Preparing for 10 hour drive

[Danio]

I might be driving from Fremont, CA, to Las Vegas within a couple weeks. According to MapQuest.com, it's about 550 miles and a 10 hour drive (each way). Is there anything I should do to my car (1998 240SX) to prepare it for that trip? My friend will be giving my car its 60k miles maintenance this week (later today maybe). Are there any certain things that we should pay closer attention to, or replace even if they're not worn out?

And the less technical part of this post is what should I bring? About $100 just for gas of course. (Hot damn!) A map. A flashlight maybe. What emergency stuff should I bring? I should be driving with a couple other cars so I'm not too worried, but just in case I'm not driving with them. The farthest I've driven is only to Sacramento, which is only about two hours away.

Oh and I'll have a passenger or two for sure. What can we do if we get bored on the road, and what should I do to not fall asleep while driving? =P

Thanks for your help.

[s13driver]

my best advice for you is stop every 2~3 hrs before you killed your legs and you back or whatever i've forgot mention... and then switch around with some 1 driving it for you... get lots of your favorite cds incase of boreness, few bottles of water just incase something... &nbsp;anyways that's what i can think of now .. good luck on you trip &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> &nbsp;and have fun &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[negular]

bust a couple of lines and get all wired... u'll be there in no-time

[Coldsun]

yea dude dont sweat it...
My family used to drive to Florida almost every summer, and we live in NY!!! we did it in a civic, a camry, and a explorer...and in the civic more then once

but i hear ya, your saying what should you check to make sure your car doesn't explode! lol, ok... the main things will most liked be checked in your 60k mile checkup, so dont sweat it... You know, you got good new oil, your tire pressure is good and one wont blow out from under you, your car isn't making weird noises lol you know all that good stuff....

You know, it will be cool if you take some nice stops to give you and ya car a rest, its fun to rush there but you dont wanna over do it... have some fun, enjoy the scenary... You give ya self a hour to chill , and thats like your jus going 5miles then another 5...... I remember i drove to altantic city and i was basically racing the whole way there, we were at like a average speed of 90mph, this was in my accord (top speed 140mph) see now you dont wanna do that, you'lll hurt your car, go fast and have fun if ya want, but dont over do it...

as far as stuff to bring, soda ,chips, and dip -=) nah, cds, and a few good friends, and your straight,...a spare tire, and a cell phone is a plus.... jus have fun man

-Sun

[nuxx]

Get a full maintenance check on your car before you go. Make sure you have some snacks, drinks (preferably water or gatorade, they don't go through your system as quickly and are more quenching), as well as a few vehicular neccessities. Take your cell phone, spare tire, a collapsable gas can, some spare fuses, and so on. Definately take some CDs (if you enjoy listening to music while driving) as well as something to keep your passengers entertained. Overestimate how much gas will cost, never can be too careful.

The Fremont-Vegas run is an easy run, you shouldn't have any trouble. I did the same run many times myself, usually with a stop in LA to pick up friends.

[Thurazor]

I lived off Sobe Adreneline when I drove from Maine to New Jersey. Only stopped twice.

[wherezmytofu]

10 hours is nuthing...i did 16 last christmas....no bath room break no stoping whatsoever.......my dad did 3 days stright..from kali to seatle.... nuthing 2 it...just hab sumthing 2 snack on...and a whole lot of cd's! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wherezmytofu @ May 22 2002,06:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">10 hours is nuthing...i did 16 last christmas....no bath room break no stoping whatsoever.......my dad did 3 days stright..from kali to seatle.... nuthing 2 it...just hab sumthing 2 snack on...and a whole lot of cd's! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wow you drove 16 hours with out stopping for gas? Those Echos are something &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

[rotaryknight]

10 hours no worries!

I've driven to Oregon twice in 5 months...900+ miles each way. &nbsp;Only stopped for gas and I did all the driving.

Just bring a cooler stock it with ice and drinks. &nbsp;Just anticipate things you may need. &nbsp;I had to go up the mountains so I brought chains etc. &nbsp;As far as gas just use common sense. &nbsp;DOn't pull the "I wonder how much i can push out of this tank." &nbsp;If you start gettin low don't risk it get off and buy gas.

