Cross county trip at 76?

Irene

Irene

New Member
I'm 76 and now living in Phoeniz AZ. I have no family here, but I do back east. I've driven across the county at least 6 times in my life, me and my husband (separate cars). But I don't know if I could do that now by myself. Any experiences in long trips like that?
 

You'd need many rest stops & breaks. Also, how about arranging your nights at a known place in advance, and a check in at 4pm. If you're healthy, you can do this, as long as trucks racing by don't scare you.

Also, arrange, in advance of course, to sight see and avoid major highways as much as you can. Wish I were coming along!
 
I've driven across country several times but it's been decades since I was in the military and required to do so while transferring between duty stations. I'm still mobile and active and wouldn't hesitate to drive across country again if need be or for enjoyment. I'd just want little or no time constraints and know that I have plans and tools in place for any breakdowns or emergencies. I would stick to major highways simply out of convenience and expediency unless I had a special interest in a particular area. The only showstopper would be my own physical or medical limitations were there any.
 

I’ll tell you what I do. You can choose what you think will work for you.
I have done several road trips of 2000+ miles. It’s very doable if you don’t rush.

Before you leave have your car checked out by a reiable mechanic, especially if it hasn’t been serviced for a while. You don’t want the hassles of a breakdown just because a $20 belt that’s seen better days decides to break. Make sure your tires, brakes, cooling system, fluids etc. are all in good shape. Minimize the chances that something will cause a breakdown on the road.

Get a reliable towing service in the event your car breaks down. You want one that is willing to tow you 50 or more miles if necessary. I chose Good Sam since AAA in my area will only tow cars about 5 miles max.

I load my phone up with audio books from my favorite authors. A good audio book makes time fly. Also download any maps for the areas you will be driving through. It’s not unusual to find no cell service on sections of highway.

Map out your route and plan your nightly stops ahead of time. I make hotel reservations if possible. Stick to major highways unless they are not practical. That’s where the services are you will need or might need in case of an emergency.

Bring extra drinking water and snacks in case of an emergency.

I have my drive routine. It depends on fast food joints for breaks. <— Warning!!!

I eat a lite breakfast then hit the road. After 90 minutes to two hours, I stop at the next McDonalds where I get out of the car, order a light snack (burger or egg McMuffin, and a beverage), I walk a bit and use the bathroom. The entire stop takes 20 minutes and I try to be on my feet for most of that time. Then off I go for another 90 minutes to two hours when I stop again. Repeat this all day until you get to your first night’s stop. I can go for 8 to 10 hours doing this. You did plot out where you will stop for the night right?

I can cover 450 to 600 miles a day doing this. More if I have a partner to do some of the driving.
 
Last edited:
old medic said:
My Mother is currently in her little camper van someplace in NY wandering around visiting friends and family.. She left NC mid June and plans to be back sometime in August. but shes only 81.
Now her Mother made a yearly journey from FL to NY until 94.
Click to expand...
That is inspirational.
 
Last edited:
Brookswood said:
I’ll tell you what I do. You can choose what you think will work for you.
I have done several road trips of 2000+ miles. It’s very doable if you don’t rush.

Before you leave have your car checked out by a reiable mechanic, especially if it hasn’t been serviced for a while. You don’t want the hassles of a breakdown just because a $20 belt that’s seen better days decides to break. Make sure your tires, brakes, cooling system, fluids etc. are all in good shape. Minimize the chances that something will cause a breakdown on the road.

Get a reliable towing service in the event your car breaks down. You want one that is willing to tow you 50 or more miles if necessary. I chose Good Sam since AAA in my area will only tow cars about 5 miles max.

I load my phone up with audio books from my favorite authors. A good audio book makes time fly. Also download any maps for the areas you will be driving through. It’s not unusual to find no cell service on sections of highway.

Map out your route and plan your nightly stops ahead of time. I make hotel reservations if possible. Stick to major highways unless they are not practical. That’s where the services are you will need or might need in case of an emergency.

Bring extra drinking water and snacks in case of an emergency.

I have my drive routine. It depends on fast food joints for breaks. <— Warning!!!

I eat a lite breakfast then hit the road. After 90 minutes to two hours, I stop at the next McDonalds where I get out of the car, order a light snack (burger or egg McMuffin, and a beverage), I walk a bit and use the bathroom. The entire stop takes 20 minutes and I try to be on my feet for most of that time. Then off I go for another 90 minutes to two hours when I stop again. Repeat this all day until you get to your first night’s stop. I can go for 8 to 10 hours doing this. You did plot out where you will stop for the night right?

