Forgot:
Detailed search of weather conditions forecast (NOAA site) and the USDOT website for road closure/construction information. I then scope out alternative "truck routes" (for their shoulders/medians) and make note of Interstate exit numbers. CB takes care of that in advance.
(Once took only 35-minutes to bypass a terrible, fatality-laden incident on 40 in Arkansas by using a northern bypass versus the 1.5 - 1.75 hour (reported) southern bypass set-up by Highway Patrol.)
I run a map of the route off of
www.mapquest.com, as well as any side routes (calling ahead for corrected directions and physical address or landmarks).
Also,
www.radio-locator.com for a list of news/weather stations, and genres appropriate to ones taste, cross-country. (When found, I really enjoy those old-time small community AM stations annnouncing yard sales, lost pets, announcer read-ads, etc. Especially if they understand that "country & western" doesn't have anything to do with the dreck currently masquerading as such. Or, if near Chicago, WFMT for symphonic, or that hot station in eastern Arkansas that plays the best blues list I've ever heard broadcast)
To avoid the horrors of chain food, and the hit-and-miss of, "Oh, that looks interesting", I also go to
www.roadfood.com for any interesting meal stops (Amighetti's in St Louis, for example, for some of the best Italian sandwiches I've ever had; just called ahead for day two of trip and arranged a pre-opening sale for 0900 pickup. Then found a nice Illinois rest stop for a picnic lunch). It's a pleasure to read the local paper, get served by an long-time employee, etc.
Same for fuel stops. I want the "clean, well-lighted" facilities with plenty of amenities to serve whatever irrational little wants overcomes me or passengers. I search on gas company websites for locations, same with truck stops (many of which are exceedingly nice on the main East-West truck Interstates).
Planning makes a trip more interesting. As a former truck driver I'm used to being able to predict arrival and travel times for business purposes, and, now take pleasure in being within 15-minutes of "schedule" (however little enthusiasm my passengers evoke, I just keep it to myself now.) I try to keep food and fuel stops within 15-minutes of each other where possible.
Iron-clad rule:
Always stop every two hours for a leak; every four hours for a meal and rest. (Time estimate of 15' and 75', respectively.)
First 4-6 hours of travel are easy. After that, attention fades and fatigue sets in. Rest breaks, at pleasent places, makes something to look forward to.
If the car is "perfect", weather is understood, and alternatives are at hand, then there is little to do but enjoy the problem-solving of traffic flow and the scenery.
[ January 23, 2005, 12:25 AM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]
