Planing a Road Trip, Need Help

[divinchi]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I can get some help with information in regards to a long trip. I am planning to drive the X on a very long 2500 mile trip to Clovis New Mexico, with that said; I was wondering how I should prepare for such a long trip. What should I bring, what kind of maintenance should I have done to the X before doing such a trip. The longest trip I’ve ever done is 500 miles to Lake George by car. I usually take planes or buses, but this time I really want to drive, I guess you can call it the late 30’s much needed adventure.
Thanks in advance guys…

[epdarks]

I'm a bit of a road trip conesseiuer. My longest was 6600 miles solo trip over 4 weeks, west coast USA. 2nd longest was 3400 to the east coast. You could say I have a passion for road tripping. I would like to help.

What is the purpose of the trip?
Why NM?
What is the time frame?
Any other riders?

The most important part is the route. What do you want to see along the way? Are you looking to stay in cities, or open to camping in parks etc? Do you know anyone along the way that would take you in? I would recommend doing multiple day layovers in major cities along the way.

As far as maintnence, start with the basics. Fluids, tires, alignment, oil change, throurough inspection, air filter, etc.

Looking forward to learning more about your trip.

[TerminatorX5]

oil change.
all fluids topped off
all tires in good repair, spare checked. maybe a portable pump.
jumper cables
a quart or two of the oil
a blanket or two (how many people in car?), will you be in deserted areas?
some bottled water, some crackers, flashlights (check for batteries), portable CB radio to call truckers for help...

all of that - assuming, you will be far from civilization.
otherwise, ATM card, couple credit cards - you can buy anything on the road...

[divinchi]

I am going to see my 1 year old daughter, unfortunately I am no longer with the mother… it takes three planes to get there with a 6 hour layover going and a 10 hour layover coming back to NY. The last time I was there I swore to drive the next time up. I will be alone on the trip and I wanted to take my time going there to enjoy whatever scenery that this trip offers. I was thinking of at least taking four days to get there the most, I don’t know anyone whom I can stay with along the way, so I would love to camp out in a park, sleep in the car and hopefully find a bally’s Gym along the way where I can shower.
I am so excited as I need this trip mentally as it has been a very long time since I’ve taken time out to myself.
I will for sure take the car in for maintenance, this week I will start to map everything out as far as what will be along the way.
Epdarks, much respect on your road trips, I really want to follow in those footsteps for sure.
TerminatorX5, thanks for the info, ATM card and credit cards for sure, any suggestions on how much cash just in case, I have also bought AAA just in case for tow. Also, any suggestions on an emergency cellphone, At&t doesn’t have service on most of the way on this trip and has no service in Clovis NM.

[TerminatorX5]

depending on the remoteness, you can always rent a satellite phone - but in the US, that might be an overkill. just remember, source of energy is crucial - if your car battery dies, you will have no way of charging your cell phone and whatever else you are charging (still need gas to keep battery alive). so, if the place is so remote, maybe you need a crank up radio and crank up flashlight. If there is no cell phone coverage, consider a CB radio. or get yourself a prepaid phone from a carrier that has coverage in the area

After you maintenance to the car, drive the car for a few hundred miles before going on the trip - just to make sure that during maitenance nothing was dislodged or screwed up.
have itenenary with somebody, post it to your facebook daily, or leave a voicemail with a trusted friend - so, in case if you dissapear, there will be a way to narrow down your location from the last daily report.

AAA - make sure it is AAA Plus, there is a 7 day waiting period before benefits kick in.
as you are checking for the shower facilities, also check to see if the gas stations are 24/7 or not, you don't want to be left without gasoline (I drove on fumes in the mountains of Costa Rica, and the 4.6 is very thirsty).

$300 cash should last you between ATMs, i would not take more than that at once.

after all, you are going to be in the US - how bad could it be???

[motordavid]

We did a 2 month, 13,000 mile road trip a couple of summers ago, albeit in our Vette, not our X. Fabulous trip and very few/minor snags...

