..........................

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

C.Ann I remember reading about all the fun you had with your cousin on a road trip. Maybe she's up for another go round, then she can fly back. Just a thought.

 

[C.Ann]

........

 

[sandramaac]

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My son-in-law wouldn't mind the drive - and could do it in 24 hours - but he HATES flying, so that's out of the question..

I know it's probably just a case of "first time jitters" - but that isn't helping my stomach any.. LOL

I've been making lots of CD's to take with me - not slow songs - all very upbeat to lift my spirits..

My stepdaughter has suggested that I not bother with the bypasses around Baltimore, DC, and Richmond - but rather stay right on I95 the entire way so I don't take a wrong turn.. Any thoughts on that?

I would still do the by pass if you are going through these area's between 7am and 11am and 2pm till past rush hour. You really have a small window where you won't hit tons of traffic.The bypass is very easy to use if you follow directions. Also make sure you get pass south of the border and stay the next town down--I forget the name. South of the border hotels are a bit dicey. Also we stay at Hamptons Inns and what is great is if you feel you are feeling fine and can bang out another hundred miles or so, they will transfer your reservation to the next Inn down.

 

[LindaG4458]

Forgot to add to my earlier post:

For traffic reasons we plan what days of the week we drive through the larger cities. Going south we drive through the Boston and NY areas on Saturday, Baltimore and Washington on Sunday, and usually hit Jacksonville midday on Monday.

Returning we hit Jacksonville midday on Friday, Washington and Baltimore on Saturday, and NY and Boston on Sunday. So far it has worked fairly well.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks all!

 

[Moonmom]

You mentioned you have AAA, right? Did you get your "Triptix" and the travel guides for the states you'll be traveling thru? The "Triptix" (pretty sure that's what it's called) is a map in little booklet form; and it'll show your route down based on your dates of travel with little symbols to indicate what exits along your route there are services.. and with the travel guides you can see what hotels/motels are there. It also shows where road construction is.. kinda rough indication, sometimes, depending on when it's printed.. but it's always been rather helpful.
And.. might sound silly.. but one thing I found helpful is one of those little compasses that you stick on the dash that you can pick up at Walmart or Target for a couple of dollars. One trip we had to take a detour... I was totally confused with all the turns..no signs of which way was what..no sun to go by..til my DD said.."well..we're headed south..gotta hit Florida sometime!" We did!
Oh...and I'm pretty sure they still do it.. check their website..but Cracker Barrel stores used to have a program and probably still do, that if you buy a book on tape or CD you can exchange it at another of their stores..not sure of the particulars.. but it sounded like an interesting option.

Have a great time...

Linda

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Here's another vote of confidence that you can do it. I have driven several times from Los Angeles to El Paso - about 840 miles. I usually take my kids, but I have also driven by myself, and straight through for the most part.

You might consider getting a couple of books on tape, water, fruit or other snacks. Also, take time to stop and stretch your legs some. I once added a little over an hour to my trip by stopping at all the roadside Bowlin shops that we usually bypassed. One of my favorites is "The Thing" in New Mexico. :flower"

 

[Caradana]

Hi C.Ann,

I have faith, I think you'll do beautifully on this trip. One thing to think about - I'm not sure where you're located in upstate NY, but if you're near any colleges, that's prime time for undergrads and starving grad students to try and get to/from Florida (for family, fun, whatever reason). Just about all colleges have "rideboards" now. Call the ones around you and ask to add your trip to the rideboard. You can specify only females if you want. Best case scenario, you wind up with company for your trip in the form of a lovely traveling companion who appreciates you and contributes $ towards gas.

D

 

[christineann]

I would stay on I-95 also - no bypasses, but then I am directionally challenged and would get lost if I tried to take an alternate route . If possible, I would try to stay only at hotel chains that you can trust and would request a room on an upper floor. I have never found a bad Hampton Inn but have cancelled reservations at other chains after arriving and seeing that the hotel wasn't what the website represented it to be.

I love talk radio and CD's. I hope you have a good trip!

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Mmm.....maybe about a 200 mile trip by myself.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Ain't that the truth!

I drove from Chicago to San Deigo, 2073 miles.

I was pregnant and drove from Dayton, Ohio to San Francisco via New Orleans (visiting home) before heading to the Philippines for my overseas tour of duty.

C. Ann, you won't have any problem driving solo. Just make sure you stop and stretch your legs frequently. Driving solo is very liberating.

 

[travelbug]

I've taken solo car trips any number of times over the years. The farthest was probably from here (northern suburb of Detroit) to Ft. Myers, Florida. I made that trip alone at least twice that I can recall. Those were wintertime trips, and I did just fine.

