Basically, what do you see when you begin one of these great long journeys? :cool:
For me, something like this:
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/651/22265746762_0b8eefa6ab_k.jpg)
When I reset my trip odometer to 0, and note the time on the clock is what says roadtrip to me.
Because of my frequency of local driving within about 45 minutes/miles of home, when I'm about an hour away is when I know I'm settling in for the journey!
What I always see is darkness outside because I always make a point to leave between 5-6 AM to beat traffic. The last thing I want to deal with when I'm supposed to be having fun is commuters.
For me, usually Thruway toll booths.
For me growing up as a kid on Long Island, it was always the Throgs Neck Bridge (I-295).
I don't know if there are any visual cues for me to signify the fact that I'm headed out on a road trip. My first gut reaction was that to feel like I'm really headed out somewhere, I'd have to head out at least further west than Buffalo and further south than Delaware -- I've traveled those lengths frequently enough that the roads are just too familiar.
However, certainly there are places in New York itself that I haven't been that I'd take a trip out to see. So, I've concluded that I'm with Max in terms of the road trip feeling settling in when I'm packing up the car in the dark of the early morning and heading off with a prayer for safety.
Quote from: Rothman on May 03, 2016, 07:44:27 AM
So, I've concluded that I'm with Max in terms of the road trip feeling settling in when I'm packing up the car in the dark of the early morning and heading off with a prayer for safety.
Interesting. I never worry about safety too much. Although yesterday some jackass driving a semi almost cut into my lane yesterday and hit me. In fact he would've hit me if I hadn't of swerved into the shoulder and hit the brakes. So I got off the interstate at the next exit and drove some US highway for a while.
Interstates (IMO) have to be the most dangerous highways in the US. They often times have way too much traffic on them while the "old" two lane highways that parallel them are often deserted. I've noticed that it doesn't matter if the interstate is free or tolled they still are full of traffic. I learned this in Oklahoma. OK 66 is pretty lightly traveled even though it is the free alternative to I-44.
In Canada, I noticed that ON 401 is very very heavily traveled while County Road 2 that parallels it is very lightly traveled.
Last July I drove all of US 40 (Scenic / Alt 40 in Maryland) from Hagerstown, MD to Columbus, OH. It was very relaxing. I got on I-68 for 5 miles in Maryland and there was a huge wreck on it, so I got back onto old 40. The same is true in Indiana. I-70 is pretty dangerous between Terre Haute and Indianapolis. The road is usually in bad shape and there is always construction somewhere. US 40 is what I've been taking lately. The bad part about US Highways is the fact that you have Barney Fife in every small town along the highway where the speed limit drops from 55 to 30. In big cities a lot of times the US highways will also run you into bad neighborhoods. When I get close to big cities on US highways I typically get back on the interstate. I find big city interstate driving fun anyways.
Quote from: US 41 on May 03, 2016, 09:52:12 AM
Interstates (IMO) have to be the most dangerous highways in the US.
When I was at FHWA some years ago, there was a big study that concluded that rural "expressways" -- four-lane roads with at-grade intersections -- were actually by far more dangerous than any other broad functional class of road, including Interstates.
Leaving during sunrise for me it's more about avoiding the annoyance of seeing all the bad driving habits coupled with all the rushing to work. If I have 9-10 hours ahead of me I'd rather settle in and be comfortable for the early going and worry about the stressful parts later on.
Actually I would consider pretty much any busy rural stretch of two-lane road to be by far the most dangerous type of road. For all the bad habits that contribute to accidents you see on freeway/Interstate type roadways the design itself often mitigates the worst brunt. Probably the worst example of a two-lane road that's absolutely miserable and dangerous during a rush is US 1 through the Florida Keys. Basically you have all the bad drivers from Miami trying to go as fast possible south bound coupled with people driving RVs and others who are terrified of the road. Passing basically is close to impossible since there is so much oncoming traffic in the other direction, so people take chances and ram head on all the time.
Whenever I reach that stretch of a familiar route number that I don't see that often.
Quote from: Rothman on May 03, 2016, 10:21:31 AM
Quote from: US 41 on May 03, 2016, 09:52:12 AM
Interstates (IMO) have to be the most dangerous highways in the US.