No idea of your car MY or condition, which doesn't help the 'car tips' responses.

If it was mine, the usual: oil and filter, coolant check, tire pressure, etc. If little maintenance has been done, I would get brake fluid R&R, check pads and rotors, tire tread, new wiper blades, the usual. One could go crazy and start rebuilding/replacing a litany of items, but I doubt that is your intent.

NYC to Clovis is ~ 1800 miles; regardless of your youth, I don't rec'd trying to knock it off in less than 3 full days, and that will leave you tired. You also have to navigate across some potential 'winter states', unless you are going later...

As for flights, I don't understand your post: a simple check shows many flights, from LGA or EWR to Albuquerque everyday. All have one stop, but not onerous. It's one long 'day' from NYC to Albuquerque, rent a car and 3 hr drive to Clovis vs 3-4 days each way...

We've done dozens of car and m'cycle long distance trips, but I will avoid our list of what we 'take'/use, other than smart phone, lap top, a couple of CCs, ATM card, cash, flexibility and patience.
GL, mD

[jcp240z]

When I was in the military I made a number of coast to coast trips. Just ran the total and it totals ~ 16,000 miles. Great memories in my old Datsun 240z.
I totally agree with the advice and items Terminator and Epdarks have given. I'd add
Ensure you have a working jack, and tools to remove the wheels.
If have the space and the inclination I always put my garage light weight floor jack in for long trips. Haven't had to use it, but...
A tire puncture repair kit (with the pump Terminator recommend) can make short work of a nail puncture.
One of the portable jump start units can cover your emergency power, portable pump needs.

Tunes! When I was doing my travels the I had to use this thing called a "cassette" player. If you go to a museum you can find one. Just make sure you have music, as radio coverage will be spotty and anoying.

Finally, I know that Carlsbad Caverns is 200miles past Clovis but if you can, make the effort. On one of my trips I camped there to watch the bats leave. It was an experience I've never forgotten.

[Naz24]

What engine and year is your X? how many miles on it?

[Skyline]

I did a very similar trip a few years back, from NY to Odessa Tx and back. I did it in 4 days round trip. Drove there in a new Carrera S, and drove back in a 1 yr old Carrera. The Carrera S was really a blast, but it really abused my back, especially in Arkansas, whose interstates are horrible. Needless to say, I kept a pretty decent average speed. I was very tired when I got home. My limit for a day's driving is about 1,000 miles. I think the X5 is a great road trip car; very effortless for long trips.

My recommendations are simple: Get a Valentine 1, and a Passport Laser Jamming system. The Passport Laser jammer is a permenant install only. I have both in my DD, and while no system will give you immunity, these really help. Also, watch out for cops with lights flashing on the shoulder. In a number of the states you will be traversing, if you don't move over one lane or drop your speed to 10mph below the posted limit, you will get a very expensive ticket. In some states, like Tennessee, they set traps for this. Also, make as much use of daylight driving as possible if you want to make time. While traffic is lighter at night, you have little chance to see a hiding PO, and it's better to be going fast in a pack of cars than going fast by yourself. When I need to drive this distance, I get on the road at 5 or 6 AM.

Since you want an adventure, if you want to check off a "Bucket List" item, your route will take you parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is detour that will not take you too far out of your way, and it is an incredible road. But it is also closed for much of the winter, so depending on when you go, you might want to check.

[electricalserv x5]

which X5 and year do You have, if You have a V8 4.4 or 4.6,4.8 a hidden problem is the valley pan gasket , and coolant.
I driven from SD,CA to NYC 2 years back,try to travel light, check all your suspension parts. A oil change would help, and bring some Castrol syntec[people will look at you like You are from mars if You ask for it in some states].
I would take the southern route this time of year.I-40 and just go west,and pay attention to the weather each day. You can do about 750 to 840 miles per day pushing it...........
safe trip. cruse control and good CDs . and sleep 8 hours and take a break after 3 or 4 hours.