Four 1500 mile road trips this year?

So last month I drove from Colorado to Virginia for school. It's about a 1500 mile drive. I really would like to have my 2001 during our five week winter break so I can drive up to the mountains and ski while I'm back home in CO. My parents' cars aren't equipped or available for that. I also plan on working full time for that period so a vehicle would be very helpful. My question is, after driving here to Virginia from Colorado, with 260k miles on the odometer, can my taco take that drive home to Colorado and then back to Virginia in December? And then again, back home for the summer in May? Would it be wise as I would like this truck to get me through at least the next 3 years? Anyone have experience doing long distances multiple times a year? This is a very nuanced question so I'm just looking for opinions.

The initial drive out here posed no serious issues. It idles in park a bit rough but that's the only thing I notice different after the drive. I have a 2001 Tacoma DC Auto V6.

 

Very interesting question, with so many unknown variables to consider.
My vote is have it checked out at a shop... YMMV

 

Can it make the drive? Sure. Might get stranded in the middle of Kansas or something, but you can certainly get in the truck and start driving.

At that kind of mileage, I would be weary about that kind of driving. You need to know your truck well to trust it on those kind of trips, especially in December in cold weather areas.

With the amount you’d be spending on gas and hotels, consider a rental SUV for skiing and using your parents vehicle for work when possible.

 

Yes long distance driving is better on a vehicle then a bunch of short distance trips. It’s heating up and cooling down that puts the most wear on a vehicle. As long as you keep up with maintenance. Might actually be good for it. Drive safe.

 

We drove from CA to TX and back which was 1700 miles a few months ago and will do it a few more times this year and the next. I don't see any issues if your truck is up to shape. We had the bed loaded down and towing 1,100lbs to boot.

 

I am in the same boat at 322k and I travel to Colorado from NY. Invest in roadside assistance. My back up plan would be to rent a trailer and U-Haul it back home. Also invest in a decent set of basic tools and check that you can drop your spare. (If not throw a spare in the bed with some straps). Also having some extra oil. brake fluid. steering fluid and coolant. Small compressor. can of fix a flat and some plugs.

 

My old 2001 idled rough when throttle body was dirty.

 

The only issues I would have concerns would be heat soak issues that appear after 10 plus hours of steady driving.

Make sure all the drive train vents are clear and working!

Keep an eye on the trans fluid and engine oil you should be good to go.

Fuel costs are the only thing keeping me from trips like that.

 

My wife & I do multiple trips of over 1000 miles every year to off-road destinations. As long as you keep up with the maintenance you should have no issues.

 

I've driven to Florida and back many times over the years (~1k each way, plus around the area) and make the journey in one shot (roughly 15.5-17 hours depending on roads/traffic) and never an issue. with the air moving over the radiator and other components heat soak was never a concern

as others have stated, maintenance is key. also do you trust your own truck and driving ability. if not then you have your answer

 

I did about 5,000 this summer and about 4 last. Just keep up on maintenance as others have said