Driving from California to NC

[Legendary]

I drove CA to NY in 3 days, 16 hours a day, 70-80ish the whole way. Wouldn't recommend it unless you know you can go 16 hours per day while actively looking for cops. In fact, keeping an eye out for cops is what kept me awake.

Some beautiful country out there - I would take it easy. I only rushed back because I had a job interview the day after I returned.
(Yes I got the job, posting from there now )

Edit: I only drove because shipping all of my stuff cost more than driving - YMMV

 

[DrPizza]

It really depends on where you're talking about in Cali, and where in NC. Both are pretty long states.
Asheville, NC to Barstow, CA is 2184 miles (1 day 7 hours) 99% of the trip is on I40
Wilmington, NC to Eureka, CA is 3134 miles (1 day 23 hours)

That's nearly a 1000 mile difference! If I were in a hurry, on the 2184 mile route, I'd drive it nearly straight through, sleeping at a rest stop at some point in between for a couple of hours.

Personally, such trips are exhausting, but it depends on what's at the destination. I'm thinking about taking the family to Florida for Spring Break. From our house to our destination is just a little under 20 hours. We'll leave as soon as the kids and I get out of school. We'll arrive just in time for lunch. The two other kids coming with us (friend and a gf) will need to learn ahead of time - you get to go to the bathroom when the car is nearly on Empty. Breakfast, lunch, dinner/break destinations are chosen by when I need to stop to get gas. :evil: I do all the work packing the car. I do all the work driving. When we get there, *I* get to relax first while everyone unpacks.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: intogamer
WHy not fly? Gas is teh assrape? + tolls

No kidding. Hell, figuring 25mpg average he'll spend $300 in gasoline making that trip one way not to mention the time spent, plus hotels, and food. It would be much cheaper to fly.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: intogamer
WHy not fly? Gas is teh assrape? + tolls

there are no toll roads between Cali and NC they are only up north in yankee country

It would take you 12 hours just to drive through Texas.

3 days would be pushing it. The longest stretch I drove solo by myself was Greensboro, NC to Milwaukee, WI which is about 875 miles. It took about 14 hours.

You'll be going about 2500 miles, so that's about 42 hours less sleep and eat time

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: intogamer
WHy not fly? Gas is teh assrape? + tolls

there are no toll roads between Cali and NC they are only up north in yankee country

there are toll roads in both kansas and oklahoma, you can either stay north, I-80 or I-90 or south, I-20 and whatever

 

[trmiv]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: intogamer
WHy not fly? Gas is teh assrape? + tolls

there are no toll roads between Cali and NC they are only up north in yankee country

It would take you 12 hours just to drive through Texas.

3 days would be pushing it. The longest stretch I drove solo by myself was Greensboro, NC to Milwaukee, WI which is about 875 miles. It took about 14 hours.

You'll be going about 2500 miles, so that's about 42 hours less sleep and eat time

It doesn't take 12 hours to drive through Texas if you are taking 40. You're only driving across the panhandle, through Amarillo. 3 hours max, that's how long it took us.

 

[TC10284]

Excellent information, guys =)

I appreciate all your input.

 

[Drako]

I've done the Cali to Virginia and Virginia to Cali trip. Took 3 days both times. Could be done in 2 days if you have two drivers to switch off.

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: trmiv

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: intogamer
WHy not fly? Gas is teh assrape? + tolls

there are no toll roads between Cali and NC they are only up north in yankee country

It would take you 12 hours just to drive through Texas.

3 days would be pushing it. The longest stretch I drove solo by myself was Greensboro, NC to Milwaukee, WI which is about 875 miles. It took about 14 hours.

You'll be going about 2500 miles, so that's about 42 hours less sleep and eat time

It doesn't take 12 hours to drive through Texas if you are taking 40. You're only driving across the panhandle, through Amarillo. 3 hours max, that's how long it took us.

It depends on where he is leaving from. It might actually be better to go through Texas as I don't believe there are any major toll roads like there are in OK. I know there is a toll bypass outside of Houston, but he wont be going there.

 

[OrByte]

Ive done it twice.

It will take about 5 days because I don't really know if you want to drive in bad weather overnight and stuff.

This time of the year it is best to go south. you might be able to avoid bad storms on 40. That's the way I went back in December.

 

[xeemzor]

Driving from NY to Chicago nonstop was bad enough. 14 hours of constant driving by yourself is rough.