Cross Country by land (ROADTRIP)

[Joel Kleppinger]

Just hit me tonight.. I wonder what the current record is to make a trip from NY to CA by road. I think it could be done with two drivers in 24 hours, but it would be tough.

According to http://www.mapquest.com/cgi-bin /mqtrip?link=btwn%2Ftwn-ddir_na_basic_main&uid=u0m9x7s0d9j8uese%3Aawl67wd07&avoid_lmtd_access=&avoid_toll_roads=&route_type=&uid=u0m9x7s0d9j8ues (http://www.mapquest.com/cgi-bin/mqtrip?link=btwn%2Ftwn-ddir_na_basic_main&uid=u0m9x7s0d9j8uese%3Aawl67wd07&avoid_lmtd_access=&avoid_toll_roads=&route_type=&uid=u0m9x7s0d9j8ues e%3Aawl67wd07&OCC=US&DCC=US&AB_LABELS=&OAB=&DAB=&LangOpt=&uid=u0m9x7s0d9j8uese%3Aawl67wd07&ADDR_ORIGIN=100+MAIN&CITY_ORIGIN=NEW+YORK+CITY&STATE_ORIGIN=NY&ZO=&OCC=US&DSAL=%24%5B3500 -3599%5DMAY+CT%24%24OAKLAND%24CA%2494602%24ALAMEDA+ COUNTY%24US%24%2481821%24AS+CE%2450.000000%24%24%2 40%240%240.000000%24378005%24-1222149%24&DCC=US) Mapquest's data (kind of rough, but still functional), it's a tad under 3000 miles from NYC to Oakland. To do 3000 miles in 24 hours, the average speed has to be 125mph.

Of course, in the Rockies, it might be tough to safely drive 125, so 80-90 would probably be the limit there, and making up the time at 160-180 out on the plains. A good thing about the route is that there aren't as many or as big a set of mountains as if we'd go a more southern route. I-80 is a faster interstate than I-70 out in the west.

Since we'd have to make pit stops every 300 miles or so (about 2-2 1/2 hours), that's 10 pit stops. If each pit stop takes 6 minutes (I regularly do this), that's a full hour wasted. So that moves up the average speed to a tad over 130mph.

There are several cars out there that could do it, but the big challenge would be law enforcement... any ideas? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

I've decided I want to do this, if I can
#1 - figure out how to do it without being arrested upon arrival in CA. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
#2 - find someone to copilot
#3 - figure out how to do it without getting killed.

So what ya'll think? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

--guess it just won't convert that massive link http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by Joel Kleppinger (edited 03-23-2000).]

[jadison]

1st of all...why?
2nd of all...why?
3rd of all...well u guessed it..why?

I mean, u just said "it just hit me tonight", and now all of a sudden u just want to hop in ur car and drive ~3000 miles? Just to see if u can make it in under 24 hours?

Heck, if I had that much free time, and $$, I'd do it! I took a trip from Texas through the eastern US, went Northwest and came back down south through Kansas. I drove a total of 6000 miles over a period of a month that whole trip. It was FUN!

If u got a comfortable car (I mean real comfortable if u wanna go 24 hours almost straight!), a steady supply of coffee, and several CD's, then I say go 4 it!!

let me know...

-jd-

[SysOpt]

Yeah it might be cool but not at 150+MPH without the support of law enforcement unfortunately.

[Joel Kleppinger]

A possible way around law enforcement... drive a police car with sirens blaring. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Why? Because to my knowledge no one ever has... it'd only be a day of my life (check my Unreal Stats sometime... I've spent more than that playing UT in the past few weeks). The biggest one - it'd just be fun.

I'm about to graduate from college... now is time to dream about possibilities. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Of course, I couldn't do it alone (nor would I try to drive the entire way)... that's why I'd drag some other poor soul into it to drive half the trip.

