Cross Country Roadtrip!

[Kenrik]

In the next few weeks I'm going to be migrating from Florida (Miami) over to Silicon Valley for a new job (I'm a software engineer) having never made the trip driving I interested in advice as to what the best route would be? Google maps shows three routes, one to the way south, another the cuts north through dalas and a northern route that goes through Arkansas and Oklahoma. All three are about the same driving time (49 - 50 hours).

So what's you recommendation Nico?

[dre1507]

Do some research and pick the one with the most awesome stops along the way; i.e. the best food, things to do, and places to see (based on your opinion).

[numbnuts240]

or the one with the best scenery. i can imagine how dreadfully boring it could be driving through the prairie states with nothing to look at but endless fields of nothing.

[Bubba1]

In the next few weeks I'm going to be migrating from Florida (Miami) over to Silicon Valley for a new job (I'm a software engineer) having never made the trip driving I interested in advice as to what the best route would be? Google maps shows three routes, one to the way south, another the cuts north through dalas and a northern route that goes through Arkansas and Oklahoma. All three are about the same driving time (49 - 50 hours).

So what's you recommendation Nico?

Depends on what you want to see/do along the way. Your most direct route prbably brings you close to some major cities, like New Orleans and Houston. You also wont be that far from NICO's global HQ in Surprise AZ.

[Kenrik]

Yeah I know however to pass through Phoenix I would be taking the southern route which I think is mostly desert? It would be cool to stop by and see the hitman though.

[OriginalWheelman]

If you go the southern route you can drive up PCH to San Fran. I decided to go this way because while Google says it will be just as fast to go through Denver, I don't want to spend time trying to climb mountains in a fully loaded Civic. But i also wanted to see the Very Large Array in New Mexico on the way, cause I'm a big nerd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Very_Large_Array

I made this to help my trip a bit. I wanted to avoid rush hour at major cities on my way across the country.



excel equation =sum(cell+Time(hour,minute,second)) then simply add the time between cities. Example =sum(A2+TIME(5,0,0)) for 5 hours between. Don't forget to compensate for time zones, and give yourself time for stops. I estimated 9/10 uptime as we don't plan to stop for much and will be driving in shifts.

[Bubba1]

Yeah I know however to pass through Phoenix I would be taking the southern route which I think is mostly desert? It would be cool to stop by and see the hitman though.

I think there will be boredom no matter which route you take. The desert is not necessarily awful if your a/c and car are in good working order. If you've never been to New Orleans or Houston, there could be some interesting things to stop and see, but much depends on how much time you're willing to invest in the trip in addition to the driving. I agree with Wheelman, If your route includes the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), you will have some nice scenery for the last leg.

[Jesda]

I-10 from Tallahassee to Houston is a trap. Cops there will search you, treat you like dirt, and give you a hard time.

[Kenrik]

That there city slicker is drivin a Leeexus.. lets go getum billiy bob.

[Bubba1]

That there city slicker is drivin a Leeexus.. lets go getum billiy bob.

I've heard by a few folks that Louisiana state troopers seem to target out of state license plates, so best to watch your speed down there

[nissangirl74]

Route #1 - Personally, I would completely scratch the idea of driving the 10 across Texas. Texas is miserable, especially in the Summer. The 10 also takes you right next to Juarez. You don't want to be anywhere near there. Seriously. That's not a joke.

Route #2 - Takes you through Dallas. Very hot and humid during the Summer. Worse than anything Florida has to offer. (Can you tell I'm not a big fan of Texas?) Southern Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana are all cool places to visit, IMO, but it truly depends on your preference.

Route #3 - Takes you through Memphis. If you hit it during the day, it's awesome. If you roll through at night, keep going.

As far as I-40 is concerned, which pertains to both #2 and #3, it's pretty boring. Greg and I drove from Upper East Tennessee to Surprise in 2.5 days taking the 40 for almost 1500 miles of the trip. It's a great way to get from point A to point B but not much excitement. It's the road that killed Route 66 for convenience.

Whatever you decide, DRIVE THE PCH. It's gorgeous and a must. Do not miss it.

Whenever you get to AZ, shoot me a message. I'll check the schedule and see if we can meet up somewhere without throwing off your timeline. Our desert can be pretty awesome if you know where to go and what to see. Hope this helps.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Take I10 til you get to MS, then shoot up 55 towards Memphis before hooking a left on I-40. Hit up the Nissan plant and take a tour if you pass through during the day. If you pass through after-hours, I will provide you with precisely 1 beer... just enough to make you have to pee at an inopportune time in the vast stretch of nothingness between Canton and Grenada.