Need help planning a trip cross country what do you guys think about this.

[Sparatacus]

Thank you guys and gals the DW and I might have to leave Seattle for North Carolina this year for family health reasons my mother is having health problems, so I want to start planning now a good route. What do you think, about leaving Seattle to North Carolina?

[newowneroldmontana]

I don't know that I have a lot of information to offer you because it's been so long since I've traveled cross-country, but I'm very interested in seeing what other people say. I think it would get you more helpful responses if you gave highway numbers. It's a little hard to tell what the roads are, exactly, on your map.

I did travel your proposed route between St. Louis and Nashville this time last year, I think, and will tell you that Nashville can be very tricky to get through. Big cities in general are--but you're probably aware of that, coming from Seattle. (I resorted to going the wrong way on a one-way street in Seattle in the middle of the night once, because I couldn't figure out how else to get out of the area!)

I would say that whatever big cities you plan to drive through, drive them first virtually on Google Maps Street View, so you'll know beforehand what the interchanges look like and where the exits are. And try to avoid morning and evening rush hours in cities, if you can.

Two things which people will want to know--1) Do you think you'll have to go soon enough that winter weather will be an issue? and 2) Are you trying to have fun and sight-see along the way, or are you looking to get to North Carolina as quickly and easily as possible?

Edited to add: Whoops--I think your map is clear, and it's my phone that's fuzzy. Giving interstate numbers would still be good though.

[DutchmenSport]

I agree with the above post. Road numbers would help as would each destination point (intersection town or city). Also are you traveling for speed or to avoid large cities. Trying to follow you map compared with Google Maps is pretty hard. It looks like you are not following interstates all the way. If you are traveling exclusively interstates, you'll have no issues. Interstates are designed for big rigs. Whatever you are driving / towing you'll have no issues. However, if you taking state or US highways, that could be another matter. More detail is needed.

How much time are you allowing yourself? On Google maps, a simple route from Seattle to Greensboro, NC is over 40 hours (almost 3000 miles) .... that would be driving at interstate speed limits.

[fatcatzzz]

I would be looking at something like RV Trip Wizard. I have used it for years. Program a RV SAFE route, plan stops and campgrounds, you can even keep track of your budget including fuel, campground costs, food. Well worth a look.

Sorry I did not mean to sound like a salesman, it is a great product,

[twindman]

If you want to sight see, you are missing a lot of good places out west. Tetons, Yellowstone (too busy), Central Colorado has a lot of mountains, etc.
As to Nashville - I went thru a few years ago and I was REALLY glad I had the phone or Garmin(forget which) on. There were about 3-4 freeways and the changes were very tricky. One of them, I merged on from the right, and around a mile later had to exit on the left! Thru several lanes of traffic. Without warning, I would have had a tough time changing so many lanes pulling the rig.

[Dusters]

If you have membership with Camping World, use the RV Trip Planner on their site. You would begin with Point A (Washington) to Point B (NC) and choose a route recommended by preference such as interstates, time or scenery. The second step is to add points for campgrounds along the route. Example range is 300 to 400 miles per day and the first point of interest going I-80 route from here might be a campground at the Wildhorse Casino in Pendleton Oregon some 325 miles. Add to route and pick another arbitrary point some 350 miles along your route for the next point. All sorts of campgrounds will be within say 25 miles of your route with Good Sam ratings and links to the website. I would plot two night stay overs every few days to break up the stress of getting there.

[jpkelpe]

That is pretty much the route we just took last fall from Omaha to the Outer Banks but we're not towing. To go across MO take hiway 36 from St Joe to Hannibal, all 4 lane and little traffic unless you really want to go to Kansas City and go on I 70 with all the trucks

[Rotnjonny]

Good morning. We do quit a bit of “east to west” travel. It will really depend upon time of year that you are traveling and how much time you have. I have driven the 5’er through a lot of snow at different times but if I can avoid it, I do. If I was making this trip after October and before May, I would be going south along the coast and cutting across the bottom. Yes, it is definitely longer, but would keep me out of the white stuff

[TenOC]

Looks like the quickest, shortest route, but still 4 to 7 days depending on how many miles a day you drive. If you have time to site-see (10 to 20 days) plan through UT in one direction and SD in the other.

