Just over a month to go! It looks like we’ll be taking our old van (which at least has had the battery replaced and 2 new tires) which unfortunately does not have much cargo space and does not have a roof rack. If I get the hitch repaired (it was pushed into our bumper when we were rear-ended by a college student last year) we could pull a u-haul trailer behind for $320 which is much cheaper than the shipping estimates (all over $1000) we’ve been given. But that will add to the driving headaches and gas costs. I hope to get some minor repairs done – seems we need a new starter, and I’d love to get the AC fixed – before we leave if we can come up with the money.
I’ve been looking over routes and as much as I’d like to stop by and see various friends on the way it’s seeming less likely that we’ll make any major detours. If we are pulling a trailer we will stay out of the mountains – don’t think the transmission could take it – and head south across Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, veering north through Oklahoma and Missouri, then across Illinois to Indiana. Looks like we’ll be on the old Route 66 for part of the trip (cool). If you are on this route let us know and send tips on places to see and stay. I’m hoping not to camp much if at all but we may need to (although that will require buying a new tent as we tossed the old one at the end of our 2 month camping stint at the beginning of this journey).
I have been building up my Priority Club points (through e-miles and the like) and have enough for 3 nights in a Holiday Inn if I combine reward points with cash (10,000 pts +$40 in many of their hotels – well worth it for the air conditioning, swimming pool and shower, not to mention a decent bed for my old back).
Hard to believe it’s so close! I feel as though I’m totally focused on this trip – I can’t allow myself to think about all the hurdles that will await us upon arrival as far as making a home and getting this venture off the ground. One thing at a time.
If you stop in St Louis, the St Louis zoo is free. The route east from the Grand Canyon to New Mexico is pretty windy and mountainous. Please check the maps carefully before you start on that route, especially if you are towing a trailer.
If you decide to go a more southern route 40 west then 65 north — through Nashville — you are welcome to spend as much time as you want with us — We have plenty of room and are about 3 hours from Louisville and 5 hours from Indianapolis
So, let’s see – that would take us through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky and up to Indiana? Is that right? I’ve never been to any of those states – could be interesting!
Nashville also has the home of Andrew Jackson to see.
I understand – I probably wouldn’t want to go that far out of the way either. I wish you the best!
Well it would be about 5 1/2 hrs South of Amarillo – too far out of your way?
I’m afraid so – I’d like to keep my driving to 6-7 hours a day so that would add a day to get to Abilene and a day to get back on track. Between an uncertain car and uncertain finances our best bet is to make a straight shot towards ‘home’.
The more hours you are able to do, the fewer motel stops you will have to make. Do take frequent breaks and give the kids time to run around. We do the Tucson to Nashville trip in 3 days. Breaking the trip up in Tucumcari NM and in Hope AR
We live in West Central Texas near Abilene – will you be coming this far South?
We will be on the Albuquerque to Tulsa route – through Amarillo I think. How close is that?
I did the SF bay to New Mexico run probably 30 times growing up… not a bad drive at all. We always stayed in Motel 6, which can still be had for $40-$60 per night. Nothing fancy, but they usually still have a small pool and allow pets.
Remember that the discount hotels like super8 and motel 6 don’t show up on the travel websites.
Are you coming through tucson?
No, it looks like our route takes us closer to Flagstaff. We are hoping to briefly visit the Grand Canyon so the kids can at least get a look at it.
If you haven’t already looked into this, you might think about looking into shipping with either Amtrak or Greyhound. Not many people know these options exist and they tend to be really, really reasonable.
I would think about staying at Super 8 motels. They are clean, offer a good breakfast and have a pool. They are also not very expensive.
I live in az and we have made the trip several times via the Tucson to Hatch NM to Albuquerque NM then I-40 across to the East . The roads are very good and easy to navigate.
Good to hear! Someone else suggested KOA campgrounds – less expensive than hotels, no issue with pets, and you don’t need a tent!
I just checked KOA along I-40, where I stayed several times alone. I remember the cabins as having several beds, but just now I pretended to make a reservation for 5 people and pets. Two KOA’s in different states said they cannot accommodate that size in their cabins.
We run into the same problem with hotels so I generally book for one adult and 3 kids. We bring my son’s cot and sleeping bag. No one at the hotels have ever said anything – granted I do generally leave two kids in the car when I check in, then take them to the room and go back and get the other two!