Road Trip back to Calgary

[InSutterWeTrust]

So last year my wife and I moved down to Nova Scotia and now we have decided to move back. We have Atlas Van Lines moving our stuff, we were gonna ship our car but the last time it was shipped down the windshield was smashed and the roof had a big dent, took months to get it fixed so Im hesitant to ship it down so my wife and I have decided to drive back.

So bascially Im looking for peoples opion on things that I might have to be prepared for along the trip.

We bought a Car GPS and have planned out the trip, we will be going through the states because we found it will save time and going under the great lakes. We also already have an AMA membership, although I have to find out if it has any advantages in the states. My car has just had a tune up, had the oil changed, had a car realignment.

Ive never done a big road trip like this before so Im a bit nervous about what to expect, but any tips would help. Thanks!

[Hemi-Cuda]

invest in satellite radio. having it has made my roadtrips 100% better

[GrrlGoalie33]

I've never driven across the country before, but I have driven to Vancouver numerous times. Things that I found have helped:

- Don't make your travel time so tight that any delay would make you late for something at your destination (long border line ups, accidents, construction etc)

- take lots of music, we put 30gb of music on the laptop harddrive and play it through the stereo

- take things to keep you both amused. I know Eye Spy sounds like a kids game, but it can keep your mind of the monotony of the road. We also like to play the alphabet game where you have to go through the alphabet with license plates, signs, car names...basically anything outside of the car

- use your gas breaks for walking around. plan 15 min minimum at each stop to refresh yourself

- pack lots of healthy snacks and water, these also help you in keeping fresh

- take turns at the wheel. Drive in 4 hour shifts or something similar

Should be a start at any rate...

[InSutterWeTrust]

thanks for some of the tips. I did buy a FM tuner for my 30 gig IPOD and Im in the middle of trying to cram as much music on there as possible.

Ive only planned 6-7 hours of driving a day so the day dosent feel so crammed incase something does happen,

[Cowboy89]

Don't try to stay overnight in Grand Forks North Dakota. Impossible to find a room with Pegger's down looking for shopping discounts.

[jam26]

Definitely invest in satellite radio! Not only do you have about 100 channels of all manner of music, but you also have other forms of entertainment such as sports, talk and comedy for when you get bored.

[InSutterWeTrust]

Ive thought about the satelite radio, but do you have to commit to a contract simular to a cell phone?
Also what is better Sirus or XM?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Frankster

- take things to keep you both amused. I know Eye Spy sounds like a kids game, but it can keep your mind of the monotony of the road. We also like to play the alphabet game where you have to go through the alphabet with license plates, signs, car names...basically anything outside of the car

Or you could play "my dead people"

How it works is when you are driving along and you see a cross or crosses on the side of the road, the first person to say my dead person or my dead people gets the same amount of points as the number of crosses. Now the person with the most dead people at the end of the trip wins. The only catch is if you pass a cemetary and the other person says "I bury your dead people" then your points go down to zero.

Also bring spitz, it will keep you awake.

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

So last year my wife and I moved down to Nova Scotia and now we have decided to move back.

Wow, I'm shocked.

Who was the guy here on CP talking about moving to Nova Scotia only a few weeks ago? We should have his family talk to yours.

[InSutterWeTrust]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Wow, I'm shocked.

Who was the guy here on CP talking about moving to Nova Scotia only a few weeks ago? We should have his family talk to yours.

yeah I saw that thread and left a comment about it, but it sounded like he had a job before coming down here, my wife and I moved down here without jobs and thought we had decent resumes, I was able to find a job after about 3 months and my wife never was able to get a job.

[Uncarved]

I do a fair amount of driving down to the states (I drove down to Texas 2 weeks ago). For Boredom I always find that music get repetitive and boring after the first 4 hours or so. Since I travel alone majority of the time, I end up getting books on tape to listen to. Find that it keeps me preoccupied and the drive doesn't seem to take near as long.
As for the vehicle make sure that it is in decent shape as you don't want to be stranded in some unknown town for days as it gets fixed (it has happened to me). Also take time to sit down and eat instead of grabbing fast food as it gives you time to stretch your legs and do some walking around. Might be a benefit to book a hotel in advanced, on my way down I drove to Billings Montana and the whole town, plus surrounding area was booked up due to a massive Jehovah’s Witness conference.

And #1 of all... if you start feeling tired either switch drivers or grab a room for the night... don't fall asleep at the wheel!

Good luck on your travels

[Vulcan]

Don't push it when you're tired, pull over for a nap at least. Heavy meals can also make one tired, try and stay a little hungry.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

We also already have an AMA membership, although I have to find out if it has any advantages in the states.

Yes, the advantages in the States are the same as they are in Canada (including hotel discounts). There's an 800 number on the back of your membership card that will connect you with the closest AAA office.

[arsenal]

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

Ive thought about the satelite radio, but do you have to commit to a contract simular to a cell phone?
Also what is better Sirus or XM?

With Sirius at least, you can pay month to month, or pre-pay up to a lifetime (that you own the reciever). The reciever's aren't that bad, but if you want a decent one, you will pay around $150+.
I had Sirius when I rented a car in the states last year. Haven't listened to XM though. Sirius was awesome.

[jam26]

Both satellite services are good. You can get the cheapest radio for about $80 and then it's about $10/month. You may have to sign on for three months or a year.

[Top Shelf]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Wow, I'm shocked.

Who was the guy here on CP talking about moving to Nova Scotia only a few weeks ago? We should have his family talk to yours.

That would be me! And I would love to talk to anyone who has moved out there, positive or negative experiences. Maybe I should bump that thread....

Originally Posted by InSutterWeTrust

yeah I saw that thread and left a comment about it, but it sounded like he had a job before coming down here, my wife and I moved down here without jobs and thought we had decent resumes, I was able to find a job after about 3 months and my wife never was able to get a job.

Yeah, I would be too scared to move anywhere without a job. Aside from the employment situation, is there anything else you don't like? And sorry for the thread hijack...

But when I drive, I like to have lots of fruit, nothing greasy as I find it makes me more tired.

[ken0042]

Just to echo what has been said, books on tape or satellite radio.

Another thing I do is tape record the audio of TV shows; especially if it's one I have seen or know the layout of the set well. Gives you something to keep the mind occupied. I also like to record stand up comedy; most of it doesn't require video to be funny.

And when you hit Winnipeg, use the Trans Canada route 100 (aka the Perimiter Hwy, or Winnipeg By-pass.) If you really want to stop take either the Pembina Hwy or Portage Ave exits for a bunch of services. Or once you get back onto the #1 about 7 km west of Winnipeg is the town of Headingly. There's a few truck stops there.

[4X4]

Don't cross at Windsor/Detroit. Unless I simply have bad luck, both times I crossed there, the line-up was ~4 hours.

[jam26]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Don't cross at Windsor/Detroit. Unless I simply have bad luck, both times I crossed there, the line-up was ~4 hours.

Wow...you must have bad luck. I'm usually through there in 20-30 mins.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Don't cross at Windsor/Detroit.

I'm not sure if a shortcut across the US is a wise idea while moving. It brings about a whole series of questions that might end up costing you more hassle than its worth.