I've done it about 4 times in the past 4 years or so. Not that exact drive, but ~16+ hour drives in one day. The first 12 or so aren't that bad, but it's the final 4 or so that really kill you, imo. I honestly wouldn't recommend it, because the final hours can really make a person loopy, imo.
- Oct 30, 2000
- 42,589
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If you can share the drive, then it is feasible.
On your own do not try to do the San Diego to Austin in one haul.
When you put over 1500 miles on your body over a two day period, the third day is useless.
Voice of Experience
On your own do not try to do the San Diego to Austin in one haul.
When you put over 1500 miles on your body over a two day period, the third day is useless.
Voice of Experience
i've driven portland, or to chicago round trip twice in one summer. and both times fillup breaks, no sleep. 40+ hours straight.
arrfep
Platinum Member
- Sep 7, 2006
- 2,314
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I dunno when you need to travel, but I just price a Southwest roundtrip flight for $354.60. PDX to SAN on the 21st, and returning on the 30th. Surely other days won't be that much more expensive. Can't see how renting and driving a car could be cheaper.
Because he was going to rent a car any way once hes in Texas.(Hes gonna be there for 2 weeks).
And his friend in San Diego said he will split the cost.
- Mar 30, 2001
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Hey you have a similar car to what I have, how comfortable is it for driving long periods in?
Arrfep. I wouldn't be renting and driving I would be driving my own car.
Let me break it down for the people that say fly.
Flight to Texas, on most airlines ~$350.
Renting a car in Texas for the time that I would be there ~$550
Total ~$900
Driving, APX 5000 miles round trip. Gas cost ~$620 based on $3.50 a gallon @ 27mpg (I am pretty sure my car can do better, but i want a nice conservative estimate) Hotel for 1 night in El Paso. ~$45.
Total~ $665
/2 due to picking up friend ~$333
Savings vs flying and renting a car ~$567
I don't really have any comfort issues with my car, which is nice. I don't drive without getting up for 13 hours, though.. I would imagine that you should plan on getting out to stretch your legs every 4-5 hours, at least for 5-10 minutes. That would probably be necessary with just about any car, though.
You should be able to do better than 27MPG highway easily, and gas is cheaper than 3.50 isnt it? You should save more overall.
- May 13, 2003
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DrPizza
Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
No, I don't think it's crazy. Just try to honestly evaluate how you're feeling. If you find yourself too tired to continue, do yourself and everyone else on the road a favor and pull into a rest stop for a while - take a nap for a couple hours. Even a 2 or 3 hour power nap should be sufficient to get going again. For me, I have no problem, as long as there isn't too much traffic/light. Otherwise, my eyes get really tired.
When my kids were younger, we would go to Florida at least once a year. We'd pack the night before and leave during the evening. Leaving NY at 5 or 6pm would put our family in Florida in time for lunch. For a young family, trips like that were the only way we could really afford to go on such vacations (and visit/stay with the grandparents, hence the reason for the destination.) Plus, since the kids were asleep for more than half the trip, it helped avoid the typical back seat problems. I can't remember the exact length of the drive; seems like it was about 20 hours, including a couple stops for gas, coffee, rest stops, and breakfast.
Last summer, my wife and I went from NY to Oklahoma - But again, the two of us drove. We took a power nap in the back of the van in Ohio. Then, my wife drove the rest of the way through Ohio to Indiana while I continued to nap for 2 more hours. Then, I drove straight through to Oklahoma, stopping to see and tour the St. Louis Arch along the way. It was wonderful staying in a motel once we got there. Spent the night at a motel, picked up 4 goats the next morning, and drove straight back to NY, stopping only because the interstate was closed for a couple hours at one point while they cleaned up an accident. I was absolutely exhausted for a day after getting back.
Next month, we decided to go to Virginia Beach for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary (and again, to pick up some more goats.
) Leaving around 4pm on a Friday after work, 10 hour drive. Spending Sat at the beach. 10 hour drive home on Sunday.
When my kids were younger, we would go to Florida at least once a year. We'd pack the night before and leave during the evening. Leaving NY at 5 or 6pm would put our family in Florida in time for lunch. For a young family, trips like that were the only way we could really afford to go on such vacations (and visit/stay with the grandparents, hence the reason for the destination.) Plus, since the kids were asleep for more than half the trip, it helped avoid the typical back seat problems. I can't remember the exact length of the drive; seems like it was about 20 hours, including a couple stops for gas, coffee, rest stops, and breakfast.
Last summer, my wife and I went from NY to Oklahoma - But again, the two of us drove. We took a power nap in the back of the van in Ohio. Then, my wife drove the rest of the way through Ohio to Indiana while I continued to nap for 2 more hours. Then, I drove straight through to Oklahoma, stopping to see and tour the St. Louis Arch along the way. It was wonderful staying in a motel once we got there. Spent the night at a motel, picked up 4 goats the next morning, and drove straight back to NY, stopping only because the interstate was closed for a couple hours at one point while they cleaned up an accident. I was absolutely exhausted for a day after getting back.
