How far do you drive a day?

[shrode]

Happy New Year!

We pick up our new 31SL in a couple of months, and are excited about hittin' the road soon. We still work, so our time off is limited to a few weeks each until we retire.

My question is this, how far should we plan to travel in a day when we're just trying to get from point A to point B?

We share the driving, and typically plan an occasional 10-12 hour day mixed with shorter days when vacationing by car, so we're not adverse to burning some miles when we have to. I understand that we'll be driving slower, but will we tire out faster towing the 5er? Is a 650 mile day realistic or is that too much to expect?

[Iceman1777]

You're probably going to get a lot of opinions here, but it really depends on how much time you have. I can tell you from our experience when we were working we drove further to maximize our camp time. Now that we are retired we enjoy the journey as much as the destination and are not in a hurry. We try to plan a maximum day at 4-5 hours drive time using Google maps. 6 to 7 hours easily turns into a 10-12 hour day on the road. I try to plan a 3:00-4:00 arrival time at the latest so I can be completely set up before dark.

[shrode]

Originally Posted by Iceman1777

You're probably going to get a lot of opinions here, but it really depends on how much time you have. I can tell you from our experience when we were working we drove further to maximize our camp time. Now that we are retired we enjoy the journey as much as the destination and are not in a hurry. We try to plan a maximum day at 4-5 hours drive time using Google maps. 6 to 7 hours easily turns into a 10-12 hour day on the road. I try to plan a 3:00-4:00 arrival time at the latest so I can be completely set up before dark.

Paul,

I'm definitely looking forward to the journey, but we're not quite there yet... How long does a 4-5 hour Google map trip take you to actually drive?

[Iceman1777]

Generally about 6 to 7 hours. We try to be out of the campground between 8 and 9 am and a gas/bathroom/lunch stop will get us there by 3-4 pm. I tow at 65 routinely. Seems to be the sweet spot for the RW. The Ford will go as fast as I ask it to

[Iceman1777]

I should have added: a simple gas stop can turn into a one-hour delay pretty easily. You can find yourself number 2 or 3 in an RV lane, or fishing around for another station that is more RV friendly, or finding a place large enough to do a U-turn. You get the idea.

[travelin' texans]

Fortunately these 5ers tow like a dream, you'll hardly know it's back there, but it's more tiring to me (DW doesn't drive while towing) so our typical day is 200-300miles & stop no later than 3pm so set up before dark. With both of you sharing the driving I could easily see you driving 10-12 days to reach you destination, but in those hours you won't make as many miles driving slower, more fuel stops, more potty stops, just average you'll actually drive about 50 miles in an, or at least that's what I figure from.
Enjoy your trip & safe travels.

[RWJSIM2003]

We have done 10 to 12 hours many times. But if I try that for thee days in row I am usually wiped out. I do this once a year going from Oregon to IL for a three weeks vacation to see family. Thinking I may skip it this year. Older I get less I want to drive.

[atom ant]

I try to avoid parking in the dark.

[Char & Steve]

As AA said we always try to be at our next stop and set up before dark. I really don't want to end up with a back in site when dark. Not much fun when this long.
It all goes back to how much time you can spend on the road. When we head out on our longer vacations I will do about 13 hours the first day then less after that. Best part since adding the extra fuel tank is now I have 109 gallons onboard so we don't need fuel until we unhook that evening.

Steve

[ted 95]

We now pull over before dark. In past years I have done the trip Montreal to Florida in 2 long days. This year we said let's try 4 days and you know what it was worth it. Not wiped out for 3 days after arriving. Also if we get up a 7am or 9am that is when we leave.

[mhs4771]

I've done the long days pulling a TT and would be wiped out in several days. With a 5er they pull some much easier it will allow for longer days without being wiped out. And you have a good setup as the 31SL is a good match for a 3500 SRW TV.
Being retired now, we're generally on the road approx 8 AM, run at 60-62 MPH and generally setup and relaxing by 2 or 3 in the PM.

[Ford truck guy]

For us, it all depends on our work schedule... With limited time off, sometimes we NEED to drive farther the first day to make things happen....

I have been know to tow from Sarasota FL, to Doswell VA ( just North of Richmond) on the first day home from vacation..

[johnboytoo]

When we had the 350-redwood combo and still both working, we would regularly do the 8 or 9 hour run to get there !

But it depends on how you and your rig are set up

If your rv maxes out your tow vehicle, it can be a white knuckle, leave the ground every overpass transition, which will wear you out...

if your rig handles with two fingers and you are almost going to sleep it handles so well, you can go until a fuel or potty break is needed (usually the latter )

now in the motorhome, taking turns driving, and since one can potty underway, it makes it easier. But we still like to keep it at about 6 to 8 hours max and certainly be there before dark - just for the fact we will kill a gazillion bugs with the front if driving @ dusk or night !

[Shane Wood]

I usually run 450 to 500 a day. Leave at 7am and park at 3pm. I find it relaxing to get setup before dark and rest with a cold one after the day of travel

[Kaidocl]

I try my hardest to drive 500 miles a day that gives me enough time to find a good rv park in the day light.

[shrode]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm looking forward to rambling and smelling the roses, but as some have pointed out, when the days are limited, it can be all about minimizing the number of days on the road and maximizing the number of days with your feet in the sand. I am currently planning a trip from Texas to Key West, so there are definitely miles to be driven and sand to put my feet in.

What I've gathered so far is that a shared 10-12 hour day on good roads is not unreasonable, and I can expect to average 50-55 mph. I know from experience the one can only drive so many long days in a row, and I can also appreciate the desire to setup before dark. So, I'm planning a series of micro trips that consist of a long day (~500 miles), a short day (~200 miles), settle in early, stay awhile, then repeat. My stay awhile's are New Orleans, Disney World, and Key West.

Of course the best laid plans can be put asunder by any number of circumstances, but you have to start somewhere.

[travelin' texans]

Must have missed what part of Texas you're from?
Enjoy your trip & safe travels!

[rob_fla]

Since I work fulltime and travel year round typically moving every few weeks I try to schedule my travel days at 250 to 350 miles.
I do some 500 mile days but prefer not to, I like to arrive around 2 to 3 in the afternoon, get setup and relax.

[Jim & Mary]

Careful about staying in Key West........you may never want to leave.....

[Ford truck guy]

Originally Posted by shrode

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm looking forward to rambling and smelling the roses, but as some have pointed out, when the days are limited, it can be all about minimizing the number of days on the road and maximizing the number of days with your feet in the sand. I am currently planning a trip from Texas to Key West, so there are definitely miles to be driven and sand to put my feet in.

What I've gathered so far is that a shared 10-12 hour day on good roads is not unreasonable, and I can expect to average 50-55 mph. I know from experience the one can only drive so many long days in a row, and I can also appreciate the desire to setup before dark. So, I'm planning a series of micro trips that consist of a long day (~500 miles), a short day (~200 miles), settle in early, stay awhile, then repeat. My stay awhile's are New Orleans, Disney World, and Key West.

Of course the best laid plans can be put asunder by any number of circumstances, but you have to start somewhere.

We have been to a couple of the campgrounds in the Keys . . last year was Point of View in Key Largo , and a few years back was Blue Water Key RV Resort.. That was the BEST ! ! a lot of the others looked like all the sites were too small for the RW's .

where wave you all stayed while down there ? - perhaps I will start a new thread, as the DW wants to visit there again this year ..