Folks, if you're not using ChatGPT to help with your trip planning you are missing-out on a great source of information and support. I am not saying this should be your "end all, be all" trip planner, but it is a GREAT help, especially in early planning stages.

Fine tuning your plan and getting real-life input from real-life people (best from who you know and trust) is always the most valuable planning tool.

I thought I'd share an example of what I mean... I am starting to think about a coast-to-coast trip, from San Diego, CA back to Florida. My wife will fly-out and I will ride-out, pick her up and make the trip back together.

I want to get to San Diego as quickly as possible, so I ask ChatGPT for help:

"Recommend a 3-day ride on the motorcycle from Largo, FL to San Diego, CA."

This is what I get from ChatGPT (all of it from the above single prompt / question):


A 3-day motorcycle ride from Largo, FL to San Diego, CA is an ultra-long, endurance-oriented transit, not a sightseeing ride.

This plan assumes:

• Strong long-distance riding experience
  
• Early starts, late finishes
  
• Interstate priority with limited diversions
  
• Focus on efficiency, safety, and fatigue management
  

Total distance is approximately 2,350–2,450 miles, depending on routing.

Recommended 3-Day Endurance Route

Largo, FL → San Diego, CA

Routing Philosophy

• Use southern interstates to avoid mountain weather risk
  
• Keep routing simple and predictable
  
• Overnight in large metro areas with 24-hour services
  
• Avoid complex urban riding at night where possible
  

Day-by-Day Breakdown & Rationale

Day 1 — Largo, FL → New Orleans, LA

~680 miles | 11–12 hours saddle time

Why this works

• Florida is flat but congested; get through it in one push
  
• I-75 → I-10 is straightforward
  
• New Orleans has abundant hotels, fuel, and late dining
  

Key notes

• Depart pre-dawn (4:30–5:00 AM)
  
• Expect humidity and traffic through Tampa and Tallahassee
  
• Stop every 90–120 minutes to manage fatigue
  

Day 2 — New Orleans, LA → El Paso, TX

~900 miles | 14–15 hours saddle time

Why this is the hardest day

• Long, monotonous West Texas stretch
  
• Heat and wind exposure
  
• Limited services between towns late at night
  

Key notes

• Leave before sunrise
  
• Fuel proactively; do not skip opportunities
  
• Maintain hydration aggressively
  
• El Paso is a logical high-capacity overnight stop
  

Day 3 — El Paso, TX → San Diego, CA

~820 miles | 13–14 hours saddle time

Why this finishes strong

• Dry climate improves endurance
  
• Good road quality
  
• Psychological advantage of crossing into California
  

Key notes

• Desert temperature swings are significant
  
• Expect afternoon crosswinds in Arizona
  
• Final leg on I-8 is mentally easy but physically tiring
  

Critical Reality Check

This ride is comparable to an Iron Butt–level effort, especially Day 2.

Not recommended unless:

• You are comfortable with 700–900 mile days
  
• Your motorcycle is properly set up (seat, wind protection, lighting)
  
• You can manage hydration, nutrition, and mental fatigue
  

If your goal is arriving functional, not merely arriving, a 4-day version would be materially safer and more enjoyable.

Essential Prep Checklist (Condensed)

• Hydration system (CamelBak or equivalent)
  
• High-quality earplugs
  
• Night-riding capable auxiliary lighting
  
• Chain/belt inspection before departure
  
• Fresh tires with adequate tread
  
• Weather layers for desert night cold
  

If You Want Alternatives

I can:

• Convert this to a 4-day or 5-day safer plan
  
• Optimize it for avoiding night riding
  
• Tune it specifically for your motorcycle model and fuel range
  
• Align it with seasonal weather windows
  

This 3-day plan is achievable, but it is strictly a transport mission, not a leisure ride.


And I'm like,"Damn, I'm done!"

Unless y'all have any additional advice, of course.

 

Very Cool, thanks!

 

Ok, that is very impressive!

 

Yeah, I've been using Chat Gpt as well as google AI for trip planning. Really useful and the fact you can tell it to adjust on the fly makes it so easy to use.

 

Everything listed is obvious

 

My daughter got me on it a year ago and it is incredible. It has really helped recently with information on my cancer diagnosis. You can use it for pretty much anything and everything.

It is getting better, and I find the more specific your request the better the answer.

 

I did that exact trip in 5 days on the Shovel.
6 on the return.
Texas is big!

 

I typed in your trip and got this (only showing the first day):-

Here’s a 3-day motorcycle ride itinerary from Largo, FL → San Diego, CA that balances big miles with scenic and interesting stops — perfect for a long-distance cruiser or sport tourer. The overall trip is very long (about ~2,400 miles; ~37 + hours ride time total one-way) so we’ll keep each day full but feasible for a seasoned rider.

🏍️ Overview (Largo, FL → San Diego, CA)

Total distance: ~2,400 miles / ~3,850 km one-way
Total ride time: ~37-38 hrs if done straight, so this 3-day plan still means long days in the saddle.

Day 1 — Largo → Lafayette, LA (~850 mi / ~13-15 hrs)

This is a big first day, essentially crossing Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and into Louisiana.

Morning departure from Largo

• Head west on I-10 — long interstate cruising but it’s the best direct route early on.
  

Suggested stops / vibes:

• Pensacola, FL for a first leg break (snacks, water).
  
• Mobile Bay Bridge views.
  
• Cross into Mississippi & Alabama Gulf Coast — a chance for a quick seaside break if you want.
  

Overnight:
📍 Lafayette, Louisiana — Cajun food scene and good rest after a long day.

 

That's interesting - in a "more than one way to skin" a fish kinda way...

I might actually go back and tell it to consider Lafayette as my first day stop to carve-out those extra miles from Day 2 and make the push to El Paso that much shorter.

I've been to New Orleans but have not been to Lafayette - that alone causes me to reconsider.

But - Google Maps tells me New Orleans to El Paso is 1,117 miles (not 900) and Lafayette to El Paso is 962, so it bears repeating that AI-related responses require some additional scrutiny.

In reality, I've got plenty of time for this trip and started poking at this to get some ideas going. I've been so impressed with how helpful ChatGPT is I thought I'd share for the unaware.

The beauty of using it is the ability to continually build on the responses. Following up with additional, alternative and/or more specific prompts to fine-tune and get exactly what you need from it.

 

I'm glad you posted. I'm a put the destination in my satnav kind of person.

I tried it with a ride that is being planned for later in the year and I might make the suggestion to use ChatGPT to see if it offers up something new for the ride organisers.