Cross Country Trip

[drzaius]

I'm looking for advice from anybody who's made a trip from coast to coast. Not sure what the best route would be. I'll be moving from Oregon to Florida this summer and am planning on taking the vaquero and shipping the car. My dad is gonna be riding along with me, so my starting point is going to be Sacramento. Any input would be awesome, as well as any must have items to take.

[Jared]

It sounds like you're really just trying to get from point A to point B. Am I right? Are you planning on sight seeing?

[vulcanscott]

Never tried it yet but I would make sure to have cell phone with net link to all of Us.

[HwyRider]

I've travelled across the country numerous times and always stuck to the highways just because there was always a gas station or an exit to pull off and eat and I always wanted to finish the trip as soon as possible. If you plan to take the back roads for the views then you will have to plan your gas stops and places to eat as well as a place to sleep.

According to map blast the trip will take you anywhere from 40 - 48 hours depending on your route. If you take the scenic route plan on a week and a half.

[drzaius]

It sounds like you're really just trying to get from point A to point B. Am I right? Are you planning on sight seeing?
I was planning a week and a half to make the trip. I'll have my gps and phone with me. I do want to do a little site seeing on the way. Any must see places along the way?

[Monkeyman]

When? ("Summer" is pretty vague.) It gets pretty warm in the southwest in the middle of summer and they have monsoon season in July/August (?). If it were me and I could choose early summer/late spring or late summer/early fall, I'd ride the southern most route (I 10). If you're going in the middle of summer, I'd probably choose a more northern route (maybe I 24/I 75).

[Netnorske]

Any must see places along the way?

Going across the country there are too many "must see" places to even name....let alone fit into a post here. I suggest picking a route, then research what is along that route that interests you. Good luck...that will be a great run...:yep:!

[1kevin662]

Just wondering how do you pack for a trip like? I took my first overnight with my wife and we would have to wash clothes every two days...

[drzaius]

Just wondering how do you pack for a trip like? I took my first overnight with my wife and we would have to wash clothes every two days...
For me I pack light all the time. I am adding a trunk for a little extra storage, as light as I pack those two saddle bags aren't gonna carry enough for cross country. Only essentials are making the trip with me because the bike is heavy enough on it's own.

[schoeney]

10 Days one way is plenty of time to go 3500 miles. You can even take a couple days off in the middle of it.

I would take the northern route and do a mix of interstate and scenic byways. Some of the decision has to be what you have seen or what you want to see? You can see historic landmarks, scenery, Hall of Fame's, museums, sporting events, and just about anything else. Choose a few destinations and pick the route that will be the least boring and go for it. Enjoy!!

You might want to consult a couple motorcycle road websites.

[cactusjack]

When? ("Summer" is pretty vague.) It gets pretty warm in the southwest in the middle of summer and they have monsoon season in July/August (?). If it were me and I could choose early summer/late spring or late summer/early fall, I'd ride the southern most route (I 10). If you're going in the middle of summer, I'd probably choose a more northern route (maybe I 24/I 75).

It will start getting warm (90+) out this way in April and above 100 by mid-May. It will stay that way until the end of September. We do have the monsoon from mid-June through mid-September, but it's not like some places where it clouds up and rains daily, we can go 2-3 weeks between storms and they are usually short lived.

The farther you go north, UT and CO, it can still be warm and that's where you see the afternoon showers.

[Arkie16]

Going coast to coast, my choice would be to follow the same route that they took in the movie "Easy Rider" or take Route 66 as far as I could without it taking me out of the way. But that's just me and my love for the past.

[HwyRider]

If you're going in the summer you may want to go something like this. You'll still have some mild temps two thirds of the way across the country before you hit the heat in the south.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5838&stc=1&d=1394329383

[Monkeyman]

The route HwyRider shows looks nice but I'd choose a color besides purple cuz, you know, it's kind of a sissy color. :)

[Monkeyman]

It will start getting warm (90+) out this way in April and above 100 by mid-May. It will stay that way until the end of September. We do have the monsoon from mid-June through mid-September, but it's not like some places where it clouds up and rains daily, we can go 2-3 weeks between storms and they are usually short lived.

The farther you go north, UT and CO, it can still be warm and that's where you see the afternoon showers.

I didn't know it would get that warm by May. (We'll probably still have snow on the ground then.) I also didn't know the monsoons were of short duration. I thought they lasted a day or two when they hit. Nice to know in case I ever get down that way.

