Embarking on a 12 hour road trip in my tacoma.

I’m also trying to decide how to divide it up. I’m taking two days off before Labor Day weekend so I’ll only have 5 days there and back. Probably gonna do 12, stop to sleep a few hours, and another 11-12. All to MAYBE see one particular grizzly in person lol.

 

I have seat covers a lumbar cushion and front and rear seat bracket risers. It's now a pleasure

 

Seat jacker’s made a world of difference for me too.

 

Just drove 2200 miles home from San Diego in 2 days, but I was in a Lexus, thou.

 

I do ten hour days in my SR to Atlanta with no problem, other than being tired of being on the road. Even the basic seats are fine.

 

Bought my 2019 TRDOR in Ann Arbor and road tripped back to Phx. Did it in a couple days, but as many have said, get out and stretch every few hours, this is supposed to be enjoyable! Find some coffee shops along the way - oh, and hand surf out the window. Or even Fist Pump a number of times. 40% better the research says...

https://semi-rad.com/2011/07/make-your-road-trip-40-percent-better-with-fist-pump-out-the-window/

 

I drive thru Lancaster from Pittsburgh a few times a year when visiting family in Kennett Square. Such beautiful country out that way…

 

x2 for this. They offer a lot of good support under your thighs and I feel like it really helps my back out. I had zero pain in my back/legs after my road trip. Besides the normal stiffness of course.

 

I'm good for about 4 hours, then I need a stiff drink, the way people drive on the Highways....

 

I am surprised at how well the taco does on long trips - in terms of comfy-ness and not getting beat-up...
Yes - a Grand Tourer, it is not.. but I've been pleasantly surprised.

 

Semi-regularly do 16 hr days on trips from AZ to NY. Key for me is 200 miles and stop. Get gas, stretch, pee, water up, jerky and/or seeds, and continue. Agree with other suggestion on lighter meals (or food coma will set in). Easier to do out west where I can average 75 mph, and can cover ~1,100 miles in < 16 hrs. East of the Mississippi River, I can only cover 1,000 miles in a day. I really enjoy driving...

 

Longest I drove was Michigan to Yellowstone and back. Lots of 8 to 10 hour days in the truck. I'm 6'3" and had no issues enjoying the drive, sights, and time.

 

Drove from NJ to South Florida in a new BMW X5 with a 6x12 Enclosed Uhaul. A 3+ hour cat nap in South Carolina. Rolled into the hotel off 95 @ 3 am and was out the door @7am, and back on the road. Total trip was just over 24 hours.

 

I dunno - guess it varies, but I get my best gas mileage at around 75 when not towing, I get close to 25 MPG....
As far as flying is concerned, I'd rather be beat senseless than get on a plane these days.

 

Bought in PA, drove home to AZ. More legroom would have been nice, everything else was fine.

 

Dam that’s long distance to buy a truck lol

 

For the OP—I’m focusing on your statement “rough driving locally”. Suggestion—check tire air pressure religiously.

 

Same place I got mine! Still have the license plate frame!

 

My first road trip was 24 hr drive from Jackson MS to CT, long drive but it did great, made sure I went thru Virginia at nite do da police wouldn't know I have a radar detector

Be safe

 

It's going to be really subjective, but I drove my truck 1200 miles home from Texas. I can't speak toward what your suspension, wheels, or tires are going to feel like, but if you are running primarily interstate and don't feel cramped after an hour of driving then 10-12 hours isn't a whole lot different. You have to stop often enough for fuel that it's really just a bunch of short trips one right after the other.

Leave earlier than you need to, drive slower than you plan to, and make sure you get out and walk around when you stop for fuel. On a long trip I prefer to set the cruise at 65-72 for the better fuel economy and I just let everybody in a rush pass me. It's less taxing to be the slow guy everyone passes rather than trying to rush and move in and out of traffic only to get stuck behind left lane hogs and semis passing each other.

Also, stay hydrated! Running low on fluids makes you groggy and more prone to aches and pains.