Miles per day for trip planning ?

[Bowhnter]

I did a search, but didnt find what I was looking for.

We will be first time owners, hopefully in a week or so.

When planning a trip, how many miles do you all travel per day? Our parents live in IL and it will be an 800 mile trip. One that I have made in 12 hours flat once, point A - point B. So now that we will be pulling a trailer, I need to know what to expect for our travel plans. Maybe 400 miles? I figure that might be a 7-8 hour day traveling with dogs.
Sound reasonable?

Thanks,

[SkipnTerri]

400 miles is a good day, but we've done 500 (and been darned tired). Road and weather conditions can play a big part. Also be aware of the time you will be going through a big city and what campgrounds are available.

[lbrjet]

Sounds reasonable. Figure 8 hours travel time. You will have more gas stops and will welcome the breaks. Remember your trailer tires at rated for 65 MPH maximum speed.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[DXSMac]

I'm a solo. It took me a few trips to get my "travel rhythm" going. If I travel 300 miles a day, I have to stop every other day for a "rest period." So, it's like this:

Day 1: 300 miles
Day 2: 300 miles
Day 3: don't travel
Day 4: 300 miles
Day 5: 300 miles
Day 6: Don't travel

And so on.

BUT.... if I travel 200-250 per day, I can travel every day without stopping on LOONNNNGGGG trips (2000 miles or more)

I do not drive at night.

Couples where both can drive can accomplish more, especially if one can drive at night.

[captnrick3]

Depends if you are retired or not and total days traveled matter. Back in our working days we would pound it 500+ to get somewhere in a hurry. Nowadays, 300 to 350 tops and no more than 2 days in row before staying put for a day or two, more if someplace looks interesting. As fuel prices increased over the years, we just slowed down and allowed the "monthly" fuel cost to moderate a bit.

[RedLdr1]

For point A to point B "just get their" interstate highway trips we plan on 450-500 miles a day. As already mentioned traffic, road construction and weather can make hitting that mileage range a really loooong day.

For more leisurely trips, with stops to see the local sights, we plan on a maximum of 300 miles a day. I've found that I'm a lot more relaxed after a 300 mile day than a 450-500 mile day.

[fonzie]

An 8 hour day travelling pulling trailer, I find it a long day. Remember once you get to campground you still have to set up. Make sure you arrive before it is dark.......

[Bowhnter]

Good input all. We are not retired yet. I really think the only time we will be looking to get point a point b would be when going form TX to IL. The rest of the times are hopefully short enough trips or can take our time.
Although, next year for our 35th we entertained going to the New England area, and that would be a haul.

[silver]

I plan 400 miles per day but often make 500. Going from point A to Point B I take the interstate highways to get their and stay in truck stops/rest areas. Saves a lot of time not looking for an RV park and you stay on the route. Normally stop before 8:00PM before the truck stops or rest areas fill up. I always check the state laws to be sure there are no restrictions parking for the night.before I leave.

Pick a level spot and at most only have to crank the hitch down to take load off tow car. Do not have to unhook.

[OldCoot]

When I first retired, we pulled from Concord, NC to Weslaco, TX in 2-1/2 days, got there 2 days before we could get into campground due to reservations. While we were sitting there twiddling our thumbs for 2 days, we came to the conclusion that what we did was idiotic as we left early enough and then drove like we normally did when on vacations. Vowed right then, we would drive 6-7 hours and definitely stop by 4pm regardless of the miles traveled. On one trip to FL, it took us 5 days to go 580 miles. Coming home this year, we drove the entire 580+ miles in one day to beat the weather. BAD mistake, we should have stayed in FL for another month.

[DaveandSue]

I will agree with OC.We too like to be setup and cooking by 5:00.300-350 a day is plenty.I can do more,but why be so dang wore out you can't function the next day.Pulling one of these things will tire you out plenty fast,even a good pulling one.Ours pulls great,but the wind and traffic can and will play a part.Just remember to enjoy the go.

[KQ2N]

Between stops and keeping the speed under 60 mph, I'll do 500 miles in sometimes a 12 hour day on the road.

[jtstromsburg]

Planning to do 800 miles was picking up my new Sabre. I know it'll be a huge drag, but I Just want to get it home. Normally, with my young kids, 5 hours is about it, maybe squeeze an extra hour in depending on daylight hours.

[bend302]

We have done 800 miles in two days but that was pretty hard on me (the driver) I usually plan for 6 hours driving. That gives us about 250 to 300 miles per day and gets into a campsite early enough to hook everything up and enjoy a drink before dinner.

We are not in a hurry and figure this lifestyle is designed for taking it easy and smelling the roses.

Bill

[Bowhnter]

Originally Posted by silver

I plan 400 miles per day but often make 500. Going from point A to Point B I take the interstate highways to get their and stay in truck stops/rest areas. Saves a lot of time not looking for an RV park and you stay on the route. Normally stop before 8:00PM before the truck stops or rest areas fill up. I always check the state laws to be sure there are no restrictions parking for the night.before I leave.

Pick a level spot and at most only have to crank the hitch down to take load off tow car. Do not have to unhook.

That's a good point there. If I am strictly point a-b, a truck stop or Walmart would work if there is not a campground close by.

[Steeljag]

Drive at a safe speed, find some nice music and enjoy the trip there and back!

These rigs are NOT meant for speed. Relax and enjoy the drive and remember the most important factors are the safety of you, your family, and the other families sharing the roadways with you!

Have a great / safe trip!

[C. Brown]

I have a "250 mile" tail. So I plan on doing about that then looking for a night spot.


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[PhoneDude 8289]

We are retired and travel in the 250 mile range. I have pushed it to 300 miles a time or two but we like to set up and relax before calling it a day. 5 hours is about all we want to do in a days time, like Bend302 said, stop and smell the roses.

[Steelframer]

The wife and I are not retired so our 'big trip' vacations are only seven days.
Last year we took a trip to Rapid City SD, and we wanted to be able to see all we could in five leisurely days....so the plan was to get there and back in two driving days.
600 miles each way at 55/60 mph makes for a very....very long hard day of travel that I don't recommend to any one who does not 'have to'. If we could I would definitely split it up into two days, ( four days total) driving.
Some day we will be able to travel on our own schedule and it will be wonderful..until then it will be twelve hour days with breaks every two hours to stretch out to keep us from getting overtired, cranky, and hurting.


TT-2015 Cherokee 274dbh TV-2010 Jeep Commander Limited

[DrippingDuo]

350 to 400 is the max! Good advice to not unhook if you don't need to do so. We try to refuel before we finish for the day so we can just pull out and travel the next day. Bad weather can really be tiring - beware!