Things You'll Need:
- time
- patience
- tunes
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Step 1
Ration Your Driving: While it is possible to make it from the “east coast” to the “west coast” in 35 hours or so, this is not going to be your time. Unless you are moving with many people who want to take turns driving and only stop for gas and bathroom and food at once and only briefly, you are making a really big mistake going with anything that any of the map search engines say about the real time of driving across country. For most people you need to stretch, you need to get out of the car for a couple of hours, you need to get your eyes off the road. So as you are rationing your driving, take it easy and remember to take it easy; for your cars sake, the sake of others, and yourself.
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Step 2
Sitting: Any chiropractor will also tell you that you need to get vertical, horizontal, and out of the car seat for an amount of time on your journey. While sleeping for a couple of hours amidst the big rigs along the side of the road may seem like a good idea, those guys have actual beds in their cab and they do this for a living. Not that this fact makes it okay for them; but you should not upset your unconditioned spine to the stress.
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Step 3
Keep A Lot of Tunes On Hand: You will want to talk; if you were just married you may want to kiss in traffic; you may want to be together and just enjoy the sounds of the others breath. But not always. So it is paramount that you have a wide array of music on hand and it is also important that you be diplomatic in the music choices.
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Step 4
Make Fun Stops Along the Way: You will also have diversions by way of things that you see that will draw your interest from the open road. They may be big, gaping things on the map like the Grand Canyon or they may be things that you have just come across in passing but need to stop and see. Whatever the case, especially if you are in no hurry, make time for these clever diversions; they may come to define your adventure.
Comments
jladeintheshade said
on 12/4/2009 My family drove across the country when I was a kid and I thought that it was the best thing ever. I'd say leave plenty of time. We took 35 days, started by going across the northern states and then came back along the southern states.
jkdanzeisen said
on 10/17/2009 greta article thanks
stuthewineguru said
on 10/5/2009 Great Article. It remided me of my "yoot". Driving with my two buds across country from NYC to LA. It was a BIG adjustment for all of us. Yankees-Dodgers,Giants-Rams,Knicks-Lakers,Incredible Pizza-Well you know nothing compares to NY pizza. Anyway I digress. Great stuff.
Write On!
Stu
eac913 said
on 9/18/2009 Great article. Stop for the fun things...life is short. 5*
how-to-liz said
on 9/18/2009 I would love to do this one day! Thanks for the great article!