[schoeney]

The route HwyRider shows looks nice but I'd choose a color besides purple cuz, you know, it's kind of a sissy color. :)

Well the line starts in California...kinda fits.

[schoeney]

DRZ...can your Dad meet you somewhere up north? taking the route through Idaho Western Montana, South Dakota would be really nice. You could hit Yellowstone the Beartooth Highway, Rockies, Custer, Rushmore, and many other possibilities. I can't say it's that much cooler in the summer but at least you will hit a few mountain ranges to cool down.
North route makes the trip longer but I see that as a good thing!

[drzaius]

Thanks for the warning on the rain, is it like pouring rain or just steady? Up here in Oregon we get plenty of time riding in the rain so I'm well prepared there. I like that route hwyrider put up, I've never been to most of those states.

[drzaius]

That's a possibility, he was talking about coming up to Oregon first to see some of his buddies up here. Either way we're gonna be covering a lot of country.

[Silent Sam]

..What time of year did you say you are going ? (summer)
(I'v done it all)...
After June..it's hot everywhere..but unbearable in the south west...I got heat stroked near Needles Calif in Aug 1988..it was 138 IN THE SHADE when I fell over !..and I was not in the shade !...(ended my ability to deal with temp's above about 85 degrees)

As for "monsoon's" there will be thunderstorms all across the rocky mt west on a daily basis...usually small, and easy to maunerver around..good deal is they all will move in a generaly easterly direction -LIGHTENING WILL KILL A MOTORCYCLIST !, avoid riding in thunder storms !..just wait a few minutes and the storm will move !

As you exit the Rockys, onto the great plains..the thunderstorms will get huge..and very dangerous..hail and high wind gust's and tornado's are common -But you can see them for a hundred miles...and judge the direction they are moving (piece of cake to deal with if you pay attention) dont be afraid to detour a few miles to avoid them !.I just hang out at a truck stop/cafe/coffee shop etc and relax til the sky clears and you can tool along smelling the fresh air !,

My favorite travel times are late may-late june and again sept-oct...

As others have said here...what do you want to see, ..Sturges Bike week is around the first week in aug...hot, but lots of hardy souls arrive from -everywhere *and a bad hail storm did $millions in damage to thousands of bike at Sturges in 2010 (as I recall)..life is an adventure..go for it ! America Is Beautiful (out of town that is)

[HwyRider]

No matter what route you choose you will see some nice country. Try to get your weather a week out ahead of you and you should be able to avoid most storms. Most news stations give a 7 day forecast. If it looks like 1 day will be a wash out then just stay at a motel for the day and recoup.

[nomadtom69]

Another thing to think about if you have a concealed carry you need to check and see what states honor it so you will not get into trouble (Ill. is a no no ) there are some nice roads that are not Interstates but watch out in western Kansas on 400/500 from Dodge City west gas is hard to find in some places

[Cynic]

Avoid interstates where possible. You can travel US Highways and make almost as good of time , but actually see some of America in the process. I'd recommend US 50 from Sac to Grand Junction Co to Pueblo CO to Wichita KS. Hop onto US 400 and make your way to Eureka Springs AR (great roads), head northeast to US 60 and take it to Maryville TN, where you can drop south through the Tail of the Dragon. Stay on US 129 south and make your way to Athens GA. Take US 441 south to US 23, right into Jacksonville FL. All in, 3100 miles, no bad roads, less traffic, chance to see America.

[Monkeyman]

...it was 138 IN THE SHADE...

You sure about that? I just Googled the highest temp ever recorded and it only came up with 134* in 1913 (although to give you some credit, it WAS in Death Valley). The average high temps for Death Valley are between 110 and 120.

[Silent Sam]

138 (f) was reading on two thermometers we had...was a paving operation just west of Needles Calif Aug 1988...on Interstate 40 (thinking back..I doubt if those temps were "in the shade")

As for riding hiway 50..bear in mind hiway 50 from Fallon Nevada east is called 'the Loneliest Hiway In America" (I love that route and always take it when going east/west) But you need to fuel up at..Fallon...Austin...Eureka...Ely

South out of Ely..you can make Panaca for fuel...or east on 6/50 to the utah state line and on east to Delta Utah....(check your map)

[davidhollinger]

If you're going in the summer you may want to go something like this. You'll still have some mild temps two thirds of the way across the country before you hit the heat in the south.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5838&stc=1&d=1394329383


How in the world are you having this man bypass the most beautiful state in the Union?? :D Cut south thru Tenn and ride 65 south through ALABAMA:tup: into Florida and stay the hell out of Atlanta!:crazy:

[HwyRider]

In the summer the heat and humidity in the south can really get to you.

