How far is too far?

Tbos · 03-24-2016, 05:10 AM

The DW and I are considering a trip this summer to Prince Edward Island Canada. We live in Southern MD. The trip is about 1000 miles each way. We are thinking of doing the drive each way in 2 days. Given the amount of leave I have that will give us 5 days on site in PEI. Interested in your opinions. Do you think we are pushing the envelope for not enough time on site? Thanks in advance.

BirchyBoy · 03-24-2016, 05:31 AM

There are quite a few threads here about miles driven every day. The general opinion seems to be between 300 and 400 for most. If time is a factor, you can do as much as your and your family is comfortable with. We did a couple 600 miles days on our last trip and it wasn't fun, but we had limited time to get where we wanted to go. We're heading to San Diego again this year and I hope to do it in two days as well so I don't burn vacation time while driving.

hankaye · 03-24-2016, 05:52 AM

Tbos, Howdy;

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbos

The DW and I are considering a trip this summer to Prince Edward Island Canada. We live in Southern MD. The trip is about 1000 miles each way. We are thinking of doing the drive each way in 2 days. Given the amount of leave I have that will give us 5 days on site in PEI. Interested in your opinions. Do you think we are pushing the envelope for not enough time on site? Thanks in advance.

What is your route up and out of SMd? Are you in Calvert, St. Mary's or Charles Co.?
There are several different ways to attack the beast, just depends on your starting
point. I used to work for Dyncorp at the TPS @ Pax, and I lived in St. Mary's Co.

hankaye

mfifield01 · 03-24-2016, 05:54 AM

I feel the same, I think it depends on your family. Will your DW drive any?

As of now, I'm the sole driver. I haven't gone over 300 miles in a day. Another factor for me is the kids. Both of my kids are young, so we stop for them.

jsmith948 · 03-24-2016, 06:11 AM

It is all about your capabilities. When my DB first moved to NE Nevada (about 20 yrs ago), we would make the 13 to 14 hour trip to his place in one day.
Now we break it up into two. Used to drive semi - spent many, many nights pushing for distance - fighting sleep etc. Of course, being retired allows us to move at a more leisurely pace.
Remember, you are hauling a precious cargo. Might be better to give up one day at your destination than not make it at all. It only takes half a heartbeat to find yourself in a deadly situation. Good luck, have fun and BE SAFE

Tbos · 03-24-2016, 06:17 AM

The DW doesn't like to drive while towing. We live in St Marys county but will leave from a campout in Woodbine MD to head north. Thinking of taking 81 to 83 to 84 before catching 95 north of NY. The longest towing I've done to date is about 430 miles in a day. This trip would add about 100 each day to it.

goducks · 03-24-2016, 07:41 AM

You will have a hard time doing 1000 miles in two days. You could do 500 the 1st day but it will be harder to do 500 the 2nd day. Between gas stops, potty breaks and eating you'll easily be on the road 10-12 hours. Everything just takes longer when towing.
You'll probably be all gung ho the 1st day like most vacationers. But I'd be will to wager that that 2nd day will seem like a really long day.
Don't forget about the time it takes to pull in, register and setup for the night.
If it were me I would leave the night before and try and get about 3 hours of travel in before your 1st day. That would knock 3 hours off the 2nd day. I'd still hit it hard the next morning and try and go as far as possible. That way the day you want to arrive you won't have to drive as far. I could see waking up on the 3rd day and not being as ambitious if I had just spent the last 2 days driving for 10-12 hrs each day.

therink · 03-24-2016, 09:23 AM

I know that if it was me with kids, I would plan on no more than 300 miles or 6 hrs per day. Also I would prefer minimum of 7 days at Campsite for that length of travel. I always have found myself unwinding and setting up site on day one at Campsite and tearing down last day at camp.

silverbullet18 · 03-24-2016, 09:56 AM

I have done a couple of trips to Destin and Myrtle Beach. Both in the 320 to 350 range. I am whooped by the end of the day. 500 would be tough.

Laredo291OH · 03-24-2016, 10:45 AM

I guess I'm the oddball here. We went to Disney in Florida in 2013, just a touch over 1000 miles one way, did that in 2 days. My kids were 12 and 8 at the time so I'm sure being a little older helps. In 2014 we did Glacier National Park in Montana from Ohio, that total trip was 5500 miles in 2-1/2 weeks, one day was 18 hours (about 5 for the wife and 13 for me) and 900 miles. Planning on California next year, if I only did 300 miles a day it would take 2-1/2 weeks just to get there and back, I'm sure there will be some 18 hour and 900 mile days on that trip. On the Montana trip we did the Walmart and Cabela's camping, I'm guessing we will do more of that on the California trip.

notanlines · 03-25-2016, 03:02 AM

Tbos, I would go back and read over Goducks answer. The idea of already being packed up, hooked up, and on the road for about three hours would put a big dent in your mileage. You have bitten off a fairly large chunk of travel for a two day trip when you keep in mind that you'll be within 20 miles of probably five of the largest cities in the US. Also remember that you will be crossing into Canada, and then crossing a VERY major bridge onto PEI, all with backups on a week-end. And also keep in mind that you won't have time to stop in Saint John and enjoy Digby scallops! I would ponder leaving PEI a day early and driving to Yarmouth, then taking the ferry over to Portland. That would be quite the adventure for the kids.

