Granddaughter is gradationing from ASU in Phoenix AZ. I am thinking making the ride down. Its about 2400 miles from Pa. and google says about 34 hours. So I am thinking if I spend about 12 hours a day on the bike I should be able to make it in 3 to 4 days. looking at two way to go. first is I70 to I40 and the other is I81 to I40 both about the same millage and time. I have road about 1100 mile in 14 hours maybe do that the first day. Just thinking about it. I know at 73 little for that kind of **** but you only go around once.

 

Just be careful where you plan your stops off the highway as there are some bad neighborhoods along that route. At 73 I don't know if I would plan for consistent 12 hour days. Weather might come into play as well. Other than that sounds like a fun trip.

 

Not worried about bad neighborhoods been around the block a few times. 12 hours of ridding do that all the time just never 3 days in a row. I do ride about 25000 a year. thinking making the first day the long one about 1200 miles. All
I really is a hotel with a bar or one close by because I will need 2 to 3 hours of bar time.

 

I wish you luck in your planning / trip should you decide to do it. Really think about a 12 hour day riding, especially on the xways. They alone can wear your *** out in short order. Not to mention long stretches are boring!

 

Cool. I just thought I would mention it as there are a few guys that I ride with that are clueless about that stuff coming from small mid-west type towns. You could lay down a big day like that but too me that would really suck the next day. We rode back from CO a few years ago in two days and that was about as far as I would have liked to push it. On those long haulers I try my best to walk around a lot at stops to keep the circulation moving in my legs and ***. Any chance to get a buddy to take the ride with? Sometimes it's nice to have the company on those long hauls. I am not a fan of traveling in large groups but one or two others make the long hauls more enjoyable.

 

Ive done both routes numerous times[mostly in a cage] and I would personally do 81 and 40---I cannot stand going through Columbus-Indy-and St Louis . Just my opinion

Looks like you could make Nashville area in 1 long *** day [ 750+ miles] probably 14 hrs on a bike--if you choose that stay near the airport. If you're tired before you make Nashville, Cookeville is an option, don't try to go further [ its about 100 miles between the 2 and there are no hotels ] so if you feel like you've had enough stop in Cookeville, otherwise 100 more miles there are tons of hotels and restaurants and bars near the Nashville airport---You'll have to try and make Amarillo Tx after that because there isn.t much between OKC and Amarillo. Ive done Amarillo to Phoenix quite a few times[actually Phoenix-Amarillo] and you cross a couple of time changes so you'd be making up a few hrs from Amarillo to Phoenix---- Stay near the Big Texan and have a meal there, worth it. Let us know which route you decide

Using 70 and 44 will take you on parts of rt 66 if that is something you are interested in

 

Enjoy your trip. When I take long rides, I tend to limit the day top about 400- 500 miles. On the road by 9 and off by 4 PM.

Just be careful

 

I would avoid I-40 from Memphis to Little Rock. Lot's of traffic, lots of trucks. It's scary even in a car. We used to take I-40 from LR to Mem to see family. We found an alternate route. We haven't been on I-40 in several years but I doubt it has improved. Check the state DOTs for construction work, too. I-40 tends to have a lot of construction at least in AR.

Getting through St Louis is not too bad if you stay away from rush hours.

Also, avoid Dallas-Ft Worth any time of the day. Seriously scary on a bike. We live in the area.

Ride safe!

 

I should mentioned I was a long haul truck driver for 40 years so long days are the norm. Yes I think I will go 81 to 40 on the way down but 40 70 on the way back so I can see my old army buddy in ST Louis. If I should decide to do it will be in May of this year.

 

I would Always fly out of NH to Phoenix 2 weeks before Memorial Day and spend a week with my dad then drive him back across the country to my house for an extended stay then when he was ready to go home we would drive back and I would fly home from Phoenix--did that from 1994-2016-- made a few trips sometimes when I was out there I'd rent a bike -love riding in the southwest. Couple times he wanted to go home in August, to the people that live there---it's fn hot in August, rented bike couple times in August and rode up to Laughlin/Las Vegas/Lake Havasu and the areas---Did a lot of rt 66 from Cal-Texas in some of those trips with bike. Take pics for us and have fun