[Trevor]

We live about half way between St Loise and Nashville. I rarely travel in St Louise , but have been in Nashville a lot lately. I can tell you that for the next YEAR in Ky on I- 24 between the 27 and 31 exits it will be 1 lane. And a major backup in both directions. Best detour will be to get off at the 16, turn left go to the stop light and turn right. That will be hiway 62 stay on that for probably 15 or so miles and it will reconnect you with I-24 at the exit 40. It’s all good road and rv and truck friendly. We will be traveling this bypass a lot this year with our rig. AVOID Nashville at rush hour at all cost. Us your GPS to get from I-24 to I-40 . It’s not real hard but kind of confusing with all the traffic going on. When you get your trip planned out enough to look for campgrounds I can try to suggest some in these areas if you need help.

[twindman]

I don't see any way to drive it in 4 days. Probably 3000 miles at 60 mph and driving 10 yours and 1 hour stopping is 600 mile/day - do LONG days in my book. That would be 5 days and way to much for my old body! LOL

[Sparatacus]

Thank you for your quick comments, we are driving straight through other than stopping for the night at a campground. I haven't planned all of the campgrounds yet but one and that is stopping in Caldwell, ID. I know that it will probably take us about 6 days to drive it.

The map was on GoodSam Trip Planner but this one is what they route me to in the upper map, see in the pics but I move it down going through Caldwell, ID.

The first route that I posted took me down I-5 and to I-90, I-32 going to Yakmia, and turn into I-84, mainly I-80, I-30 East going through Nebraska, staying on I-80, Utah, Wyoming, I-29 Kansas City, Missouri, I-70 going East toward Illinois, I-64 going toward Memphis, I-50 going toward N.C.

I probably left some of the route out but you see where it's going or I could just go the route that I posted here in the thread.

[Sparatacus]

In the map that I just posted the trip planner said that it will take me 40 hrs 11 min. and the first map route that I posted said 37 hrs 51 min.


Looking at the map in the trip planner by Good Sam you see three different routes that they put up. Once I figure out which route to take I will start planning the campground along the route, my mother is not doing too well so I want have time to stop and sightseeing.

To get there I figure that we will be driving from 500 to 600 miles on average.

[newowneroldmontana]

You might check Google maps for different route ideas, too. It lets you drag around the cursor to design your own route and see different driving times as well.

It sounds like you plan on going soon--so I would say that you're probably better off the more south you go, this time of year.

[Sparatacus]

Thank you sir I will do that, I'm thinking around May or August before or after I'm sure at this point, I'm using my Garmin RV785 to keep me on the main road and away from low bridges.

[Sparatacus]

This is what Google routes me I'm not sure if I should go way up top the way they are routing me.

[newowneroldmontana]

Originally Posted by Sparatacus

Thank you sir I will do that, I'm thinking around May or August before or after I'm sure at this point

You're very welcome, but I'm a ma'am! Very hard to tell, I know, on the internet and with user names.

That's good you won't have to worry about snow or ice--gives you a lot more flexibility with possible routes.

[Sparatacus]

This route will let me avoid tolls.

[newowneroldmontana]

Originally Posted by Sparatacus

This is what Google routes me I'm not sure if I should go way up top the way they are routing me.

I can't imagine it would be very good to go through Chicago. If there's not much difference in driving times, probably pick the route which will keep you on wide open roads and away from big cities the most.

[FFM]

I have been reading and following MOC since we purchased our 3120RL in 2022. We tow it with a Chevy 2500HD (2022). This site has been most helpful, in so many ways, so I’d like to give back, just a little (not much on this posting thing).
While we were on our trip to the west coast, and on the return leg, we rerouted due to how bad the highway conditions were along I70. Unless repairs have been made, I would suggest the more southern route to avoid I 70.
Our end destination was just a little west of I95, so very similar to yours.