One of my favorite solo car trips was about 10 years ago. It was summer, and I literally woke up one morning and felt like traveling somewhere. I had about a week ahead of me that was free of obligation. So I pulled out my atlas, looked at the map to find somewhere I'd never been before, and thought, "Hey, Cape Cod would be fun." I packed my bags, got the neighbor to pick up my mail, and left that same day by noon. I had a ball!

While I have also taken numerous road trips with other people, I decided a long time ago that if I only traveled when others could go with me, I'd miss some wonderful travel opportunities. So I don't hesitate for a minute to drive alone, although I take every precaution I can think of when I do so.

Go for it, C.Ann! You can do it!

 

[preshi]

I've driven from here to L.A. several times alone. Thats 350 miles or so. I've driven I5 so many times though that I know where the 'safe' spots to stop are.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I moved myself from Orlando to Nashville - drove a U-Haul truck over the mountains pregnant and alone!

Probably the longest stretch is my 1200 mile round trip to Nashville from South Carolina that I make once a month. I usually fly but sometimes I have to drive (ugh).

Make some mix CDs, buy some comedy CDs (I love the Blue Collar guys!) and buy a great headset for your cell phone. I enjoy the time to myself - at least for the first few hours.

 

[schlepsnort]

I drove from Chicago to Phoenix, AZ by myself when I was 22. Just me, my dog and my cat.

It's pretty much a blur but I do remember:

Mix C.D.'s and lots of em!
Sunglasses, eye rewetting drops
Easy snacks that you can eat with one hand and aren't messy.
Wipes in case they get messy.
Get gas BEFORE your tank is at a quarter of a tank...it may be a longer time than you realize before you find a gas station that isn't scary.

Relax, enjoy the drive, the time to yourself, the freedom to think or not think. If you see something unusual then turn off and take time to check it out.

I stopped and saw the Continental Divide, saw the biggest Cross I've ever seen in Texas. Found a cool Rt. 66 shop in some state..don't even remember now but I have a shot glass and post card from it.

And don't forget to make stops to STREEETTTCCCH your legs, shoulders, feet. Trust me, you'll need them!!

And btw, most truck stops actually have pretty good coffee!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I've driven to Oklahoma and back a few times, 350 miles each way, which is probably my limit. Road trips are good, but many more hours in the car, and I'd go nuts!

 

[Redbudlover]

I don't think that is good advice at all to not use the bypasses. Think horrendous traffic and crazy drivers... I have driven from Chicago to Gulf Shores AL by myself. I have driven from KY to central TX by myself. I have driven from New Orleans to northern IN in a blizzard that started somewhere in Central IN. You will be fine. When was the last time you heard of someone being assaulted in their motel room? Never! I mean you don't want to stop in some sleazy hot sheets place because it is cheap. Now is not the time to be foolish. Don't sleep in truck stops or rest areas... Stay in a nice respectable Holiday Inn or something like that and you will have no worries. Pick up a taped book by your favorite author. Buy a cheap Ipod gizmo so you can listen to your Ipod through your car speakers. Enjoy your stops for food. Feel liberated. I am woman, hear me roar!

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

5,800 miles. I went on a two week road trip that started in Washington State and BC, and went through Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California. I also managed to briefly stop in Mexico on that trip. It was a very free thing to do...just to take off like that. When I think of all the things I have done so far in my lifetime, that was the greatest fun. I met up with friends in several states, but I was alone for the entire drive.

I did go through a period of nervousness. The first three days of my trip I was close to home...BC, Washington and Oregon....going to concerts and meeting up with friends I know in those states. No big deal there. But I almost chickened out in Portland when it was time to say goodbye to my friends and move on. Fortunately, they gave me the nudge I needed and I did go! It was just amazing. I would do it again tomorrow and I would strongly encourage such a road trip to anybody thinking about it! Believe me, you won't regret it. You'll feel so free. It's normal to be a little nervous, but nervous can be good! It makes things more exciting. If you never got nervous about things, you wouldn't feel alive. So go ahead and be nervous but do it anyway!

 

[Hannathy]

I have driven from Wisconsin to Phila about 18 hrs many times before cell phones, staying in hotels yourself is only scary the first few times. One thing I usually ask for a 2nd floor room and one near the desk, just makes me feel more comfortable knowing I'm near someone. When I travel alone my biggest fear is locking my self out of my car!

If you will be staying in a Motel on New Years EVe you may want to guesstimate where you will be and get a reservation. In some area hotels fill up for New years eve. They also are more expensive.

If you are nervous about missing exits on the busy roads I relax by saying to my self if I can't get over, or miss it I will not kill myself trying to I will simply go to the next exit I can get off and turn around and try it again. A few extra miles is not worth dieing over! It has got me thru NYC, chicago, Phila, DC, etc..
Have a great trip!