Central Texas --> Upstate NY & Back Trip Log

[Joestac]

Leaving Sunday to head to a family reunion in upstate NY. Roughly 1900 miles one-way.

Current itinerary.

Day 1: Driving to Arkansas and staying at a interesting hotel spot. Figured my first day of driving I'll want a nice shower and some relaxation.
Day 2: Driving from Arkansas to West Virginia and staying at the North Bend State Park in a cabin. This will be a longer travel day.
Day 3: Leave North Bend State Park and head to Shenandoah, staying inside the national park in a cabin. Shorter travel day.
Day 4: Leave Shenandoah and head to NY, about an 8 hour travel day.

Bought some new gear and taking existing.

Fridge > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHRH5541?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (BougeRV 12 Volt 23qt) For drinks and some easy sandwich materials just to keep me from stopping at McDonald's along the way.

Power bank > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7PPG25F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (Jackery Explorer 1000) To plug into the 1200 watt outlet in the back while driving to charge the unit and run the fridge from. Then when parked, the battery alone disconnected from the car should keep the fridge going plenty long. If my thinking is correct that is.

Seat pad > amazon.com/dp/B01CKMP24E?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title (Purple). Killed the pad because it was too thick and made me sit too tall in the seat.

I'll update gas mileage and some pictures along the way. Not brave enough for tent or car camping yet as I've not camped since I was a yout. This is the start of that so I can build up some gear and practice and then that will be the plan on future trips.

No plans on the trip back yet. Figured I'll stay in NY through the 4th of July weekend and then see how quickly I'd like to get home. I have pushed it straight through before but it was not pleasant and I also wasn't alone. So will probably at least make it one overnight stay somewhere on the way back.

Edit: Made it to North Bend State Park despite Google trying to get me killed and having me take a rock and gravel road that has been washed out and had fallen trees to dodge at 10:30 at night. Luckily, I drive a 4Runner. Rigid lightbar came in clutch for sure.

Started with a full tank and these are all my fill ups so far. Pretty impressed, actually. Despite sitting on I-30 outside Texarcana for an hour and 15 minutes because an 18-wheeler carrying fruit caught on fire, and a few traffic slowdown. I've been crushing at 65 MPH with adaptive cruise set. I did try Eco mode on some back roads before leaving Texas and it only seemed to make MPG worse.

65 MPH seems to be the sweet spot so I didn't push it to a full 70 when that was the limit and I'm not in a hurry. Car computer says total trip is averaging 20.2 MPG for 1345.4 miles and 24:19 hours of driving, or of the car being on, not sure which that timer is and too tired to Google it.

Also, my straps on the fridge and battery kind of gave up hope when you start hitting bumps and they jump up. I had the side to side secured, forgot about getting hang time. Also, also, I-77 in West Virgina, who hurt you? 70 miles of patch work bumps in the road that don't play nice with a solid rear axle. I can't imagine people rolling Jeeps through there.

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[Nodak]

Leaving Sunday to head to a family reunion in upstate NY. Roughly 1900 miles one-way.

Current itinerary.

Day 1: Driving to Arkansas and staying at a interesting hotel spot. Figured my first day of driving I'll want a nice shower and some relaxation.
Day 2: Driving from Arkansas to West Virginia and staying at the North Bend State Park in a cabin. This will be a longer travel day.
Day 3: Leave North Bend State Park and head to Shenandoah, staying inside the national park in a cabin. Shorter travel day.
Day 4: Leave Shenandoah and head to NY, about an 8 hour travel day.

Bought some new gear and taking existing.

Fridge > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHRH5541?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (BougeRV 12 Volt 23qt) For drinks and some easy sandwich materials just to keep me from stopping at McDonald's along the way.

Power bank > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7PPG25F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (Jackery Explorer 1000) To plug into the 1200 watt outlet in the back while driving to charge the unit and run the fridge from. Then when parked, the battery alone disconnected from the car should keep the fridge going plenty long. If my thinking is correct that is.

I'll update gas mileage and some pictures along the way. Not brave enough for tent or car camping yet as I've not camped since I was a yout. This is the start of that so I can build up some gear and practice and then that will be the plan on future trips.

