I'll be hanging my yankee butt in and around Wichita. Why - got any job opportunities around the area?
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The 1500 Mile Trip
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I'll be hanging my yankee butt in and around Wichita. Why - got any job opportunities around the area?
I have actually done this drive many times!!!!!
I sure hope you don't have to drive through western KS
Hey everyone...chill on ripping Kansas though...I was born there and lived there for 33 years before taking my own drive to New England where I now live...of course now that I think about it, the ONLY REASONS I would ever return is to be closer to family and my fav. sports teams Chiefs and Missouri Tigers!
I absolutely love it in New England now though. Skiing, hiking, fishing, mountains, nice weather, real winters, etc. So now that I think about it- rip away- I do all the time! Especially on Arkansas!!!!The weather sucked (if you didn't like the weather you just waited 2 days) Of course the problem with that was it sucked in some other way when the weather did change. Ice, sleet, flooding, humidity, etc.
The good thing is everyplace has central air, the bad is everyone had to stay inside because it was so stupid humid during July and August.
Back on topic...
I have made that drive many times- where are you starting from exactly, and were are you going in KS? We took several routes each time and have had some good and not so good experiences for sure. We were heading towards Boston the first time and left from SW NH the next time so we took a more northern route than it sounds like you will be taking. Yes, oil change, but DON'T DO ANY CAR MAINTENANCE RIGHT BEFORE YOU LEAVE. Instead do it two weeks before so if anything goes wrong with a repair you can get it fixed before you leave.
We stayed in a bed and breakfast in Akron the first time- was the same price as a cheap hotel...another time we stayed in Danville IN. They had some decent motel/hotels just off the high way. danville is less than an Hour west of Indy. Those are two good middle points in your drive I think- although it depends on where you are headed to in KS. I grew up in KC but have relatives throughout KS.
Personally, I like Kansas.I'll be hanging my yankee butt in and around Wichita. Why - got any job opportunities around the area?
Lived in Manhattan for about 4 years. Still have friends in the area. Nice town. College town -- Kansas State University.
The drive up North on 77 towards Blue Springs is very beautiful country.
On the weekends would visit different places such as Topeka, Kansas City (Kansas), Wichita, Lawrence and a few other cities. Drove out highway 70 to ski in Colorado a few times.
Definitely would consider living there again.
BTW, what kind of job are you looking for?
I would say Top off you windshield washer fluid. Reason being is you are going to get bugs and other gunk that going to get on your window as you drive and you will want to wash them off.
Also make sure your wiper blades are in good working order.
Also make sure your wiper blades are in good working order.
I assure you, no further than Wichita.
I'll be going down I-91 in Springfield,MA/Northern CT to I-84, then from there on its customizable.
Interesting. Thanks!
Something computer maitenance/repair/IT position at a company for a couple months. The only credentials I have is a year experience in PC and Mac repair and a lifetime (21 years) of tinkering from the Commodore 64 on.Sushi said:
But I can fix any PC without saying "You should have got a Mac" more than 5 times!
Just be sure to time your trip out so you don't hit rush hour in any of the big cities...Here is something interesting- when you mapquest springfield MA to St. Louis it comes up as going through Buffalo, Cleveland, then down through Akron. We actually took this route and really liked it better than going down through Hartford, Wilkes Barre and across Penn. I know it seems out of the way to go that far north, but it is clear interstate and very straight interstate goiing that way vs. the windy rought down through CT and Penn. You may want to mapquest both and see how much dif. they are actually.
edit: I just mapquested it and it is 30 minutes shorter to go the Buffalo route from springfield to St. Louis. We enjoyed the northern route for the very reason we had better highways, more towns to hit for food and such. when you take the souther route through Ct you hit tons of traffic and interchanges and then when you get into Penn. there are so few places to eat, get gas (or eat AND get gas ) It would also be a cooler route most likely which would be more comfortable and easire on the car. I think NY has a couple of toll roads on that route but not horrible in price.
NY highways are much nicer than I-80 and I-84 the last time we drove both...expecially better than I-70 but "you can't get there from here" without taking 70 unfortunately. Get ready for a horrible stretch on I-70 in MO. The traffic is horrible for those four+ hours and at times can be worse than any Mass. highway drivers (I lived in MA for a while)
I also went to college in the middle of Missouri and my inlaws still live there and the traffic has gotten 1000 times worse since I lived there apparently.
edit: I just mapquested it and it is 30 minutes shorter to go the Buffalo route from springfield to St. Louis. We enjoyed the northern route for the very reason we had better highways, more towns to hit for food and such. when you take the souther route through Ct you hit tons of traffic and interchanges and then when you get into Penn. there are so few places to eat, get gas (or eat AND get gas
) It would also be a cooler route most likely which would be more comfortable and easire on the car. I think NY has a couple of toll roads on that route but not horrible in price.NY highways are much nicer than I-80 and I-84 the last time we drove both...expecially better than I-70 but "you can't get there from here" without taking 70 unfortunately. Get ready for a horrible stretch on I-70 in MO. The traffic is horrible for those four+ hours and at times can be worse than any Mass. highway drivers
(I lived in MA for a while)I also went to college in the middle of Missouri and my inlaws still live there and the traffic has gotten 1000 times worse since I lived there apparently.
