How many miles a day with a 5er?

[bpurvis]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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:D

[fla-gypsy]

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

[mguay]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[diugo]

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.

I will have to check this out by raising my antenna!

[hankpage]

I will have to check this out by raising my antenna!

Not a good idea .... most states will fine you for exceeding height, width or length limits without permits and an escort. :D It's not good for the roof either. :rolleyes:

[mdnbp]

Our rig is 13' 6" and we've never had an issue. We've traveled all the western states and are in the midst of traveling from Oregon, down to Texas and across to Florida. As I tell my sweetheart, if you see an 18 wheeler traveling down the road, we're shorter than they are so don't be concerned.

[MarkS]

If OP added a second AC, that can add a foot or so to the published height.

[Dhuhn]

antiqfreq which atlas do you use?

TIA

I think The one you need is a truckers Atlas here is a link to a few atlas at amazon. these atlases will give restrictive road overpasses ext. great for planning trips
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=truckers+atlas&tag=googhydr-20&index=stripbooks&hvadid=6350348961&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1807705773222943963&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5hma14yyto_b

[goducks]

Driving strictly interstates it's easier to make time than doing hwys that pass thru towns where you have to slow down. Out on the interstate Just set the cruise to what ever mph only stop when you need to. My truck just purrs along running 60-65 at 16-1800 rpms. Only my butt and bladder tell me when to stop.

[dave-g]

I look at time more then miles- 8-10 hours behind the wheel and I'm toast. Now I have done nj to Bar Harbor Me in 12 hours ( about 600 miles), but I did not drive the next day.

If traveling a few days in a row- cut the hours and miles. Be Safe.

[Bowti]

I fully understand driving longer hours if a person has limited time for vacation. Having said that, as retirees we no longer have to pound the miles out and find it is so much more enjoyable to make our travel time part of our vacation.
Limiting our mileage to about 6 hrs or less a day, afford us time to break camp and have breakfast without being rushed. If we see something along the way, we stop and check it out. Like someone said, just about every community has something of interest which may limit our time on the road to a couple of hours sometimes.
We also feel that stopping early afternoon is important as it affords you a nice campground with a good site, with time to check out the area a little. We always ask if there is a attraction in the area and are many times surprised at what we find.
Going slow and limiting mileage equals enjoyment for us.:)

[dave-g]

I fully understand driving longer hours if a person has limited time for vacation. Having said that, as retirees we no longer have to pound the miles out and find it is so much more enjoyable to make our travel time part of our vacation.
Limiting our mileage to about 6 hrs or less a day, afford us time to break camp and have breakfast without being rushed. If we see something along the way, we stop and check it out. Like someone said, just about every community has something of interest which may limit our time on the road to a couple of hours sometimes.
We also feel that stopping early afternoon is important as it affords you a nice campground with a good site, with time to check out the area a little. We always ask if there is a attraction in the area and are many times surprised at what we find.
Going slow and limiting mileage equals enjoyment for us.:)

When I was younger- I had a motorcycles and traveled and camped on on it. I started everyday with a direction- a vague direction and rode till I saw something interesting, stopped took photos- talked to locals- really enjoyed the trip itself. It was the best. But time was on my side and I traveled by myself.

I look forward to having more time off from work and doing that again.

[webslave]

I fully understand driving longer hours if a person has limited time for vacation. Having said that, as retirees we no longer have to pound the miles out and find it is so much more enjoyable to make our travel time part of our vacation.
Limiting our mileage to about 6 hrs or less a day, afford us time to break camp and have breakfast without being rushed. If we see something along the way, we stop and check it out. Like someone said, just about every community has something of interest which may limit our time on the road to a couple of hours sometimes.
We also feel that stopping early afternoon is important as it affords you a nice campground with a good site, with time to check out the area a little. We always ask if there is a attraction in the area and are many times surprised at what we find.
Going slow and limiting mileage equals enjoyment for us.:)

X2

We aim at 250-350 miles per day, or less if there is a spot we are interested in, closer to where we are currently, that holds interest for us. We leave when we get around to it, without rushing; usually in the 9-10 am time frame. We stop sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 pm. Plenty of daylight to setup in, time to get some shopping done if needed and there are stores handy and even time to see some "outside" sights that may be in the area. Don't mean to rub it in for those that have to work for a living, but, we are really enjoying the heck out of retirement. No where we have to be and no time that we have to be there...stop when we feel like it, and go when the mood moves us. We now know a lot of the "little places" we blew by in our haste to see the "big sights" of our youth, and to be honest, the "little sights" are treasures unto themselves. I'm thankful that we have the time, the health and the resources to see them.

[hankaye]

Hank, Howdy;

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

Never saw one of those warning light things ... when did they start using them? Is it just a "Joisy" thing or are they mostly in the East???
Just being curious.

the 'other' hank

[hankpage]

Hank, Howdy;



Never saw one of those warning light things ... when did they start using them? Is it just a "Joisy" thing or are they mostly in the East???
Just being curious.

the 'other' hank

I have never seen any low clearances warning signals on interstates in "Joisy" or "New Yooak" except for at NYC tunnel entrances. I95 in NC if I remember correctly has a warning system set up to detour over-height vehicles off the interstate and back on again to avoid US301 overpass. http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=251&pictureid=1587 My old foggy brain also tells me there is at least one more in NC or SC but I can't be sure.
I think some states use them to catch over-sized loads without permits or escorts.
This is what I could find on-line:

Active Warning Systems/ Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Alternative. Active warning systems utilize electronic technology to assess an over height vehicle and provide advance warning with visual
and audible signals. The systems have existed for several years with one vendor claiming installations in 26 different states.
The systems use a infrared light beam across the roadway which when broken, triggers an electronic response to activate flashers on
roadside signs as well as audible alarms.

[hankaye]

Hank, Howdy;

Hmmm..... interesting. Of course the companies I drove for would be
to cheap to invest in the equipment that would set off the bells an whistles
in the cab (the audible alert). Don't think the DOT would have a speaker
to holler at the offending vehicle, might cause some elderly gray haired
Grand ma to have cause to prompt a potty stop :eek:

the other hank

[Drew Waller]

I plan for 50 miles per hour average. If I get that I feel lucky. My family, 1 wifey and 2 big furry dogs like to stop at every roadside park. I do better at night but I poop out to quick anymore. So that's what I plan for, 50 mph across country. If you go into West Virginia off the interstates you may get 15-20 MPH, it's rough when your 65' long. I don't see how the semi's do it but they do!

[kiwi2000]

300 a day is our max.