No plans on the trip back yet. Figured I'll stay in NY through the 4th of July weekend and then see how quickly I'd like to get home. I have pushed it straight through before but it was not pleasant and I also wasn't alone. So will probably at least make it one overnight stay somewhere on the way back.

the seats (at least in the platinum) where night and day compared to my 5th gen on long drive days.

what was soreness and aches in the 5th gen after 10 hrs didnt happen in the 6th gen after 12hr or 14 hr of seat time. was more refreshed vs the 5th gen. so you should be able to do longer travel day without an issue from my 4k trip recently (1750 1-way across 3 days down from ND to ATL and 1750 across 2 days from ATL to Fargo ND. i spent the night with the daughter and did the last 250 miles on the 3rd day)

i will be doing this trip again labor day week and the wife is going to be the passenger princess this time around.

 

[Joestac]

the seats (at least in the platinum) where night and day compared to my 5th gen on long drive days.

what was soreness and aches in the 5th gen after 10 hrs didnt happen in the 6th gen after 12hr or 14 hr of seat time. was more refreshed vs the 5th gen. so you should be able to do longer travel day without an issue from my 4k trip recently (1750 1-way across 3 days down from ND to ATL and 1750 across 2 days from ATL to Fargo ND. i spent the night with the daughter and did the last 250 miles on the 3rd day)

i will be doing this trip again labor day week and the wife is going to be the passenger princess this time around.

Good point, updated post. I also bought a Purple seat pad. One thing I noticed on my trip to NM, which has been the case in every car, the bolstering on the right side digs into my thigh. I don't know if it is how my leg is positioned because I am 6'6" or what. Will see if the pad helps.

 

[JCinNC]

Leaving Sunday to head to a family reunion in upstate NY. Roughly 1900 miles one-way.

Current itinerary.

Day 1: Driving to Arkansas and staying at a interesting hotel spot. Figured my first day of driving I'll want a nice shower and some relaxation.
Day 2: Driving from Arkansas to West Virginia and staying at the North Bend State Park in a cabin. This will be a longer travel day.
Day 3: Leave North Bend State Park and head to Shenandoah, staying inside the national park in a cabin. Shorter travel day.
Day 4: Leave Shenandoah and head to NY, about an 8 hour travel day.

Bought some new gear and taking existing.

Fridge > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHRH5541?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (BougeRV 12 Volt 23qt) For drinks and some easy sandwich materials just to keep me from stopping at McDonald's along the way.

Power bank > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7PPG25F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 (Jackery Explorer 1000) To plug into the 1200 watt outlet in the back while driving to charge the unit and run the fridge from. Then when parked, the battery alone disconnected from the car should keep the fridge going plenty long. If my thinking is correct that is.

Seat pad > amazon.com/dp/B01CKMP24E?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title (Purple)

I'll update gas mileage and some pictures along the way. Not brave enough for tent or car camping yet as I've not camped since I was a yout. This is the start of that so I can build up some gear and practice and then that will be the plan on future trips.

No plans on the trip back yet. Figured I'll stay in NY through the 4th of July weekend and then see how quickly I'd like to get home. I have pushed it straight through before but it was not pleasant and I also wasn't alone. So will probably at least make it one overnight stay somewhere on the way back.

Enjoy the WV Turnpike and I encourage you to stop along the way in some of their State Parks - the Turnpike is a beautiful drive and the views from some of the State Parks along the way are amazing. I picked up my new TRD Pro last week and extended the trip back from WV from 5-6 to almost 9 with all the stops.

 

[Joestac]

Enjoy the WV Turnpike and I encourage you to stop along the way in some of their State Parks - the Turnpike is a beautiful drive and the views from some of the State Parks along the way are amazing. I picked up my new TRD Pro last week and extended the trip back from WV from 5-6 to almost 9 with all the stops.

Thanks. I'll check that out for sure.

 

[Joestac]

Kind of Frankenstein'd some straps together but I think things are secure enough for normal driving. I wanted to ensure the cargo cover would still clear to keep things hidden while stopping.

BougeRV fridge is plugged into the house right now getting cooled overnight. Jackery is at 100%, and will take on the fridge when I leave tomorrow. Making sure I turn on the AC plug at the dash when I start.

Testing the fridge on the battery a couple of days ago it ran from dead hot to 35 degrees, stayed on for 13 hours, and the battery was only down to 25% with 75% remaining. That seems more than good to keep the fridge going while I am staying at the hotel over night.

Toyota cargo organizer fridge is stuffed with dry goods for road food. Second air compressor, tool kit, recovery strap, DeWalt LED work light with two batteries, two first aid kits, fire extinguisher, battery jump pack.

Hit the road first thing in the morning and head to Arkansas.

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