Best route from Norcal to Columbus?
 

For anyone that's done it, do you have any suggestions or recommendations for the best route to Columbus? 80 seems like the best route, but not quite sure. Thanks!

If you go on the southern route, I-40 it is pretty flat once you get past California. We are leaving Friday afternoon and heading that way.

Passing through the Rockies can be a big deal whether you go through Utah or Colorado.

Last year, I went out on I-40, north to Tulsa/Oklahoma City, up to the southern part of Illinois and Indiana, through Louisville, and then northeast to Columbus.

Came back along I-80 and would recommend this from where you're starting out from. It's at least six hours south to get to I-40 from Discovery Bay. Yes, there's a couple of mountain ranges but they're not that bad.

There is some construction on 80 in Nevada (there's always construction on I-80 in Nevada ...) but if you get there at the right time, there's minimal, if any, delay. Nevada DOT should be able to provide times when the lanes are split and delays begin. If there's a delay, it shouldn't be much.

Safe travels and plan for at least four, long days of windshield time.

Mary Pozzi

I did it 3 years ago with a 48ft trailer , left 3pm on Sunday from Columbus and got home at 2am Wednesday morning. I drove the whole way. And blew up a radiator on the way home. A case of water and 4 bottles of stop leak we were west bound again.

It's a long as drive. My wife and I are doing it this year in the Big Rig. But stopping half way at the Davis estate in Arkansas for a 1 day break and some on Angie Davis's cooking.

If I take the northern route,Is it better to take 70 from Denver or just stay on 80 and take 74 southeast to 70? Either way, yeah it's gonna be a long haul! Its about time I can put my new Duramax to the test:D

I used to be a long haul trucker and I ran from east coast to west coast every other week for ten years. I have run every route you can imagine. If I was loading out around SanDiego I would run I-10 to ElPaso I-25 to Albuquerque to I-40, if I was loading around LA I ran I-40 to OKC I-44 to StLouis I-70 to Columbus, if I was loading off the warfs in SanFran I ran I-80 to east of Chicago I-65 to Indy I-70 to Columbus.

Wow, every other week for ten years? I guess you would know! Looks like 80 is the route to take. Thanks

This way ... I couldn't remember the actual freeways. I went east but visited RideTech both going out and coming back which took me a bit south (worth it, though). Went through Lousiville, KY and then northeast to Columbus going out.

I did the Heidt's Challenge coming back (Joliet, IL) and then stayed on 80 back to the Bay Area and home. Three days of windshield time, changing flat trailer tires in 100+ degree F. heat, and getting very bored in Nebraska and Wyoming. Nevada desert was the worst ... zzzzzzzzzz.

Mary Pozzi

being from Seattle...we just follow the Starbuck's locations:_paranoid

Mary is right...Nebraska and Wyoming on I80 time just stands still- no wonder "Little America" is a destination.

I'm a little Jealous Steve, I love a good roadtrip- have fun!

The 2 times I have gone down I-80 it has been blowing like crazy. It like 400 miles of NOTHING. Kinda like Texas to Oklahoma city on the 40. It really does not matter day or night, there is nothing to see.

2 days till we leave. Getting my booming radio installed today.

Oh boy, George Strait, Toby Keith, Dwight Yoakam and Alabama for 10 hours a day ... Shannon will be thrilled !

Roll on 18 wheeeeeeler - roll on !

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Jim

First of all It will not be 10 hours a day. I do that in the morning.

And I listen to alot more "real" country then that soft crap.




Ok Maybe Old George and Dwight with some songs about home.

Dude -- Time goes much faster with ZZ Top.... Aerosmith... and toss in some Lara Johnson (Thrill)...

:rofl:


Driving thru Nebraska and or Texas.... I'd rather just do this!




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...o/DSC_1434.jpg

I drove cross country a couple times and driving thru Nebraska is soooo boring. And it just seems to never end, you drive all day and your still in it.

Nebraska is a 8 hour drive across it, And it sucks, Omaha is on the east side border so when we have to head west I fly...Its only 3 hours to Columbus from here Thanks to Southwest Airlines :thumbsup:

I guess you have to be from Nebraska to Love it. I Do!!!:D

Believe it or not I'm kinda looking forward to the drive there, I haven't had a day off since the 2nd trying to get the Camaro done and the drive may be a nice change of pace, (although I may change my mind halfway through Nevada!:lol: ) I'm sure the way home will really drag on, but at least I have some help for that leg of the journey.

Oh, and I also just read that the rainy season in the plains is July.......wonderful. Yeah I know I sound like a spoiled Californian :yes:

It wont be to bad thru midwest, I wish it would rain. Its 100 today. Check the vender list on here and call someone if you need help with any breakdowns.

Nobody is really picking on Nebraska --- just the drive thru it.... :lol:


WTF -- Tracy is there so it has some socially redeeming value....

If that's what your into.

mental or mechanical?:_paranoid

Greg,

It might be that I just love SWEET CORN:D

Anyone that will be driving on I-80 and wants a GREAT palce to eat in western Nebraska try Ole's Big Game Steakhouse in Paxton,NE. Right off I-80 and not a chain.

Just wait till it rains like cats and dogs one day and them is about 150 degrees in the afternoon. The humidity will make you really miss home. Last year in Iowa it was like 120 plus with humidity. Super duper hot.

EXACTLY the reason I've never done this show... I lived in NYC for 7 years -- loved the city -- the humidity and heat combined -- not so much. Let's see -- DEL MAR or COLUMBUS... hmmmmmmmmmm

I remember one year doing the 4th of July fireworks show in NYC and it was 116* and the radio kept telling people to STAY INSIDE.... I was INSIDE - INSIDE a 48' container loading the steel mortars... no breeze - just HOT. The theme was "are we having fun yet?" :willy: :D

I can handle hot..but "super duper" hot, that might be a problem:D

The people and cars make it worth the heat.

Rodger was, last was frickin hot and humid in the afternoon in Des Moines and Columbus. The host hotel at night at both shows make it worth it tho. It just started to get hot around here, It has been very nice up until about a week ago. You west coast guys need to get out every once in awhile :lol: :lol:

Why not, I pick on this state as much as anybody :lol: Thanks GW i do add some value, not a lot but some