How many miles a day with a 5er?

bpurvis · 06-05-2013, 06:19 PM

im a new rv'er, and just wondering what the most miles you guys recommend traveling in a day? we are planning a trip to Houston to Tennessee and back to Houston. (2 week vacation) In trying to break up the trip and book camp sites along the way... The first leg i was going to do Houston to Memphis 560 miles? the rest will be relatively short 3-4 hr trips

Bugle Boy · 06-05-2013, 06:41 PM

Our's s not a 5er but not sure that makes much difference in a day's drive.

Longest day I had was from Columbia, Missouri to Yankton, South Dakota. That is 475 miles but we stopped in St. Joe and toured the Pony Express Museum then stopped at Sgt. Floyd's grave and monument in Sioux City, Iowa.

Got in to Lewis & Clark park way after dark and I hate setting up in the dark.

I try to plan our trips and limit drivng to around 6 or 7 hours.

We check all the towns we wll pass through for stuff to do. Seems every town, big or small has interesting stuff. Doing that we stumbled onto the Museum of Radio and Technology. Fantastic place for this old Navy ET.

**hankpage** · 06-05-2013, 06:51 PM

I comfortably do 600 to 700 interstate mi. a day. That is usually my second fuel stop. Many people do 250 mi. and that is their limit. You are the only one who can decide what your SAFE limits are and be sure not to go past them. All drivers are different, if you are tired after four hours, don't take a chance. Stop and rest. It's not worth endangering yourself or others on the road. It's not a race, travel is supposed to be enjoyable. Travel safely, Hank (sounds like a great trip, let us know how you enjoyed it)

rrohrer · 06-05-2013, 07:03 PM

We've done 500 a day- maybe a bit more- with kids! It's work, but sometimes if you can only get off work so long it becomes more necessary. After 300-400 I was sick of it. We took breaks- got out and ate outside at rest stops etc. Just plan to stop before you feel unsafe.

bpurvis · 06-05-2013, 07:33 PM

thanks guys, being my first big trip...i wasn't sure if running the tires on interstate had a limit. we plan on leaving early morning to get to Memphis by dark. Im sure we will have plenty of stops...the kids will need more breaks than me

hankaye · 06-05-2013, 08:15 PM

bpurvis, Howdy;

No one can tell you what only you can figure out. We can
tell you what works for us ...
If you are going up Us 59 to Texarkana, then I 30 to Little Rock,
an nice place to stop for a break is JJ's Truck Stop (exit 106 on I-30),
tons of space to park and good food. then you can decide if you want
to carry on to Memphis. Also, I-30 to I-440 is the Bestest way around Little Rock.

hankaye

bpurvis · 06-05-2013, 08:21 PM

perfect! we will see how the road feels... i have internet in the truck and if i need to stop...we will find a place...even if its just to rest for a hour or so.
After Memphis, then Nashville, Townsend and Chattanooga (spend a few days at each stop)

bpurvis · 06-05-2013, 08:24 PM

another question... how often do you run into height restrictions. as i said this is my first 5ver and i feel like I'm 20ft tall.... i measured it at 13'4"
Assume most interstates I'm ok?

crash · 06-06-2013, 03:06 AM

We normaly do around 600miles stopping about every 175- 200 miles give or take for the dogs to do what they have to do and get them some water thats just us ,I know everyone will be differant on the distance they can drive just go by whats best for you

fla-gypsy · 06-06-2013, 03:15 AM

That is just personal preference. I hate driving more than 300 miles or 6 hours, whichever comes first.

mguay · 06-06-2013, 03:23 AM

I'm with Hank...6-700 a day is our comfort zone. The biggest day was 780. We both still work and have to get where we are going to enjoy the vacation. After we retire I'm sure it will be 1/2 that but for now...we take the fast lane and love truck stops! We also would rather travel at night as the traffic numbers are lower and consistency of speed is up.

Lost · 06-06-2013, 03:24 AM

We used to start out with plans on how far we will go in a day but 90% of the time the wife or I want to stop and see something along the way. That usually kills a hour or 2. Now we take our time and enjoy the sites, when we get tired we stop for the night.

davidjsimons · 06-06-2013, 03:24 AM

I run about 600 miles per day. As Hank said, this is typically the time for my second fuel stop and puts me at about 11hours of driving. It's not a contest of endurance, it's all about with what you are comfortable.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

MarkS · 06-06-2013, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpurvis

another question... how often do you run into height restrictions. as i said this is my first 5ver and i feel like I'm 20ft tall.... i measured it at 13'4"
Assume most interstates I'm ok?

18 wheelers are roughly 13' 6". On the interstate you should be good. Watch out when you leave it. Especially gas stations.

Dwighop · 06-06-2013, 04:09 AM

On the western trip last summer I found it was a direct correlation between what time the rest of the family got up and moving. My internal clock doesn't match any of my other 3 travelers. I had to learn to cut my travel time down if we could get moving in the mornings.

antiqfreq · 06-06-2013, 05:23 AM

My road atlas gives me low bridge heights in all states.

Also you can use your internet for this.

Map your route then look up specific roads you may be on.

One time going thru Albequerque, NM we were on a highway and people
were waving at us to get off the interestate due to a low bridge, but we
already knew about it and we knew we were under height!

Jo

MarkS · 06-06-2013, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antiqfreq

My road atlas gives me low bridge heights in all states.

Also you can use your internet for this.

Map your route then look up specific roads you may be on.

One time going thru Albequerque, NM we were on a highway and people
were waving at us to get off the interestate due to a low bridge, but we
already knew about it and we knew we were under height!

Jo

antiqfreq which atlas do you use?

TIA

fred1609 · 06-06-2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpurvis

another question... how often do you run into height restrictions. as i said this is my first 5ver and i feel like I'm 20ft tall.... i measured it at 13'4"
Assume most interstates I'm ok?

We downloaded a low clearance program into our garmin which helps.

E597283 · 06-06-2013, 07:10 AM

I have 4 kids and usually do 400-500 per day. MA to Disney is 3 days down..stay a week...and 3 days back. Truck requires gas every 3 hours and thats a good time for a bathroom break and food.

**hankpage** · 06-06-2013, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpurvis

another question... how often do you run into height restrictions. as i said this is my first 5ver and i feel like I'm 20ft tall.... i measured it at 13'4"
Assume most interstates I'm ok?

Have you made any mods to your suspension???? Keystone lists your height at 12'7".

Most interstates will have over-height sensors well before low clearances and give detour info (EXIT NOW) but YOU have to be aware of them and realize that that flashing light is for you.

If you measure again I think you will find you are under 13'. JM2¢, Hank

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