How do I plan this road trip?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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How do I plan this road trip?
I'm in the process of outfitting my new Road Glide for a long trip. New Mustang seat, XM, Navigation, CB, T Bags etc. Basic trip to include Fl to NY then Chicago, California and who knows. I am planning on 3 to 4 weeks maybe even longer. I am looking for ways to research this trip. Routes to take, sites to see, places to stay. Any suggestions on resources for planning such a trip or your experiences and suggestions. Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 768
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From: NE Ohio
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
Too much planning translates to SCHEDULE!! Just ride and enjoy. Traveling the old roads would be interesting, 30 & 50; 40 is mostly taken over by I70, parts of 66 are good. There's plenty to see in this country, and if you're young enough, you can take another trip next year! Remember, it's the journey not the destination.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 18
From: Sacramento area
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
We are going from Ca to E. coast in about 2 weeks. This is how we planned.
At least a month round trip. For the last year we have been making a list of places we would like to see. Got a map of the states and hilited each place. We want to start at the Grand Canyon. From there we will look at the map and decide our destination depending on how we feel at the time. This way we 're not trying to get somewhere on a certain day or time. Hope it works !!
The main thing is have fun.
At least a month round trip. For the last year we have been making a list of places we would like to see. Got a map of the states and hilited each place. We want to start at the Grand Canyon. From there we will look at the map and decide our destination depending on how we feel at the time. This way we 're not trying to get somewhere on a certain day or time. Hope it works !!
The main thing is have fun.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
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From: Canton, Michigan
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
ORIGINAL: Floridafred...Basic trip to include Fl to NY then Chicago, California and who knows. I am planning on 3 to 4 weeks maybe even longer...
Running I-95? Savannah, Charleston, Washington DC (the whole Chesapeake Bay area), Williamsburg,on and on and on....Too much.
Just interested in putting miles on? Well ya gotta run the super slabs...But let me tell ya, from years as a long haul trucker...get into Texas and it never ends...Same with Iowa/Nebraska...Or Missouri/Kansas/eastern Colorado...Until you hit the moutains it's pretty boring scenery. But don't discount those states for some really cool things to do...There are many things to explore.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,867
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From: Severna Park, Maryland 21146
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
I would suggest to make a list of what you want to see. North of Maryland I would suggest staying on roads west of I-95, 95 through New York and Conneticut can be brutal traffic wise. JMHO ! Here's what we did in '05 https://www.hdforums.com/m_85662/tm.htm
Just go day to day with losely planned stops. If you stop in a town that doesn't look good to you, just move on to the next one. We figured on a minimum of 300 miles per day. Most days were more like 400 - 450 Depends on how many places you stop along the way.
Just go day to day with losely planned stops. If you stop in a town that doesn't look good to you, just move on to the next one. We figured on a minimum of 300 miles per day. Most days were more like 400 - 450 Depends on how many places you stop along the way.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
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Likes: 8
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
Other than getting some suggestions from people who may have ridden the area you're interested in, you'll have to do your research the old fashioned way .... the internet.
Mapquest is a good mapping site, to plan your route. If you have a feel for which direction your going, google the towns/cities to see what may be happening in the area that you might want to see. Concerts, festivals, races, show-n-shines....etc.
You will have to manage your time once your on the road. It's really tough to do it before you leave. There are too many factors involved...like weather than cause a disapointing change of plans if you plan destination deadlines. Pick a route and enjoy the ride!
Ride safe!
Mapquest is a good mapping site, to plan your route. If you have a feel for which direction your going, google the towns/cities to see what may be happening in the area that you might want to see. Concerts, festivals, races, show-n-shines....etc.
You will have to manage your time once your on the road. It's really tough to do it before you leave. There are too many factors involved...like weather than cause a disapointing change of plans if you plan destination deadlines. Pick a route and enjoy the ride!
Ride safe!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 2
From: Naples, Florida
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
That is a long way with not a lot of time. Last year for Sturgis I left south Florida met a friend in Pensacola road to North Georgia then on to Kansas City by way of St. Louis. Left Kansas City to ride to Sturgis and spent five days in Sturgis and road home. It took almost a week to get to Sturgis and then 2 days back to Kansas City. Because I was missing my little ones, I hauled *** from Kansas City to Naples Florida in 2 days, that was 700 miles a day and it almost killed me. The trip ended up being 5100 miles round trip.
I suggest just riding, hit as much as you can and turn back when it is time to come home.
Like everyone has said, just enjoy yourself. Remember, it is not the destination it is the journey.
I suggest just riding, hit as much as you can and turn back when it is time to come home.
Like everyone has said, just enjoy yourself. Remember, it is not the destination it is the journey.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
My rule of thumb is 500 miles a day average. Some days are a little longer some a bit shorter.
Then break out the maps and decide what roads and towns you want to go thru. But even if you plan it down to the last foot and ounce of fuel you still have to go with the flow and allow for the unexpected.
The need to replace a tire last year changed our route across South Dakota and because of that happenstance we missed a huge t-storm on our intended route.
State and Provincial DOT websites will clue you into major construction areas but you can also get good info from other riders and sometimes locals.
Then break out the maps and decide what roads and towns you want to go thru. But even if you plan it down to the last foot and ounce of fuel you still have to go with the flow and allow for the unexpected.
The need to replace a tire last year changed our route across South Dakota and because of that happenstance we missed a huge t-storm on our intended route.
State and Provincial DOT websites will clue you into major construction areas but you can also get good info from other riders and sometimes locals.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
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From: Alaska
RE: How do I plan this road trip?
Also, take it in stages. Looking at the whole enchilada makes it seem a daunting task. Plan day one first and go from there.
I also never make hotel reservations as I can not guarantee I will be at a particular place each night.
I also never make hotel reservations as I can not guarantee I will be at a particular place each night.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
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RE: How do I plan this road trip?
Fandango6, I've been researching your suggestion on Google maps and I've come up with an interesting trip based on your suggestion. Blue Ridge Mountains and parkway and up to Shenandoah. Looks like a great trip. Thanks
Fred
Fred
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