But wouldn't it just ROCK to do? I've been all over the nation, but never coast to coast on one trip, and DEFINITELY never in one day. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Hosack]

I'm in, Joel. I don't mind co-piloting, as long as you're in the drivers seat. Get one of those Phazer things, and away we go. But I tend to agree with Jadison.. it'd be nice to take your time on the return trip.. take a LOOOOONG time..

I wonder if you can be consider a criminally negligent for sitting in the passenger seat?

[This message has been edited by Hosack (edited 03-23-2000).]

[Joel Kleppinger]

Well, sleeping for the next 24 hours would be mandatory... and I'd probably just as soon fly back. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

perhaps EA should just call it NFS 6 and save me risking my life http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Hosack]

They might put it on one of those "cops" shows... =)

[Joel Kleppinger]

oh, and music would be provided by over 1169 songs totaling over 80 hours of music... all by a custom mp3 player (that's currently in progress for my Intrepid).

I have 20 hours of music in my Rock mp3 list so that's another 4 hours to run off of CDs or relisten to some of the songs in the playlist.

So if we do it in Scott's new boxster..... http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[rotax]

first you need a 911 turbo , brand new verry good tires a laser and radar jammer maybe two to be sure,cofee,and why not ..the force

[seti]

There's people that do this on motorbikes. They try to set x-country records, and they go to great lengths to avoid cops.

I don't remember all of the details out of the motorbike mag I read this in...but I remember one feature. They set up a dimmer on the tail light so it would apear to a cop in pursuit (at night) that the bike was pulling away. He also had a laptop mounted on his gas tank....I forget the functions of this. He had various jammers, and a police scanner. I belive the setup was on zx-11.

As for the question "why?"....why not? It makes for a good story and something to talk about years from now. My dad and I have been planning a N/S Sahara desert crossing on either dirt bike or quad.

[jadison]

Heck, I love travelling, anywhere (almost), by almost any means!! That's why I'm joining the Space Program, so I can become an Astronaut and hopefully be picked for a few missions up in space. To me that is the ultimate TRIP. U can't travel faster or longer any other way but up in space!!! Though, if they put me in command of a space shuttle/ship I probably wouldn;t come back...I'd make a stop over by Mars or maybe Jupiter and it's moons, hehe

But seriously, I've loved to travek ever since I could remember, my goal is to travel to all 7 continents and to atleast 100 countries. After that, it's time to go travel a bit farther...Mars!

-jd-

[Amorpheous]

Heh, A McLaren F1 or Ferrari F50 would be the ideal choice for those high-speed runs across the flat states. I doubt you have a million bucks to spend on a car though http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif a Viper is another good choice. I don't see too many other cars that would meet the demand for the kind of driving you'd need to do to make it 3000 miles in 48 hours.

[jad1097]

I could see you doing it in 30-38 hrs.
I did Murfreesboro, TN to Miami, FL in a little over 8 hours(900+ miles). Mapquest says 16hrs+ of course they had the long route on their map.
This was done in my 1984 Olds Delta88.



[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 03-23-2000).]

[Amorpheous]

jad, he's talking about going more than 900 miles though. plus he has to go over the rocky mountains...

[desmocat]

Hey Joel, after you get done with your little cross country deal, jump on a bike and sign up for the next Iron **** motorcycle rally. This little deal makes you go around the parimeter (basically) of the U.S, about 11,000 miles in 10 days! And there are bonus points for going out of the way also. One thing to watch for is if you are going to attempt this feat, be forewarned that after extended periods of ***-hauling, when you have to slow down your sense of speed is altered. I was out on the 916 awhile back and after doing 85-140 mph on some long open sweepers, I came to some 25 mph curves.Well, partly from the tires cooling off and the fact as the bike was trying to slide the front tire I glanced at the speedo and found I was still doing 60!
This has happned to me before, so If you get a chance to get on a deserted road and really haul ***, do it for a while and then slow down to about 65-70,man, you swear you could get out and push your car. You might give the skunk works a call and see if they have any radar absorbing paint laying around from the last stealth fighter overhaul.couldn't hurt...

