time for leisurely driving--so I just changed to get-there-quickly driving and things worked out. :-) Have a great trip!!!! __________________ Pat 2004 Salsa #7/AM "Gracie"

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08-30-2007, 11:34 AM	#2
PA Prius Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 267 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Where are you travelling from? What is the distance of your trip? Our family of four did a 7,500 mile cross country camping trip out of our Prius this summer and it was wonderful. If you are interested in getting great mpg-- tire pressure up and speed down. PA P

08-30-2007, 05:36 PM	#5
Vagabond Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DICE Headquarters :o Posts: 1,196 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I did the 2nd option but I broke north before I hit Atlanta. It was an ok drive. I think my time from LA to Atlanta was around 22 hours. My final stop was Pittsburgh. I arrived 30 hours after I left Los Angeles. I was driving by myself at the time....

08-30-2007, 06:48 PM	#7
priimie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I-20 between Tuscaloosa, AL and Atlanta always has tons of construction going on. I would do option 1 if it were me.

08-30-2007, 10:01 PM	#10
TheAnnoyingOne Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: -118.15476, 34.112134 Posts: 266 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thank you all - mcbrunnhilde: Absolute grand response - It will be a solo drive and, since I do not have any serious deadlines, plan to do a daily drive of approx 8 to 10 hours, daylight only. You are right, the I10 & I20 pass in the middle of nowhere and the I40 is the most appealing. I may take your advise and do the Nashville-I24-I75. Between the Prius NAV and the Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006 with GPS on my LapTop I'm pretty confident that will not end up in Nome, AK ..and thanks for the tip re I-35 near Oklahoma city - wiiprii: Thanks for the Drunk driver tip hyo silver: My unit of measuring time is: Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night Before I leave I'm doing my 30K service, buying a new camera and getting from the AutoClub a bunch of Motel/Hotel info. leachboy: Noted & thanks I'm looking at a Wednesday 9/5 departure - will see.