Hey everyone,
I'm moving from New Jersey to Los Angeles, CA next week. I got a job with an aftermarket supplier that has a substantial presence on this board (you'll know who in the near future). I need some help planning a route! Any suggestions? I'm thinking a southern route may be a little warmer and more pleasant at this time of year, but I'm open to any suggestions. I will be going to Pittsburgh on Friday to visit my family, and then leaving on Sunday to head west. I'm going to do it in about 8 days...so 6-7 hours each day shouldn't be too bad. A girl friend of mine will be my copilot.
If anyone wants to put us up for a night, offer a meal, or meet another Z enthusiast, let me know. Maybe I can meet some fellow Z owners along the way. I'm thinking I may take some pics and send them to Nissan and Mr. K as well.

Help me out guys...where to go, who to meet, what to see?

 

OH WOW! Very cool! Congrats on the job and on the move! We'll miss you out here in Jersey Sorry, but I can't help with a route lol...

 

Very cool is right, if your into Cali. Good luck with the job and the move. I would go to Mapquest.com and map your route there. If your not happy with any suggestions here ofcourse.

 

I have driven across the country around 5 times, each time taking a slightly different route. There are a number of routes available to you, it all depends on what you would like to see.

The southern route (I-95 to I-20 to I-40? I think in AZ) is a beautiful drive. The stint on I-20 through Texas is boring as hell though. Texas is a big state and there is NOTHING to see from the minute you enter until the minute you leave the state. Arizone and New Mexico offer some great vistas along the highway.

I-80 to Denver, head south to Las Vegas/Salt Lake, head south to Las Vegas/Sacramento, CA and take I-5 to LA. Beautiful drive across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska Wyoming and Utah. Mind numbingly dull across Nevada. You will see why Nevada should be used as the nations dumping ground.

I personally would recommend taking I-80 to Salt Lake City, then picking up the interstate to Las Vegas. You pass near the Four Corners and the Grand Canyon is just a two hour detour from the interstate.

Enter Las Vegas at night and stay the night or two. You MUST enter Las Vegas at night. It is such a wild scene.

 

awsome!

im jelous! its an awsome drive...

when i drove from BOSTON to LA last yaer i took I-90 West to I-80 (about chicago) then I-15 to the LA roads...

good luck with the drive...

can you give me a job?

 

Log on to the AAA website and they'll do a complete route for you with the preferences you suggest.

 

Congratulations... and wish you success in LA. AND... no more winters. That has to be one of the biggest benefits of your move.

Since you'll be in Pittsburgh....I70 - I44 - I40 through New Mexio and Arizona is the most direct... and very nice. Whatever you decide, you still have to cross the mind-numbing mid-West... At least it will be fun -- your Z and girl friend... what a trip !!

Enjoy and drive fast and safely, she said.

 

If you go on I-80, honk when you pass, I live about 1/2 mile away.


This time of the year the midwest has about perfect temps 65-70. Why is it taking 8 days?

 

Congrad on your new job out here in L.A. Looking forward to seeing you out here. Let me know if you need any help settling down. You'll have to come on our next run. Have a great safe trip out to Calif. Take your time and enjoy seeing the country from our Z. I evny your trip.

Warren

 

where is the road that has no speed limit on it?

 

I'm jealous too!

I had planned a left coast trip for this year, but I decided to take the Z to a few track events instead.

I took my last west coast trip back in '98. Since you've got time, may I make a few suggestions. Take a northerly route, and aim for The Black Hills, South Dakota. After days of NOTHING....you'll be blown away! Be sure to check out the Pigtail Bridges.

(My pics are too big, sorry)

"Going To The Sun Highway", crossing Glacier N.P. is also spectacular.

"Loneliest Highway In America" is a FAST and kind of cool way to cross Nevada. It's Rt 50. This will take you to Reno/Lake Tahoe, where Rt 49 to Cool, CA is a GREAT drive. Then head for the coast and HWY 1.

If you decide to cross Colorado, be sure to drive the western leg of Interstate 70........because of the terrain, it was the last part of the Interstate to be completed. Another cool drive. This will take you to Southern Utah......BEAUTIFUL!

I understand these suggestions don't exactly make a quick trip......but do try to see a few. There are many other places to see that are cool too.

If you're going through Chicago, let me know. Think Lower Wacker Drive downtown.

ENJOY THE DRIVE!

 

Taking the northern route this time of the year has quite a few advantages.
---Colder so there are no bugs all over your windshield and bumper
---crisp and dry air make your Z go faster ( I am serious about this, if you have a motorcycle, you'll know what I am talking about)
---beautiful maple leaves changing color
---it's about 60s during the day here in the upper midwest, no need for AC, that means...once again, your Z will go faster, and not to mention better gas mileage.

***Make sure you pass by Colorado, don't miss the Rocky Mtns. And make sure that you pack things well in the car. Curve mountain road will make loose items fly everywhere in your Z.***

Last but not least, VEGAS BABY!!!
See if you can get a midget hooker for the trunk.

ok, that's not funny.

 

Good Luck on your drive!!! I moved from Richmond VA to Los Angeles back in 99 (and since then from LA to Pittsburgh). We drove the southern route, and I have to say that driving cross Texas sucked big time. We were constantly getting behind cattle trucks that seemed to be SPRAYING cow pee over our cars (luckily that was pre-Z). Other than that, I loved the drive thru the desert. I've never taken the northern route, but since it hasn't started snowing up there (has it?) I guess it would be a matter of personal preferance. Either way have a great trip, and be safe, SHINY SIDE UP!!!

 

Here is my take......assuming the weather forcast is NO SNOW in the northern part of the country:

-I 80 to I 35

-I35 to I90 : The Black Hills/Mt Rushmore are worth the trip.

-I90 to I25

-I25 to I80 in Cheyenne

-I80 to Salt Lake City (see Mormon Square). Also, the drive across Wyoming is impressive in that it is very expansive.

-I15 out of Salt Lake thru Los Vegas to LA. You might check out what is along I15 between SLC & Los Vegas.

Guarantee you will have great memories. Just be sure of the weather. If it changes to cold/ice/snow drop south quickly.

Sounds like fun; I'm envious!

 

konverter: I believe the road with no speed limit is in Montana.Not sure of the #.

 

Well it seems that as of 99-00', Montana now has an interstate speed limit of 75 mph....not too bad...
read here:
http://www.mdt.state.mt.us/speed_limit/

 

Just noticed an error in my route recommendation. I-35 above should be I-25.

Another way to get to I-80 in Cheyenne from Rushmore is Highway 16 west to Highway 85 . Then south on 85 to Cheyenne.
Two lane roads but cuts off several miles.

I took the above several years back going to the Black Hills. Roads were fine. In fact fine enough to get me ticketed for going well over the 65 MPH limit on 85! LOL

 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I'm going to have to talk this over with my friend and see what she's interested in. I can promise lots of good pics of the Z though. I'll put her in some great poses (the car that is).

Thanks again! I'll let you guys know my plan when I stop in Pittsburgh this weekend. Hopefully, you won't see me on the news with 50 squad cars and a helicopter in chase mode!

My buddy just loaned me his V1 radar for the trip, so I should at least have a fighting chance against most traps.