[barry glisson]

how many miles did the winning car in the 24hrs at daytona travel? what did it cost to run it? if you want to race daytona is the place lol besides its just down the road about 20 minutes. barry

[Joel Kleppinger]

From http://www.jsonline.com/sports/race/ap/feb00/ap-car-rolex-24020700.asp
The winners, who had a virtually flawless race, completed 723 laps for a total of 2,573.88 miles and an average speed of 107.207 mph.

Wow, I figured it'd be up around 150mph avg. Makes a coast-to-coast trip in under 24 hours seem even more challenging. Of course, they had yellow flags to deal with...

I guess you've figured out I'm not really serious, but when I've found something that's never been done before (at least that I know of), I just want to do it. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I've also been told by several people that such a trip would be impossible, and I think it is possible.

Perhaps the only way I could really pull this off is to get some sort of TV media coverage of it. Some friends of mine have suggested a race, but I like the race against time aspect a lot better.

The safety worry could be eliminated if for 30 minutes to an hour at each major town (when I'm driving through), I-80 was cleared of all traffic... or at least the left lane. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Of course, I'm not sure what car would be best... something that's just really, really fast (like a Diablo) would make it easier when I'd get to the plains. The hardest part about pulling this off would be the road from NY through Chicago. After Chicago, the trip could go significantly faster because traffic would likely be less. If memory serves, I-80 isn't that bad in the Rockies... at least not as tough as I-70 would be.

Basically, I'd love to do it because nobody's ever done it, and I think I could do it. Now, if I could just get a sports car manufacturer to donate a car to the project, Bill Gates to buy the use of I-80 for an hour in each major town, and the media to cover the trip, I'd be all set... just need more >100mph driving experience. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Wilmoth]

Ya know, I think it sounds like a really cool idea, but I'm curious as to how you plan to get back to wherever ... I doubt either of the participants would want to drive again very soon ... and I'm NOT volunteering.

[Joel Kleppinger]

probably spend a few days enjoying SF/San Jose and then fly back. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[jad1097]

I would volunter. I would even do it in my 84' Olds! It would just need a couple minor mods.

[seti]

Joel, I think it would be a bit easier than it may seam. The traveling time between is about 56 hours (with stops), going the speed limit. If I was doing this I would only be makeing pit stops and eating junk food in the car. That means to make in under 24hrs....you have to be going an average of 2.33x over the trip-average speed limit. You don't need too great of car for that. You would want a smooth, comfortable highway car (like a bmw 535i http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif) because the concentration needed to drive at those speeds for 12 hours would be nerve racking. I'd volunteer, but I'd have to drive almost as far just to get to NY. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Joel Kleppinger]

Hehe.. I'd consider all offers. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Seti, I don't think that would be the case though. Here's my thinking

Leave the Atlantic Ocean (NY somewhere, probably) at 9-10pm EST. NY and NJ would still be relatively high-trafficed and the max speed would probably be 90-100 until over the Penn state line. There are quite a few cities between the Ohio line and Chicago so that may require sub-100 mph speeds. NY to Chicago is ~850 miles, or a tad under 1/3 of the trip.

Because of this, the first 1/3 might have an average of only 110 mph, with the time being made up on the plains. So in order to catch up and get ahead (because 130 may be unrealistic in Western Nevada and Eastern CA), the car would probably need to cruise for hours at 150+ from Lincoln, Neb. through to Central Nevada (with the occassional speed bump called Salt Lake City or Cheyanne http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif).

Also, keep in mind that we'd probably have to go through Sacramento at rush hour in order to make it to the Pacific by 7pm PST (24 hours later). 80-90 will probably be the best speed through there, although I know 100 is not an impossibility, depending on what I-80 traffic is like there.

