Realistic Time Frame

Robspana

New RV Owner
Joined
Feb 26, 2017
Posts
55
Location
Long Island, NY
The family and I have taken a few road trips from NY to Fl, approx 1000 miles. We usually do it in 30 hrs, stopping at rest stops to sleep etc... but we have never done it with a TT in tow, especially a 35'....

Thoughts on time frame I should give myself?
I want to make a reservation at a RV park for the day we arrive...
Thanks
 
The family and I have taken a few road trips from NY to Fl, approx 1000 miles. We usually do it in 30 hrs, stopping at rest stops to sleep etc... but we have never done it with a TT in tow, especially a 35'....

Thoughts on time frame I should give myself?
I want to make a reservation at a RV park for the day we arrive...
Thanks

Depends on how fast you usually drive .
 
Pretty safe bet you won't be driving those speeds anymore towing a trailer.
If you are....let me know and I'll get off the road.

Actually.....we've done enough travels even back and forth from Ontario to Florida each year....and when it's all said and done, with pee stops, rest stops, gas stops, traffic, construction or whatever....if you really do cover more than 50 actual miles an hour.....you're doing well.
 
I agree with Kenandterry!

You can safely say you will now be averaging 50 MPH on a trip ! More fuel stops, longer fuel stops, slower getting in and out of fuel stops, etc. Your pulling a house, relax and enjoy it !
 
We drove appr. 900 miles w/o RV to get our trailer in OH. DW said never again... it took 18 hours(of course I got lost a few times). We left here in the afternoon and arrived the next morning...of course we had to stop 4-5 times for food, fuel and rest breaks. She only had so much time off, we didn't want to leave the stuff un-monitored for the world to pick over and she didn't want to rest stop it. So I drove straight through.
 
Realistically, From eastern VA. to Panama City, FL is almost 1000 miles, I do it in two days. From New York you probably could do it in two but it would wipe you out.
 
When we figure our travel time I plan on 45 mph for the entire travel speed. It seems low, but on long trips we stop a few minutes every two hours for pee and diver changes. It figures in our fuel stops and other lunch / diner breaks. We used it all over but the longest was to Florida (mouse house) and we arrived within 5 minutes of the planned time by using the 45mph speed.
 
The 50 MPH average has been our target for 40+ years.
It usually works out to the Tee.

Only you can determine how far you can go without stopping and getting out and moving.
I simply can't sit behind the wheel anymore for 10+ hours straight, without some breaks.

Towing a trailer vs driving an automobile on a 1000 mile trip are different animals.
 
50-55 mph average for the entire trip is realistic. Towing a house behind you is quite a bit more work than just driving. I can drive 10 hours without pulling anything. I can only drive 7-8 hours (depending on conditions), when pulling the trailer. Like TMMull said, driving any more will completely wipe you out and then it isn't a vacation.
 
ideally 6 hours, real conditions 8 hrs. We did a trip from Virginia to New Mexico , about 1400 miles we took 3 1/2 days, drove around 65 mph probably averaged less. stayed at KOA's along the way , got pull through sites, did not unhook only hooked up shore power. The driving distance was determined by the KOA's along the way. I know it sounds like a long time, but I don't think I could do it any faster. We only stopped for fuel and bathroom breaks, usually 15 minutes ( unless a passenger car is in the diesel lane and left it there while they eat ) It was not a bad trip, I40 was a great road, the big cities could be confusing. We were in a time crunch, I would have preferred to take more time. You are towing a house and you need to stay sharp when you are towing, we stopped for fuel at 1/2 tank. That is what others on this site suggested and it worked great, seems to give you a break just at the right time. I did determine I could never be a long distance truck driver, It would take me forever. That was my first long tow and I had a sense of accomplishment after completing it without any incident. Just set your own pace, and enjoy.
 
Usually, 75-80...

...and you posting a tale of woe because your tires blew up......:roflblack:

I just cannot wrap my mind around the philosophy that you have to drive 75 or 80. Let me ask you..What does it get you, does it get you there a half hour sooner, a cold beer faster, what?

It's vacation, slow down and enjoy your time on the planet. At that speed your stay might be shorter than you think.....:eek:
 
I just cannot wrap my mind around the philosophy that you have to drive 75 or 80. Let me ask you..What does it get you, does it get you there a half hour sooner, a cold beer faster, what?

Daryl, the OP stated in the first post he has never took that trip with a trailer. He stated in a subsequent post (#6) he would "definitely" not be going that fast with a trailer.

It's all good, and is really great advice everyone is giving. :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
Daryl, the OP stated in the first post he has never took that trip with a trailer. He stated in a subsequent post (#6) he would "definitely" not be going that fast with a trailer.

It's all good, and is really great advice everyone is giving. [emoji106]
What he said...
[emoji2]

Although most of the southern states on I-95 are 75 mph, I'm not that brazen, and I love my family, so no, I will not be driving 75 - 80 while towing a trailer.
I planned on 55 - 60 and cruising the right lane.
 
Stay in the right lane and enjoy the trip. I prefer not to pass any other vehicles while towing if at all possible. Don't let them rattle you, they can go around you. Bet they will be at the next rest stop at the same time. Your not like an 18 wheeler, so you have the right to drive at a comfortable speed that makes you safe. If your rig is set up properly you will forget its back there. Just enjoy the sights. Be safe.
 

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