Cross country route

[Noah930]

Driving from LA to Boston this summer (end of July/beginning of August). We're taking the Targa and my wife's daily driver Subaru. And a dog (husky). Any recommendations on what route to take?

Southerly route: I-40 across Arizona, New Mexico, Amarillo, to OK City. Then either veer north via I-44 through MO to St Louis, to catch I-70 through Indianapolis and Ohio to Pennsylvania? Or leaving OK City take I-64 to Louisville and West Virginia/Pennsylvania? Then we can figure out a way to I-95 to take up the coast to MA.

Northerly route: I-15 through Las Vegas and Utah, to catch I-70 and head east from Colorado? Either on I-70 through Kansas and Missouri? Or on I-76/I-80 through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania?

We're moving, but have the opportunity to make this a 7-10 day drive, as opposed to reverse-Cannonballing it across the country.

Is it more painful to travel with a dog like this? Or am I better off biting the bullet and flying with the pooch, and then returning for the drive?

What BTDT road warrior advice does the PPOT braintrust have to offer?

[speeder]

I would say that you definitely want to take the northern route in the summer and as for the dog, I guess it depends on how well he tolerates long days in the car? I've done the exact drive with my dog 20 years ago and it was easy...the dog never complained and he was great company. Obviously, you need to stop once in a while and let him get some exercise and have a peaceful meal but you will need the same so it works great.

[Arizona_928]

I would avoid Arkansas, Kansas, etc. due to police tactics of civil forfeiture.

I like the I40 to the I25 through Colorado then to the I80. Chicago is an interesting city that i do enjoy driving through.

The other route is to take the 10 through the south and when you hit the coast transfer to the 95. A lot of good food and sightseeing on the way.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've done it a few times, I would do the northern route.

I wouldn't take the dog with me.

I would consider putting a new alternator in depending on your car's history. When I drove my 69E across country, that was the only thing I really worried about.

[Seahawk]

Should be a great trip.

That said:

- Dog. Our rule of thumb is two days in the car max, preferably one depending on the dog and accommodations. I have moved cross country a few times and always shipped the dog, especially if I have a flexible schedule.

I am sure there are differing opinions, but those are our constraints.

- Route. It will be warm to hot on the mid America route, blazing on the southern route. I like the route you suggested through Iowa.

If you decide to head father north, make sure you have hotel reservations in advance...lots of folks moving about in the upper States.

Lastly, I'd take the entire 10 days...great opportunity that may not present itself again for a while.


Edits: FB is right! Also, if the dog has any issues on the trip, it will be difficult to get Vet help in some parts of the country due to distances.

[flatbutt]

Noah are you in any particular hurry? Because while I-80 through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania is more expeditious it is also BORING AF!!

If it's not too much of a detour Rt 6 thru Pennsy is a bit more entertaining (aand slower) than 80.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2641516,-77.3385825,8z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDUyNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

[Rot 911]

I would take the southerly route. It has the most interesting terrain.

[Scott Douglas]

Can your wife drive the Targa?

[Seahawk]

I love road trips so I gnashed on this while running errands.

First, your 964 Targa: I had a 1994 964 Targa and I miss it every day. Every day. I'd still have it if Cruella hadn't run me off the road almost 20 years ago.

Depending on where you have traveled by car before.

Prescott, AZ the first day.

Then to Socorro up to Santa Fe for the second night.

Then start the north climb. Hays, KS has a great HI with an indoor pool.

After that, it all depends: No reason not to jump on an Interstate and go.

Going through the southern states is a study in pine trees...for days.

[KFC911]

Here's my input ....

I-10 east to I-95 north.

One hell of a trip ... literally

[Scott Douglas]

I don't envy the dog on that trip.
It's gonna be HOT in all likelihood.

[tdw28210]

I've done the I-10 route a couple times - both directions. You can rack up some serious mileage rolling through New Mexico and West Texas from about Midnight until around 5:00 AM.

[KFC911]

I-10, I-20, I-40 .... meh... I prefer the road less travelled...

I-30 .

Doesn't sound like a fun dawg trip tho'... unless yer a hot dog.

[Brian 162]

When I drove back from Arizona to Ontario last year I took the I-40 route you posted. 75 speed limit on average, lots of rest stops. I forgot how but you can pick up I-90 around Cleveland and it will take you all the way to Boston

[Gogar]

I've done em all 10 times each and the northerly one is great to Denver and then you must choose your next 12 hours of disappointment, slight advantage to Missouri over Iowa IMO.

The southerly one will have better food but a few turdly drives scattered around until you get to about OKC or Tulsa.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

There's also the northern northern route I took on the Ducati. It was lovely.

[Gogar]

If you go to Denver then up to the Black hills you will add 5-6 hours. Maybe it's worth it!

[Arizona_928]

Speed limit is 80 in SD as well ^^^^

[speeder]

Traffic is generally moving at 75-80 on the interstate anywhere in the west, sometimes a little faster in remote places. I'm about to do the Los Angeles to MN. drive that I've done countless times and the half that is between here and Denver is beautiful. The second half, (or first half going the other way), is obviously less exciting but still ok, eastern CO. is truly ugly but I've grown to actually like Nebraska, it's not so bad. Lots of farm land and sort of big small towns, nice people who are the salt of the earth. Iowa and the rest of the of the midwest is very green and pretty this time of year but the west is spectacular. Between the middle of the country and the east coast is kind of bland with scattered exceptions.

Mr. Gogar's advice is on the money, if you want to see Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills, it will add some hours but worth it at least once, IMO. It sounds like you have a pretty leisurely timeline. Enjoy and be safe!

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Can your wife drive the Targa?

Yes, though she's likely to prefer the working AC of the Subaru. As would the dog. She's already flying at the end of the month to shuttle the cat to our destination/her parents. But the pup is a lot higher maintenance, and it would be a bigger ask for her parents to watch the dog.

I appreciate all the advice, especially re: maybe not taking the dog for such a long trip.

We have time. Not indefinite time, but for once in our lives, we will be between jobs which don't start until September. Plus, Mrs. Noah's employer has a corporate relocation department that will actually help pay for travel expenses

I think the only thing Mrs. Noah definitely has asked to see is the Grand Canyon. I think that sets the first couple days of travel, as it seems like the south rim is a better fit for our family travel plans than the north. That makes it a little bit more difficult to to through Utah without back-tracking too much. So we might have to start southerly, see the Grand Canyon, and then scoot around the eastern end of the Grand Canyon to go up by Moab to hit Colorado/Denver/etc.