Thanks a lot for all the tips.

I really don't wan to do this trip solo. I'm thinking of dragging a family member along and then using my expiring sky miles to fly them back.

I really doubt I'll be driving back. Its just one way

Question about painters tape! I have clear bra on there, putting blue painters tape over it won't harm my clear bra will it?

 

+1. And a knife just in case there's not enough time to lock and load.

 

i would definitely advice you to take someone with you, long drives like that are a biatch, you will need someone to talk to, laugh and when they fall asleep on you (their job is to keep you AWAKE) you can mess with them by running on the rumble strips if you HAVE to go solo, get plenty of music and roll both windows down, the cold fresh air will keep you alert, those long straigh dark stretches of road WILL put you to sleep, be careful

 

I have driven coast to coast several times, and that is good advise. Cosy is not safe. I would made myself uncomfortable several ways:

When its 40 degrees outside roll the windows down occasionally.
Listen to an annoying radio station, like a Jesus station, and shout absurdities.
I would stop, run around the car several times, then jump back inside.
Drive with the left foot, and the right leg stretched over the passenger seat.

If you find yourself too comfortable, that can spell danger.

 

It's a solar Z...I doubt he'll be rolling anything down.

 

If you have to break down and get a hotel (which a nice bed will be sooooo worth it after driving for 12 hours.. ) .. just inquire about the "AAA" rate. I got the discount 3 times on my recent trip. Am not a member, and was never asked for any type of card...

I recently did MN to AZ and back from Sunday to Sunday... Thanksgiving week with my GF.

Left MN Early Sun AM... drove west got to Badlands around mid afternoon. (noticed a leaking radiatior when we first stopped....)

Got to Wall SD, planning on heading to MT Rushmore... but cracked radiator has me stranded in Wall SD for the night...

Much swearing, bitching, arguing later, back on the road late Tuesday afternoon. Car was recent used purchase.. the dealer back in MN paid for my tow from Wall to Rapid City $400 and an oil change to boot. The radiator was a warranty repair. Made it to Cheyenne, Wyoming and got a hotel.

Left Cheyenne and had a kick *** drive through Colorado. Followed this Porsche Cayenne S til he got off in Vale. That was fast as hell...


The drive through Colorado was amazing. Took the mountain pass and drove through some amazing canyons. Hit some big *** bird doing about 80 on the interstate. Saw it.. swerved to the left otherwise I would have hit it dead center. I think it was an owl it was huge, flying left to right about a foot off the ground. Left a big area of chipped paint spots... Should've got a bra or at least a clear bra... but that's what insurance is for. Comp deductible in spring, new bumper. Stopped in Arches National park in Utah.


Got a speeding ticket leaving Utah... 75 in a 65. Arrived in Scottsdale Arizona at 2am my time. That was a lot of driving..

Stayed at my brother's work's condo in Scottsdale AZ. Left AZ Friday around 5 and made it to Albuquerque NM and got a Hotel. We took the more direct way home.

Left NM Sat morning. Stopped at Pikes Peak..

Started raining in Nebraska. Started getting cold and soon it was snow. The Z is my first ever RWD car and it has Potenzas RE030's. At 2 am we are doing 360's sliding down a hill in downtown Omaha trying to find a way around a huge accident on the Interstate. 2 hours later we are back on the interstate but have to pull off at some $hitty Motel8.

We leave the motel still in Nebraska the next morning. The roads are complete ice and it is blowing snow still. I saw at least 30 cars in the ditch. Then I start fishtailing. Out of the blue the back end kicks to the left. I somehow saved it, stayed on the freeway and avoided the semi bearing down my neck. Iowa was still snowy and not icy. Minnesota was wet and cold but the roads were OK. Made it home about 2pm Sunday afternoon.

I will never take the Z on a road trip if snow is a possibility again. Period. I only have summer tires as the Z is not my DD. If I had winter tires it would be a different story, but til then..

 

Minnesota plates, eh?







Also, for the OP... Buy a small pillow, if you don't already have one, to stick behind you to keep your lower back supported. This will reduce aches and avoidable fatigue.

 

thanks again for all this great advice.......enjoying the humor too

 

Avoid rush hour in cities. Find out your pitstops, like which hotel/motel/inn you'll be staying and how much they charge. Good Luck!!!

 

Nice advice Phreakdout. Lots of good ideas in there.

 

When I drove across Canada I had to take octane booster with me I had a hard time finding supreme fuel i ssome places. There is my two cents. It was a 56 hour drive

 

just bring plenty of music and cd's that you like listening to, it helps. I drove to seattle last summer from minnesota and thats really the only thing that kept me awake and alert. haha

 

Sunflower seeds. Keeps you occupied, and a good source of carbohydrates for energy. And a good supply of water so your cheeks don't chap.

 

The painters tape should work very well on the clear bra. But that's why you have the clear bra....


Good luck and make a thread (w/ pics) when you finish this trip!!

 

IF I had payed for a clear bra, as opposed to the ugly black bra. I'd tape that puppy also. I believe in protecting those types of things and still driving the car.

 

Will put up pics for sure. BTW.....how bad do you think it will be if I skip the leather nose mask and the painters tape.

 

I did a drive this summer from AZ to NJ in my Z. The only advice I can give you is keep your main focus on the goal do not stop. I drove 27 hours straight you can do it too. Oh and hopefully you have a pillow for your *** because the stock cloth seats are not comfortable after a 30 hour ride or so. Good luck and fill up whenever you hit that 1/4 mark trust me. I was on I-44 and almost ran out of gas because I decided not to stop when I was at 1/2 and didn't realize the next gas station was 100 miles down some deserted road.

 

note taken on the gas stops and pillow for my a$$. As far as my main focus....its to get to south carolina but I am going to make stops and enjoy the ride, take plenty of pictures.....btw does anyone know if new orleans is worth going to this time of the year?

 

Did you also clear bra the mirrors?

This is my buddy Reggie's car. He took 1st place in the Solara category in a 2006 regional show in Chicago. He attends a lot of car shows and goes through a ton of tape.
But his front end is perfect.



He makes the drive from St Louis using the painter's tape for protection. He also has the clear bra on the nose, part of the hood and the mirrors.

But like any plastic coating, it can get nicked up by rocks and debris. Something you will see a lot of on the route you selected.



Ok, the windshield wipers and the tape eyelids were a bit much but he was having fun. Notice he also taped the side skirts as rocks get kicked up by your own car.



I'd call him crazy for the blue mummy but he told me that he gets a lot of folk complimenting him along the way for the idea. It seems those who attend car shows know this trick very well.

 

so all pics of my car are gonna be blue mummified.....lol