rovman
south louisiana
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In planning, what average daily mileage should I plan for driving: 300, 400, 500? What is an average speed to calculate by: 40, 50, 60 (not travel speed but average speed)?
On a trip we are planning to D.C. later this year (from S. Louisiana)
My travel distance will be apprx 1200 miles one-way. My current plan would be an overnight every 400 miles (based upon average of 40mph, travel speed not to exceed 60mph).
What are your thoughts on planning this route?
rovman
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sharker6
Full time 7/4/08
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500 miles a day is my limit. 1200 in three days is probably what I'd do without having to push it.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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You should use whatever YOUR family wants to travel. Usually about 50 MPH average speed multiplied by the hours you want to travel. Won't do you any good to use what someone ELSE does. good luck ./ Skip
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Hours is what I use for planning over miles. 400 miles of driving could take 7 hours or it could take 15, it all depends on road conditions.
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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It depends. On your trip to DC, do you want to stop and smell the roses every once in a while...explore back roads...see sites you haven't seen before...stop and check things out that are interesting????
Or do you just want to get there as quickly as possible?
Whether or not we were pulling our trailer or driving our motor home, 55 to 60 was my best speed and typically averaged about 45 to 50 over all. When going from one spot to another without regard to what I was passing by, I would do about 350 miles a day and leave one site at about 7 am and arrive at about 5pm with stops for fuel, food, and potty breaks. On the other hand, when time/distance was not an issue, we would leave at about 9am and arrive about 3pm and the distance was usually around 250 miles. This allowed plenty of time to look, explore, and satisfy our desires to enjoy the trip.
So, which is it for you?
Ron
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rovman
south louisiana
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Well, what I was considering in estimating mileage was where I ought to calculate needing a campsite and reserving in advance.
For instance, based upon 400 mile first day, I would end up around Tuscaloosa, AL. So I looked up parks around there to evaluate what I might plan for. Found a COE near a reservoir. Second day 400 mile would put me around Roanoke, VA so I will look at the possibilities there.
Along the way side-stops would not be in the plan ... the destination is where we want to put our time in. However, I seem to find that some parks have a minimum stay period, but I have not confirmed this.
I am looking to make an early evening arrival at any park we might stay at along the route (4-6pm) and then get scootin the next morning around 7 or 8am. Restroom and food stops as needed but not sight-seeing.
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Bounder Billy
Colorado
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I plan to drive 8 hours on the first day, about 400 to 450 miles depending on speed and length of stops. After that, 5 to 6 hours per day is maximum I shall drive.
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johnrbd
San Joaquin Valley
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I usually plan for about 250 miles per day, about 5 hrs. Some days more, some less. I locate 2-3 campgrounds around the 5-hr mark as possible landing spots and check rvparkreviews and individual web sites for add'l info. If in doubt, call campgrounds and ask questions before arriving, ie, minimum days/site sizes/hookups if needed/pool if needed.
If you're on a time schedule, you'll have to determine how many hrs per day/miles per day your family can handle. We like leaving late and arriving early - well, DW does anyway, so I've adapted. We're both retired so not locked in time-wise. If we decide to check someout enroute, we do. Getting there is half the fun - enjoying the scenery, etc.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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I could tell you what works for us but that doesn't mean it would work for you. One piece of advice that we follow is to stop every two hours to stretch, do whatever needs to be done, and switch drivers. Divides the longest trip into 2-hour segments.
Also consider Books on Tape or Radio Archives for entertainment along the way.
Dick_B
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TowHaul
Ontario
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I like to use a mapping program like Mapquest to plan my trips.
This gives you an idea of how long it takes to get to certain points on your trip. You do have to factor in any stops but I've found that the time estimates are close enough for what I need.
Like others have said - distance/time traveled is a personal preference but at least the software will give you an idea of where you might get to.
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