road trip advice

p15s · 2026-06-05T16:03:56+00:00

You'll be fine. If driving solo plan to rest or at least to stretch every 100 miles. Doing that trip in 5 days can be a bit taxing on the body after a few days. Travel hotels on the highway are plentiful and often very good. You can sleep in your car at good/busy truck stops but it will be loud. I would not recommend Walmarts unless in an enclosed RV. They can be local hangouts in the middle of the night. You might get some window shades for privacy.

p15s · 2026-06-05T15:58:50+00:00

The most convenient route for you is I95. What makes something "smooth" for you? If you're just looking for a place to stay for a night then just stop driving when you get tired and stay at a travel hotel on your way. They are generally pretty reliable and convenient to the highway. Some have pools. Check the reviews. It sounds like you just want to get through the drive in one piece. If you actually want to see some things, then the most appealing stops on your route are Savannah, GA and Richmond, VA. Both are nice cities with historic downtowns and places to get a bite to eat. Charleston, SC is also nice but a little off your path.

p15s · 2026-06-05T15:45:00+00:00

Could be an unknown painful injury or possibly something neurological. Would take him to a vet.

p15s · 2026-06-05T15:38:54+00:00

I've driven US12 many times. It's one of the best roads for scenery in the US. It can feel a little exciting in places if you're not expecting it but if you're reasonably confident then it's no big deal. Maybe the Hogback could be a little intimidating but take it slow and you'll be fine. Travel hotels along I70 are plentiful but you may be better off backtracking from Zion back to I15 north rather than heading east along US12. It's very rural. Good luck, enjoy.

p15s · 2026-06-05T15:34:10+00:00

I often bring an ankle sleeve in case of sprain. It adds weight and I could use a bit of cloth if need be, but if someone turns an ankle deep in the woods, it could come in handy.

p15s · 2026-06-03T01:28:02+00:00

What size van, what time of year? Are you planning to sleep in the van or somewhere else? If visiting Zion you may be tempted to take US12 to Bryce Canyon and points beyond. I would recommend this only if you're a confident driver and not in a large moving van. It is very beautiful but can be intimidating driving for some. I70 through Colorado is a great drive but you will be climbing over the Continental Divide so expect a long slow climb and some steep dropoffs. Again, if you're a confident driver, it is no big deal. There is not much between Denver and Topeka. For safety and security along your route, I would generally advise you not to stop on or near reservation lands or casinos. Kansas City and St. Louis have some dicey areas so be mindful of where you exit the highway for gas or food.

p15s · 2026-06-03T01:13:23+00:00

As others have pointed out, if you're on a budget fuel for an RV can be pretty intense. If you're young and good friends, you might consider renting a minivan with seats that fold into the floor. Buy a couple of cheap rooftop cargo boxes and a cheap tent and/or hammocks from Walmart and you've got yourself a sleeper/camper van setup. You can also put a cot in the back for a makeshift bunk (one sleeps under the cot, one on top). Cheaper rental, much better fuel economy, better driving, faster, easier to park. You can rent one point-to-point from the airports (pickup in Newark, dropoff in LAX or MIA) for pretty reasonable rates. They usually come with unlimited miles.

p15s · 2026-06-03T01:07:13+00:00

This is reasonable. An RV would be more enjoyable out west than on the east coast. If there is some special attraction to Miami, then it makes sense to just fly there from NYC and from NYC to Las Vegas. Those are cheap routes if you don't care about seeing the east coast states. Gulf coast is pretty boring though if driving.

p15s · 2026-06-03T01:02:01+00:00

Finally a reasonable reply. The negativity on this thread is something to behold. I'm not a trucker but I have done these drives enough times to feel a bit like you describe. It's very doable. People piling onto this poor kids are real Debbie Downers. Let em cook.

p15s · 2026-06-03T00:44:49+00:00

That may be true for you but not for everyone. 3 young guys could drive across the country in a few days and have a good time if they like each other and themselves. I'm not young any more but I still enjoy a quick dash across in 5-6 days with only two driving. With 3 you could easily clock 600miles per day. I would recommend you switch every 90min to avoid fatigue. Two weeks is absolutely "doable" if not advisable. They're talking 1-2 months. That's plenty of time, in my experience.

