Hey Nick, how far are you from Fresno?

 

Well I asked my wifes sister if she could watch our dog and she is going to let us know next week so there may be hope yet.

I will probably arrive on Thurs spend the weekend with you guys and then on Monday head over towards the Outer Banks for a few days.

Looks like it is about 600 miles from my place to the CG, what do you guys think about making it straight thru. I figure about 12 hours with stops and traffic. My wife said we should split it up over 2 days I say we just keep moving and get it done. I figure if I leave my place at 4am I would get to the CG around 3-5 pm and have plenty of time to set up camp and wind down from the ride. I hate to kill 2 days travelling when I only have about a week or so for vacation. Any opinions?

Thx
Rc

 

RC,

Well you likely don't want my opinion...

I'm a traveling nut...

I'm the only one that drives while pulling...

In the last two years I've done Fort Wayne to Sioux Falls SD (about 750 miles) in one LONG day. Des Moines IA to Fort Wayne in one day (bout 600 miles) in one day and this year Outer Banks to south eastern Ohio (630 miles in 12 hours)...so...I'd say GO FOR IT but that's just me!

Seriously though...Having a properly balanced setup allows me to pull long days and arrive no more tired than just driving...so depending on how comfortable you are towing...and how well behaved your rig is...would determine whether I attempted these longer days...I drive most of the time with one hand on the wheel as the combo tracks like a dream...if I had a setup that required constant driver inputs...well that would wear me out...

Where you heading to on the OBX?...we were just at Camp Hatteras last summer...a little pricey...but not really more so than the others after they nickled and dimed you up to their 'final' cost!...plus there is a beach drive on access point less than 4 miles south with a gas station to re-air your tires less than a mile from the beach...

I hope your SIL can watch the dog...I think...no I KNOW we are gonna have a great time!!!

joe.

 

I too like to durive stright thru. This past summer we went from home to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH - 14 hours (with stops).
We usually go to the Gulf side of FLA (Tampa area), the trip is generally 12 hours - stright thru.
I even get a little anxious when she or the kids need to stop for a bathroom break if it's been less than 2 hours since the last one... you know how it goes, stop, eat and hit the road - 30 mins later "I gotta peee"... gezzzzz.

I typically leave out for trips shortly after midnight - I prefer to drive at night as much as possible, there is less traffic and everyone else sleeps so they don't bother me.

If I had it my way, the only time we'd stop would be for gas - and if you didn't take care of businees then... well, that's too bad. OK - so maybe that's a little extreme, but I just want to get there, get set up and chill out!

Anyhow - you kind of have to gauage it yourself - if it were me, I'd go stright thru. Luckily for us, this trip is only about 3 hours from home, so it'll be a piece of cake...

On the OBX topic: We went back on 05 and loved it. We stayed at Ocean Waves Campground. It's the smaller of the popular cgs on the OBX and right down the road from Camp Hatteras and the KOA. You pretty much can't go wrong with either of the 3. I always reconmend these 3 for folks staying at the OBX beause of thier location - these put you rigth in the middle of all the attractions. 20 minutes north to Kill Devil Hills, 20 minutes south to Hatteras Light House... you cannot beat this location. Plus, like Joe said, you have 'drive on beach access' right down the road. Since you'll be comming from TN, I suggest stright across I40 to raleigh, then take US64 stright to the OBX.

 

About 1 hour why
Nick

 

Well I wounder how many days it going to take from cali to tennesse. To the map quest!!
Nick

 

And the map quest says 2,502 mi – about 1 day 13 hours
Piece of cake
Nick

 

Nick,

What did daddy say...

joe.

 

If you don't drive it, then there is a cheap alturnative... SkyBus flies direct from LA to Greensboro, NC. If you book early enough, you could get each flight/direction for as low as $20 (generally about $75) and then someone from NC could pick up in Greensboro and drive on to the meet. Just a thought.

 

Thanks for the OBX links guys. I am not sure where we are staying at yet, hopefully someplace where we can walk to the beach.

My rig tracks very nice and as you I can also drive the rig with one hand most of the time. I am not overly concerned about myself getting tired out but when the kids get cranky it can really be a PIA. I am 98% sure that I will go straight thru without stopping. I figure 12 hours 6 dvd movies and we will be all set.

Thanks again I have to go check out those OBX links and see if I can get something booked as soon as I hear from my SIL.

Rc

 

I am still in negotions but it looking good
Nick

 

Joe, I sent you a pm on twin creek. Thanks

 

I always thought of that but then I wont Have My Excursion there
Nick

 

That would suck. And by the time of the meet, ull have ur temps. That long drive will be a good practice drive for u!

 

Yah but Me learing to drive with a 35 FT Toy Hauler behind me might be a little never racking but i am up for it ,
Nick