So, yes, I think it's doable, especially if police are notified and don't cause any delays. I guess I've always wanted to do the "impossible." No matter how you look at it, being the first to go from one coast to the other in one day would just totally rock... be a blast to do something completely original for once. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[seti]

Yeah I guess I'm used to the more open Canadian Highways. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Does it have to be New York to Oakland? I mean there might be less populated sea to sea routes further south. Like Jacksonville, FL to L.A. ('bout 2400 miles)

[U-96]

I think car reliability would be the biggest problem - just finding a vehicle capable of sustaining that 125mph average for the distance would be an achievement.

Consider the drop-out rate in the Le Mans 24 hour for example - and they have dedicated engineering, professional pit crews, and stacks of money! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Oh, and no mountains.

U-96

[OuTpaTienT]

One word: GUMBALL!

[OuTpaTienT]

U-96, how about your "run of the mill" Corvette.

Couple years ago, a stock Corvette off the showroom floor set a world record for high speed endurance by sustaining an average 175mph for 24hr.

[U-96]

hehe Gumball Rally - that is a great film!
What was the other set of films? Cannonball Run, something like that? Usually on over the school holidays http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

The performance of that Corvette surprises me, but I wonder if that was on a test track... Joel's trip could throw all sort of stuff at the best designed car - dust, heat, humidity, altitude - on his trip http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Maybe a Hummer with a turbo kit is needed http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[edit~ doh learn to type]

[This message has been edited by U-96 (edited 03-24-2000).]

[Wiz]

Cannonball run was a great movie. Joel, if you do this, call Guniness BOok of World Records first, you'll definately set a record for quick trip around the US in a motor vehicle.

[OuTpaTienT]

U, well yeah of course it was on a test track. But still, mighty impressive huh? I mean 175mph!!!! That's like scary-fast.

And Wiz, OMG, you actually think Cannonball Run was worth watching? No wait, you said it was "Great!". [Gasp!] Dude, trust me on this one, go rent THE GUMBALL RALLY. It is the original "all out cross-country race" movie. And in my opinion, the ONLY one worth watching.

[Joel Kleppinger]

Ok, you guys have found me out. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Even though the idea just came to me a couple days ago, the impetus to its creation has been developing over the past few weeks. Here's the rundown:

--About a month ago, I saw Gumball Rally for the first time... loved the movie (though they went way too slow http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif). It was at the back of my mind... and, uhhhh, one of my favorite movies is Smokey and the Bandit - that was further up in my mind when the idea developed. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
--A few weeks ago, I read in the March issue of Car and Driver about guys that took a car out and drove 10,000 miles in 10 days. They switched drivers to make it a reality.
--Scott's thinking about buying a Boxster (hehe.. he needs to share blame http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif).
--The latest issue of Car and Driver described a trip a couple of writers took from NY to SF using the same trail the first woman who crossed the US by car used... they were driving in a Prowler, and it took them 10 days.

The last one is what captured my attention. It was then I started doing some math and realized that a trip like that is technologically possible. When I also started thinking that no one had never done that before, I realized that here was something that was doable, but had never been done. And all the people telling me I could never do it, and it was impossible made me want to make it feasible even more. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

And yeah, a Corvette wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility, especially if it's done that well before. I also would probably fit into a Corvette the easiest (I'm 6'3"). I've never actually driven anything "sportier" than a Chevy Camaro in my life.

While it would be harder than going around a track in some respects, in others it would be easier. After all, for about half the trip, it would be mostly just long straight stretches, especially in Wyoming and Iowa. Less turning means more speed. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Altitude really isn't that bad because the highest point on the trip would be about 6500ft. in central Nevada. That's not bad at all. And if I'm not mistaken (haven't been on any part of I-80 in a while), it's a road that's in pretty good condition right now - at least good enough to support 150 in most places.

[This message has been edited by Joel Kleppinger (edited 03-24-2000).]