NY highways are much nicer than I-80 and I-84 the last time we drove both...expecially better than I-70 but "you can't get there from here" without taking 70 unfortunately. Get ready for a horrible stretch on I-70 in MO. The traffic is horrible for those four+ hours and at times can be worse than any Mass. highway drivers
I also went to college in the middle of Missouri and my inlaws still live there and the traffic has gotten 1000 times worse since I lived there apparently.
I'm guessing you're talking about Columbia?
Traffic there SUCKS. I took 63 up from Rolla to Columbia once and had to get on 70 for a couple exits to get to my destination. I probably spent about 30 minutes from hwy 63 in Columbia to my destination just because of all the traffic. It's a city of probably about 150,000 people and I-70 is only 2 ***** lanes each direction through there.
I also once did STL to KC and then from KC I went back to Rolla and it wasn't too bad on 70, but that was a weekend. YMMV
You may have already said this, but what part of Kansas are you going to? If it's southern KS, you may be able to get away with taking I-44 instead of I-70. 44 doesn't go into Kansas, but it crosses into OK like less than a mile south of the MO-KS border (link). From one of the last exits in MO or first exits in OK, you may be able to get into a state or US highway and get to where you're going without taking the mess that is I-70. I drive a part of I-44 in MO nearly every weekend and it isn't too bad at all.
As somewhat of a road warrior myself, I second the avoid I80. The road is crap and under heavy construction right now. 90 is a good road. Don't go on the PA turnpike. I81 isn't bad if you don't mind trucks. I68 through Maryland is a great way to head west until Ohio.
My last pushes west were either to Chicago or Denver and I was hammer down on 80.
I did what looks like the first half of your trip from NE to central PA this past weekend. I made it from Keene NH to State College PA in 7.5 hours. Including food and gas breaks.
My last pushes west were either to Chicago or Denver and I was hammer down on 80.
I did what looks like the first half of your trip from NE to central PA this past weekend. I made it from Keene NH to State College PA in 7.5 hours. Including food and gas breaks.
as for hotels....
most hotels are pretty much the same
(low level hotels)
your best plan
get off @ a rest stop and pick up a hotel coupons book
(they are usually green)
these will save you some $$
typically the comfort inn, quality inn, sleep inn- are a good deal
the hampton inn is excellent- but charges up the a** for no real reason
holiday inn express are good
make sure when u check into a hotel to ask
1) free breakfast
2) free wifi/high speed
if you have AAA ask about AAA prices-
typically 5-10% off
--
the new england to kansas drive is quite a haul
i'd spread it over 2 days
and i can do 800 miles in a day no prbm
but- honestly- i'd spread it out
12 hrs in a day is a good haul
15+ is a ton
i've done 18 and nearly knocked myself out
depending on how you are getting out of new england (where you are leaving from)_ it might be a good idea to plan things around avoiding morning traffic in NYC or other big cities
either leave @ 3/4am or leave after 9am-
most of the cities along that route that you spell out (70's) should be fine-
80 through PA is usually the way to go b/c 70/76 is a toll road through PA
but 80 is a toll road through OH and IN
it's gonna be hot down in the plains states (oh, in, il, mo...etc)
so make sure ur AC works
got an iPod?
most hotels are pretty much the same
(low level hotels)
your best plan
get off @ a rest stop and pick up a hotel coupons book
(they are usually green)
these will save you some $$
typically the comfort inn, quality inn, sleep inn- are a good deal
the hampton inn is excellent- but charges up the a** for no real reason
holiday inn express are good
make sure when u check into a hotel to ask
1) free breakfast
2) free wifi/high speed
if you have AAA ask about AAA prices-
typically 5-10% off
--
the new england to kansas drive is quite a haul
i'd spread it over 2 days
and i can do 800 miles in a day no prbm
but- honestly- i'd spread it out
12 hrs in a day is a good haul
15+ is a ton
i've done 18 and nearly knocked myself out
depending on how you are getting out of new england (where you are leaving from)_ it might be a good idea to plan things around avoiding morning traffic in NYC or other big cities
either leave @ 3/4am or leave after 9am-
most of the cities along that route that you spell out (70's) should be fine-
80 through PA is usually the way to go b/c 70/76 is a toll road through PA
but 80 is a toll road through OH and IN
it's gonna be hot down in the plains states (oh, in, il, mo...etc)
so make sure ur AC works
got an iPod?
what took you to Keene? Do you live there? I live in Keene.
I agree most are the same but some are nasty so watch out.
Going to Whichta will be a haul in even two days for sure. It might make more sense to do the recommended 44 route described by yg17.
OH yeah, yg17- yes, Columbia. Lived there for about 6 years during college and after while my wife finished up. I-70 is nasty from Columbia either way during rush hour times- especialy heading towards St. Louis as all along there are med. sized towns where lots of people comute to/from.