I can cover 450 to 600 miles a day doing this. More if I have a partner to do some of the driving.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for sharing all this! This is a really big help! (I saved it on my computer and printed it out as well ;-)
 
If I was relocating I would take my time and just grind it out.

For a vacation I would prefer to let someone else do the driving and rent a vehicle when I reached my destination. A cross country train trip would be my first choice.

If time and money are not an issue it might be nice to drive and plan a few mini vacation stops along the way.

Take your time and do what feels right for you and your situation.
 
I LOVE road trips. Not all do. You have gotten very good advice. If I was to add I would say pick a vehicle you are familiar with and love. The hardest part of roadtrips for me is that people drive very different in different states. Some are very aggressive and fast. Freeze and they will run over you. Learn to use the mapping apps on your phone. Hopefully your car is new enough for bluetooth. Good luck and have fun!
 
Irene said:
I'm 76 and now living in Phoeniz AZ. I have no family here, but I do back east. I've driven across the county at least 6 times in my life, me and my husband (separate cars). But I don't know if I could do that now by myself. Any experiences in long trips like that?
Click to expand...
We drove from the Hill Country of Texas to Fort Myers Beach (about 1,200 miles) every late Dec. and returned
the end of January for almost 10 years. It sucked but we stayed over a couple nights each way...lol.
 
Let me add that I generally drive about 5 mph under the speed limit in the far right lane. If I go to the center or left lane, I will speed up to the limit. I do not want to be THAT DRIVER who drives 50 mph in the left lane when the speed limit is 65. I also make use of passing zones to move right and let as many people pass as possible. Unless I am behind some slowpoke, then I will put the pedal to the metal and pass the darn !#^@&^!!.

I dislike being tailgated.
 
I did when I was younger, but I have never been a fan of long drives. They are needed sometimes, of course, and can still be much cheaper than airfare.

These days I worry more about other drivers than I do about my own driving. Oh people are multitasking like mad while driving. I’ve even seen TRUCKERS texting on their phones while driving. I was on a Greyhound bus once, up tall like the truckers, and I saw more than one holding his steering wheel with his elbows and using his thumbs to text.

It’s too bad we don’t have more trains. We have them in the East, but not much at all in the West. But they could be good alternates to flying if they were faster (fewer stops between major airports, for example) and cost effective. I don’t mean “high speed” necessarily. I just mean if a train is going from Phoenix to San Diego, make it as non-stop as possible.
 
I used to travel a lot, both for work, and just to visit relatives who did not live close to me; but I do not think that i would drive cross-country anymore, unless there’re was an absolute need for me to do that.
That being said, I would LOVE to travel cross country, and my preference would be to travel by train. You can see so many parts of the country from the train , especially the observation car. They have food and restrooms, and even sleeping rooms, so you can travel and not need to stop for food or fuel, like you wold with a vehicle driving cross-country.

Once you arrived where you are going, then you can use an Uber, or something similar to get to where you are staying. The only thing I had an issue with when I did this was having to change trains, and you have to get your luggage and carry it to the next train, which can be difficult , especially in a large station.
However, it has been around 20 years since I took a train across the country, so they might have made the transitions easier by now.
 
Since you have family back east where you are considering moving why not have one of those relatives fly out and then drive back east together? You buy the plane ticket and cover expenses like food and lodging on the drive back east. Heck a grandkid might love an all expense paid cross country trip.
 
Nine years ago we moved from Sun City West AZ back to Florida, about 2000 miles. We had gotten to Los Cruces NM when my wife got a call on the cell phone from the credit card company. They suspected her card had been hacked. Further discussion revealed that it had. They said we are cancelling the card, when you get established in Florida, call and we will send a new card. Fortunately I had a card from a different bank, so we were able to buy food and fuel and pay campground fees to get us to Florida. We have never had just one card since. I was 81 at that time.
 
I am your age and I wouldn't and couldn't. Too exhausting, no company and I hate driving,
unless it is beautiful scenery. You-- risk a single woman alone?
 
C50 said:
Since you have family back east where you are considering moving why not have one of those relatives fly out and then drive back east together? You buy the plane ticket and cover expenses like food and lodging on the drive back east. Heck a grandkid might love an all expense paid cross country trip.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, she has a fear of flying, and I respect that.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top