Driving from West to East coasts - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Driving from West to East coasts

lb311 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think I-40 will be your best bet right now as long as the summer heat has not fully kicked in yet. Not only does it have much easier mountain passes (compared to I-70 or I-80), but it also follows historic Route 66, so there are some neat things to see along the way and plenty of RV parks and services.

Have a great trip & congrats on the new motorhome!

Lynne

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you really want to make the trip easy and carefree invest in the Cobra Truckers GPS, it covers all your fuel stops, food stops, and truck safe roads. If a GPS is not in the budget, The truckers Road atlas will help out, I 80 is a good E W interstate, G

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle:

Congratulations finding the rig! I know you were working hard at the Rally to make a good choice for you, your bride and daughter. That’s very cool!

I-40 is a pretty good shot and I think you know that you will take I-81 off of I-40 in Tennessee, west of Knoxville. I-81 is a great drive and hills are just not a major issue. Don’t be too concerned. It will be fine. That route is less than 50 miles longer than the “shortest Interstate way” which takes you I-40 to I-44, Oklahoma City, than I-70 from St. Louis, to more or less Delaware.

Having driven, some, not all, of this route, especially on the eastern side of the US, I would really go I-40 to I-81. IMO it is much better road in a lot of ways. Not as “beat up” as the Interstates in Ohio and Penn. (No tolls.) Also, you will be off I-40 before any of the mountain road work in North Carolina that had a road closure due to a rock slide. So not to worry about that section of I-40, you won’t be on it. It’s all good.

There are plenty of truck stops, if that is your preference, on the I-40 / I-81. Also, you have to go via "some" cities. Just try to avoid rush hour and it will be much better. Obviously there are loops which are generally recommended.

Yes, I would get a GPS and the Rand McNally Truckers book is good. But once you get to I-15 in LA to get to I-40, your pretty much home till you get to Northern Virginia. But the GPS gives you a lot of “how goes it information” that I love. I know some don’t care for GPS. But I use them a lot, along with a map and they have served me well.

Come the intersection of I-81 and I-66 in VA, you pretty much have to decide how you want to get home. I probably would go at least as far as Winchester, VA before I turn hard east. But that is your home tuff and you can decide.

So enjoy the adventure, just take your time and don’t push you or the rig and you will be surprised how well the trip goes.

Safe travels.

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Tuesday 11th of May 2010 08:37:04 AM

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Being a one time Truck driver I-40, I-81 is the route I would take. Truckers Atlas at most Truck Stops is a good buy (Laminated). I also use Garmin GPS in-dash system in the Freighliner M2 and we have the Garmin 2720 in the (Chevy HHR) Toad. This time of year the Southern route will be a great ride. GBY...

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Many thanks for the advice, gang! I am very anxious about the drive and you have eased my mind a bit.

I-40 to 81 it is for sure. I want to avoid the Chesapeake Bay bridge so I will head north on 95 once I get to the beltway.

We have decided we will not be FTing right away and will travel "extensively" for a while first. This decision led us to decide on a Class A gasser. We will likely keep it 5 years or so and see what happens after that. 08 Holiday Rambler Admiral 34sbd is our new rig. It is a solid rig with a good chassis/engine/transmission combo: Workhorse/8.1 Vortech/6spd Allison. And, of course, it fits our budget.

Thanks again!

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle, that sounds like a very solid plan all around. Congratulations!

In our view you have made a great rig choice for the purpose intended; a solid drive train and big enough space now for your needs. You just can’t beat that big block V8 w\ an Allison for this role. You’ll love the Allison grade braking coming down those rolling hills – Not to mention the 6 speed double overdrive. Very cool!

Enjoy the little adventure and we hope to see you again at the next stop.

Safe travels

Bill & Linda

Old Snipe · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle,

Congrats on your new rig! I know you were chaffing at the bit during the rally and now the wait is over. Great news.

You'll have a blast driving cross country, you've gotten good advice on the routes home. But beware, you might have so much fun you might be quickly rethinking your FT plans! biggrin

Best Regards!

heyjohnm · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle,

Congratulations! Enjoy the trip home. One note on your taking 95N is that the Baltimore tunnels restrict propane. You may want to research this but several folks have called the State Police and got the word NO propane. Others report that the MD Dept of Transportation regs say no propane containers over 10#. (Don't ask at the toll booth --they don't appear to have a consistent answer and if they re-route you --you may be heading through downtown Balt.

) If it's a windy day suggest I695 W around the north side of Balt. In calm/no wind conditions you may want to consider the Key Bridge which routes you south of Balt. to Dundalk / White Marsh.
Again congratulatons and safe travels.

John

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for pointing that out about propane on 95, John!

Can I ask a couple more questions?

I am taking my brother-in-law and we will share the driving. Can this be done in 4 days comfortably?

Where do you suggest we stop and sleep? Walmart? FLying J? How about dumping stations?

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's about 2800 miles and about 48 hours driving time at 60MPH. That's four 700 mile days. With eating, stopping a few times a day for fuel and some sleep, I don't think you want to do any more.

You should be able to stop for sleep at fuel stops and you shouldn't need to dump anything with just 2 people.

Good luck,

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Excellent thank you Fred.

I have decided to pick it up at a later date when I can take longer to make the drive.

heyduke · RV-Dreams Family Member

yep in this case i think longer is better... :0

dentalassistant · RV-Dreams Community Member

Congratulations! Please keep us updated on your experience and trip home. Those of us that are still in the research stage are learning so much from others on this forum. We thank all of you for sharing and being so honest and open with your information and answers. Mike & Rose

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi, I've driven both the mountain (15-70-80) and the middle (40-81) route, as well as the Soutern route, as I have children who live in DC, and Florida.I find that even this time of the year, when there will be no weather problems on the mountain route, the 40 will be a better bet. In fact, we will be leaving Las Vegas on 6/25, to travel to Washington DC,taking the 40-81 route. This will be our first long trip with the new F-250 DSL, so many of you so kindly helped me to decide on. Another reason to take the 40 is the long term effect of a rock slide, on I-70 along the Colorado River, near Glen Canyon, which is one lovely ride, but not when they are slowing the traffic down to one lane (so I am told). FWIW, depending on your age and energy level, 700 miles a day, if you are new to driving a class A, or any other rig, actually, might be a bit taxing. As you may know, it's not like driving a car or even just a big truck. Have a safe trip. I'm glad you decided to take a bit of time. I used to live in LA, you will find driving there "interesting", I assure you. The rest of the trip should be nice and easy.

Richard

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Update!

Thank you all again for the advice. I held out on the purchase, hoping the dealer would come back with a lower price...and he did by about 8%! So, I am getting what I feel is a superb deal on this RV.

I will be picking up the RV the first week in August. I will stick with the 40-81 route. Will I run into heat issues taking that route in August?

Roz · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle,

The Fransis Scott Key Bridge around the east side of Baltimore is a piece of cake. We have driven our 40' MH across this bridge both ways a number of times. It really is not to be feared.

Key is map your route to the bridge with the different roads. It is not difficult, but having them written down surely takes the stress out.

Have a ball all the way!

Charles

Spirit of 76 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Charles

I have lived in Delaware 15 years and dont think I have ever crossed that bridge. Not sure I would have to. In fact, I am certain I will try to avoid Baltimore. I will instead come across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Delmarva peninsula.

Thanks!