[Annoying Eric]

Yeah coldsun imf rom NY also and i have ALOT of family in florida so were constantly going down there.. and im afriad of planes.. so i don't fly down there.... don't worry bro the time will fly like nothing....... just take little stops and switch drives when you get tired or cramps..
later

[rampid360]

10 hours is not too bad. &nbsp;If you are concerned with making good time, I'd recomend not drinking anything and eating some pizza before you leave (pizza is energy food...believe it or not) &nbsp;and BUY A BAG OF APPLES!!! &nbsp; (apples are better at waking you up and re-energizing you then caffeine)
&nbsp; Make sure your car is in good repair...tire tread, check for slipped belts, proper tire pressure, good brakes, alignment problems, &nbsp;make sure your belt is in good shape and all of your oils and fluids (definately washer fluid) are full.
&nbsp;If time is not that much of a concern, stop every couple hours and stretch.
&nbsp;Someone said dont test your fuel limits....this is SO true. &nbsp;I had just under 1/8 of a tank in my old car and was passing an exit...i figured, hell...i can make it. &nbsp; WEll the next exit NEVER came. &nbsp;It was seriously 50 miles till the next exit and i was bustin out the AAA card <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp;
&nbsp;Im pretty experienced with driving long distances, i make a trek from florida to michigan and back pretty often....and during the summer months i travel all over &nbsp;( I am a real live &nbsp;carney in case you guys didn't know &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> )

Good luck with the trip

[azboy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ May 21 2002,12:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wherezmytofu @ May 22 2002,06:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">10 hours is nuthing...i did 16 last christmas....no bath room break no stoping whatsoever.......my dad did 3 days stright..from kali to seatle.... nuthing 2 it...just hab sumthing 2 snack on...and a whole lot of cd's! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wow you drove 16 hours with out stopping for gas? Those Echos are something <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
i don't get it? &nbsp;if you drive 16 hrs without stoping, then why did your dad drive for 3days?

[rotaryknight]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (azboy @ May 21 2002,1:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ May 21 2002,12:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wherezmytofu @ May 22 2002,06:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">10 hours is nuthing...i did 16 last christmas....no bath room break no stoping whatsoever.......my dad did 3 days stright..from kali to seatle.... nuthing 2 it...just hab sumthing 2 snack on...and a whole lot of cd's! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wow you drove 16 hours with out stopping for gas? Those Echos are something <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
i don't get it? if you drive 16 hrs without stoping, then why did your dad drive for 3days?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
He's talking about TWO different trips....one that he did and one his dad did before.

Also by "not stopping" he means stopping over to rest. &nbsp;Technically yes he stopped for gas but he did not stop to rest like a motel or something.

Vauge but read in to the post and you can figure it out.

[Annoying Eric]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rampid360 @ May 21 2002,1:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">10 hours is not too bad. If you are concerned with making good time, I'd recomend not drinking anything and eating some pizza before you leave (pizza is energy food...believe it or not) </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Pasta is real energy food. theres alot of carbs in it, thats why runners eat alot of servings of pasta before running...pizza is just...i don't even know

[240 2NR]

You should have a pretty good idea of how your car is running and what problems you have encountered. &nbsp;I think based on the drive (in the desert), checking your cooling system is a good idea. &nbsp;Have them make sure your water pump and hoses are in good condition and that your levels on all fluids are good. &nbsp;You may want to check wheel bearings, but otherwise I would say with 60k not to wrry too much unless you drive the piss out of it. &nbsp;I've got 60k on my 93 240 and wouldn't think twice about driving across country right now, though adding that much milage would suck.

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rotaryknight @ May 22 2002,07:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also by "not stopping" he means stopping over to rest. Technically yes he stopped for gas but he did not stop to rest like a motel or something.

