Reasonable number of hours or miles to drive each day when towing a Travel Trailer

[Pipeman]

Since we retired we take a lot longer to do a long trip. Anywhere from 250 to 350 miles a day. We know where we are going to stop every day and very seldom make reservations. We get in early enough in the afternoon to set up, sit down and relax have a drink or two, have supper, relax and go to bed. We don't unhook from the TV so the set up is usually getting the 5er level if needed and hooking up to water and hydro. We get up early enough to be on the road by 7 AM. Sometimes when traveling we will do a 500 mile day or so so we can spend a couple of days at a campground we really like. We used to do 2000 miles in three days but I was working then and had limited time off. We do make reservations at campgrounds where our stay is anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month or more.

[Old Bill]

Thanks everyone! My take from all the replies was that most of you recommend around 300-350 miles and 7-9 hours a day as a safe and sane goal. What did surprise me, however, was how many of you DO NOT make CG reservations (for overnight stays only) in advance, but use a CG Directory to find a place about 3-4 hours up the road when you plan to stop for the day. As I mentioned earlier, one of my concerns was being unable to get a spot for the night, but I can see where having an advanced CG reservation could work against me if I were to encounter problems that prevented me from getting there; then I'd be looking at a CG Directory for a nearby place too! So, for our first long haul I will see how we do without the overnight reservations and just enjoy the trip and stop when we feel ready for a rest. As many of you have pointed out... if you're retired (which I am) then don't be in a rush.

[techntrek]

We like truck stops for long hauls that require a stop in the middle - off the road at 10 and back on at 9 am. We've had issues at Wal-Marts so we rarely use them now.

Whatever travel time Google Maps shows you, multiply it by 1.25 for the long hauls.

[rockfordroo]

I towed a popup with my kids for 20 years (1st kid was 9 mos old when we bought the pup). When they were very young, kids music tapes keep them occupied (but you'll start to hear them in your sleep!) When they got a little older, we bought a small 12" TV with a VCR in it and ran tapes all day. We could do 600 miles a day easy.

[whitmw]

Originally Posted by Shinny

I'd say it all depends on your rear end. How long can you sit in the truck?
We go to Myrtle Beach every other year or so. We drive straight through, with the normal fuel and bathroom stops. It's a 7 hour trip by GPS but 9-10 with stops.

Where do you start from and what highways? Planning a trip this summer there from Lexington KY.

[bturner]

Try to do 350 +/- 50 miles a day. Pull off at around 250-300 miles to see what campgrounds are ahead and make reservations. Average 60mph. My goal is to get setup at the campsite before dark.

[Rodgers]

Old Bill
For me it is about the driving conditions. I used to go all out working puts you in a time crunch. But now slow is good, I don't travel at that speed 65 to 70 for me but, I go mostly by time 3 to 4 hrs but no more than 5. I don't leave very early in the am 10:00am or so There's no ware I have have to be that bad. I'm going to Fayetteville after the first of the year and I plan no more that 4 to 5 hrs each day and will down there on the 3rd day. No crack of dawn leaving for me.
Tony Rodgers

[RubyDually]

Originally Posted by ependydad

The rush is usually limited vacation days and maximizing vacationing time. For instance, I could only take 1 day off of work to make it from MD to FL (900 miles) before I needed back on the clock the next day. You do whatcha gotta do.

X2

The last vacation I took in my working days was a 2500 mile trip to Charlotte NC for NASCAR. 3 days to get there and then had the daughter's grad to attend so it was 3 days to get back...

Now I'm retired with the 3 or 300 method.. 3PM or 300 miles which ever comes first!

[edcarter101]

My wife & I are old (81), sleep late and not in much of a hurry anymore, so we say three hours or 3:00 PM


Ed & Betty
Forest River Solera 24S

[Big Vic]

3 hrs in morning, break for lunch, 3 hours in afternoon. Usually means about 350 miles at 60 mph.

[dts3204]

Originally Posted by ependydad

For reduced stress and less fatigue, I'd opt for 250-300 miles maximum each day. If you're an early riser, you can be done with that while it's still daylight and relax each evening before continuing on.

This works for me also. I start around 0900 hrs and stop around 1600 hrs.

[caper]

If you are worried about getting a camping spot you could call the next CG on your travels in the morning before you start.

[dcheatwood]

Towing with a 2008 tundra and small gas tank, I have to stop about every 3 hours for gas. We usually do 2+ tanks a day, or 6-7 hours. That's comfortable for us.

[richard rv]

Hi Bill. Like a lot of my fellow campers I am retired. Worked for a trucking and drove 10 hrs a day. I was getting paid for this . Now 5 hr is the max. This time I enjoy the ride. Get the free Wal-Mart app. You will find places most every where to park at night. I used walmart parking both in my professional career and now. Never had a problem.

[saltyman]

Winter time has less daylight, so it's on the road at 9.00am and off at 4.00pm. In those 7 hours we can make 250-275 miles on Interstate.


Summer time is better mileage, so it's on the road at 9.00am and off at 7.00pm. In those 10 hours we can make about 400 miles on Interstate. We pull at 60 mph.

[Maron]

Get yourself a Verizon Mifi & set up your iPad on it. About 2 in the afternoon ask the DW to start checking for campgrounds 60 to 100 miles out, then call ahead, make a reservation and stick for the night. With the iPad u can screen the campgrounds, pick what u need and have your hosts waiting for u when u get there.

[Maron]

Ed carter...you are my hero. Wy don't u fill in some info on your member info. Glad to see u & your wife doin it at 80 & want to get yo know you. More info please.

[rockfarmer]

I will go with the consensus - 350 miles per day or 6 hours driving. I hate to set up in the dark so I make sure we have a CG picked out within driving distance. We have done 500 miles a day when we had to but it is no fun after about 400 miles.

[schrederman]

I'm 23 months from retirement... and when that happens, I won't have to tow such long distances in a day anymore.....

[saltyman]

Retirement is GREAT. I retired at 75 and enjoy every minute of it.