When I was at FHWA some years ago, there was a big study that concluded that rural "expressways" -- four-lane roads with at-grade intersections -- were actually by far more dangerous than any other broad functional class of road, including Interstates.
I can see that. In my area however I-70 is way more dangerous than both US 40 and US 41 / SR 63 combined. You'd understand if you lived in Terre Haute. :-P
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on May 04, 2016, 01:30:56 AM
Whenever I reach that stretch of a familiar route number that I don't see that often.
I think I have to agree with that. Once upon a time I might have said "when I see a 70-mph speed limit," but since I-66 west of Haymarket was posted at 70 a few years ago I no longer view that as a sign of a road trip, and of course until recently that standard wouldn't have worked on northbound trips at all.
Quote from: US 41 on May 04, 2016, 07:06:46 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 03, 2016, 10:21:31 AM
Quote from: US 41 on May 03, 2016, 09:52:12 AM
Interstates (IMO) have to be the most dangerous highways in the US.
When I was at FHWA some years ago, there was a big study that concluded that rural "expressways" -- four-lane roads with at-grade intersections -- were actually by far more dangerous than any other broad functional class of road, including Interstates.
I can see that. In my area however I-70 is way more dangerous than both US 40 and US 41 / SR 63 combined. You'd understand if you lived in Terre Haute. :-P
I spent my very early childhood in Bloomington.
Quote from: vdeane on May 02, 2016, 05:01:27 PM
For me, usually Thruway toll booths.
And on the other direction (Thruway is east/west/south), the Twin Bridges.
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
Reaching the I-4/I-95 interchange in Daytona Beach, either I'm on my way leaving or almost home on the way back.
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 04, 2016, 06:01:25 PM
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
The only people who hate our state from New York are the ones that are in denial that it's better. And the ones who make Jersey drivers look like saints.
Quote from: Zeffy on May 04, 2016, 07:07:15 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 04, 2016, 06:01:25 PM
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
The only people who hate our state from New York are the ones that are in denial that it's better. And the ones who make Jersey drivers look like saints.
By this, I meant the drivers. The state itself is fine.
Quote from: Zeffy on May 04, 2016, 07:07:15 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 04, 2016, 06:01:25 PM
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
The only people who hate our state from New York are the ones that are in denial that it's better. And the ones who make Jersey drivers look like saints.
Anyone that "hates" a state is short on useful outlets for their energy.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 04, 2016, 07:28:09 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on May 04, 2016, 07:07:15 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 04, 2016, 06:01:25 PM
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
The only people who hate our state from New York are the ones that are in denial that it's better. And the ones who make Jersey drivers look like saints.
Anyone that "hates" a state is short on useful outlets for their energy.
It's a joke. I don't hate any states.
This may sound silly, but one thing that always says "road trip" for me is a fast-food breakfast, such as sausage biscuits from McDonald's. :bigass:
I very rarely eat an actual breakfast anyway, and when I do, it's almost always a home-cooked one. The only time I ever drive through a fast food place for breakfast is when I am on the road early in the morning for a long road trip. So there's something that is pretty much uniquely road trip for me - McDonald's sausage biscuits. :P
For me it's when I get outside the Jacksonville beltway on i95 or west of 301 in i10
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 04, 2016, 07:28:09 PM
Quote from: Zeffy on May 04, 2016, 07:07:15 PM
Quote from: CobaltYoshi27 on May 04, 2016, 06:01:25 PM
Since I live on Long Island, entering Upstate New York or New Jersey (eww).
The only people who hate our state from New York are the ones that are in denial that it's better. And the ones who make Jersey drivers look like saints.
Anyone that "hates" a state is short on useful outlets for their energy.
Tell that to all the roadgeeks who hate Pennsylvania solely because of their awful roads.
Along the lines of what others have said, I have a pretty big radius of familiar roads; so I tend to aim for sunrise to occur about the time I get to a road that's new to me. So, it's that twilight pre-sunrise light while driving, especially while driving on a two-line US highway-type road. (Nothing against interstates, I just have a fondness for 'the old roads.') Probably with a good audio book playing....
Checking the weather forecast and seeing something that makes you throw the snow chains in the trunk.
