Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 We are thinking of planning a complete surprise trip for our kids in August. Because of other trips we have planned this year we would not be able to fly down so we would be driving down for the first time. We would drive straight down I-5 and would be switching off so we could drive without staying the night somewhere. Has anyone done this? Do you have any trip advice as far as good places to stop for gas or food or to pee (rest stops and such)? Thanks in advance for any help!
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF I have done this.....can't remember a thing......except for..... going---we went by Crater Lake...(we were coming from Vancouver Wa) and when we drove back.....we went thru Las Vegas and Reno. We ate alot of In and Out burgers.....and I do remember....even though...I would rather fly anywhere....this was a very nice drive. Oh, I also remember alot of desert driving...I am not any help.....but, it is a doable trip and I wish you a safe one.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker My brother and I once drove from Portland to San Diego almost non stop. We ended up stopping at four in the morning when we realized we were going to LA at 7. It was an emergency so hadn't planned ahead so you should be able to avoid that. Make sure the driver has something to occupy them during the night stretches when the other one is sleeping. Your kids might be able to help with this.
Originally Posted By WestWind We are driving from BC this July for the first time instead of flying. We debated how long to take for the drive which is about 24 hours of driving according to internet maps sites. As we do have the time, we decided to try to enjoy the drive and allow time to stop along the way and stay off the I-5 as much as possible as I hear it is boring. We are going to San Francisco for 1 day/night then south along the coast to LA. For the way back we are going to Vegas to stay and day/night. Driving straight through may be okay if you had willing and capable drivers.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Have driven from Bc to Anaheim once, and from Bc to vegas then to anaheim 3 times. In my opinion i would stop once for a night of sleep even if its only for 5-6hrs. With stopping over for a night we still had a 16hr drive. Lately a lot of the Nocal rest areas have been closed down. For gas i always do arco b/c its the cheapest and fill up in Oregon cheaper as well. When you are in more popular areas gas up because the stations out in nowhere rip you off big time. " For the way back we are going to Vegas to stay and day/night." WestWind when you are driving back from vegas are you taking the 1-5 or another route? Last time i went a new route and from surrey-Vegas it wasa little less then 17hrs.
Originally Posted By WestWind Our return trip plan is Vegas, Salt Lake City for 1 night (I want to see the Bonneville Salt Flats), then thru Idaho and just into Montana where we will stay a night, then through Spokane and on to home (interior of BC). On our way south we plan a couple night stays even before we get to San Francisco.
Originally Posted By tashajilek What part of BC exactly? Well,WW you are going to have a great trip! nothing beats the freedom of having your own car on a trip.
Originally Posted By ksargen I've driven from Bellingham to middle of the state in two days, by myself, in a Uhaul. Stayed with family both nights. Ah, youth. It should be driveable with trading off. I hope you're good at sleeping the car. 5 is not nearly as boring now as it was 10 years ago - more places to stop. Be aware that our great state has a fondness for revamping the rest stops in the really out of the way spots, and thus having them closed when you want them open...
Originally Posted By ksargen I've driven from Bellingham to middle of the state in two days, by myself, in a Uhaul. Stayed with family both nights. Ah, youth. It should be driveable with trading off. I hope you're good at sleeping the car. 5 is not nearly as boring now as it was 10 years ago - more places to stop. Be aware that our great state has a fondness for revamping the rest stops in the really out of the way spots, and thus having them closed when you want them open...
Originally Posted By WestWind tashajilek, I am in the South Okanagan. It appears you are in BC as well - where?
Originally Posted By TINK-MOBILE We have driven 5 times from BC , the time you leave makes a difference when going thru the mountains , the first time we left at about 6am , took our time with breaks and arrived in Grants pass around 8 pm stayed the night , left at 820 am and arrived in disney around 8pm...we had 7 so there were a lot of breaks and I was the only driver......driving wise it was about 20 hours . Next time we left at 12 30 in the afternoon , drove straight thru...got into portland at 6pm , then drove thru arriving in stockton a 730 am , had a few naps...but did not like driving thru the mountains at night,,,had breakfast with friends then left for disney at 11 am arrived there at about 3pm..... Then next time was winter time again,, this time we left at 1 am...drove thru to portland for breakfast at about 6am... then we drove to stocktom arrived at 7pm, we stayed the night in santa nella at the holiday inn, the breakfast was great, arrived in disney at 12 30 pm... The next time we left at 430 pm got to portland by 10pm...drove to grants pass, had a hours nap, then drove to stockton arriving at 7 am...had breakfast, were in disney by 1 pm... The last time we left at 11 pm got to grants pass at 630 am , had breakfast, then drove thru the red woods, a long drive , got to the golden gate bridge at about 630pm , it was starting to get dark, we then went over the bridge headed back to the i-5 and stayed at santa nella again, left at 7 am got to disney at 11 30 am.... Wow i feel as if i just drove it again, i was the only driver...
Originally Posted By Pollyana Many family memories driving from Seattle to Anaheim. We always stayed in Redding, CA as the half way point. I pesonally would not recommend driving straight through. That is a long drive. Then again, I am older and now days we stop more frequently. But now our drive is from Phoenix! Much shorter.
Originally Posted By TINK-MOBILE How far Pollyanna, yes I agree stopping over , you feel so much more relaxed, we like Santa nella , because then the drive isn't so far , onlt takes about three hours to get over the grape vine and about an hour or so to disney from there, and its in the morning.....time...
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 Thanks for all of the suggestions guys...I really appreciate it!
Originally Posted By Tink60 We tend to drive rather than fly. We live just off I-5 in Albany Oregon. We drive 65/70mph with frequent stops. "I need to go potty", gas/food and the "oh my these kids need out of the car for a few minutes". It takes us 17 hours from the front door to Disneyland. It is possible to make the trip as a straight drive thru but it is much easier on Mom and Dad if we do an overnight stop.
Originally Posted By Audrey I've done the drive from Auburn to Anaheim 3 times and I highly recommend stopping to spend the night on the way down. I've driven straight through and I've stopped, and it's just a much more enjoyable drive if you stop and rest. Try to get as far into California as you can, and sleep for a good 6-8 hours and then get back on the road. The traffic is always bad once you get down into LA and Anaheim, I remember always being frustrated about getting so close to Disneyland and being stuck in traffic.
