How far do you like to travel in a day?

[Rangerj]

I don't know about you all, but when I make a trip I don't like to travel over about six hours in a day. I also keep my speed down to about 65.
By the way my equipment is different than I show. I now have a 336fbok Jayco and am pulling it with a Ram Laramie DW, so it's not hard to pull. However, it's still not like it's not back there.

[wegone]

I average about 300-400 miles a day, more in summer. I try not and drive in the dark.

[notanlines]

Our entire life history is written in the 'leave early, arrive early' language. Early to us while towing is 5:00 to 6:00 and beer thirty starts at 3:00 so I drive accordingly. Usually 300-350 miles, set up, plan supper, cold beer or a greyhound, talk to the new neighbors, tell lies about the mileage of the dually.....you know, the usual stuff.
If DW has beef stew and dumplings to cook for supper then beer thirty might start after 200 miles. More time to cook and more lies to tell. Mmmmm

On edit: Johnnie, how about the sausage and egg biscuits at Connie's Fried Chicken? Makes the trip to Tupelo worth while.

[dutchmensport]

The older we get the shorter the time, and the shorter the distance between overnights.

We use to be able to drive 24 hours straight, between the two of us alternating, and we've done that a few times when the kids were little. Now ... 35 years later and that time has been reduced to less than 6 hours and less than 250 miles.

We can still pull all-nighters when we absolutely NEED to. We had an event happen this Spring that caused us to do just that very thing, so we "can" still do it when absolutely necessary. But, that was the exception now, not the rule.

Why such a short driving day and distance? So we can "smell the roses" along the journey! It's simply no fun arriving at the destination and we are so ragged-out from all the stress of long days, long miles, and no sleep, we simply cannot enjoy ourselves ... once "there" without about 2 days of rest. We're too tired! By then, it's time to move to the next destination and we've missed everything, or at best, went through the processes and felt like we were in a dream state the entire time because we were so tired.

Shorter times ... for us ... is now about the journey. The "destination" is now secondary. There's too much to see and do and enjoy along the way.

[Rangerj]

Connie’s is still open, but has just sold to new owners. Lost one of the brothers that ran it, so for the first time in my 50 years here the family is not running it. Hopefully, it’s still as good.

[travelin texans]

An old timer told us to travel 2x2x2! Drive 200 miles, stop by 2pm & stay 2 days.
Well we traveled about 5-6 hours which was about 3/4 of a tank of fuel, usually no big rush in the mornings to leave, arrived no later than 3pm if possible & depending on location would stay at least 2 days or until we'd seen/done all in that area we were interested in. And unless there was something very wrong along the way NEVER arrive after dark.

[Camping family]

I use the 3:00 or 300 miles. Doesn’t matter what time I leave I drive 300 miles or stop at 3:00. Which ever comes first. I found that 3:00 is a good time to stop. Gives plenty of time to set up and fix dinner and get a good nights rest.

[Buffettfan]

So far, our farthest in a day is 440 miles.
That was with our regular cab short bed 1/2 ton.
I was pretty well worn out after that.
With the 3/4 ton quad cab, 300 miles has been our longest trip. It was much less stressful, so less tiring as well.
We're planning a Texas trip in April or May, about 800 miles. Currently, I'm thinking of breaking it into 3 legs, with 300 miles being the longest leg.
The 440 mile trip is to see family in Tennessee, so we'll probably be doing that trip many more times.
Next time, we'll do it in one day again just to see how much difference the new truck makes.

[jsb5717]

We've done the 5-6 hour driving but we don't really like it. It's hard on my wife's replacement hip and my lower back gets squirrely after about 4 hours. We've decided we'd rather drive about 3 up to 4 hours and stay just one night than drive longer and stay 2 nights.

I still remember being able to drive 12-24 hours without any issues. But now...

[Canonman]

I kind of use fuel stops as a gauge. First stop at around 200 miles the second stop about the same, more or less. I prefer to unhook for the second stop and then go get fuel so I don't worry about getting in and out of the neighborhood station. While I'm filling up, the DW is preparing some treat for dinner and sometimes a cold beverage for when I get back. So in short, about about a 400/500 mile day. Depending on traffic and road types 6 to 8 hours.