Vauge but read in to the post and you can figure it out.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Pssstt I was joking with Tofu &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'>

[JeffNJ]

Since everyone is comparing driving stories, I've driven cross country twice now. &nbsp;It's a great time, and I highly recommend the trip to anyone that enjoys driving. &nbsp;It takes about four days of amibitious driving (read: average 800/day), but it's really a good time.

I went with one other person. &nbsp;We drove from approximately 10am to 2am everyday, trying our best to keep stops to a minimum. &nbsp;Drive-thru breakfast and lunch was a must to maintain good time, but stopping for a relaxed sit-down dinner was also a must to restore enough energy to keep us driving into the night.

We switched drivers, but only because we both wanted to drive. &nbsp;Never did either of us utter, "Hey, I've been behind the wheel for 400 miles, when you gonna help?". &nbsp;It was much more like, "Dude, you've been driving since Nevada! &nbsp;When's it gonna be my turn?"

Anyway, ten hours alone is a lot harder than 16 hours with company. &nbsp;Yeah, a good car and healthy supply of snacks is important, but MUCH more important is a nice CD collection. &nbsp;Bring everything you own. &nbsp;=)

Also, if you've got a kickin' cell-phone plan with no roaming or long distance charges, bring a cigarette lighter adapter for your phone - you can talk on that thing for hours to different friends if you really wanna make time slip by faster. &nbsp;Without at least a few minutes of communication, even New York to Boston (about 4 hours) can get boring.

[Danio]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. =)

Hehheh I think I'll be the only one who knows how to drive stick, so if I take my car, I'll be the only one who can drive it. Oh well, based on what you guys are saying, it shouldn't be too bad as long as we stop a couple times along the way.

In fact I would like to make a LOT of stops along the way to take pictures and stuff, but since I'll be driving with other cars, it's gonna depend on what everyone wants I guess.

I don't know what the terrain will be like when going to Las Vegas. I'm guessing a lot of desert and mountains, and some more desert, right?

I think my tires' treads are fine. Getting a little low on the rear ones maybe, but they still pass the penny test just fine. I just won't drive the car too hard I guess. Maybe I should even rotate the front ones to the back.

So...

- Italian food before the trip =P
- basically check everything on car
- apples
- drinks (water and Gatorade)
- snacks
- lots of CDs and a boombox (my deck face was stolen)
- lots of money
- mobile phone and charger
- 2-way radios
- camera
- batteries
- maps
- etc.

Okay, piece of cake. Thanks everyone. =)

[drifting240racer]

I would add make sure you do not HAVE to follow some slow parents or RV or something. I did a drive from Stockton(30-45mins south of Sac,ca) up to the calif/oregon border on the coast aka brokings and i did not have any problem. i took I-5 up to i think it is 28(something like that) then 28 over to 101 and 101 up to brokings. the only part of that trip that was bad was I-5 because it is the same thing for every 3 miles. After that it was fun driving the road and checking out the car(was not my 240 it was a '99 saturn 4-dr 5-speed). But the worst time of that trip was coming back from oregon to stockton. I had to follow my parents and my uncle in their RVs which go very slow. We where climbing a hill in oregon and i was behind both motorhomes and had to stay there. I was swaping cds, changing from hot air to cold air, roling down the windows and i still was having problems. I nearly went off the road because i was falling asleep(i went over the little bumps and was heading for the side of the mountain when i was jared awake) <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> . I drove from San diego to Sacromento which is about 8 hours -10 hours. I had my gf with me and we had no problem. We bought a pizza down in san deigo and packed it into an ice chest in the car. It was nice to have when i was driving.

I am Surprised that no one said GET A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. I did that with all the trips i took and you still can fall asleep but it help big time. Also you might get a can of oil to keep in your trunk never know when you might need a quart!

drifting240racer letting the tires cool &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cool:'>

[drifting240racer]

oh i almost forgot MAKE SURE YOU SEAT IS AJUSTED CORRECTLY. That did give me some cramps before i changed it then i had no problem sitting in my seat for hours!