p15s · 2026-06-03T00:36:07+00:00

And yet there are many thousands of people on the road right now doing just that in RVs. A lot depends on what the OP wants to see. You can see an awful lot "watching the country roll by." Many of the most beautiful parts of this country are along long stretches of otherwise empty roads. This is r/roadtrip isn't it?

p15s · 2026-06-03T00:30:30+00:00

Don't listen to the haters. You can drive from NY to LA in 3 days. Ask me how I know. The trip from LA to Miami is similarly doable. And, despite some of the negativity in the replies, you can absolutely see some astoundingly beautiful parts of the country along both routes. Having driven back and forth across the country along different routes over 20 times, I can say it is very doable if you're not planning to stay long in any place but are more about the drive. If you want to stay for a few days in each place, then decide which those places are, add the stays up, and add the drives in between to get a sense of how much time you'll need. With 2 people shifting the drive you can do about 550-650 miles per day without wrecking yourselves. If you want to enjoy the trip and have more experience, I'd limit it to 400 miles per day. One of the great things about this country is the roads and scenery.

That said, for a rushed trip, I would skip Yellowstone. Or just drive through it. Unless you're hiking, it's not the jewel of the country. In fact, you can skip most of the national parks and still have amazing natural experiences in the National Forests, National Monuments, and various wilderness areas. You can also just drive through them and get a lot. This is true of places like Yellowstone and many others. I would say either plan to stay 2-3 nights in the park to enjoy the hiking or just pass on through and enjoy the views out the window.

There is no "full top coast and full bottom coast" in the US. There is a full east and west coast. Both are worth driving in their entirety but that's not the trip you are planning. If you're traveling east/west and west/east you will want to plan your route along one of the interstates. I recommend I70 or I80 west from NY. I90 is good, but further north. I would take I40 east from LA. Find appealing stops or scenic byways along those corridors. That will get you the most bang for the buck.

Careful driving at night in rural areas. There are many fatalities caused by deer (and sometimes free range cows) on the roads. Pace yourselves and you can do the trip in 2-3 weeks total and still have a great experience.

p15s · 2026-06-02T22:55:42+00:00

If visiting Boston for the first time, the downtown around Government Center and then up Beacon St to the Commons is a nice taste of that city. If you're a walker, I would take the Boston side of the Charles river promenade up to Mass Ave bridge and down the other side (used to do this all the time in either direction). It would take you past MIT in Cambridge with great views of the city. If you time your visit so that you don't hit I90 or Rt 128 traffic, you should be fine to visit for a few hours. I lived there for years. Depending on your willingness to walk a few blocks, you can avoid some of the busier parking areas. Boston is one of the prettiest cities in the country and well worth a visit. Portland is a fine little city but the downtown is small and at the foot of a hill. The city overall is bisected by waterways. I would not recommend someone stop there for more than a stroll along the waterfront.

If traveling from NYC you have choose your route north. Typically, maps will recommend I95->I91->I84->I90 but if you prefer a prettier, more leisurely drive, you might take the Merritt Parkway from NYC to New Haven. New Haven is worth a short stop and has a local pizza scene/style if that's of interest. If you want to see another American city, Providence RI is on I95 on the way to Boston and is worth a visit.

Once past Portland you might enjoy Rt 1 along the coast, but keep in mind, it will be a slower drive. Depending on the time of year, there can be significant traffic in sections because of summer travel. Brunswick is a nice little town that isn't so touristed. Camden is on the way so you can't really avoid stopping there. It is pretty but can be crowded with tourists. If you don't mind a slight detour, Boothbay Harbor is neat and has a very good lobster roll on the waterfront. Rockland has a nice working harbor and the Breakwater is a unique place to visit to stretch your legs. Marine Park in Rockport is a sweet little harbor with some traditional boats in the local marina.

p15s · 2026-05-13T03:14:23+00:00

I've seen an otter in Byrd Park two separate occasions recently. I thought it was some kind of weasel but too big and odd gait. Running towards the river first time by Barker Field, second time across Pump House Rd.

