Driving from California to Mississippi - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

ute4ever · 01-17-2008, 11:35 PM

I will be driving a full Penske truck for 1800 miles this weekend and want to avoid hills. Mapquest has the shortest route to include driving up the 17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and then east on the 40. But I've been on the 17 and I remember it being mountainous, as is northern New Mexico.

One alternative is to stay on the 8 and then take the 20 through southern Arizona and Texas. Anyone familiar with these areas, what do you recommend in terms of the flattest route?

Brian · 01-17-2008, 11:51 PM

put some preparation-H in your knap sack.

MikeWaters · 01-17-2008, 11:52 PM

try google earth to get an idea of the topography.

Zulu451 · 01-18-2008, 12:22 AM

I don't know what I-10 looks like west of El Paso, but once you get east of El Paso you will not likely see another mountain for literally a thousand miles. Speed limit is 85 (not like you will be goosing the Penske truck). VERY flat.

Just FYI, El Paso is actually 50 miles closer to LA than to Houston. Long freaking drive. Best time to do it is in the winter months when it is nice and cool outside.

FMCoug · 01-18-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ute4ever

I will be driving a full Penske truck for 1800 miles this weekend and want to avoid hills. Mapquest has the shortest route to include driving up the 17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and then east on the 40. But I've been on the 17 and I remember it being mountainous, as is northern New Mexico.

One alternative is to stay on the 8 and then take the 20 through southern Arizona and Texas. Anyone familiar with these areas, what do you recommend in terms of the flattest route?

Take I-10 to I-20. We've done the drive many times.

And be prepared for some of the boringest scenery in the country. I-40 is prettier but Flagstaff is definitely in the mountains. And even through Albuquerque there are some hills.

ute4ever · 01-18-2008, 01:42 AM

Head east on the 8 for 349 miles
Merge onto the 10 for 488 miles
Merge onto the 20 for 421 miles
Merge onto the 30 for 326 miles
Merge onto the 40 for 126 miles
Turn right onto the 55 for 15 miles
Exit freeway (0.8 mile from destination)

Sounds easy enough.

FMCoug · 01-18-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ute4ever

Head east on the 8 for 349 miles
Merge onto the 10 for 488 miles
Merge onto the 20 for 421 miles
Merge onto the 30 for 326 miles
Merge onto the 40 for 126 miles
Turn right onto the 55 for 15 miles
Exit freeway (0.8 mile from destination)

Sounds easy enough.

You could even stop for a visit with the CG Dallas contingent. Mike and I both live right off of I-30, though I'm quite a bit farther east. Out of the hood.

Detroitdad · 01-18-2008, 03:12 AM

You could always go through the desert on the 15 and then take off at Barstow through the Mojave. That will take you through Flagstaff but the mountains are not really that bad, certainly not as bad as the Mountains on the edge of San Diego county (which were the absolute worst that we had to deal with when we did almost exactly the same drive going to San Diego).

I just drove this route last week and it is not so bad. Besides you will burn up more gas driving further in that big old rig.

Just my two cents.

ute4ever · 01-18-2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FMCoug

You could even stop for a visit with the CG Dallas contingent. Mike and I both live right off of I-30, though I'm quite a bit farther east. Out of the hood.

Ha I do need a place to watch the Chargers game on Sunday, but there is no way I'll make it all the way to Dallas by kickoff. I'll have to find a restaurant somewhere in central Texas that will be broadcasting the big upset.

danimal · 01-18-2008, 04:03 AM

When I did it I essentially took the 40 until St. Louis, then the 55 straight down to Memphis. obviously though this route would be too high for you. I was lucky to get sporadic NPR along the way -- take your own music!

01-17-2008, 11:35 PM	#1
ute4ever I must not tell lies Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,103	Driving from California to Mississippi I will be driving a full Penske truck for 1800 miles this weekend and want to avoid hills. Mapquest has the shortest route to include driving up the 17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and then east on the 40. But I've been on the 17 and I remember it being mountainous, as is northern New Mexico. One alternative is to stay on the 8 and then take the 20 through southern Arizona and Texas. Anyone familiar with these areas, what do you recommend in terms of the flattest route?

01-17-2008, 11:51 PM	#2
Brian Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Oak Ridge, TN Posts: 1,308	put some preparation-H in your knap sack. __________________ e^(i * pi) + 1 = 0 5 great numbers in one little equation.

01-18-2008, 12:22 AM	#4
Zulu451 house-elf 3rd class Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 386	I don't know what I-10 looks like west of El Paso, but once you get east of El Paso you will not likely see another mountain for literally a thousand miles. Speed limit is 85 (not like you will be goosing the Penske truck). VERY flat. Just FYI, El Paso is actually 50 miles closer to LA than to Houston. Long freaking drive. Best time to do it is in the winter months when it is nice and cool outside. __________________ <---- Mikewaters drives the lane...

01-18-2008, 04:03 AM	#10
danimal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Your mom's house Posts: 588	When I did it I essentially took the 40 until St. Louis, then the 55 straight down to Memphis. obviously though this route would be too high for you. I was lucky to get sporadic NPR along the way -- take your own music! __________________ Tobias: You know, Lindsay, as a therapist, I have advised a number of couples to explore an open relationship where the couple remains emotionally committed, but free to explore extra-marital encounters. Lindsay: Well, did it work for those people? Tobias: No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but...but it might work for us.

01-17-2008, 11:52 PM	#3
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	try google earth to get an idea of the topography.

01-18-2008, 01:42 AM	#6
ute4ever I must not tell lies Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 5,103	Head east on the 8 for 349 miles Merge onto the 10 for 488 miles Merge onto the 20 for 421 miles Merge onto the 30 for 326 miles Merge onto the 40 for 126 miles Turn right onto the 55 for 15 miles Exit freeway (0.8 mile from destination) Sounds easy enough.

01-18-2008, 03:12 AM	#8
Detroitdad Resident Jackass Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Roswell, New Mexico Posts: 1,846	You could always go through the desert on the 15 and then take off at Barstow through the Mojave. That will take you through Flagstaff but the mountains are not really that bad, certainly not as bad as the Mountains on the edge of San Diego county (which were the absolute worst that we had to deal with when we did almost exactly the same drive going to San Diego). I just drove this route last week and it is not so bad. Besides you will burn up more gas driving further in that big old rig. Just my two cents.