X3world - View Single Post

B-Line · #6 08-20-2008, 09:50 PM

You need to first remember, everyone calculates their trip differently.

When I used to go from Columbus Ohio to New York, I would time my trip from door to door. It was always a contest to beat my last time.

But I also always prepared for the drive. The day before I would fill up the tank, air in the tires, snacks for the drive.
- I could make it 625 miles with only one brief stop to fuel up.
And often I would leave late at night (9pm-10pm) to avoid all traffic and would drive through the early, early morning.

Then there are other people who calculate their drive from city to city rather than door to door. Do you stop at the Waffle House for breakfast? Does your shotgun need bathroom breaks every hour? Did you get gas up the night before?

The quantity of time it takes to get from A to B has less to do with your speed in my opinion and has much more to do with your planning. Going faster of course helps to compound the results but if you want to make great time:

-Leave when there is no traffic and arrive when there is no traffic.
-Have your snacks in a bag in the car
-Take your bathroom break when you need to fill up.
-Fill up the night before you leave (and air in the tires and windshield wiper fluid)
- Skip the meal at the Waffle House, it will just give you belly aches anyway.
- If you HAVE to take an unscheduled pee break, use a road side rest stop instead of a gas station 1 mile off the interstate.
- Secure your bags, gear, before you leave.
- Don't travel with friends who have to stop at every souvenir shop so they can get a new lighter.
- Don't travel with friends who smoke if you don't let them smoke in the car.
- Get sandwiches and even keep a little cooler in the car for drinks and food. If you are traveling with a friend, you can even go gourmet and bring cheeses and salami's and crackers.. etc.

etc.

btw, I'm older now and getting to my destination as quick as possible is no longer my goal. Instead of leaving late at night, I prefer to leave early in the morning so I can enjoy the scenery along the ride. I stop for meals. I will take a longer route if the drive is more interesting.. I guess our priorities change as we age.