Cross Country Trip Planning

[TXRaptor]

Texas gun laws aren’t bad, but they aren’t the best either. Texas is #10 on this list. Fortunately I live in #1

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/best-states-for-gun-owners/369075

Thanks for the pointer. They have been talking about permit-less carry for a while, but so far no action on it. They changed the concealed carry to open or concealed, but I rarely see anyone open carry. However, it means I do not have to worry about printing or if my shirt pops up when I am out and about.

I do not mind that people who carry have to take a “safety” class and show they can hit a target.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

the only reason you would get in trouble with guns in ca is if you were to give reason to be searched. while the gun laws suck in ca, they dont stop you at the border to search you. right now they are looking for fireworks being brought over. but they cant search you.

 

[lateralis]

Thanks for the reminder about the firearms. I'm originally from San Diego so I know pretty much everything I have is illegal there lol. All my guns were actually originally purchased down in Tucson when I lived there for a while. Most likely my firearms will be broken all the way down and like @The Car Stereo Company said I highly doubt that I'm going to get searched like that. If anyone was going to hassle me at all it would be the border patrol check points like the ones on the 8 between Gila Bend and San Diego.

Right now I should be hitting the road somewhere around the week of 14th or 21st of September. I don't have an end date for being in WA yet since my new job hasn't told me when I can start work but I'm guessing somewhere around the 1st week of November. So I probably should be in WA by mid October. The last time I drove from NY to WA I did it in 2 1/2 days in a danger ranger with a trailer. This time I'm packing essentials and killing time.

As for the route/ things to hit (in order)

Niagara Falls either NY or Toronto side.
Mount Rushmore South Dakota (maybe some other things in the area?)
Yellowstone National Park Wyoming
Salt Lake City Utah for Raptor Assault (when ever that schedule comes out)
Moab Utah (just don't know exactly what there)
Bonneville Salt Flats Utah
Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Phoenix (Have family in Goodyear)
Glamis Dunes (honestly don't know where to hop on in there. Mostly just want to say I've been there lol) Or Ocotillo Wells since its right off the 8.
Plaster City? I heard of stuff there but I think it would be either dunes or this just to make sure I got to San Diego the same day when leaving Phoenix.
San Diego CA (family again)

Heading North
Yosemite National Park CA
Lake Tahoe CA
cut back over to the coast around San Francisco and hit the 101 North (Pacific Coast Highway)
Oregon Dunes National Rec area
And than on to WA.

 

[isis]

Go south to Memphis then across Arkansas and straight to San Diego. Hit the zoo. Then up the coast you go.

 

[The Car Stereo Company]

we have roc fest the second weekend of october. its in lovelock nevada. if you can make it a couple hours east of tahoe, come have fun with us. inwill be moving to colorado right after the event

 

[PlainJane]

Heading San Diego from Phoenix I
do the Mojave Road from Bull Head Az to Barstow Ca, but that would add a couple of days. LOL

 

[Hdaniel85]

From SoCal, go up the 395, you will be following the Eastern Sierras the entire time, you can also go into Yosemite from 395 (highway 120 west in Lee Vining). It's an amazing drive, the 5 is faster but it's boring. You could then check out Crater Lake in Oregon on your way north. I took this route from Los Angeles to Seattle taking backroads and less traveled roads and it was a blast.

have a safe trip!

Edit: Meant to say the "5" is faster, the 15 won't bring you to the PNW

 

[Ricoman]

Hey guys,

So in the fall I will be moving from NY to WA state and I'm looking for ideas on places to stop and see along the way. It will be kind of round about though since I'm not going straight there. Right now definite stops I will have will be:

1) UT for Raptor Assault
2) Phoenix, AZ
3) San Diego, CA

The last 2 is to see family before heading up the PCH for WA.

I am considering adding in Yellow Stone and Yosemite National Parks. Possibly the Bonneville Salt Flats. I would like to do some "light" off roading while I'm out, but my major concern would be breaking something I can't fix myself and getting stranded. I technically won't have a home to return to at the time so I want to limit possible damage to potential flat tires for the most part lol..

What are you're inputs on things you deem must see, good spots to eat and etc? Also, what extra things do you think I should bring with me for just in case? Right now I'm planning on having these extra bits:

1) 2nd spare
2) Pro Eagle Jack
3) OBA
4) Fuel pack
5) water pack
6) Tools, zip ties, wire stuff, duct tape (fixes everything)
7) maybe a fridge, but definitely a cooler of some sort.

Side note, I will be solo on this trip. I have driven from NY to WA before but I just blasted across the 90 without really stopping.

LOL...made the same move from NY to WA. State back in 1986 and never looked back...where you moving to in WA.?? Hope not Capital Hill
So its been a while and have made the trip back several times for visits,so have done all routes (although sadly to say not in a Raptor,but did in a Semi once..) I think my best was going across the North to South Dakota thru Badlands and stopping to see
MT. RUSHMORE...which you better hurry to see BEFORE they decide to tear THAT down too.>!! I then headed South to Texas,and then across,along the Mexican Border and then up PCH and coast all the way to WA.
Lots of good places to eat,but one that sticks in my head and is still there AND OPEN...is the BIG TEXAN....The Home of the 72oz Steak Challenge...WHICH I WON.. Sure its more touristy now,but if you like good steak and feeling lucky,no charge if you finish
Good luck with your move and be safe.>!

 

[911 Crazy]

From SoCal, go up the 395, you will be following the Eastern Sierras the entire time, you can also go into Yosemite from 395 (highway 120 west in Lee Vining). It's an amazing drive, the 15 is faster but it's boring. You could then check out Crater Lake in Oregon on your way north. I took this route from Los Angeles to Seattle taking backroads and less traveled roads and it was a blast.

have a safe trip!

I used to live in Bishop. The drive from where 395 leaves the 15 to the Oregon border is one of the most spectacular and unknown drives in the country.

 

[Duckgumbeaux]

Great Falls, MT and the Charles Russell Museum and Glacier National Park