Poor state roads and horrible potholes
Different chains of fast food or gas at the exits.
When I cross over the Throggs Neck Bridge or the Verezano Narrows Bridge
Getting to Zaragoza does it for me, as in most road trips I'll be passing through there.
This post is brought from June to your guys in May :bigass:.
The Kansas Turnpike. I hardly ever use it except leaving for a long-distance trip, but I almost use it at the beginning of one.
Sitting in my driveway waiting for the clock to tick to the next minute because my pre-launch checklist was complete a minute early.
Oh yeah, and placing my thermos full of coffee on the floor next to my wife's left leg-I don't carry that unless we are on a long trip. :coffee:
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
I thought of another one: freeways without access/frontage/service roads. They're ubiquitous in TX, so if I'm driving on a freeway without, it must mean I'm on a Road Trip.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 31, 2016, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
I'm actually supposed to wake up at 7 AM, but I just mess around for an hour and wait until they finally are decently ready.
I must be a weird roadtripper, because unless I do something stupid like book a hotel in Denver and leave from Minneapolis the same day like I did last year, I have no problem with leaving late (like 11 AM-12 PM) and driving until the wee hours of the morning.
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on June 01, 2016, 02:10:18 AM
I must be a weird roadtripper, because unless I do something stupid like book a hotel in Denver and leave from Minneapolis the same day like I did last year, I have no problem with leaving late (like 11 AM-12 PM) and driving until the wee hours of the morning.
Nah not wierd, my little brother is a 11-noon departer too.
Depending on where I am going I leave at whatever time would allow me to arrive between 5:00pm and 6:00pm. It may be as early as 2am or as late as 10am usually.
Quote from: noelbotevera on June 01, 2016, 01:03:49 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 31, 2016, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
I'm actually supposed to wake up at 7 AM, but I just mess around for an hour and wait until they finally are decently ready.
Well to be fair my Dad was a little on the paranoid side about traffic or delays in general. He was really bad at the airport most of all, we would usually get to the gate 2-2.5 hours in advance of departure. He was always worried about traffic and it causing something to be messed with what he had planned out. Mind you this was a good 10-20 years in advance of things like the TSA at airports...so yeah...damn that's way too early. :-D But with that in mind usually he would try to 1 day the trip to the destination from Detroit to anywhere up to including Florida if it was more than just me and him. Anytime more than 2 people were in the car he would get really edgy, I suppose that's why movies like vacation really resonated at the time since the stereotypes about the bumbling traveling family were largely true.
Now...I can't be the only one on this, but what about empty water bottles and an upset parent telling you use them rather than stopping on the side of the road to pee? :-D
Another Long Islander here, what says road trip is any time I get over the Verezano or Throgs Neck Bridge (sometimes Whitestone)
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 01, 2016, 09:05:51 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on June 01, 2016, 01:03:49 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 31, 2016, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
I'm actually supposed to wake up at 7 AM, but I just mess around for an hour and wait until they finally are decently ready.
Well to be fair my Dad was a little on the paranoid side about traffic or delays in general. He was really bad at the airport most of all, we would usually get to the gate 2-2.5 hours in advance of departure. He was always worried about traffic and it causing something to be messed with what he had planned out. Mind you this was a good 10-20 years in advance of things like the TSA at airports...so yeah...damn that's way too early. :-D But with that in mind usually he would try to 1 day the trip to the destination from Detroit to anywhere up to including Florida if it was more than just me and him. Anytime more than 2 people were in the car he would get really edgy, I suppose that's why movies like vacation really resonated at the time since the stereotypes about the bumbling traveling family were largely true.
Now...I can't be the only one on this, but what about empty water bottles and an upset parent telling you use them rather than stopping on the side of the road to pee? :-D
So how early would he leave in this day and age for the airport? 2-2.5 days?
Quote from: vdeane on June 01, 2016, 12:39:30 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 01, 2016, 09:05:51 AM
Quote from: noelbotevera on June 01, 2016, 01:03:49 AM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 31, 2016, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
I'm actually supposed to wake up at 7 AM, but I just mess around for an hour and wait until they finally are decently ready.