[chipbgt]

"Hi, Department of motor vehicles? my name is Joel, I'm a college student and I was wondering if it was possible to drive across the US in 24 hours flat, so If you could just instruct all cops in the United States to let me pass on by tomorrow That would be great.....uh huh...I see....roadblocks, road spikes....uh huh.....what if I produce a pic of socalgal? Really? great, thanks I appreciate it!"

You know, if you were to find a pic to place here that might improve your chances of finding a copilot also http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[OuTpaTienT]

hehehe. ......pssssst.....gumball. I can't believe I nailed it.

Just remember Joel, not all high speed romps on the US highways are fun 'n' games...remember the end of Vanishing Point?

'70 ('71?) Dodge Challenger vs. Catipillar. 'nough said.

If you do decide to set out on such an insane journey, you best have a digital cam with you and document the trip. I think it's be cool if you had a laptop, a nationwide wireless connection, and a camera mounted on the steering column and fixed on the speedometer. Have it take a shot every minute or few minutes. And carry a GPS unit so you can give updates of your precise loc.......wait, no, that's not a good idea huh? LOL.

[Target]

Hate to be a party pooper Joel....but factors I have not seen you take into consideration that will push your avg speed requirements up a couple notches:

-Construction.
-Car that could withstand that speed for that duration of time.
-DEER
-Heavy Traffic (rush hour, semis in each lane, etc.)
-Blue hairs (nuf said)
-Availability of gas in some remote areas as you pass though at 4am

LOL.......

[smokin1]

Well Joel, I'll put it to you this way...I have driven across Canada and the US east to west and west to east over 20 times...and a few of them I was in a hurry...US interstates are best and even in Montana when there was no speed limit, I was pulled over at 155mph and told to slow down...darn near ticketed too...not many cars can run at 150 for hours on end....my current car is at 5300rpm at that speed.....thar she blows!...gas is never a problem no matter what time of day...unless you are on 2 lanes...and that defeats the purpose...Atlantic to Pacific...hmmmm...shoot for 36 hours....
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Andy_L]

a car that will do 125+ and get 300 miles on a tankful?

[Joel Kleppinger]

Well, as for the car itself, perhaps I am a bit hopeful to want 300 miles per tank @ 130+. But the more stops, the faster the car has to go to do it. And no, I don't know what car could do it... that's why I posted. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I thought I had already explained the rush hour and gas station stuff. I'd leave NY at 9-10pm EST. So, I'd be going through Indiana at 4am... a relatively heavily populated area. No worries on gas. Also, because of when I'd be leaving, morning rush hour would be in Illinois past Chicago and Iowa. Des Moines could be a problem - I'm not familiar with the city much so I don't know if you could fly through I-80 at 100+.

Evening rush hour is out in Utah (which likely will be problem in Salt Lake City because I-80 goes through downtown). I'm not sure how to deal with that one. Shutting down I-80 through downtown for a half hour probably wouldn't work too well. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Construction is an unknown - I'd have to find out and deal with it in the weeks just before the trip.
For Deer, I'd just pray real hard before leaving. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif The night stuff will be in the east, which typically has a lower population of those animals... it at least improves my odds.

Oh, and those don't push up average speed requirements... they merely push up the fastest speed I have to hit. If I get slowed down, that just means I'd have to spend an extra hour or two going 5-15 mph faster than I intended.

And yeah, if I did do this, I'd have some sort of transmission or whatever on it. I could never see myself attempting this without the blessing of local/state police or at least their mercy. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif It's just something I want to see done (and would love to be one to do it).

