How to Drive Cross Country By Yourself
If the open road is calling you or you have to move across the country, don't be afraid to jump in the car and make the trip alone. It's a great way to see the vastness of the United States. Depending on your timetable, spend time seeing some of the landmark tourist attractions along the way. A cross-country trip uses highways primarily, but don't miss side trips into local towns to enjoy the places you come across on the journey.
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Instructions
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Decide which route to take. The most direct route is U.S. Route 40, straight across the middle, which takes about five eight-hour days of driving. The northern route uses U.S. Route 80 and the southern route uses U.S. Route 10. Alternately, customize your route to visit friends and relatives or famous landmarks.
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Book motels along the way. Traveling alone, it might give you some comfort to know where you're stopping if you book in advance. However, if you're planning a more serendipitous approach, motels are frequently available along the major cross-country highways. Traveling solo allows the freedom to choose whenever you feel like stopping for the night. If you don't book in advance, you also don't risk having your card charged if you decide to vary your route.
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Designate a person you call each night as a safety check-in. Provide that person with a map of your planned route so that he knows where you are, and that you are safe. You may also look forward to talking to someone after eight hours on the road alone.
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Plan some entertainment. Not all locations have radio choices you'll enjoy. Pack a variety of music or audio books, borrowing the audio books from the library if you're on a budget.
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Get your car checked before departing. Check oil and water levels, tire pressure, lights and windshield wiper functions.
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Tips & Warnings
Pack a flashlight, a cellphone and a charger.
Fill up for gas in a well-lit and busy gas station.
Pull over and rest as soon as you feel tired.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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Comments
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pavanneelam76
Oct 30, 2008
This site is very helpful. I made a solo cross-country drive from Gardena,CA to Fort Myers,FL and I stopped at 3 places. (El Paso, Houston and Tallahassee). It was a fun and happened to see long great US roads. I wonder how they are maintained. I have all the appreciation and reverence for the people who planned and constructed them, thus connecting places which makes transportation possible. I recommend people who are want to do adventure to go for long drives as I don't think its possible to have this kind of fun in other countries. More later ... Pavan Neelam.
