Cross Country routes - what's your experience

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Hello,

In a few weeks I'll be driving from Massachusetts across country to the west coast in my 1971 VW Westfalia. Earlier I was considering taking a northern route, but now I'm leaving later I'm thinking of a more southern one, through MA, CT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, LA, TX, AZ, CA.

Do you have any experience of driving this route or sections of it and favorite stops along the way?

Or do you have another route that you'd recommend in late October and November?

Also I'd love to meet up with VW Camper Family members along the way, so please let me know if you're open to meeting, have a VW club get together or can offer me  safe place to camp overnight.

Cheers, Carole

[Kris Hansen]

Hello Carole,  There is a web site who's adminstrator, Colin, has traveled across the country for several years in vw buses working as a consultant  helping other folks with there vw's.

http://www.itinerant-air-cooled.com/

You might get some good information there.  Hope you have a safe and happy trip!

Kris

 

[bobbi nan rinker]

I still like going through Colorado and Utah even in October. Interstate 70 is so dramatic! Of course the climbs are tough on a bus, even on my water-cooled vanagon. And you dont want to go over that road in a snowstorm!  But I find it so much prettier than the more southerly routes that I take it whenever possible.

[Alice Arthur]

If you are coming through nc before oct 31 i would highly reccomend kerr lake hibernia campground. Look up nc state parks and you can book online.

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

HI KRIS, BOBBI AND ALICE,
THANKS FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS.
HOPE TO BE SENDING SOME UPDATES ONCE I'M ON THE ROAD LATER THIS MONTH.

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Thanks Casey. I just posted my route at http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/

Looking at yours I don't see any overlap do you?

I'm heading south from MA now winter is approaching. Have you been on any of this section?

Casey Gerstle said:

Make sure and hit the dragon's tail highway (think it's highway 129)! It's between NC and TN. I included it on my recent 11,500 mile motorcycle trip. Fantastic place. The route i took can be found here:

 

First part:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms ?msa=0&msid=204920295133858566 977.0004adb158c5e8f99c056 

 

Second part:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=204920295133858566977.0004adb20fcf702e87173

 

Let me know if you cross over any of it and have questions about the area...

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Will probably do some of your route next Spring when come back east!

Casey Gerstle said:

Yeah, looks like you're planning on sticking more east and south than i did. Good luck!

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

THANKS KRIS

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

THANKS ALICE - NEW ROUTE POSTED ON http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/

KEEP TRYING TO LEAVE BUT CAN'T SEE GETTING AWAY UNTIL 27TH which means I'll just miss it.

Alice Arthur said:

If you are coming through nc before oct 31 i would highly reccomend kerr lake hibernia campground. Look up nc state parks and you can book online.

[Laura Anne]

Carole~ as you know I did my trip last year during this time...  You will want to move South eventually but we found fair weather along route 40 all the way to NM.  After a snow there, we decided to hit I-10, but it is verrryyy winddyyyy!  Goodluck, there is no other way to travel than in a VW Bus- that is for sure!!

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

I'd forgotten that you did it at this time of year. I'm all set to come down south to the Carolinas now. Taking your advice to go through Asheville. Will message you on Facebook. Thanks.

Laura Anne said:

Carole~ as you know I did my trip last year during this time...  You will want to move South eventually but we found fair weather along route 40 all the way to NM.  After a snow there, we decided to hit I-10, but it is verrryyy winddyyyy!  Goodluck, there is no other way to travel than in a VW Bus- that is for sure!!

[Sam Thayer]

Hi Carole!

Being retired military, I drove across the country many times.  My family is all over the East Coast, but I live in Washington State now.  Next Summer I will be following Route 50 all the way from San Francisco, CA to Ocean Beach, MD.  If you have any specific questions, let me know I've been across on I10. I20, I40, I70, I80, I90, I94 and several "yellow" routes.

Sam

Olympia, WA

[Kirk]

Where does your texas route take you and what time frame? If its near me at all I (depending on dates) can offer up somewhere for you to camp. And if I can't, I have other local VW folk that can.  Be safe!