Detroit to Washington, D.C.: fly or road trip?

I'm a road trip junkie, but I don't get to take many of them as I have to work and go to school year-round. I have an opportunity to get to our nation's capital this summer for a few days, and I'd like to drive if possible. I've got a Dell Axim X5, and for about $150, I can get it set up with GPS to give me voice directions. So that sounds cool, and it'd make the trip easier without having to look at maps.

It'd be about a 10-hour trip including time out for meals/gas, so it's definitely doable in one day each way. It'd only be about $50 each way for gas (my Accord 4-cyl gets >30 mpg on the highway) so it'd save me some cash.

Which would you do? Keep in mind, I love driving, so I"m leaning toward the road trip. I might bring my girlfriend with me (if she feels like being dragged around D.C. by a history nut ), but I'm certainly not opposed to driving alone with some great CDs to keep me company.

Also, I'll be driving directly through Pittsburgh on this trip...is there anything worth stopping to see?

 

[SynthDude2001]

I vote for driving.

I've done nine hours of driving in a 24 hour period before (with only 3 hours of sleep the previous night), so assuming I was properly rested, that shouldn't be much of a problem at all.

 

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I vote for driving.

I've done nine hours of driving in a 24 hour period before (with only 3 hours of sleep the previous night), so assuming I was properly rested, that shouldn't be much of a problem at all.

I'm not worried about the length of the trip; I've done 13 hours of driving in one day before (Cleveland to Birmingham, AL), but I just am trying to balance the equities.

I've always thought getting there was half the fun, but I'm trying to decide whether I should give myself maximum time to see D.C. attractions, or whether I should take time to enjoy the ride. I'll probably take 5 days total (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), so I'd have three full days in D.C. if driving, or 5 if flying.

 

[SynthDude2001]

I would think that three days would be sufficient to hit all the high points you're interested in, but that's just a complete guess.

I don't know, I guess it depends on how extensive your tentative schedule is.

 

[psiu]

Well, isn't there that hamburger place (with the big burger's--it's called Dennys I think) in PA somewhere? Do a search and I'm sure you'll find it.



I have about an 11-12 hour trip (one way) everytime I want to go back home, which is IN Michigan, and it sucks. That's 2 days worth of not seeing/doing anything. I'd say fly. It'll be a hell of a lot more convenient, and from what I've heard of DC, you don't want to drive in it anyway.

 

Originally posted by: psiu
from what I've heard of DC, you don't want to drive in it anyway.

I'd probably just park the car at the hotel (planning on staying outside the city near a metro stop) and take the bus/train into the city. But that's a good point - a car might be more of a burden than a help.

 

[DurocShark]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=38&threadid=1519283&enter
hread=y">You just KNOW how I voted!</a>

 

[EagleKeeper]

Drive.

You can either go through Canada to Niagra/Buffalo and cut south from the NY
Thruway down the East Coast (PA/MD) or drop down through Ohio/Indianna and take I70 across to DC.

 

[toekramp]

heh i am from detroit and live in DC...ain't really shiit to see between just use flyi.com and enjoy yourself here

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: psiu
from what I've heard of DC, you don't want to drive in it anyway.

I'd probably just park the car at the hotel (planning on staying outside the city near a metro stop) and take the bus/train into the city. But that's a good point - a car might be more of a burden than a help.

check out the parking fees....if it's like Chicago, they can get $20 a day or more for parking. At that rate you might as well fly!

 

[vtqanh]

Don't bother stopping by Pittsburg or any place in between, there is nothing interesting, at least this time of the year

 

[Emrys]

If you are driving it's a really simple drive so you could save that $150 and use it in DC when you get there. There isn't much inbetween though.

 

[EvilYoda]

I did the drive with friends last year...great trip that was, and the ride wasn't too bad. and it was in a NEON!

 

[chrisms]

Drive, but only if you bring the girlfriend for hoadread

 

[Juno]

Save your money and go on a road trip. I've done many times on trips between home and college. Once between Chicago and college.

 

Originally posted by: jewno
Save your money and go on a road trip. I've done many times on trips between home and college. Once between Chicago and college.

Looks like the votes are in! Now all I need is an FM transmitter for my Creative Zen Touch, this kit from GPS city, and this Delorme software, and I'm all set for a road trip!

I'll bring my camera too.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Bring some sweat repellent.

Washington DC in the summer is a dog.

That is why Congress ajourns for the summer.

 

[dudeman007]

Save your money and drive you lazy bastard! It'll be worth having the extra spending cash

 

[GeekDrew]

I'd probably drive - I was just in Front Royal, not terribly far from WDC.

It took me 6.5 hours to get to FR from Columbus, so 10 hours for you to WDC is probably about right.

 

w00t! I found a rate at the Watergate for $149/night!

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: jewno
Save your money and go on a road trip. I've done many times on trips between home and college. Once between Chicago and college.

Looks like the votes are in! Now all I need is an FM transmitter for my Creative Zen Touch, this kit from GPS city, and this Delorme software, and I'm all set for a road trip!

I'll bring my camera too.

Does that version of Street Atlas work with PDAs? It seems they have a PDA specific version.

 

[Vic]

Hmm... looks like it's only about 530 miles. I would have thought it a lot further than that. May as well drive then, that's just a day trip.

 

Originally posted by: Bootprint

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: jewno
Save your money and go on a road trip. I've done many times on trips between home and college. Once between Chicago and college.

Looks like the votes are in! Now all I need is an FM transmitter for my Creative Zen Touch, this kit from GPS city, and this Delorme software, and I'm all set for a road trip!

I'll bring my camera too.

Does that version of Street Atlas work with PDAs? It seems they have a PDA specific version.

Oops, linked the wrong one. I meant to link the PDA version.