Well to be fair my Dad was a little on the paranoid side about traffic or delays in general. He was really bad at the airport most of all, we would usually get to the gate 2-2.5 hours in advance of departure. He was always worried about traffic and it causing something to be messed with what he had planned out. Mind you this was a good 10-20 years in advance of things like the TSA at airports...so yeah...damn that's way too early. :-D But with that in mind usually he would try to 1 day the trip to the destination from Detroit to anywhere up to including Florida if it was more than just me and him. Anytime more than 2 people were in the car he would get really edgy, I suppose that's why movies like vacation really resonated at the time since the stereotypes about the bumbling traveling family were largely true.
Now...I can't be the only one on this, but what about empty water bottles and an upset parent telling you use them rather than stopping on the side of the road to pee? :-D
So how early would he leave in this day and age for the airport? 2-2.5 days?
I think he showed up around 4 hours early during the heyday of post-9/11 security line waits in 2001-2002. By then he had developed a heart issue and avoiding stress was even a bigger deal, good news was most his company travel days were long behind him by then. By then my only exposure to his travel schedule was getting on a plane to go home. Kind of worked out since he would be at the airport long before rush hour and I could do my thing.
Speaking of that I was living in Phoenix at the time and he flew in to go up to New Year's on 2001. For some reason he insisted leaving at noon the day we were supposed to go to Las Vegas even though he was fully aware of the long waits crossing Hoover Dam for vehicle inspections. He wasn't even the driver on that trip but that was by far the worst one that I took with him. US 93 was a two-lane highway back in those days with no a lot of passing room which got way worked up even before hitting Kingman. Suffice to that last jaunt to the state line wasn't a fun one, at least my parents got a good look at the Dam since we we're stuck looking at in the back up for hours. :-D
But pretty much all my closer family has a road traveling quirk that's recognizable:
Uncle: Drives 15 MPH under the speed limit.
Grand Father: Very timid in the passenger seat and will even try to grab the wheel on occasion.
Mom: Very afraid of mountain roads and high speeds associated with them.
Brother: Infamously slow to get out the door and in the car.
Brother-in-law: Tries to one-day every road trip no matter the distance.
Any fast food garbage left over in my car. Nothing says 'road trip' like being on the road in the middle of nowhere, where my food options limit me to Wendy's, Arby's, and the like.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 14, 2016, 09:52:24 AM
Any fast food garbage left over in my car. Nothing says 'road trip' like being on the road in the middle of nowhere, where my food options limit me to Wendy's, Arby's, and the like.
Or limiting yourself to safe foods like fruit, protein bars or anything that doesn't require human preparation because you have a giant gap between services to drive through or you have to get going before anything is open. Usually I'm a Subway, Quizos, Jimmy John's or in general a sub guy on the road...found the bland food be just what the doctor ordered on a long drive.
For many of my trips, this sign...
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413597_10154119253741469_2084258443436371291_n.jpg?oh=2384bf1edb057ae6b7c8544985c2b694&oe=57C1C90D)
Quote from: hbelkins on June 14, 2016, 12:14:27 PM
For many of my trips, this sign...
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413597_10154119253741469_2084258443436371291_n.jpg?oh=2384bf1edb057ae6b7c8544985c2b694&oe=57C1C90D)
For me its usually this one here (https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0657615,-77.1897889,3a,75y,258.06h,90.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sanDPfyqE3Kb-nJqxt6ORyg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en).
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 01, 2016, 09:05:51 AM
....
Now...I can't be the only one on this, but what about empty water bottles and an upset parent telling you use them rather than stopping on the side of the road to pee? :-D
I think I mentioned the "pee jar" from when my brother and I were kids somewhere in another thread. My dad pulled off on the shoulder of the Thruway somewhere between Albany and maybe Saugerties when my brother had to puke once, but until we were too big to stand up in the back seat, if we had to piss RIGHT NOW and there was no rest area around, we were told to use the "pee jar." (I'm sure it is not a coincidence that incidents of having to go RIGHT NOW decreased as we approached an age where we were too big to stand up, as bladder control seems to be something all little kids have to learn.)
Frequently, but not always, just getting onto the interstate will do it. Pulling off the county gravel and onto that ramp leading to the interstate, and knowing it's connected to every road in the continental US, makes me want to go.
