Driving Tips

Driving Tips for Cross Country Travel It is best to take a Northern route (I-40, I-70 or I-90) in the late summer. Your car might melt (brake cylinder etc.) if you overheat it. Keep in mind that I-70 will take you over mountains when driving from the West to the East. Most cars might not fare well making that journey. Do not take Northern routes in the winter (especially if you are not used to ice and snow). Try not to let your gas tank get less than half full at any point. It is possible to be stranded for several days if gas cannot be delivered to that area. If the check engine light goes on - pull over immediately and let the car cool for at least 20 minutes (if it is safe to stop). Do not simply keep going until you reach the next gas station - as something may be partially melted, and cooling immediately could prevent total breakage. Remember to push the clear and cancel buttons after using your credit card at the gas station (to prevent theft). This information is subject to change as road conditions vary. Please call 511 to check road conditions before traveling. This information is used at your own risk. East to West tips: I-40 is fairly smooth driving. You go through salt flats on the West coast. It looks like the desert covered with glass. There is usually a gas station at the mid point of the salt flats. I would not recommend driving through Arizona between late June and September. You might not be able to make it all the way through due to heat waves. It is possible you may have to fly out or stay for a long time. During the winter I-40 is occasionally covered in snow and ice (if there is a blizzard). It does snow in states along I-40 (especially in Jan and Feb). Be sure to check the weather. As an alternative - 1-10 is usually not covered in ice during the winter. is fairly smooth driving. You go through salt flats on the West coast. It looks like the desert covered with glass. There is usually a gas station at the mid point of the salt flats. I would not recommend driving through Arizona between late June and September. You might not be able to make it all the way through due to heat waves. It is possible you may have to fly out or stay for a long time. During the winter I-40 is occasionally covered in snow and ice (if there is a blizzard). It does snow in states along I-40 (especially in Jan and Feb). Be sure to check the weather. As an alternative - 1-10 is usually not covered in ice during the winter. I-10 is also smooth, but is too hot in the summer in the Southwest (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit in May). In San Antonio I-35 goes straight up to Oklahoma I-40. In El Paso you can take I-25 up to I-40 if you need to. Do not take NM 107 since it is 37 miles of gravel, and the rocks are about 2-3 inches wide. I would not take I-10 to go West of San Antonio or El Paso in August. The sun has a much stronger effect in the Western areas. It is very dangerous to break down and sit in the heat and sun in that area. Keep a gallon of water, bag of ice, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, battery operated keychain fan, and possibly an umbrella in the car. I-90 is fairly smooth, but has brush fires in the summer. It also goes through the Dakotas which look like a Clint Eastwood movie (few gas stations). It can be very arid, and there are alot of little rabbits. Definitely keep your gas tank half full. About I-20: You can segue from I-10 to I-20 just Southeast of El Paso if you need to (it starts around Jeff Davis County). I-20 goes East through Ft Worth and Dallas, and continues East until near the middle of Georgia. (In Dallas you can take I-35 up to I-40). I have only taken it to get from I-10 in Louisiana to cities in the eastern part of Georgia. I-10 connects to I-20 via I-55 in Louisiana. The eastern part of I-20 is fairly smooth, but avoid the Atlanta, Ga. area within a few hours of rush hour. You may be stuck in traffic for a long time. If that happens - I would just pull over at a venue and rest until it is over. Nevada driving tips: South to North tips near Nevada: There really isn't a good route up through Nevada. Your engine might get gravel in it, and there is a stretch of no gas stations for 90 miles. There is a hwy through Utah, but make sure you don't go through Salt Lake City at sunset/rush hour. People tend to have car trouble. It is considered polite to say your prayers frequently. You might be able to go through California along I-5. North to South near Nevada/Idaho (if avoiding Utah): From Idaho I-95 cuts through Oregon to connect to I-80. I-80 goes to Sacramento, Ca, and from there you can connect to I-5 which goes to Los Angeles. Please call 511 to check the road conditions. I-5 connects to I-210 E which connects to I-10. You can also segue to I-40 near Bakersfield, Ca. Arizona driving tips: It is very dangerous to break down and sit in the heat and sun in that area. Keep a gallon of water, bag of ice, food, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, battery operated keychain fan, and possibly an umbrella in the car. South to North Arizona: I-17 connects I-10 Phoenix with I-40 Flagstaff AZ. The Grand Canyon is in Northern Arizona. Texas driving tips: If it is recommended to go North you can do so in Dallas and San Antonio (I-35) and Houston (I-45). South to North tips near Texas (Dallas): I-35 can lead you North from I-10 (in San Antonio), through Dallas TX (I-20) to Oklahoma (I-40). In Texas: If traveling from West to Northeast - I-30 goes Northeast connecting I-20 Dallas TX to I-40 Arkansas. This route takes you East. In Texas: If traveling East to West - I-35 goes straight up from Dallas to Oklahoma I-40 if you need a cooler climate (I-30 takes you in the wrong direction if you are going to the West coast. It does not go Westward from Dallas TX). South to North Texas: I-45 connects I-10 Houston with I-40 Dallas. Louisiana driving tips: If it is recommended to go North you can best do so in Lafayette (I-49), New Orleans Laplace (I-55) or New Orleans Slidell (I-59). They connect to I-20. South to North Louisiana: I-49 goes Northwest and connects I-10 Lafayette to I-20 Shreveport, Louisiana. I-55 goes straight North and connects 1-10 New Orleans (Laplace) to I-20 Jackson, Mississippi. I-59 goes Northeast and connects I-10 New Orleans (Slidell) to I-20 Birmingham Al. Florida driving tips: South to North Florida: I-75 connects Miami Fla to I-40 near Knoxville Tn. I-75 also goes through Atlanta and several major Georgia cities. This information is approximate, and last updated August 2019.

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