So ive never taken a long road trip on my own to anywhere. I have flown to most of the states here, canada, england, africa, ect... BUT ive never just drove somewhere for a long time..

I am going to Knoxville , TN on december 26th..
Mapquest says its 900 miles from my house to theirs.. (12 hours 57min)
So i plan on leaving here around 4-4:30 A.M. ..
Only making mandatory stops for gas/bathroom/lunch..

What should i set my cruise at ?!
What should my tire pressure be?
Any good tips to make 13 hours go by faster.. ?

Thanks, God bless..

Paul

 

Sounds like a nice trip. Enjoy. Stay off the WOT and set the cruise.

 

You Need Some Good Tunes, Good Snacks , Gatorade, Water.
Make Sure Everything Is Ready, Tank Topped Off Before You Leave.

I Have Made 2 Solo Round Trips To Maryland In 2 Years, Driving My '00 Mustang Gt A Lil Over Over 1,600 Miles Round Trip.

Good Luck & God Bless You On Your Trip !!

 

If there's no traffic, I set the cruize at (or around) the speed limit so I'm not bothered by the cops. If traffic is heavy, I get into the groove and follow the traffic speed. Bring some good music, relax and enjoy. Stop every 2-3 hours for a few minutes.

Note: Pay attention to changes in the car's behavior and/or noise. On my last trip (1500 km round trip), I started hearing a faint rumble on my way to my destination. It was a front wheel bearing, and I had to get it fixed before I came back. It potentially saved me from a breakdown/tow on the way back.

Yves

 

We drive long distances all the time with the entire family. Having a cooler with some sandwiches/snacks and drinks always comes in handy, but stay away from large iced teas and large sodas as it make the potty stops more frequent . If you are a coffee drinker, those Starbucks frappuccinos are a treat, keep you awake and are small enough to keep you from having to stop to.... (see above ). We also keep several of those plastic grocery bags to use as trash bags. Every time you stop for gas, just throw it out in the garbage can by the pumps. Helps keep the car clean.
And as sombershark said, fill up and load everything you can the night before.

Don't speed, just stick with the traffic, a few miles an hour really doesn't make that big of a difference over the long run, but can make your nerves more jumpy over time.

Have a good safe trip Paul.

 

What they said above.....

Put tire pressure where the label states. No need to overinflate. Check fluids before you head out. Make sure washer fluid is full.

 

Paul-
Just finished a 2700 mi cruise to hang with the parents in South Jersey for Thanksgiving. I set the tires as recommended, and they never saw 39psi due to the cooler weather. Good tunes, beverages and snacks are mandatory. Also I use 32+ windshield fluid, but it never froze as it hit 19 overnight a couple of times when I was there.

 

Well just about everything everybody has said and becareful because the weather might be getting bad at that time but I will hope for good weather for you. I have never driven more than 8 hours but I would just get in the car after all the prep and drive enjoy the sites during day light and watch for the crazies at night.

Have a good time on your trip be safe.

Kris

 

Set the cruise to +/- 3 mph of the posted limit. If you are under, the guys going 20+ over will go right by. It will be like you are the only one on the road. For a 900 mile trip, that is one gas pit stop, maybe two. My DIC says I'll get 500 cruising range when I fill up. I'll drive 460 miles or so on a full tank. I have a 6 CD changer set on random and that is may hours of uninterrupted music. I usually need a kidney break before I need gas, so many times I'll fill up with gas at those stops.

I've been fortunate not to have faces lousy winter weather driving. If you get into any bad weather, no cruise.

 

I typically set the cruise at +2 of the posted speed limit. Be sure to check all fluids before setting out, check lights, make sure everything is in good working order. I like to be prepared so I keep a healthy stock of flares handy and a roadside kit. I also will pack extra clothes according the what the weather will be like on my way to the destination. Car charger for the phone. Couple bottles of water(dual use - quench thirst and act as temp. coolant), small things to snack on, enough music you want to listen to in order to make it there and back.

I would make sure the tires are within 2 of what they should be. the pressure will go up as you drive so you don't want to over fill them cold because they will then be over...over filled when warm.

Are you traveling alone or will your lovely lady be accompanying you? If alone pack sliced apples, music you know and leave the window down a bit. Get air running on your face when you are tired, apples help keep you awake and sing alone to the music since talking helps to stay awake as well.