phoward_15

Been a while since I've been on the forums. My wife and I are doing the monstrous drive cross country from BOS to SFO. We'll be leaving on December 15. I wanted to touch base on this forum to look for any tips, recommendations, to-do lists before we take on this venture.

I recently had the oil changed, new tires, brakes, and wipers put on the RDX so I feel as though it's in good shape to handle the drive. My one concern is doing the drive in winter time and how much snow we might get. The traditional route is to take I-80 the whole way, but wondering if taking I-70 is better since it's a little more south and there might be less snow. Any one who's actually had experience with this I'd greatly appreciate your advice.

Also, I'm planning on buying a tire pump that goes into the lighter socket and also a 120v plug that goes into the lighter so we can power laptops, etc. Any other handy gadgets to have?

Thanks in advance.

ADD

If you take I-80, bring cables. Depending on weather and road conditions, Caltrans controls I-80 in the Sierras.

phoward_15

Hi ADD - Thanks for the advice. I assume you mean that Caltrans isn't great???

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for a 12v dc to 120v ac car converter?

flyv65

I-70 can be very passable through CO in the winter, as long as you're not driving through an active front when you leave Denver (down to about Glenwood Springs). If you're really worried about the high country in the Rockies, you need to drop to 40 to be on the safe side...

Vividsi

what about the fluid for the transmission, transfer case, diff, power steering, radiator? then maybe an allignment.

mrgold35

I just traveled from ABQ to Steamboat Springs, CO, for Thanksgiving. I had to take I-70 over the Eisenhower tunnel which is 11,100 feet. I purchased chains for my 08 RDX just in case (Thule 12mm XG12 Pro Deluxe SUV/Crossover Snow Chain, Size 245). The owner’s manual only requires chains for the front tires only. I also purchased a small shovel to remove snow around the RDX (like the folding entrenching shovel used in the military). The weather was bright, sunny, and +45 degrees driving up and back a week later. I really didn’t need the chains because the weather was so nice; but, better safe than sorry.

Eisenhower tunnel in Colorado and I-80 Donner Pass (7,000 feet) in Nevada/Cali border would be the trouble spots if the weather turns bad. I used to live in Reno, NV, for 5 years and they occasionally close the Donner pass due to weather. You have to have chains available if the conditions require them for both locations. The DOT usually gets the roads cleared and you don’t need chains within 24-48 hours (as long as it stops snowing).

I-40 would be a safe (but longer) route 95-99% of the time. I think chains are not a requirement when it snow in these spots. Some trouble spots if the weather turns bad on I-40 are:

- Santa Rosa to Clines Corner, NM (+7300 feet)
- Sedillo Hill between Edgewood and Albuquerque (+6800 feet)
- Gallup, NM, can get snowy/icy (+6400 feet)
- Flagstaff, AZ (+6900 feet)

Some retailers allow you to turn the chains back in if you don’t used them after the snow season.

Good thing about the west is the speed limit is 75 mph. I usually set my cruise control to 80 mph and people still pass me on the hwy. I think it drops back down to 65 mph when you get to Cali.

mrgold35

Another (minor) issue is the TPMS. Because of the higher altitude/cold temps, the TPMS can read 3-5 PSI lower compared to a hand held gauge. I’ve notice if you only put 32 psi in the tires and the cold temps and high altitude can make the TPMS read sometimes below 27 psi (when the TPMS warning starts to alert). I usually put 32 psi in the summer (because the psi always goes higher once I start driving hwy when temps are +95 degrees). I put 35-36 psi in the winter so the TPMS will read no lower than 31-32 PSI on the coldest day.

Mr Marco

Correct me if I am wrong here but...If you are going from one airport to another, would it be quicker, easier and less expensive in the long run just to fly?

kingkong222

Getting groped by the TSA and dealing with the unruly passengers is no fun. I'd rather drive.

Ken1997TL

I've done similar trips from Oregon to Boston and back.

Take I-70.

pickler

i don't know if you need chains but in -30'c weather i have managed to plow through a foot of snow with all-seasons in Canada. the problem is not going, it's the stopping. get some good winter tires for cross country travelling like Michelin xice series. other tires with aggressive tread patterns really suck on dry pavement. otherwise you do not need any special fluids or anything just make sure you have gas in that tank.

Mr Marco

Watched two ladies request a patdown on my last flight. Totally f'd everyone up with the 6 bags they left on the luggage scanner. I was so tempted to trip the bitches when they were struggling to get past me in 1st class with all that carry on.

Thanks^ reminds me that I forgot to put air in the snow tires when I did my semi annual "filling of all things that require air in my garage" last week.

phoward_15

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. After doing some research and talking with AAA I think the below is the route we're going to take. Based on GMaps it looks like it only adds another ~160 miles instead of I-80. And I won't have to stress about snow the entire trip.

Boston to Columbus (90-84-80-71)

Columbus to St. Louis (70)

St. Louis to Oklahoma City (44)

Oklahoma City to Bakersfield, CA (40)

Bakersfield to San Francisco (5)

Mr. Marco, I hear ya but we have 3 cats we need to transport and that's just going to be a pain in the ass, and more expensive. So we'll just suck it up and be the Griswald's for a week.

Thanks,
Paul

mrgold35

Are you going to make a stop in Las Vegas, NV? It would be a shame to go that far and not to stop for one night to check it out.

phoward_15

Hey - We're going to be south of Vegas. Going through OK, NM, AZ as we're going to hit LA to see in-laws then head to SFO. I've had enough travels to Las Vegas. Kind of sick of that place. :-)

dkswim

i have travled I-70 a lot. lived in denver grew up in kc. travled I-80 through Iowa and Nebraska. I-70 throught the mountins is kept cleer real well Ive never had issues on it. I-70 beeing farther south being less seceptible to snow closures and more travled would be my choice

dkswim

but it looks that 80 is the shortest distance. my as well pla it by ear if there appers to be snow coming or in the past day or two cut down to 70. best cutdown places would be 76, 35, 55, and 71