Getting flipped off by nervous drivers who don't use the pull-outs when they are going 10 MPH below the speed limit in a canyon for 15 plus miles.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on June 18, 2016, 09:03:45 PM
Getting flipped off by nervous drivers who don't use the pull-outs when they are going 10 MPH below the speed limit in a canyon for 15 plus miles.
Heh. Coming out of Flaming Gorge, I sped around a slow-moving RV that refused to pull over into pull-outs. Got the stinkeye from them.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 14, 2016, 12:14:27 PM
For many of my trips, this sign...
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13413597_10154119253741469_2084258443436371291_n.jpg?oh=2384bf1edb057ae6b7c8544985c2b694&oe=57C1C90D)
Same area, different direction for me.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FD9F2GrE.png&hash=fb3421d550bc7fe8786d0a8692356c24e3124263)
Many of my big road trips involve crossing the border in WNY (Buffalo-Niagara Falls), so these two apply for me:
US Customs at the Peace Bridge (from GSV (https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.904519,-78.8993794,3a,75y,165.63h,88.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1seikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DeikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D105.32954%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656))
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrcQEOnQ.png&hash=94ff44488aa8375497c8c4189c8d620ee0988eee)
The Cellino & Barnes billboard on I-190 in Buffalo (from here (http://tvgarth.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-sensational-syra-crew-visits.html)). I still prefer the old phone number, even though it's harder to remember. But it sounds better with their jingle - "Cellino & Barnes, injury attornies, call 854-20-20". Though I guess "Don't wait, call 8" works too :D
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8349%2F8210894858_5fe859bc01.jpg&hash=70a3d927cf7748ea5beab34bbfb00833c3d0ec55)
Quote from: 7/8 on August 12, 2016, 08:50:19 PM
Many of my big road trips involve crossing the border in WNY (Buffalo-Niagara Falls), so these two apply for me:
US Customs at the Peace Bridge (from GSV (https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.904519,-78.8993794,3a,75y,165.63h,88.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1seikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DeikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D105.32954%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656))
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrcQEOnQ.png&hash=94ff44488aa8375497c8c4189c8d620ee0988eee)
The Cellino & Barnes billboard on I-190 in Buffalo (from here (http://tvgarth.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-sensational-syra-crew-visits.html)). I still prefer the old phone number, even though it's harder to remember. But it sounds better with their jingle - "Cellino & Barnes, injury attornies, call 854-20-20". Though I guess "Don't wait, call 8" works too :D
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8349%2F8210894858_5fe859bc01.jpg&hash=70a3d927cf7748ea5beab34bbfb00833c3d0ec55)
Weird to see a Transformers 3 edition Camaro in that gaggle of cars. Not that border crossings were exactly the biggest cake walk before passports but they sure as shit weren't like that.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 12, 2016, 09:31:24 PM
Weird to see a Transformers 3 edition Camaro in that gaggle of cars. Not that border crossings were exactly the biggest cake walk before passports but they sure as shit weren't like that.
I would say it doesn't even look too bad for today's standards. :-/ I hear family members talk about days where they casually crossed the border with almost no questions asked, which makes me jealous :-D. But as long as you don't go during peak hours, the wait times aren't too bad.
Quote from: 7/8 on August 12, 2016, 09:43:21 PM
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 12, 2016, 09:31:24 PM
Weird to see a Transformers 3 edition Camaro in that gaggle of cars. Not that border crossings were exactly the biggest cake walk before passports but they sure as shit weren't like that.
I would say it doesn't even look too bad for today's standards. :-/ I hear family members talk about days where they casually crossed the border with almost no questions asked, which makes me jealous :-D. But as long as you don't go during peak hours, the wait times aren't too bad.
The last time I went to Canada, the guy in the shack on the Ambassador Bridge said, "Where you headed?" I answered, and he replied "All right" and waved us ahead. But that was in 2002 or so.
Generally depends on the direction that I'm headed. When i'm headed southbound, it's usually south of the border signs. Westbound,it's usually the signs at the I-64/I-81 junction in Staunton. Headed northbound, it's either signs for King's Dominion or the CBBT.
Quote from: dgolub on May 02, 2016, 07:01:07 PM
For me growing up as a kid on Long Island, it was always the Throgs Neck Bridge (I-295).
