jmoney6

So i'm taking my car from Florida to California in a few months. Should have about 5k miles when I leave and 8k miles when I get there.

Anything I should do, worry about or know for a long trip?

Also how can I best increase my mpg for a long trip?

jkeller

I made a round trip from San Antonio to Vegas last December. Overall mpg was 27-28 if I'm remembering it right. Cruise set on 80-85 most of the way. A very loooong 600 mile stretch from San Antonio to El Paso, but speed limit of 80mph and no traffic pushed my cruise to closer to 90mph. Stretch of IH10 from San Antonio to Ozona TX(200 miles) is surprisingly mountain like. Lots of 6-7% grades. Are you stopping along the way to site see or driving straight through? Oh yeah IH10 is 870 miles long from east, Beaumont, to west, El Paso, roughly half of your driving trip will be in Texas.

vinnier6

I may be inclined to plastidip the front end unless you have clear bra

bclexus

Keep your distance to reduce the sandblasting and chips on the windshield and front end, especially from central Texas westward to California where it is desert dry and sandy.

CEOEngr

In west Texas fill-up with gas in San Antonio/Boerne, Junction, Fort Stockton, and El Paso even if your tank is still half full. Premium gas can be quite expensive at smaller or isolated towns; they are located quite far apart. Also, on I-10 at Texas New Mexico border you will go thru HLS checkpoint, and at times the lines can be very long but they move you thru quite rapidly.

JellyBean

Avoid at all costs Houston and San Antonio during rush hours.

jkeller

Border patrol checkpoint is just west of Las Cruces NM for westbound traffic, Sierra Blanca TX for eastbound traffic. The one in TX is famous for catching music band's tour buses with drug sniffing dogs. Willie Nelson, Fiona Apple and others have spent some time at the Sierra Blanca court house.



Take a 12 pack of water and a can of tire repair, just in case.

SC300Es

Don't forget duct tape.

jjscsix

Be prepared for very hot weather and plan for the worst. Check your spare tire pressure and be familiar with the tire changing procedure in case you have to change one in hot weather. I once changed one with 102 showing. Also, have a few bottles of water with you. Air up your tires for best mileage and wear. I have learned to stop every two hours at most even if I don't feel the need. A few minutes out of the car walking around is a good thing.

ModInJapan

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like a fun trip with your GS! I'd take it to the dealer for the 5k service before the trip and have them check out everything, wash the car, put air in the tire, etc.. good luck and drive safe!

-Josh

jkeller

jjscsix

very good advice.

http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot...a_brochure.pdf

Im2bz2p345

Curious what HLS stands for. The only thing that I could think of was Harvard Law School, but that doesn't make sense with the rest of your sentence at all, haha

~ Im2bz2p345

Afrosheen

1. Take a little cash. You never know when/if an ATM or card reader will be working or available.
2. Bring a real camera, stop and take pictures when you feel like it. You may never see these parts of the country again. If something catches your eye, go take a picture.
3. Stop when you think you may want to stop. If you get the "nose to the grinding wheel" mentality, it will make you fatigued more quickly and you'll be more miserable overall. Think about the drive as an adventure.
4. Stay far, far away from semi's. Nearly impossible these days, but the last thing you need is a windshield pelted with gravel or a surprise road gator flying up and whacking the front of your car. Pass them asap. They love racing each other uphill on 2 lanes, and nobody ever wins.
5. Chat with the locals wherever you stop. Most people are friendlier than you know. Especially fellow road travelers along the highway. It'll enrich your experience.
6. Get an idea of where you'll be stopping for gas. If it's near or in a major city, fill up even if you don't think you need to. Nothing worse than a 400 mile stretch of highway and your fuel light comes on. Been there many times, it's nerve wracking.

jkeller

homeland security- it's a border patrol patrol station they stop all cars and ask if your a US citizen. They are on all roads in Texas that come out of Mexico. I've been through them more than 500 times. It takes less than 10 seconds. There are cameras that take pictures of you( facial recognition) and your license plates and they are run by DEA, looking for drug smugglers.