Advice on Cross Country Roadtrip

[sfonelson]

[echo1]

How much time do you have. Can your mom car camp. Do your inlaws have camping gear or other stuff (guns & knives) that needs personal attention but doesn't have to fly back? I'd forget fast and light and car camp my way there on my own sweet time. PAX

[sfonelson]

How much time do you have. Can your mom car camp. Do your inlaws have camping gear or other stuff (guns & knives) that needs personal attention but doesn't have to fly back? I'd forget fast and light and car camp my way there on my own sweet time. PAX

I think I can give the trip 10 days before I really need to start about heading back to work. I know that's not that much, but it's feasible.

My mom isn't really the car camper type. She'll wanna stay in inn's, hotels or motels.

Inlaws have no guns, and no knives that I can think of other than the usual kitchen cutlery.

[Ripon83]

10 Days is is plenty; for you only have to do 300/350 miles a day. There will be days you can do more if you want and less. Depending on what you want to see.

Were you asking about how to get your fire arm home - assuming you are going to travel with one ? I'm not an expert in that. Other things you have mentioned (kits and such) you can mail home UPS and while expensive its not all that bad. If its too much for your bags on the plane. Firearms I'll let someone with knowledge answer cause that isn't me.

[Foriegn power]

Atleast bring a big 5-6" bowie type knife. Bring nail clippers since your finger nails will grow and using clippers that are not yours is gross. Bring bug spray, bring cortisone, sun screen and heck bring Vaseline for dry lips. Firearm thing you can ship a firearm home but ofcourse it must be direct signature etc. Or you can just pick it up at the local USP or Fed Ex, USPS etc. I did it before, i shipped my revolver to my local fed ex, and just picked it up.

[sfonelson]

10 Days is is plenty; for you only have to do 300/350 miles a day. There will be days you can do more if you want and less. Depending on what you want to see.

Were you asking about how to get your fire arm home - assuming you are going to travel with one ? I'm not an expert in that. Other things you have mentioned (kits and such) you can mail home UPS and while expensive its not all that bad. If its too much for your bags on the plane. Firearms I'll let someone with knowledge answer cause that isn't me.

Yeah, hopefully someone can chime in on the firearms. I wouldn't mind taking my Sig with me just in case. I think that if you just by a locked container, you can check it as regular baggage on the flight home. Not quite sure though.

I was thinking about also brining my fixed blade knife, and my SAK with me, and just shipping that back home. I feel naked without my SAK.

[gorn5150]

Don't limit yourself by thinking it has to come back with you on the plane. You can always bring what you want to, then mail the stuff you don't want/need to bring on the plane home.

[mievil]

I personally think 10 days is brutally short for a good cross country trip. Especially if you have never done the route before. It really depends on if you are a car gawker or if you like to get out and actually see the sights. Are you both going to be splitting driving duties? How long are the shifts you'd take or driving per day?

[eqlzr]

You will need a lot of heavy medications if you're driving back through the eastern half of Colorado and Nebraska. ;-)

[paul0660]

This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Except for the mom thing.

There is a good book to be written if you live through it.

[Skullster]

As a former long haul truck driver I can assure you that the trip from Cali to Jersey is a piece of cake in the summer time. I take it you'll be leaving from Sacramento and since your destination is Yellowstone instead of a more direct route you will see some beautiful country. Take the 93 North out of Wells Nevada to Twin Falls ID. If you have a CB you may want to turn it off near Wells unless your mom is ok with listening to the siren call of hookers. In Twin Falls check out the Snake River Canyon. After Yellowstone head on to Mt. Rushmore in SD. You won't be disappointed there either. If you have never seen this part of America you probably won't be bored with all the miles as those of us who have traveled it a couple of hundred times can get. Pull out when you see the Scenic Vista signs. Stretch the legs take some photos. Smaller truck stop restaurants have better and less expensive food than bigger TA's, Flying J's etc. There are always fast food joints everywhere and hotels will be plenty along your route. After Mt. Rushmore drop down to the I-80 unless you really want to drive thru Chicago. Roads in Wisconsin and Michigan are beat to hell. Besides even if Big Rigs ain't your thing you should stop at Iowa-80 Truck stop near Walcott IA. It's the largest one in the world and has a truck museum to boot.

I think the 20 from Idaho Falls thru Targhee into the west side of Yellowstone is a gorgeous drive and also take the 212 Bear Tooth Highway. That's a must see since your in that neck of the woods. 10 Days is plenty of time to get to Jersey cause there are some sections you'll just want to keep driving by and not stop. Jersey comes to mind LOL. Have fun and be safe out there. Oh and what to bring? Just the usual vacation supply of clothing and toiletries is all you'll need. You don't need to pack for Armageddon unless that is your thing anyway.

[sfonelson]

I personally think 10 days is brutally short for a good cross country trip. Especially if you have never done the route before. It really depends on if you are a car gawker or if you like to get out and actually see the sights. Are you both going to be splitting driving duties? How long are the shifts you'd take or driving per day?

We can split the driving if necessary, but I don't think we are going to pull any all nighters to make time.

This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Except for the mom thing.

There is a good book to be written if you live through it.

Fortunatly, I have to disagree. My mom is a cool person and I am fortunate that I can do these kinds of things with her. Not many children can say that about their parents...

As a former long haul truck driver I can assure you that the trip from Cali to Jersey is a piece of cake in the summer time. I take it you'll be leaving from Sacramento and since your destination is Yellowstone instead of a more direct route you will see some beautiful country. Take the 93 North out of Wells Nevada to Twin Falls ID. If you have a CB you may want to turn it off near Wells unless your mom is ok with listening to the siren call of hookers. In Twin Falls check out the Snake River Canyon. After Yellowstone head on to Mt. Rushmore in SD. You won't be disappointed there either. If you have never seen this part of America you probably won't be bored with all the miles as those of us who have traveled it a couple of hundred times can get. Pull out when you see the Scenic Vista signs. Stretch the legs take some photos. Smaller truck stop restaurants have better and less expensive food than bigger TA's, Flying J's etc. There are always fast food joints everywhere and hotels will be plenty along your route. After Mt. Rushmore drop down to the I-80 unless you really want to drive thru Chicago. Roads in Wisconsin and Michigan are beat to hell. Besides even if Big Rigs ain't your thing you should stop at Iowa-80 Truck stop near Walcott IA. It's the largest one in the world and has a truck museum to boot.

I think the 20 from Idaho Falls thru Targhee into the west side of Yellowstone is a gorgeous drive and also take the 212 Bear Tooth Highway. That's a must see since your in that neck of the woods. 10 Days is plenty of time to get to Jersey cause there are some sections you'll just want to keep driving by and not stop. Jersey comes to mind LOL. Have fun and be safe out there. Oh and what to bring? Just the usual vacation supply of clothing and toiletries is all you'll need. You don't need to pack for Armageddon unless that is your thing anyway.

Dude, that's awesome! I was actually planning on hitting up US-20, so that's kinda on track with what you said. I think your post is print worthy material, and I'm taking it with me! Thanks!