Next month, we decided to go to Virginia Beach for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary (and again, to pick up some more goats.
) Leaving around 4pm on a Friday after work, 10 hour drive. Spending Sat at the beach. 10 hour drive home on Sunday.
Longest I did was from the tip of Cape Cod (P-town) to NYC- Queens, to be exact. Took 4-5 hrs. and I remember closing my eyes and veering off the road for a split second- PHEW!!!- and then correcting myself.
Then again, driving continuously from Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Key West was quite monotonous- nearly dozed off few times on that endless bridge.
I'm thinking, the key to not dozing is to have a car that needs to be constantly corrected- let's say some major alignment or steering problem where you need to always turn the steering wheel back to level. Perhaps being too comfortable may pose a problem.
I've heard that Lindbergh was able to fly all the way to Paris was because his plane was inherently unstable, needing constant attention and thus preventing a mid-atlantic catastrophe.
Then again, driving continuously from Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Key West was quite monotonous- nearly dozed off few times on that endless bridge.
I'm thinking, the key to not dozing is to have a car that needs to be constantly corrected- let's say some major alignment or steering problem where you need to always turn the steering wheel back to level. Perhaps being too comfortable may pose a problem.
I've heard that Lindbergh was able to fly all the way to Paris was because his plane was inherently unstable, needing constant attention and thus preventing a mid-atlantic catastrophe.
Many years ago I did Sevilla (Spain) to Rome (Italy) non stop. I was 21 and invincible. Now it would take me at least 3 days.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=...38702&ie=UTF8&z=6&om=1
But you are right, about not advising it anyway... drive safe!
Read all the tips that would apply to driving a car http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm
Pull over and take several 20 minute naps during the 17 hour drive. No coffee!
Check out the 50cc quest at the linked site. 50cc motorcycle from San Diego to Jacksonville, FL in 50 hours...Yeah baby!
Pull over and take several 20 minute naps during the 17 hour drive. No coffee!
Check out the 50cc quest at the linked site. 50cc motorcycle from San Diego to Jacksonville, FL in 50 hours...Yeah baby!
I drove from Denver to Anchorage in 3 days 10 hours. It was about 3600 miles if I remember correctly. Not something I'd care to repeat. I basically drove until I was tired, then pulled over and slept on the side of the road.
Ruptga
Lifer
- Aug 3, 2006
- 10,246
- 207
- 106
I don't let anyone drive my car if I can avoid it, but I've done something similar (New Orleans to Oklahoma City in one haul, about 11 hours w/o stops) and it's a real pain in the butt, especially if you're tired when you start. However, if you've got a good start, and have sense enough to take a fifteen minute to half hour break every three or four hours, you should be fine since you're breaking it into two legs.
I recently drove for 18 hours with a few short pit stops. It sucked major ass. It's normally a 12 hour drive from SW Virginia to Boston, but my last trip I got stuck in the worst traffic jam I've ever seen in my life in NYC. It took 5 hours to drive ~20 miles.
I saved a lot of money by driving, but 18 hours was just too much for me. I can handle ~12, but I'd never want to do 18 ever again.
I saved a lot of money by driving, but 18 hours was just too much for me. I can handle ~12, but I'd never want to do 18 ever again.
amdskip
Lifer
- Jan 6, 2001
- 22,530
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- 81
A couple years ago my dad and I left on a Thursday night from Northern Illinois, arrived in Florida Friday night. Slept overnight, picked up our new dragster, on the road by Saturday afternoon, arrived back in Illinois Sunday afternoon. That is one trip I'll never forget.
Just a FYI that AFAIK I-5 is one lane each way a little bit north of Redding with the potential for major delays. Also if you do this put a big sign on your car so I know to stay the hell away from you. Thanks.
- Mar 30, 2001
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[NORTHERN CALIFORNIA]
TRAFFIC IS REDUCED TO 1 LANE IN EACH DIRECTION FROM 7.7 MI NORTH TO 9.7 MI
NORTH OF REDDING /AT THE PIT RIVER BRIDGE/ (SHASTA CO) 24 HRS A DAY 7 DAYS A
WEEK THRU 4/17/08 - DUE TO CONSTRUCTION - MOTORISTS ARE SUBJECT TO 30 MINUTE
DELAYS - DURING PEAK HOURS THROUGHOUT THE LABOR WEEKEND, SOUTHBOUND MOTORISTS
ARE SUBJECT TO DELAYS OF UP TO 2 HOURS
Fark
I would be hitting that area 11am or so shouldn't be to much a delay.
Probably going to add another hour on to my drive time though
A lot depends on your car. If you are driveing a tin can with a 4 banger, good luck. A larger sedan with plenty of power and good sound insultion helps a lot.
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