The Ultimate Insane Cross Country Road Trip

Well, here we are a week removed from Flying from our home in CA to Washington D.C. renting a car, and heading out on a cross country road trip back.

Flights are booked.
Rental car is reserved.

Now in the planning stages of reserving hotel rooms.

And I had an epiphany... I'm sitting here plotting the route I have already done twice before. Basically hit Interstate 40 an hit cruise control. But then I started to think. My wife has done a lot less traveling than I have. She has never been on a (full) Cross Country road trip. Most of the States that she has visited beyond New Mexico, we flew in and out as part of a trip (New Jersey, Georgia/Alabama, Texas/Oklahoma).

So we have 9 days to do this... I know I can easily make the trip in 4 (because I've done it before) but that's f'ing boring. We aren't going to do that this time. Jen needs to see some of this Great Country of ours!

 

If you didn’t rent a Tacoma I’m out

 

All kidding aside, 40 is boring as fuck. I did that trip when I moved from CA to NC. Snoozer. Definitely get off of 40!

 

So here's what I'm working with.

Here are the States Jen has visited.





Here are the States that I have visited.




As you can see, there's a little room for her to catch up.

 

Looks like you both need to go to New Orleans.

 

But no matter what you do, no one will blame you if you die with Florida being left grey

 

It definitely wont be a Tacoma. We are helping my Uncle, by picking up some family pictures and heirlooms that go to my Mom while we are back in Virginia. It will be a SUV of some kind. Wont be sure until we get there and see what is available at Dulles.

 

I think I'll visit Florida before I visit that State shaped like a toilet

 

So... Here is the trip a boring, soul-less, life hating prude would plan.



And, again... I know I can make that in 4 days. Because I've done it before. We have 9 days to do this, so... that route just doesn't have enough "wow factor" for me. We need to kick it up a notch and get some pizazz.

 

What time of year is this trip happening? The south gets hot and humid mid summer.

What are you into?

Bars & music, Austin Tx.

History - Smithsonian museums in Wash DC note they are free. Into aircraft Space museum hit the one near Dullas airport.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cross-country-road-trip.720608/#post-25653971

Next week (first sentence)

 

So here is the route

Green = actual route
Red = Side trips




Now, granted, some of these States OH, ID, IL will just be a matter of crossing the river to drive in to them. And MS, OK, KS, CO, and ID will be driving across the border to get them on the list as well.

MD, DE, PA, CT, NY will be a 1.5 day side trip we take before we head out on the trip home.

This will make a 26 State tour in 9 days. Which will get Jen well caught up to my State count, and actually add 2 States to my State count as well (NY, CT).

The biggest benefit for this one will be painting in broad strokes to just see a lot of things, take it in. See some of the localities, so we can plan future trips to see things more in depth. We aren't going to be able to see all the things around DC that I'd like Jen to see. This will definitely get the interest to make a specific trip for that (for example).

But the cross country trip opportunity doesn't come up often, and I think this route maximizes the opportunities.

And anyone who knows me (and knows how I plan trips specifically) knows I like to pack WAY more in to the trip suitcase than what necessarily fits... right @Blue Canary @CalTacoma09?

 

That trip is spot fucking on. Too much for the time allowed. It should be a great adventure. Drive safe, brother.

 

That's a pretty decent trip there!

 

Day 1 (with flight to Dulles Int Airport)



https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Dul...66805e0c08!2m2!1d-75.8332718!2d39.6067789!3e0

 

First leg of Day 2


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Elk...67397d6ea9!2m2!1d-75.1500349!2d39.9488806!3e0


Second leg Day 2

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ind...e5a751636a!2m2!1d-75.0760137!2d38.7209454!3e0

 

Day 3 - Including stop to look at the Mall in D.C. and the Air and Space Museum


https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Reh...5f4997dc7c!2m2!1d-77.6363806!2d38.8120591!3e0

 

Day 4 will be hanging out in Haymarket / Manassas. Probably drive through the Battlefield do some shopping and visit my Grandma.

 

Roadtrippers.com has great list of things to see along Interstate 40. We also use atlasobscura.com alot when we are looking for strange things to see along the way.

 

Day 5 Manassas to Nashville... Long day for sure. We'll hit VA, WV, KY, OH, IN, and TN



https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Man...d0a1e9daa0!2m2!1d-86.7816016!2d36.1626638!3e0