[davidhollinger]

We need his tourism dollars! Who doesnt want to see Rosa Park's childhood home... besides me of course! :tehe:

[cactusjack]

I didn't know it would get that warm by May. (We'll probably still have snow on the ground then.) I also didn't know the monsoons were of short duration. I thought they lasted a day or two when they hit. Nice to know in case I ever get down that way.

Even when we get one of those huge dust storms it moves at 30 MPH or more across the Valley. Usually we get very heavy rain for a few minutes, then it's over.

We only get around 7" of rain a year. A storm that dumps 1/2"-1" is considered huge.

[Monkeyman]

Even when we get one of those huge dust storms it moves at 30 MPH or more across the Valley. Usually we get very heavy rain for a few minutes, then it's over.

We only get around 7" of rain a year. A storm that dumps 1/2"-1" is considered huge.

That's good to know. It'll be a bit longer than I hoped before I move down there but it's nice to know that weather won't be a deterrent.

[coffey67]

Just wondering how do you pack for a trip like? I took my first overnight with my wife and we would have to wash clothes every two days...

You can wear the same jeans for two or three days and just change underwear and shirts each day. That will save you a lot of laundry. You can also choose to mail your dirty clothes home and pick up new ones along the way.

[Netnorske]

You can wear the same jeans for two or three days and just change underwear each day.....

BD and CJ turn their undies inside out....getting two days out of each pair.....and Jared packs so light I'm damn near certain he goes Commando....:yep::lmao:!

[1kevin662]

The wife is not to sure about wearing jeans for 3 days!!! Guess we can pull the little red wagon behind us!!!

[benmo109]

Listen to Hwyrider for sure about Alanta GA. STAY OUT!! Back in the year of our Lord of 1982 while station at Sheppard, AFB, TX. (Wichita Falls TX.) A friend and I took on a bike trip to return in 2 weeks. No real plans just head out east ward. Carried enough cloths for 4 days, a pup tent with some cash. We did plan to stay pretty close to military installations just in case. No GPS back then (maps) Stayed at state camp sites because of the showers. Rode through OK,KA,MO,IL,KY,TN,MS,AL,FL,LA and souther TX back up to Wichta Falls. Great trip we stop and seen things and people. The people were GREAT! A lot of home cook meals matter of a fact. We did stay a couple nights at military bases for a good night rest. Have fun with your Dad on this trip, take your time and enjoy each and every mile. This is what it is all about. Pack enough for yourself and you can always stop in at a Wal-Mart to get youself something for the dayl

[schoeney]

BD and CJ turn their undies inside out....getting two days out of each pair.....and Jared packs so light I'm damn near certain he goes Commando....:yep::lmao:!

We are a bit worried you know these details Kris....or that you even care:P:P

[Netnorske]

BD and CJ turn their undies inside out....getting two days out of each pair.....and Jared packs so light I'm damn near certain he goes Commando....:yep::lmao:!

We are a bit worried you know these details Kris....or that you even care:P:P

Sharing is caring, and inquiring minds want to know.....:tehe::D! I have the luxury of voluminous storage space, allowing me to pack extra tighty-whiteys for those "oh chit" moments when a quick change might be needed....:lmao::tup:!

[mobandy78]

I'll tell you this... Oklahoma is flat and windy in the western part of the state (I-35 -> West), but still has it's "pretty" points. Eastern Oklahoma (I-35 -> East) is full of hills and trees and turns. There are a bunch of great routes to take through my part of the state.

Just throwing that out there if you decide to take a southern route. :)

[Silent Sam]

..IF IT'S -ME, I will pay to avoid any town with more than one traffic signal ! (and rent a truck and haul my bike thru any "cities")

I have a method for "enough clothing"...I try to plan for the weather "that I think I'll encounter"..and carry one extra set of clothes..rain gear..jacket, sleeping bag, light bath-kit etc..Then if I hit cold weather..or need a set of clothes, and cant do a laundromat, Ill buy a cheap set or whatever I need at WALMART, and Mail the dirty or excess clothes to myself, at home, or to the destination end of the trip.

I'v done this a few times..especially at Sturges..or other places, where I buy stuff for Ole #4, and gee-gawz and trinket's !

[boyntonbeachrider]

I would also suggest you purchase good socks and a good pair of boots or shoes. Comfortable enough to walk in so you don't need an extra pair. That will save u some room for sure. A good pair of gloves as well especially if you don't have heated grips.