RV trip — Midwest to California — to do or not to do?

[nirc]

I have an opportunity to drive an rv (no cost) from the Midwest to California this coming Wednesday with the family, and will be flying back after 1.5 weeks

Is 2 days enough prep time for such a trip with 4 kids?

Which route is suggested? I am totally overwhelmed with all the different possibilities, to go from Chicago to San Francisco.

[gubevo18]

When in doubt, go.

[nirc]

When in doubt, go.

That was my initial reaction as well. However, once I entered final destination into google maps, I was slammed with all the different ways to drive, tens of campgrounds to choose from etc...

And of course, what to do along the way. Have kids ranging from teenagers to babies, so can’t exactly just decide on a whim what to do etc....

[12HRS]

That was my initial reaction as well. However, once I entered final destination into google maps, I was slammed with all the different ways to drive, tens of campgrounds to choose from etc...

And of course, what to do along the way. Have kids ranging from teenagers to babies, so can’t exactly just decide on a whim what to do etc....

Just start. campgrounds are nice no matter what. if you find you need something on the road there are plenty of walmarts along the way.

[shmebeble]

especially if the wife/ kids can do some research along the way. And its not busiest season (from what I woud guess) so you should have flexibility getting into somewhere.

[sky121]

Carpe diem!

[nirc]

Just start. campgrounds are nice no matter what. if you find you need something on the road there are plenty of walmarts along the way.

Appears to be three main ways to go from Chicago to San Francisco, with not much driving time difference:
1) go little north thru Minn, north/south Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
2) go straight west thru Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Nevada
3) go little South thru Missouri, Oklahoma, new Mexico, Arizona

Couldn't even make it out of IL before couldn't figure out which direction. As u say, campgrounds are aplenty whichever route u drive. However, I am clueless what there is to do/ see in these States.

Thoughts?

[yuneeq]

I'd say go for it.

Somewhat off topic:
I always wanted to do an RV trip but the cost for the RV plus gas seems to be much more expensive than driving and staying in hotels along the way. In this case its a free RV, but in general what's the upside for using RV on long trips?

[mord1]

Appears to be three main ways to go from Chicago to San Francisco, with not much driving time difference:
1) go little north thru Minn, north/south Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho
2) go straight west thru Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, Nevada
3) go little South thru Missouri, Oklahoma, new Mexico, Arizona

Couldn't even make it out of IL before couldn't figure out which direction. As u say, campgrounds are aplenty whichever route u drive. However, I am clueless what there is to do/ see in these States.

Thoughts?

are you guys hikers? you want to see yellowstone or grand canyon?  you  could do your north route and then head south.  keep in mind it is a lot of fuel and fuel prices are a lot higher than last year.

[Galitzyaner]

I'd say go for it.

Somewhat off topic:
I always wanted to do an RV trip but the cost for the RV plus gas seems to be much more expensive than driving and staying in hotels along the way. In this case its a free RV, but in general what's the upside for using RV on long trips?

A. Assuming you're referring to a trip in the region he's asking about (i.e. in the western US - National Park region = CA, AZ, UT, WY, MT, ID, CO, etc.),
there are many ares in/near NPs that are far from any decent hotels, or the hotels nearby have very limited space and are booked very early on or are very expensive.
You also save a ton of time by just pulling over to the forest for the night.

B. It's a lot of fun, and an experience you'll never forget!

(BTW, there's an RV thread somewhere on DDF)

I have an opportunity to drive an rv (no cost) from the Midwest to California this coming Wednesday with the family, and will be flying back after 1.5 weeks

Is 2 days enough prep time for such a trip with 4 kids?

Which route is suggested? I am totally overwhelmed with all the different possibilities, to go from Chicago to San Francisco.

So what happened? Did it?

[PillanSmye]

I'd have taken the 90 out of Chicago.  Decided whether to go North on the 94 or stay slightly South on the 90 until they meet back up in Billings, MT.

Outside of Spokane,WA I think the 90 can split off to the 395.  Take the 395/97 down to Bend and Crater Lake and on to Grants Pass.  Take the 199 to Crescent City and take the 101 through the Redwoods and Sonoma Wine Country to San Fran.

[Jellybelly]

I think the 94 has a higher speed limit, not sure if it’s 75 or 80

[mordechain]

I think the 94 has a higher speed limit, not sure if it’s 75 or 80

In an RV, that doesn't really make a difference.