(as an aside - smokin1, you were pulled over in Montana? wow... that's supposed to be America's Autobahn http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif)

[scotter]

well lets see I just did atlanta Ga. to San diego Ca. in 48 hrs 2100+ miles
your best route would be the one I just did I 20 to the 10 to the 8 almost NO mountains at all
nice open roads not much trafic this route could be done coast to coast in 24 hr's plus
I saw almost no cops the whole route
the only bad spot's was going through tucson Az., El paso Tx the dallas ft. worth area and atlanta GA. the rest of the route is wide open with almost every one doing 80+ MHR
and some avrg 90+ http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
as for the car a twin turbo callaway Vette is the car it's good for 160 + and will run 140 all day http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
also if you need a driver I'm all up for this one lol http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif sounds like a blast http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Richard_Cranium72]

Scotter, I did the same trip in July 1976 in the 75 Chevy v-8 Monza and we did it in 44 1/2 hrs. This at a time when the limit nationwide I think was 55. Texas took 13.5 hrs to cross, we raced some army dudes across Miss and the roadway was cement slabs on soft soil. The slabs dropped down on the front and rose on the rear, the Buick Electra left the ground at about 140 mph and came down breaking the transmission oil pan(we chickened out). To answer the question, one man on a Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle averaged 130mph from Ca to somewhere on the east cost I forget. He had a "relief" tube with funnel on the bike for a "No stop, Pit stop" kinda like small airplanes have.. I don't fly well since my Frontal Lobodomy sugery as my ears do not equalize anymore, so all my trips are by car. FYI , Atlanta to Denver, 24hr, to Yellowstone 36hr, to Windsor Ontario 16hr, to Phoenix 36hr, to Steamboat Co 27hr.. Get plenty of bail money before you try this one.. DrVette

[This message has been edited by Richard_Cranium72 (edited 04-01-2000).]

[TAFC Crew]

Car and Driver magazine has been doing this for years. Details at http://onelapofamerica.com/Cannonball/Cannonballfrm.htm

[Joel Kleppinger]

Not exactly. That's actually a seven day trip, and no one did it in less than 30 hours of drive time. They also seem to have taken a good deal of non-interstate highways... restricting top speed. They also limit cars to '71 or older - making choices more difficult.

Doing it in less than 24 hours has never been done, at least not that I have seen so far. Would make such a trip a first.

[TAFC Crew]

My mistake. It looks like they have changed their format from their original concept. Their records show that they made it in just under 33 hours in '79. Since they are limiting their runs to pre '71 and taking days, it doesn't appear to be the all out dash of the original. Not nearly the challange that they once envisioned. http://onelapofamerica.com/Cannonball/Cbl_entrants.htm

[Joel Kleppinger]

Yeah, I saw that.. which is why I made the comment about no one listed having done it under 30 hours drive time. Here's the fastest one on the sheet:


Morin Holly 02 30:03 006 Dodge Van 1971

I love that it sounds like a woman did it in a van, and did it 2 hours faster than the other best time... even though some of those other cars were Ferraris http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[codybear]

I spent the late 70's and early 80's roaming the country on the 2 lanes with my tent in a 68 chevelle SS I restored..Hell, in a heartbeat I would ride shotgun but only if we took the lazy way back and enjoyed all the wonders we just flew past at 130+.....chevy small block 350...with the right engine builder and tranny this baby is about bullet proof and would handle the speeds you will demand...one factor you havent mentioned or I did not see mentioned is mother nature and a flat.. at 130+ and I think you can kiss whatever future plans you had good bye...unless you had a roll cage which adds weight and then you loose mileage which means you will need more stops and thus average 135+.....at those speed even a minor bump is gonna about launch you into orbit...nothing is impossible..not when you can dream

[smokin1]

Still gonna go for it huh?...well I did get pulled over in Montana, and they have reason to do so if they figure you are travelling at an "unsafe" speed...they checked the tire rating, but they wanted to look under the hood I figure....driving long distances at high speed is VERY tiring, and not easy, things happen quickly, consider passing someone going the speed limit at 135, that's like driving past a pedestrian at 80mph...best time to drive really fast is at night..radar isn't used and there are only trucks out there, an open channel on a CB will give you a real good idea where the heat is and you don't have to even talk on it. What car do you figure on using? I'd put my money on a 8 class bimmer for that trip...
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by smokin1 (edited 04-06-2000).]

[smokin1]

double post..sorry

[This message has been edited by smokin1 (edited 04-06-2000).]