Going to retiring in 3 Yrs. and planning on a 2 to 3 Month Trip with my DW to celebrate. Will be leaving from the East Coast and looking to go west. Will be in a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel towing a 5th Wheel and I have a couple of questions to ask from the SOAK (Source Of All Knowledge) People. I know this is kind of soon to be asking but never too early to plan. Would also like to say that I’m a newbie to all of this blogging and stuff also don’t plan on being FT just a long time Part timer………….
1) Where would be the first place to stop and why?
2) Various places to see during the trip and why?
3) Should I take all Inter State or get off and explore the secondary roads?
SnowGypsy said
12:40 PM Nov 3, 2014
How many miles or hours do you like to drive in a day? From which state on the East Coast? What sort of things to do enjoy seeing and doing? Do you like bigger cities more than nature?
Barbaraok said
02:58 PM Nov 3, 2014
Is there a reason you are limiting yourself to a 2-3 month trip? That really isn't enough time to see a lot especially is you want to see the west. 2-3 months would be perfect for going down the coast. Take a 2-3 state circle and decide what you want to see and TAKE YOUR TIME!
Barb
The Bear II said
03:18 PM Nov 3, 2014
I like to drive many miles the first day and then follow a loose schedule of 9 to 10AM departure and stop for the day by 3 to 4PM. Long lunch stop.
Stop at most interesting spots along the way, we sit down before the trip and plan out what we want to see. Lots of internet research will help you find things to see and do while you travel.
Depending on the time of year we choose a southern, middle or northern route to cross the US to avoid weather problems.
Secondary roads are great to get a flavor of the area.
manycats said
05:14 PM Nov 3, 2014
I agree with Barbara, 2-3 months is a very short time to really enjoy the sights if you go to a location that's far from you. Interstates will take anywhere faster but they're not known as scenic drives, as a matter of fact most are pretty boring as well as stressful. You can drive from one coast to the other in a short time but all you'll see will be pavement, cars and gas stations. My personal preference is a minimum of one week per stop and in some places two weeks or more. Almost every place has something interesting to see and share.
A-S Travelers said
11:06 AM Nov 4, 2014
You are going to be retired. What is your rush to see all the "west" has to offer in 2-3 months. Take the 2-3 months and tour within 500-1000 miles of home. Or pick a spot, such as Wyoming, Idaho & Montana, take a week to drive your RV there and a week home. Once there, plan on moving 30-100 miles on moving day and then spend 3 nights to 2 weeks before moving again. This way you get to relax and enjoy whatever there is to see in an area.
Remember you are "not on vacation". Your are traveling at a relaxed pace. You don't have to be there and see everything right away. If you don't see everything in that area on this trip there will always be more trips in the future.
Don't make reservations for the entire trip unless there is a holiday weekend in your trip.
For private campgrounds or National Parks that are busy you may want to make reservations a few days or week in advance.
The reason to not make reservations is that now you are tied into moving just when you found something interesting you wanted to stay a couple more days for. Or you found something interesting 50 miles northeast of where you are but you now have reservations 150 miles in the southwest. Or the weather turned nasty, but you have to move today or tomorrow because you have reservations made a long time ago.
gumpster said
11:30 AM Nov 4, 2014
Just want to say that I'm on the East Coast of VA around Norfolk VA. Sorry for the fact that i said about 2-3month but the DW is still workingeven after i retire also if things stay the way they are I'll also have 2 Dogs ranging in pounds from 70 to 90 lbs. But yes I know that the time alotted is rather short but It will be my first big trip since Im new to the RV world. Thanks for the input but keep it comming if you like nedd all the information that I can gather.........
Terry and Jo said
08:49 AM Nov 5, 2014
First off, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. This is a great place for answers and ideas.
I'd almost have to guess that your wife is a teacher with her being able to take off 2 to 3 months at a time.