[Deity]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (negular @ May 21 2002,09:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">bust a couple of lines and get all wired... u'll be there in no-time</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
HAHAH

[sykikchimp]

I've driven from Charlotte to Phillidelphia about 5-6 times round trip. b/w 7 1/2 to 11 hrs (depending on traffic and how much of a maniac I felt like being) It's not that bad. I agree with Drifting240racer SLEEP IS IMPORTANT. I completely totaled a car b/c I fell asleep driving once.. SUCK. I was very lucky to be alive.

One of the trips to and frorm PA was cool b/c Me and 2 of my friends went, We switched off about every 3 hours for the hell of it, then on the way back we switched off cars. That was cool b/c you got to play with a different car every couple hours. (one of them bought a car in PA.. that was the reason for the trip)

[rotaryknight]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ May 21 2002,2:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rotaryknight @ May 22 2002,07:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also by "not stopping" he means stopping over to rest. Technically yes he stopped for gas but he did not stop to rest like a motel or something.

Vauge but read in to the post and you can figure it out.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Pssstt I was joking with Tofu <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Sorry....

Didn't catch the sarcasim. My Bad <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

[misnomer]

WEAK.

I do the Reno to Las Vegas drive several times a year, two lane hiway with a whole lot of nothing to look at, three times by myself with only a stop for a burger in Hawthorne or Tonopah (if you don't know where they are, don't ask 'cause you honestly don't give a damn).

Anyhow, bring some music, some drinks, and some munchies. Hard candy is a great low maintenance sugar feed. If you're going with other people it makes the trip easy, bring a book to read in that case <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Emergency shit: If you work on your own car, make sure you have a toolkit, extra belts, some oil and water. Whether you work on it or not bring some drinking water, a blanket, spare tire/jack/lug wrench and/or AAA card and a cell phone <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Oh, and pillows, gotta have pillows.

[wherezmytofu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rotaryknight @ May 20 2002,8:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ May 21 2002,2:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rotaryknight @ May 22 2002,07:11)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Also by "not stopping" he means stopping over to rest. Technically yes he stopped for gas but he did not stop to rest like a motel or something.

Vauge but read in to the post and you can figure it out.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Pssstt I was joking with Tofu <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Sorry....

Didn't catch the sarcasim. My Bad <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
hahahaha...i new it was a joke cuz ca18guy said it...he's just one big joke &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'> &nbsp;
















<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[wherezmytofu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ca18guy @ May 20 2002,1:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (wherezmytofu @ May 22 2002,06:27)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">10 hours is nuthing...i did 16 last christmas....no bath room break no stoping whatsoever.......my dad did 3 days stright..from kali to seatle.... nuthing 2 it...just hab sumthing 2 snack on...and a whole lot of cd's! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Wow you drove 16 hours with out stopping for gas? Those Echos are something <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
naw i just had a double tank conversion &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[Danio]

Whoops. I just checked my tires today and the rear ones are pretty close to bald. Like 1.5 mm of tread left. The front tires are fine. I only got these tires a couple months ago. >:\ damn they wore out fast. Oh well. Would that be a problem? It should be all right as long as there's no rain, right?

[wherezmytofu]

rember 2 pack everything a switch a flat, a battery cleaner and jumper cord....also radator fuild it will eat it quick &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[basemies]

if at all possible, try and get someone to give you copious amounts of roadhead. &nbsp;this helps time pass quickly.

[BlackFox]

About your car itself, watch the temp of the engine, especiallly if you're going pretty fast. &nbsp;It can heat up real quick on the way down to Vegas. Also if i remember correctly there's a place where the elevation is real low and it can get cold quick, enough for ice to form, so watch out for black ice....(it was somewhere toward vegas, i'm not sure where, it's been a while) oh, if you keep a constant speed that's too high you're gonna burn your gas way faster, so just hit cruse control and sit back and have fun.

Have a good trip. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> &nbsp;
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[xhdriver]

you should leave a week ago so when you get there it isnt too hot and try not to drive at night cause that shit is hella boring.

[silvia240]

suck it up, and drive the whole way there non stop, well except for gas. &nbsp;What i like to do before i drive to frisco is not to sleep the night before so when i drive i am extra tired. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;But for some strange reason that always happenes... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>