[vampress_me]

The longest day I’ll do is about 600-650 miles. But, that’s just to get out of MN and into MT or western SD so we can get to the west side of MT or WY the next day. And then the true vacation begins. Then, we wind our way back much more slowly. We try to average about 300-450 miles if possible. And, honestly, with hubby’s Parkinson’s getting worse the past year, we have had to slow down because he cannot spend as much time in a vehicle as we used to do. So, I’ve been finding new places to stop on the way that are closer together and, luckily, we have a little more flexibility with time so can afford to tack an extra day or 2 onto a trip.

[mbi777]

6 hours and avg about 60mph.

[gearhead]

I think I just did our shortest..183 miles. Liberty TX to Abbeville LA. Coming home today in the rain taking back roads about 4 hours. Nice and easy.
I could do more of this.

[Max23]

More good info, question on this, seems like many of you stop early in the day for what appears to be multiple reasons. However do u find that it gets to hard to find a place to stop if you go longer or do u sully make reservations well in advance?

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by Max23

More good info, question on this, seems like many of you stop early in the day for what appears to be multiple reasons. However do u find that it gets to hard to find a place to stop if you go longer or do u sully make reservations well in advance?

It used to be that you could travel without RV reservations and not have an issue finding a place for the evening, etc.

Times have changed a lot with regards to RVing.. I plan our trips and where we are going to stay in advance and book in advance.. I prefer to drive no farther than about 450 miles with 350 miles often my choice.. Depends on where we are headed to

I also don't drive much past 3 hours without either a fuel stop or stopping to stretch the legs.. ( we also had two dogs but lost both this year ) and the dogs where always a consideration as well

If I am headed to an area I havent been before I use several Apps to read a few reviews of places to stay and also use Google Earth to get a view of the area..

I two at 62 mph for best mpg with my Duramax.. It also gives me time to enjoy the drive as well as easier on the equipment..

[Canonman]

MY DW is the official navigator and cruise director. We too like to know where we are staying for the night and she plans and reserves accordingly. We've been caught without a place in the past and have wound up in a couple of "sketchy" areas. At our age the "thrill of the unknown" is past us. Plus we've found some pretty cool places to stay and explore now that we have more travel time and are able to plan for those stayovers.

[Max23]

Thanks guys. Ya I was thinking 450 would be a push for me, and space may be a premium. So, one more on same subject, I see some free, dry camping spots at some parks etc, do these tend to fill faster? I know you can't make reservations at such places or can you?? Not from what I've seen so far I'm thinking.

[Canonman]

Try this site: https://freecampsites.net/
We've used it when planning for overnight stops. I also use Google Earth to look at the free campsite locations to make sure we're not getting into a problem spot for a 5er our size. Nothing ruins a days travel like having to back your way out of a place after driving all day

[dutchmensport]

Originally Posted by Max23

...if you go longer or do u sully make reservations well in advance?

I suppose I'm not much of a gambler. I purchase 1 Powerball lotter ticket a week and that is the extent of my gambling. So when traveling, I don't like to gamble either. For us ... it's always reservations.

I do very carefully plan our routes and our stops. I start with the final destination and then divide that into about 200 miles sections (4 hours of driving). Then search out at those 200 mile points what campgrounds are available in that area. Sometimes the distance has to be a bit shorter, sometimes a bit longer. But we don't want to just will-nilly it.

If we traveled West of the Mississippi River where boomdocking space is a little more available, it might not be such a gamble. But we travel primarily East of the Mississippi River and no matter where you go, you better have reservations. So, overnights are planned carefully. Those destination addresses are then put into my TomTom GPS and I check paper maps and write down the route, because TomTom get's pretty stupid sometimes and likes to take us down some pretty non-RV friendly housing additions!

That's how we do it. I don't like to gamble. Beside, I never win anything with that Powerball ticket anyway!

[Recruiter_Gerry]

We shoot to leave at 4:30-5:00am from our home in NH. I like to get out of New England, NY,NJ early when heading south. We typically travel 10-12 hours when heading south. I go between 55-60 mph.
We pulled a travel trailer before buying our 5th wheel so our first trip may be more conservative. Since we are still working, I like to minimize travel days.