Again, much would depend on what you would want to see. As an example, I like the natural world, so national and state parks would really interest me more than man-made attractions. If and when the time comes for us to get to travel, I want to find a place to stay in southern Utah for a few months so that we could visit all the national parks that are in northern Arizona and Utah. After all, Utah has 5 national parks all in the one state.
Then again, if one were interested in tracing a historical trail such as those in the Appalachians or say, the Santa Fe Trail, then moving would make sense. With 2 to 3 months of an option, you do have the advantage of picking an area and get there in a short period of time so you can spend more time in the areas of your interest.
Good luck with your plans and research, and whatever you do, have fun.
Terry
bjoyce said
09:25 AM Nov 5, 2014
There is a difference between how people travel who have lots of time and those who do not. Those of us who have lots of time can be leisurely about crossing the country, can take as many down/slow days as possible, and can spend long periods in areas. Those who do not have a lot of time have to get to their destinations as fast as possible and have a minimum of down days. I know people who cross the county in 5 days, and can do it in less time by switching drivers.
I know we are lucky that we can take our time. We left Washington state in late August and now we are in the Florida Keys.
Going to retiring in 3 Yrs. and planning on a 2 to 3 Month Trip with my DW to celebrate. Will be leaving from the East Coast and looking to go west. Will be in a Dodge Ram 2500 diesel towing a 5th Wheel and I have a couple of questions to ask from the SOAK (Source Of All Knowledge) People. I know this is kind of soon to be asking but never too early to plan. Would also like to say that I’m a newbie to all of this blogging and stuff also don’t plan on being FT just a long time Part timer………….
1) Where would be the first place to stop and why?
2) Various places to see during the trip and why?
3) Should I take all Inter State or get off and explore the secondary roads?
Barb
Stop at most interesting spots along the way, we sit down before the trip and plan out what we want to see. Lots of internet research will help you find things to see and do while you travel.
Depending on the time of year we choose a southern, middle or northern route to cross the US to avoid weather problems.
Secondary roads are great to get a flavor of the area.
Remember you are "not on vacation". Your are traveling at a relaxed pace. You don't have to be there and see everything right away. If you don't see everything in that area on this trip there will always be more trips in the future.
Don't make reservations for the entire trip unless there is a holiday weekend in your trip.
For private campgrounds or National Parks that are busy you may want to make reservations a few days or week in advance.
The reason to not make reservations is that now you are tied into moving just when you found something interesting you wanted to stay a couple more days for. Or you found something interesting 50 miles northeast of where you are but you now have reservations 150 miles in the southwest. Or the weather turned nasty, but you have to move today or tomorrow because you have reservations made a long time ago.
Just want to say that I'm on the East Coast of VA around Norfolk VA. Sorry for the fact that i said about 2-3month but the DW is still workingeven after i retire also if things stay the way they are I'll also have 2 Dogs ranging in pounds from 70 to 90 lbs. But yes I know that the time alotted is rather short but It will be my first big trip since Im new to the RV world. Thanks for the input but keep it comming if you like nedd all the information that I can gather.........
First off, welcome to the RV Dreams forums. This is a great place for answers and ideas.
I'd almost have to guess that your wife is a teacher with her being able to take off 2 to 3 months at a time.
Again, much would depend on what you would want to see. As an example, I like the natural world, so national and state parks would really interest me more than man-made attractions. If and when the time comes for us to get to travel, I want to find a place to stay in southern Utah for a few months so that we could visit all the national parks that are in northern Arizona and Utah. After all, Utah has 5 national parks all in the one state.
Then again, if one were interested in tracing a historical trail such as those in the Appalachians or say, the Santa Fe Trail, then moving would make sense. With 2 to 3 months of an option, you do have the advantage of picking an area and get there in a short period of time so you can spend more time in the areas of your interest.
Good luck with your plans and research, and whatever you do, have fun.
Terry
I know we are lucky that we can take our time. We left Washington state in late August and now we are in the Florida Keys.