Tips for Cross-Country Drive?

Parent Cafe
21

Our kids drove together from LA to SF and then to Nebraska then Chicago and on to DC. They stopped where they chose and brought books on tape. D was pretty annoyed because she had thought they’d be nibbling and chatting all the way. Common expectations would have been better for them but each had different ideas about what the trip would be, so S as the driver won but had a pretty annoyed sister for the 2500+ mile drive.

We have driven from southern rim of the LA to North Rim, Zion, Bryce, Mesa Verde, petrified forest and back to South Rim and Los Angeles before. Make sure you have a GOOD air conditioner and stay well hydrated. Make sure your car is in good working order. To be safe, we had our kids get AAA with 100 MILE TOWING package, for peace of mind, since they were driving an older car that had over 100,000 miles on it. .

Our S had to transport a car from SF to DC a 2nd time and opted to just ship it and fly. It’s much faster and easier. Also, if you will be driving a fully loaded vehicle, be aware that in some areas it is common to have cars broken into and possessions MAY be stolen, especially if they are visible from looking in the windows. :frowning:

22

Well, we never made the cross-country drive because I fell down the stairs and broke my arm. Tip: don’t listen to a podcast while you’re going down the stairs. Thanks for all the tips, though–we play to take this trip eventually.

23

Oh no! How awful!! Hope you’re on the mend.

24

Too bad – that sounded like fun, and it’s hardly certain you’ll have another chance to drive across the country with your daughter.

It was OK with me when my parents had to negotiate with me and my wife for time we would spend with them, vs. her relatives, vs. whatever else we wanted to do. But it’s quite sad to be in the position of having to negotiate the same kinds of things with with my kids and their SOs! No one is asking me to drive across the country with them.

25

Missed you - hope you are mending

26

Oh no!!! And here I thought the thread was bumped because you were reporting in :frowning:

DH and I will be going from PA to Oregon next May for a wedding, and we’ve decided to drive…

27

Route 66 goes through ABQ & Flagstaff. Two hours north of Flagstaff is Page, AZ with famous Horseshoe Bend & Antelope Canyons.

28

Ouch, Hunt. Get well soon!

29

I’m already much better. And I lost 10 pounds!

30

I’d take I-70 and stop in Topeka for a couple of interesting visits:

https://www.nps.gov/brvb/index.htm
http://www.godhatesfags.com/

If I was in no rush at all I’d detour north for carhenge. http://carhenge.com/

Then I’d continue west on I-70, stopping in Canyonlands. https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm

Then, after I-70 terminates at I-15 I’d take the short detour east of Cedar City, UT to visit Cedar Breaks, perhaps Utah’s most overlooked yet very accessible gem. https://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm

31

OK! Thanks!
So if I break my arm I will lose 10lbs.? Deal on! :))

32

I was going to post, “Don’t do it, ship the car.” I didn’t realize it was an old thread. Sorry about your mishap.