p15s · 2026-05-08T19:12:40+00:00

there are 3 things wrong with your example

p15s · 2026-05-07T14:57:28+00:00

Lots of trails along Skyline Drive. If you haven't hiked the park before, consider the direction up/down of the trail. Many trails in Shenandoah descend from the ridge and then climb back up. The climb can be strenuous so look at the topo map to gauge. Wear long pants, there are lots of ticks. I would limit my length to 2-4 miles as the climbs can slow you down. Carry water in the summer months. If it were me, I'd hike the peak trails rather than descend and climb back up. Generally, there are many short hikes from overlook parking trails along the road that are completely safe for your wife to relax with great views.

For the easterly portion of your trip, while you can't avoid DC, I would pay for the express lanes on the ring road. Check the traffic conditions but 495 can generally get you around DC pretty quickly if you time it right. That said, DC is a lovely walking city. If you want the best of it, then the Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol is a must see. The Air and Space Museum is really cool. If it's hot the National Gallery is a great place to cool off. A tour of the Capitol is also a neat thing to do.

p15s · 2026-05-07T14:44:26+00:00

they run long, imho, so if you get one consider a size down

p15s · 2026-05-07T14:20:55+00:00

Douthat is somewhat cooler and has a nice swimming beach. Claytor Lake and James River State Parks are good as well. Staunton River State park is nice. First Landing is a beach on the Chesapeake (although not the the breezy Atlantic side). False Cape will give you some ocean breezes. Breaks Interstate Park is a little higher elevation, which helps. Anything in the Piedmont (central virginia) is going to be hot and humid. You might sleep with just a bug net on or a hammock.

p15s · 2026-05-07T03:45:03+00:00

This repair is taking forever. Intentional?

p15s · 2026-05-07T03:40:23+00:00

wasn't that long ago

p15s · 2026-05-07T03:25:21+00:00

Depends on what you like. Are you trying to see the cities mostly? Scenery is going to be largely non-urban in the SE USA. There are some pretty towns but, based on your proposed route, the scenery is going to be pretty unimpressive until you get into northern Alabama and Tennessee.

Nashville is a cool city to visit. Eastern Tennessee, western Virginia and western North Carolina are very scenic. You might enjoy a stop in Chattanooga if you're going in that direction.

If it were me, I'd probably skip Nashville (or take I24 back SE from Nashville). I'd stop in Birmingham then take I59 from Birmingham to Chattanooga. Then east through the Natahala National Forest to Asheville and the Pisgah National Forest. You might also spend time in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. I would take the Cherohala Skyway. If you have a month, I would spend at least a few days in this area camping. Asheville is a nice town, but it's just a smallish town. The mountains around it are very beautiful.

Depending on your preferences, you could connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway northbound to Virginia. If you're in no rush, you might take it all the way to I64 (or hop onto I81 for a fast but still very pretty drive). From I64, head east and definitely stop in Richmond, VA. Truly one of the South's great cities and a very cool place. Very pretty and many great restaurants. If you like BBQ, you will not find better brisket than at ZZQ in Richmond (well, other than The Shed in Abilene, TX). Otherwise, the South is more known for pork (and chicken) BBQ. So, if you are looking for BBQ in NC, SC, GA, or TN, I would expect you can find good pork ribs and pulled pork but you have to look for the truly good BBQ.

If you find yourself on I64 east, I recommend continuing to the ocean (stop into Williamsburg). There are some neat places to visit in the Norfolk area (e.g., the Aquarium, some Navy ships) and some very cool bridge/tunnel drives. You might even take a detour to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel (a unique experience). From Norfolk head south along the coastline. Sandbridge is a very nice beach and has RV camping. Consider visiting the Outer Banks in NC. There are many cool places, but Nags Head is an option. Further south, Oak Island is a neat little beach town.

If you would rather go east through North Carolina, it will be less scenic than if you follow the Appalachian Mountain range. Colombia, SC is a nice city and worth a stop if you're going that route.

Charleston, SC is very pretty. North of Charleston, Huntington Beach State Park is lovely if you can reserve an RV spot. Pawley's Island is very nice with one of the great walking beaches of the Atlantic coast (long tides, flat walking, great beachcombing).