As you know, I grew up on Long Island too, but as far as I was concerned it wasn't that much of a road trip until either north or west of the city. The Throgs Neck really wasn't enough for me.
These days... I don't know... maybe the Northbound I-95 Georgia Welcome Center.
Plotting out on a spreadsheet your mileage so you can estimate when you need to change the transmission fluid and oil before a 2,500 mile trip. Trying to think of ways to close the 300 mile gap that you are short between the interval because it falls on a day you have nothing better to do. Pouring over tire reviews because your current set is at 5.5/32 of an inch left of tread and won't fit the bill for what's ahead. Repairing battery acid ridden negative ECU terminal that you found because the digital clock attached to the infotainment system can't keep time straight. Having the left front rotor machined because you warped it from too little engine braking on the downhill descent from the high mountains a couple weeks back even though you know better.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on August 12, 2016, 09:31:24 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on August 12, 2016, 08:50:19 PM
Many of my big road trips involve crossing the border in WNY (Buffalo-Niagara Falls), so these two apply for me:
US Customs at the Peace Bridge (from GSV (https://www.google.ca/maps/@42.904519,-78.8993794,3a,75y,165.63h,88.99t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1seikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DeikU1515YoEgMvkOJApLGA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D105.32954%26pitch%3D0!7i13312!8i6656))
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrcQEOnQ.png&hash=94ff44488aa8375497c8c4189c8d620ee0988eee)
The Cellino & Barnes billboard on I-190 in Buffalo (from here (http://tvgarth.blogspot.ca/2012/12/my-sensational-syra-crew-visits.html)). I still prefer the old phone number, even though it's harder to remember. But it sounds better with their jingle - "Cellino & Barnes, injury attornies, call 854-20-20". Though I guess "Don't wait, call 8" works too :D
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm9.staticflickr.com%2F8349%2F8210894858_5fe859bc01.jpg&hash=70a3d927cf7748ea5beab34bbfb00833c3d0ec55)
Weird to see a Transformers 3 edition Camaro in that gaggle of cars. Not that border crossings were exactly the biggest cake walk before passports but they sure as shit weren't like that.
Here in NYC they're obliged to add 800 in. Ruins the whole effect.
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on May 31, 2016, 09:59:54 PM
Quote from: noelbotevera on May 31, 2016, 06:42:51 PM
Having to wake up at 8 AM and waiting half an hour just for preparations because I'm done by then. Cue Sonic the Hedgehog's signature phrase.
That's way too damn late for a road trip wake up time. My Dad would flip his $#*% back when I was your age if we weren't on the road by 4 AM. :-D
Quoting humorist Dave Barry:
QuoteAnother part of the Guy Code of Conduct still in effect is that only Dad can drive. If necessary, Dad will permanently bond his hands to the steering wheel with Crazy Glue to prevent Mom from driving, because he knows that if she had the wheel, she might suffer a lapse of judgment and decide to actually stop for something, such as food or sleep or medical care for little Jennifer, whose appendix has apparently burst. No, Dad will not allow minor distractions such as these to interfere with his vacation schedule, which looks like this:
6:00-6:15 a.m: See Yellowstone National Park
6:15-6:25 a.m: See Grand Canyon
6:25-7:00 a.m: Canada
What Dad means by "see," of course, is "drive past at 67 miles per hour." Dad feels it is a foolish waste of valuable vacation time to get out of the car and actually go look at an attraction such as the White House, Niagara Falls, the Louvre, etc.
And quoting humorist Erma Bombeck:
Quote
"Don't you think we should stop and get a bite to eat?" I ask.
"Why?" answers Captain Daddy. "We just got rolling."
"We got rolling at five this morning," I say. "It is now two-thirty in the afternoon and my vision is beginning to blur."
"You exaggerate," he said. "I wanted to make Goose Fork by four. If we stop you'll all want to go to the bathroom, stretch your legs, and get out of the car to eat and that will blow another twenty minutes."
My own response to the OP:
Loading up my car with a gallon jug of water, maps, and GPS unit. And in cold weather, putting my coat in the back seat because I'll be in the car for the next several hours and don't need to be wearing it.