| Author | Message | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
My son, who's currently on TDY at Sheppard AFB in TX, is home for Christmas (  ), but will be returning to base next week. He'll be driving back, and since he's limited to 500 miles per day due to AF regs, he'll have to stop twice enroute to sleep. He'll be taking 99 > 58 to Barstow, CA, then I-40 to Amarillo, TX. From there, it looks like US 287 down to Wichita Falls. Any fellow busnuts relatively close to this route that would be willing to let my son sack out on their couch for awhile? If so, please post here, email me direct (click on my name above for the addy) or call 559-260-4106. Oh, he'll be driving a diesel pickup, so any suggestions for inexpensive (!?!?) fuel stops is also appreciated. TIA, and Merry Christmas everyone! RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Rating: N/A |
__. Best of wishes to your son now and all the New Year, RJ -- those serving in the Forces don't get *nearly* the respect they deserve. I drove I-40 from Barstow to the Atlantic Ocean last summer and found that Flying J's were located in about the perfect places to stop and had the lowest cost fuel (I was driving my diesel Jetta). But "inexpensive" is getting to be a relative term. Flying J's website if very useful for trip planning, I've found. Items in the shop are pricey, but they're available. __. And Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all from me, too. | ||
| R.C.Bishop
Rating: N/A |
RJ....my experience also is Flying J is most usually the best price in town, all have driver's lounges, showers, etc in case he's in a pinch. Amarillo has a nice one and a TA as well. Albuquerque also. BTW, the clutch fried on the Crown, Friday....as we were ready to depart for Colo Spgs>  Best wishes to him and a very Merry Christmas! RCB | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Rating: N/A |
"Flying J is most usually the best price in town, all have driver's lounges, showers, etc in case he's in a pinch. Amarillo has a nice one" __. Yeah, and the "Big Beaver Gentlemen's Club" is just across the street from the Amarillo Flying J. I didn't stop in but I did nominate them for the annual "Truth in Advertising" award! | ||
| Kevin Black (Kblackav8or)
Rating: N/A |
500 miles a day? That isn't even a tank of fuel for me. Tell him it is all in the travel claim. Big brother isn't watching if he is on leave, just be sensible and stop when you should which is different for each person. I can do about 900 in a day before I call it quits. I am not affraid to pull over for a power nap or an extended break to include a walk. Another trick is to take off one shoe. Getting air to the feet seems to help keep you awake. Don't sacrifice safety but 500 seems pretty arbitrary to me. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Kevin - It's not that he can't do more - the last time he drove cross-country with a buddy, they made it from Charleston, SC to Fresno CA in three days: first nite Little Rock, AK; second nite Gallup, NM; third nite home. Average speed: 67 mph. But not this time - he's trying to keep it "by the book", which is based on 10 hrs driving time at an average of 50 mph. Looks like he'll be stopping in Kingman, AZ; Albuequerque, NM, and then into Sheppard AFB. Thanks to everyone for your support. RJ | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Rating: N/A |
__. On my I-40 drive (noted above), I did Los Angeles on Monday AM to the Atlantic ocean on Wednesday night. Stops were 1) Albuquerque, 2) W Memphis, Ark. 3) home in North Carolina. All single-handed. __. It worked out OK but it probably wasn't smart to do. There was *very* heavy rain between Memphis and Nashville on Weds AM but got on across the Smokies before dark. Definitely not "by the book". | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Rating: N/A |
Epilogue: Eric made it back to Sheppard AFB safely, ahead of the storms that have been pounding the left coast. He took a little extra time, and spread the run out to around 400 miles per day, ended up averaging 23 mpg with his big F-250 crewcab diesel, running with the cruise set on 70 mph indicated. Thanks to all for your help and encouragement. Now I just have to prepare myself (mentally) for his deployment to Spangdahlem AFB in SW Germany. He's lived out of the family nest for the last four years, but always w/in the same town. Europe's isn't exactly "next door". At least his job is one of those is one that, for the most part, will keep him out of combat zones. . . RJ |