I have to get from Boston to San Diego in 7 days. How long and how far do we need to drive each day?

Question

I am driving cross country from Boston to San Diego because I am moving to San Diego. Some friends are coming along for the ride who have to get back to work in Boston by a certain time. We leave Oct. 21 and we need to get to San Diego no later than 10/28.

We are driving the southern route I believe, going from 84 to 81 to 40 all the way. How many miles/hours should we drive each day to make that deadline but also stay safe?

I will also have a U-Haul trailer attached to my car so can only go so fast. I would also like to sleep each night. Also, should we reserve motel rooms each morning or wait until we get to our destination each night? Will the motels charge if we cancel within 24 hours?

Any advice about this and road trips in general would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much!

Answer 1

It all depends on the drivers. Pick up the Travelers magazine at the rest areas and use the coupons. 81 will get hilly in North Carolina, especially with a u-haul. This time of year you will probably get fog at night. 40 is fine, except for severe t-storms at times until you get through Texas. You can do it in 4 - 5 days. Just allow for weather and traffic. 600 miles a day max, I would say.

Answer 2

You're trip will cover over 3,100 miles and the estimated driving time, without stops, is about 48 hours. You will be crossing mountains and you'll likely hit traffic, construction, and other delays, such as weather delays.

My husband and I have taken several long-distance road trips, but we've never towed a trailer. Here's my recommendation.

Instead of setting distance goals, set a time goal. For your trip, plan on driving 9-10 hours a day, including rest stops and meals. Take the time to stop for a sit-down meal, like an early dinner.

As far as hotels are concerned, most hotels chains don't charge if you cancel by a certain time, usually 6 PM. By making your reservations each morning, you'll have a goal to reach each day. This may be okay, provided you don't run into any delays. Get the toll-free phone number of a couple of hotel chains that you like. When you know where you want to stop for the night, call the chain and they'll find you a room and provide you with directions to the hotel.

We contact the Hilton chain. Their hotels include Hampton Inns, Hilton Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, and Homestead Suites. Marriott also has numerous hotels in their "family." Therefore, when you call the 800 number for a reservation, they'll look at all the hotels in their group and let you know what's available.

Good luck!

Answer 3

It's around 3100 miles, and I have traveled the whole route. Not all at one time, but the whole distance over several trips.
Here is one route:

21. Boston - Buffalo (long haul, but all of it Interstate; I-90)
22. Buffalo - Chicago (another long haul, but doable; I-80/90)
23. Chicago - Omaha/Lincoln (I-80)
24. Lincoln - Denver (I-80)
--- You can make Denver in 4 days. It's a lot of driving, but easily doable.

Two routes from Denver
25. Denver - Central Utah (there is nothing in Central Utah, I mean literalkly nothing, unttil you reach the greenbelt in the western third of the state)
26. Utah - Las Vegas
27. Las Vegas - LA - San Diego

Route South
25. Denver to Albuquerque (I-25)
26. Albuquerque to Phoenix (I-40, I-17)
27. Phoenix - San Diego (I-10)

I would recommend against taking I-81. It is mountains virtually all the way from PA to TN -- it would be murder on your car if you are hauling a trailer and your gas mileage will be garbage.

Head through NY, OH, IN, IL, IA, NE -- all very flat, straight interstate highway driving.
If you can figure out where you want to stop, book ahead. Sometimes it will save you money. Plus it gives you a goal that you have to reach.

The most important thing on road trips is to stop on a regular basis just to stretch and clear your head. Get several jars of peanuts --- peanuts are excellent for protein and energy.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

we are doing the same thing except were coming from Pittsburgh, PA. It is going to take us 2 1/2 days to get there by car. The best thing to do is to go to www.maps.yahoo.com and look at it. We were going to have two drivers. One daytime and one nighttime. You'll probably get there in maybe three to four days I'm pretty sure.

Answer 7

It's going to take you all of those seven days. Drive as far as possible each day without running into fatigue. You want to make it there alive.

Answer 8

That's a great question

Answer 9

You'll have plenty of time if you jsut drive some each day

Answer 10

Awesome question