Driving out West to Utah

Mobile will be a good stopping place. This past summer, our first stop was Gulf Shores, AL to hang with friends. From there, we made it to Kerrville, TX (just west of San Antonio). From Kerrville, I drove straight to CA (22 hours with gas & food stops). With time changes, I gained sunlight. So I just kept going. You can get to Moab in 3 days of 8 hour driving, no problem.

Yeah man. Camelbacks are awesome. Get the wide mouth opening. You can fill them up with half ice and half water, and it'll keep you cool as well.

Another thing to mention about the weather, desert evenings can get pretty cool. Even in July. Make sure to have a light sweatshirt or hoodie.

 

Yeah, was thinking of either Texas or New Mexico for my next stop. If I can make it in three days out there may take an extra day on the way back to catch some of the sights.

Was thinking about night time to and was going to look up how cold it gets. The sleeping bags we have now are rated between 20 & 60 degrees, so I think we'll be fine.

Yeah, those Camelbaks are awesome. That's all I use for mountain biking especially if the trails are wet and full of mud.

 

Hey @Unner how often did you have to fill up on your way out there. I'm going to have the bed full of all our stuff plus a hitch rack with the three bikes.

 

From my trips I noticed I tend to get better gas mileage out west at elevation where there's 85 octane available instead of 87. I drive a 2001 4Runner though, so totally different motor and vehicle. I probably get 19 on a good tank. 16 on an average tank. And 12 when I'm driving into a 30 mph headwind like I was across north Dakota. I probably got gas every 250 miles or so, and tried to make that the only time I would stop to save time.

This is in a heavy armored 4runner on 33s though. Definitely look into if the 3rd gen Tacoma can take 85 octane or not as it's available just about everywhere in Colorado and Utah at least. Also be very cognizant of the signs on the highway that say how far to the next gas station. It's not like down here in the south where there's a gas station at least every 15 miles or so. Out there you can drive 100 miles and not see a single gas station.

 

I should be alright then. I'm still stock on the suspension and only went up a tire size when I got tires a few months ago.

Hoping I can do the same as far as stops, but with the boys not sure about that. Thanks for the heads up on the gas station signs. Will definitely keep that in mind.

 

I've made this drive a few times. I normally take the Florida Turnpike to I-10 (4 hours from Stuart, FL) running 75-80mph. I take I-10 to I-65 in Mobile and pick up hwy 98 northwest to Hattisburg, MS then US49 north to Jackson, MS. From there it's I-20 to the DFW area and pick up 287 in Ft. Worth to Amarillo and then hit I-40. Speed limit in TX is 80 posted but everyone is running 90.

I generally spend the night in the Mobile area and then the second night somewhere between Ft. Worth and Amarillo. Makes the 3rd day easy. The worst part is getting out of Florida.

 

Thanks for the information. I was thinking of stopping some place in Texas on the second day too. I agree, getting out of Florida is like watching paint dry. It sucks .

 

Okay, so haven't posted here in a while because I was waiting to reserve the campsite. This morning I was able to do that and now the real planning begins . Planning to keep this thread to document the trip too.

 

@Unner the 4x4 side entrance how is that? Is it easy, moderate, etc.? The reason I ask is because I'll have a bike rack with bikes on the back of the truck and don't want to do anything to crazy.

 

It's pretty easy, not just a dirt road, but nothing very challenging. Just choose your lines wisely on a couple ledges and I doubt you'll have a problem with your bike rack. It's called Willow Springs Road if you want to look up some more information about it.

 

Thanks!

 

Hey @Unner and @JPinFL - what did you guys use for navigation for your trips? I was thinking of getting a Garmin GPS instead of using my phone nav. My truck came with nav, but not sure if it uses my cell signal or satellite for the nav (looking into this).

 

Google maps on my phone for paved roads, download the maps for offline use for the areas you'll be that could be off the grid.

For recording tracks off road and a GPS topographic type of map I use Galileo Pro. I think they've got paved roads and a lot of trails built into the maps also. I believe you have to download the states you want for offline use.

 

Thanks @Unner! I use Google 95% of the time when I need nav. I have been playing with the truck nav the last few times I've needed it. The only thing I don't like about the truck nav is that you have to get the updated maps from Toyota for about $130 . I think I'll go with Google and look at the Galileo Pro.

 

If you do go out I-40 you will go by the Petrified Forrest and Painted desert national parks. Great little ride thru them both. Meteor Crater is 6 miles off I-40 and I must have passed it a half dozen times before we stopped and checked it out. All 3 were worth the stop.

 

Thanks for the info!. Not sure how much we'll see on the way out. Going to take more time to get back so we can see more things. Will add this to the list.

 

Go past Mobile on I-10 and go to Hwy 57 (also exit 57) in Mississippi and stop at the Shed BBQ, probably the best BBQ in the county. Then take hwy 57 north to 98 and you're right back on track. Worth the few extra miles. I plot all my trips by way of BBQ joints.

 

I just used Google Maps.

When we went to Moab, it was a last minute change for our drive home. So we weren't prepared to stay in Moab and do some off-road adventures. We hit a few trails, but didn't venture too far.

 

Thanks! Looks like that may be a good lunch spot.

 

12 days for a trip t Moab from South FL? Ambitious! Frankly, if it was me, I'd hit NM hard, and leave Utah for trip that will be longer. I mean, I can do Denver to Tampa in 3.5 days, but those are brutal driving days!

That said, Moab and Arches are awesome, but I only visit there in the fall. My location has it's benefits!