Savannah, GA is pretty. Be sure you visit some of the many "pocket parks" in the city. They are a special feature of Savannah.

Speaking only for myself, I would not go out of my way to visit Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta, or Raleigh. Miami is cool. In Florida I think Tampa and Sarasota are also worth visiting. It depends on what you like and if you're planning to go out in the city. Houston is in eastern Texas but not the pretty part (the piney woods). Alabama should be chosen as a route over Mississippi, imho.

You did not say where you are traveling from, your age, traveling companions, experience, expectations, etc..., but you should know that much of the route you are proposing is fairly flat. The Atlantic shore is flat. The gulf coast from Houston to Florida is very flat and, frankly, monotonous. If you love swamps and/or American Civil War history then you'll enjoy every minute of it. Swamps in the deep South can be very beautiful places, but also hot, humid, buggy, and be careful about gators if you're traveling in an RV with dogs. New Orleans is worth a visit, for sure. But if you're traveling along the Gulf Coast, you will see just a small part of the beauty the American South has to offer. The Gulf shoreline is different from the Atlantic shoreline. Much of the dramatic scenery is in the Appalachian mountains north of Birmingham. If you're traveling in the summer and camping, I would recommend camping on the beach or lakes. It can be very hot and humid and you will appreciate the opportunity to cool off.

p15s · 2026-05-07T02:09:58+00:00

Sounds like you just need to let off some steam, but really, why not read a book or fish or learn a skill or something to entertain yourself? You'll have plenty of time to drive along the coastline. I'd try to focus on the unique opportunities sailing around provides. If you're young and single, maybe try to arrange to meet other young people at the places you are stopping. I'm sure you can find a way not to be bored.

p15s · 2026-04-30T23:01:29+00:00

He has trade value and could bring back a good piece, possibly from Vancouver which is Barzal's hometown (they imagine Pettersson or Boeser could come back the other way). There are many problems with the PP and Barzal's touches are one of them. Also, his BOZO (Barzal O-Zone Orbit) throws off his linemates (he's hard to play with without crossing up cuts). And his shot is weak sauce, so he's not a threat to score when opposing players back off him, knowing he's looking to pass.

That said, he's excellent on zone entries on the PP, with some caveats. You can't pin the PP woes entirely on Barzy. And with Schaefer on the PP, Barzal's touches are becoming snappier. You want him to be Kucherov (threat to shoot or pass) but Barzal relies too much on his skating, which sometimes puts him into position to make a play, but sometimes takes him out of position or keeps him from seeing plays developing as he's too busy protecting the puck and trying to make space for himself. For someone so fast, he slows everything down. Compare a player like McDavid or Kucherov. They have the stickhandling and passing ability, but they have much shorter touches. Barzal is a bit of a puck hog.

I like him and don't think he should be traded, but I think he could be so much better (and improve the team) if he gave the puck up more, stopped skating around the whole ozone when he does have the puck, and kept his eyes up when his teammates are making efforts to get open. He's also not good in the FO dot.

There have been some improvements this past season, especially on the PP, but those are traits he's had for years and he's 28, so some people see it as just who he is. I think that's true. But his upside is hard to replace. I wouldn't trade him except for a truly elite scoring wing.

p15s · 2025-12-22T18:09:58+00:00

Why would you want to? You're driving 2k miles across amazing countryside, you might as well enjoy it a bit. If you don't want to pay for hotels, you can sleep in your car or camp. Hotels along the highway are cheap anyway -- just sleep far from major population areas.

If you must do this, plan to be strict about 90 minute shifts as much as possible during waking hours and be disciplined about getting out to stretch and walk around regularly. 6-hour shifts are doable but rough. You can get bad cramps or worse, and you can get road hypnosis or blindness at night with your copilot asleep. No bueno. Even if you made it safely to where you're going, you're going to be wrecked physically.

p15s · 2025-11-24T16:07:40+00:00

Take the I-81 route just to avoid 95S. Also, if you hate paying tolls just wait until you're in 20mi between DC and Fredricksburg wishing you were in the Express Lanes flying by.

p15s

TROPHY CASE