18 is a killer. Part of the problem is its so monotonous and almost hypnotizing.
If he takes 91-87-84-81 there are no major cities along the route.
Also the PA turnpike(76/70) is one of the worst roads I've driven that was paved and I use the term paved here loosely.
The iPod is a good idea as well. Its surprising how quickly you tire of the same 6 cd's.
I'm doing a similar trip in a few weeks, but coming from the other direction. I'll be driving from the Phoenix area to Olathe, KS (just outside of Kansas City). Except I'm moving there, so I won't be coming back (thank goodness. So sick of AZ...). Anyway, I plan on getting most, if not all, of my tires replaced, AC recharged, belts changed, fluids topped off, brakes checked, tired aligned, etc. My car has about 150k miles on it, so I want to make sure it's in the best condition possible before driving halfway across the country. It's a Honda, though, so I'm not too worried. But yeah, make sure you take your iPod with you. That's gonna be a long drive. I'll have my girlfriend with me so I'm sure I'll be listening to her most of the time, but the iPod will come in handy when I want to tune her out. (Just kidding, I hope she doesn't see that)
iPod is a must. Or, satellite radio. I've got Sirius and it's awesome. I find that if I have my iPod with me, I'll end up trying to browse through my completely full 60 gig iPod while trying to drive (yeah, not so smart), but changing stations is a matter of pressing a button.
Either way, some sort of music is a must. My dad and I did STL to NYC round trip in 3 days with nothing but the FM radio in the car. It SUCKED. The second we found something good, we'd lose it and pick up crap again. The drive in my car down to New Orleans with Sirius was so much better.
A radar detector is another necessity. If you have the slightest of a heavy foot, it will pay for itself. They're legal everywhere except Virgina and Washington DC, neither of which you should be passing through.
Either way, some sort of music is a must. My dad and I did STL to NYC round trip in 3 days with nothing but the FM radio in the car. It SUCKED. The second we found something good, we'd lose it and pick up crap again. The drive in my car down to New Orleans with Sirius was so much better.
A radar detector is another necessity. If you have the slightest of a heavy foot, it will pay for itself. They're legal everywhere except Virgina and Washington DC, neither of which you should be passing through.
I-70 through Indianapolis is hit or miss. The alternative is to take I-465 around (either north or south) Indy. In my experience, going right downtown is the best route as 465 gets really congested with rush hour traffic out to the 'burbs.
I think they are illegal in NY as well so beware.
I grew up (32 years) in Overland Park- right next to Olathe and have lots of family and friends that live in Olathe. I hope you like BBQ- eat some for me!! Gates and Sons and one in Martin City (just south of KC in MO are my two favorites. Haywards BBQ used to be my favorite (the sauce still is- I get it by the case shipped to me), but the owner has stepped back so much the meat cuts are not near as good as years past. Still great, just not fantastic. Also, great pizza at Rosati's Pizza near Corporate Woods in Overland Park- great Chicago pizza if you like that style- sauce on top!! I miss the food of KC for sure- not the weather (especially tornados!) though.
I am off to eat a crappy lunch meat sandwich wishing I had KC BBQ or Rosati's pizza right now. OH yeah, I sure would ike a Sonic Vanilla Coke right now- with crushed ice!
Good luck in KC
Hey thanks, and thanks for the food tips. I'll definitely try out your BBQ suggestions. The last good BBQ I had was many years ago in Memphis. We actually have Rosati's here in AZ as well, but it's good to know I can get their cheesy goodness still after I move.
Music puts you to sleep eventually. Consider getting some audiobooks and/or podcasts. A good book (or even a mediocre one) keeps you more aware than music.
Be prepared for something entirely unexpected to happen that will put a stop to your trip.
I went on a long road trip around Europe last year, all was going well until near the end of the trip when the clutch release bearing failed without warning. There had been no sign of any issues with the car. We just got back in after looking around Bern and there was a noise coming from the clutch area, less than 5 minutes later it blew. The car was a write off due to the damage to the clutch and gearbox (it was only a cheap car) and we had to fly home (paid for by our breakdown cover).
It was down to the driving style of our driver, he would sit at red lights/junctions with the car in gear and his foot on the clutch, instead of putting the car in neutral. When you sit on the clutch the bearing gets no lubrication.
I'm not saying this will happen to you, but long journeys can put a lot of strain on parts and bring up new problems.
I went on a long road trip around Europe last year, all was going well until near the end of the trip when the clutch release bearing failed without warning. There had been no sign of any issues with the car. We just got back in after looking around Bern and there was a noise coming from the clutch area, less than 5 minutes later it blew. The car was a write off due to the damage to the clutch and gearbox (it was only a cheap car) and we had to fly home (paid for by our breakdown cover).
It was down to the driving style of our driver, he would sit at red lights/junctions with the car in gear and his foot on the clutch, instead of putting the car in neutral. When you sit on the clutch the bearing gets no lubrication.
I'm not saying this will happen to you, but long journeys can put a lot of strain on parts and bring up new problems.