Road trip

So next month I'll be putting my new Taco to the test. I'm packing the bed full and going on a one way road trip from NC where I bought my truck to AK where I live now.

Taking the ferry route so it will be NC to WA. I'm gonna do some touristy stuff along the way but not too much since the bed will be full of stuff. It will be interesting to see how the gas mileage and aerodynamics play out since my bed load will be about 5-6 inches above the cab. Maybe I should ride with the sun roof popped up in back hahaha

 

It will vary probably with head wind and at times and going with the wind. Also, with the bed load catching a little bit. On the other hand it will be highway driving. Let us know how is goes.

Welcome to TW.

 

Lame. Driving on the ALCAN is awesome

 

Are you running a cap?

I’d be really concerned about your rig or gear getting stolen if you have it all exposed.

 

So I hear but Canada frowns on transportation of handheld lead dispensing devices so no Alcan this go round

 

No cap. Since the load is so much taller than the cab I opted to forego the cap. Everything is going to be in sealed plastic totes and shrink wrapped like a big pallet.

I'm concerned about possible theft and vandalism as I'm going solo but the best I can do is park backed in at every motel stop along the way.

 

I've done the coast to coast route many times. It wont be much of a test. Your truck will have no issues except getting poor gas millage. Most of the interstates you'll be traveling have 70-80 MPH speed limits. Between your high load, headwinds, and high speeds, I bet you'll average 15-16 MPG.

 

Hey, Spokane. That's my last planned stop along the way. Any recommendations for motels to avoid or to stay in?

 

I guess you get what you pay for. We've got everything from five star resorts to shady motels, all within a few miles of each other. For through travelers, I recommend hotels in Spokane Valley because they're safer and the price point is a better than trying to find something downtown. Best Western in Spokane Valley is pretty solid. Have a good trip. Honk when you drive by.

 

If I were doing a coast to coast trip I’d consider the Trans America Trail. NC or OR. On my bucket list.

 

Sounds like fun. Nothing better than a road trip. I envy you.

 

i've done the trip from NC to WA alone also, whats your route? i've done 40 mostly flat and boring until you get near Colorado, 95 to 20 to 10 to 5 which can take what seems like eternity but more options when you get around passed TX.. how long do you have?

 

I have 5 days to get to Bellingham. I've mapped it out over and over. I'm going from NC to Indy. I'm gonna tour the speedway and then head west to Rushmore for a day (Rushmore, Sturgis, Deadwood).Its going to be I-90 from Sioux Falls to Seattle then north a bit

 

oh nice, thats a route i have yet to take, maybe one day...enjoy the trip and make a trip report if you can...my boss just rode to sturgis and back 2 weeks ago on his harley and said it was epic, deadwood was a great stop also...when you get to Seattle look up the Troll under the bridge...even for a quick pic its a pretty cool thing to see

 

Where in AK are you moving? My wife and I visited last Sept and still cannot get over the sheer beauty, scale, and rawness of the state. We spent 3 days in Denali with once in a lifetime weather, saw northern lights in Fairbanks, and the beauty of some of the coast in Seward. Hats off to those to live in that state!! Can't wait to get back.

 

I'm in Wasilla so I'm close enough to Denali to day trip it. I haven't looked around much yet but as soon as the family joins me I've got lots of plans

 

Ate at the Mat-Su Family diner in Wasilla. Nice local joint! Also went up into Hatchers Pass area... so beautiful. Walked around the old gold mine there and loved it.

 

So, possible wrench in the road trip plan as the Alaska ferry system is now on strike. Unless they get back to operating in the next couple weeks it looks like I'll be driving the Alcan after all

 

I just drove from Portland, Oregon to Niagara Falls, New York and back took a northern route through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula of Michigan down the middle of Lower Michigan to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, then backtracked by way of Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho back to Portland for a total of 5953 miles averaged 21 miles per gallon