Tbos · 03-25-2016, 04:49 AM

Everyone's comments are much appreciated. Last time I was in the Nova Scotia PEI area of the world was over 42 years ago. There is so much to see between here and there we are thinking of just spending the week in CT instead. We hate to hurry when we only get one big vacation a year. PEI and Nova Scotia will be on the list when we have at least several more days available. Thanks again.

squeak93 · 03-25-2016, 06:53 AM

We have a 1 year old and 6 yr old and do 500+ a day. I do all the driving and we hit it hard.

About to do 1100 miles tomorrow and Sunday to get back home in time for work Monday.

Steve S · 03-25-2016, 09:12 AM

For 7 yrs we would tow to Mexico for the winter and I think 7 hrs was the most that I would drive. It's not so much of be tired it's more of the little mistakes that I would notice while driving caused from fatigue. You have to think about your safety and the safety of others around you.

My brother in law drives truck for a living and he'll drive 1200 miles straight but he's used to it where others aren't.
Btw it sounds like a nice trip, PEI is a wonderful place to visit. Enjoy your trip and safe travels

Mutt · 03-25-2016, 10:19 AM

When I was on Active Duty, I was stationed at Whidbey Island WA. I got orders to Argentia Newfoundland. It took us 3.5 days to get to Illinois. It took us 2.5 days to get from Illinois to Nova Scotia where we caught a Ferry to Newfoundland. I think you should give yourself an extra travel day and take your time. We pushed it every day and were very tired when we finally arrived at our destination. I'm older now and really don't like to drive more than 10 hours a day. I also like to get to RV parks fairly early in the day .... around dinner time. Gives you time to relax and eat and maybe watch a movie before bed. Helps to relax and enjoy the trip more. If you leave at 6 am and drive to 6 pm each day, it will be a much more enjoyable trip IMHO.

mpgtow · 03-25-2016, 04:01 PM

We are getting ready to embark on a 2 month trip from N. Virginia to Utah next week.
I'm using a program called RVTrip Wizard which helps with driving distances based upon your personal preferences and various input. It draws radius /circles on a map using these preferences- for example how many hours of driving or how many miles you wish to complete before the next stop. It then populates with campgrounds in that area (again preferences selected per input). Very handy program for planning longer trips... with multiple stops. I have it maxed at 325 miles

http://www.rvtripwizard.com/

Rob

omextreme · 03-25-2016, 04:49 PM

Best i ever did solo was Atlanta to Sacramento straight. Now that i am older and smarter i max at 700 a day solo, no trailer. With trailer and kids i max out at 500ish and that is a LONG day.

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Tbos · 03-25-2016, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpgtow

We are getting ready to embark on a 2 month trip from N. Virginia to Utah next week.

I'm using a program called RVTrip Wizard which helps with driving distances based upon your personal preferences and various input. It draws radius /circles on a map using these preferences- for example how many hours of driving or how many miles you wish to complete before the next stop. It then populates with campgrounds in that area (again preferences selected per input). Very handy program for planning longer trips... with multiple stops. I have it maxed at 325 miles

http://www.rvtripwizard.com/

Rob

Rob,
I grew up in N VA Sterling Park. Are you LDS?
Tom

cw3jason · 03-26-2016, 10:47 AM

I use 600 miles at an average of 60mph equals 10 hours of driving. It's a good way to estimate where you will stop for the night. Some days I drive a little less, some a little more, but I can figure out how long it will take to get to my destination.

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CaptnJohn · 03-27-2016, 05:53 PM

At nearly 68 I prefer to stop after 500 - 600 miles and will no longer go more than about 725. We stop for fuel about every 2 1/2 - 3 hours ~ all quick stops but one for lunch. At some point my wife will get on RVParky or GS Camping and call ahead to find a pull-through for the night if possible. If we don't find a CG we look for a place to pull over. For an overnight I'm not going to back in, connect any utilities, or unhitch. If we run into something of interest we may only go a short distance and stat awhile. About the only time we are locked into an arrival is the winter trip to FL so we leave a day or 3 early.

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