CA to PA - A Focus Odyssey

[SVT3658]

If it makes you feel any better, Owen, Rob, and I drove the Sexdan to and from Carlisle pretty much alone this summer and the Sexdan had 175k+ on it. Owen and I had also installed his SVT brakes and his roommate potentially ****ed up his axle a couple weeks before...we were worried but the car made the 2000 mile round trip with no problem

[BLRich1]

Nick, I'm rooting for you! In '10 when I made the pilgrimage, I drove 2400 round trip on the air bags I had only had on for 3 weeks. I had to bump up the system every 30 min it was leaking down so bad. I have faith!



...if nothing else, there is always AAA.

[Nickgt40]

I'm actually really glad you chimed in Ben, I have a few questions for you if you don't mind.

How is the cell reception out your way? I have verizon and at&t (work and personal phones)

Coming from through Chicago (which I'm guessing is the way you'll be going too if you go*) do you think it would be best to take I-80 through Nebraska and then the 25 North from Cheyenne, WY or should I just head up into Minnesota and then take the I-90 due west?

* You are going this year, right?

Finally, do you know anyone West of you that is going that I could caravan with if I drove through Lincoln after we split off

[BLRich1]

To be honest, I'm not sure if I'm going. My decision is actually kind of hinging on yours. I don't know of anyone else west is going. Typically I drive solo down to KC to grab those guys.

Cell reception is very good right along the interstate. You should not have any issues with Verizon. AT&T may be a little more spotty.

I have never made it north up to I-90, we are planning a trip in April so I will have to get back to you on the route. All I can tell you for sure is I-80 across Iowa is probably the most boring stretch of road in the US.

[trailbikerider]

Just be warned for you guys coming through Chicago... The roads are god awful and there are plenty of 2-4" elevation changes in the pavement. This on 94 though and I don't know if you'll be taking that route or not.

[Hal3st0rm]

Hope you're still doing this. You can stop at Yukon, just west of Oklahoma City, and meet up with me before heading up to Jason's.

[CorKey723]

Do you guys have any idea where you will be rolling into PA at. I can meet somewhere like Somerset or Bedford, PA at the Turnpike to roll into Carlisle with everyone. If someone has any idea of the time and place after leaving Indiana, please let me know. I know Wobb is meeting up with everyone but I'm not sure where he is gonna meet at.

[Ataru]

We will enter PA on 70 and follow that to where it meets with 76 just south of Pittsburgh, then it's 76 for us into Carlisle.

I am not too sure what time we will get there as it all depends when we leave IN and how traffic is. The best we could do is call you and Wobb when we get to Columbus or Wheeling and you can judge when to meet us based on how far out we are.

[CorKey723]

Ok, that sounds good. Ill probably meet up in Somerset since its the earliest ill catch you guys. If you call me that would be the best and I can meet everyone at a rest stop or just pull on the Turnpike and hop inline when everyone passes.

[Wobb]

Yeah you'll have to call me when you guys are close... I'll figure out a way to meet you somehow, haha

[CorKey723]

Where are you meeting them at, Id imagine New Stanton.

[Wobb]

Either there, or I'll come down 79, and sit on 70 till I see a train of Foci coming, haha.

[CorKey723]

Thats probably what Ill do in Somerset, lol.

[Klondike]

Im kicking this idea around, im in phx but would prefer the quicker route to save gas

[Nickgt40]

I'm pretty sure we're taking the quickest route to get out there. You could meet me in Flagstaff, pretty sure the final destination for Monday night is Albuquerque, NM.

[kenzx3]

Im kicking this idea around, im in phx but would prefer the quicker route to save gas

DU IT!!!!!!

For those that don't know Chris here was one of our first cross-country Carlisle attendees! I hope to see you there man, I'll make sure I drag Ian out if you come.

[Nickgt40]

I have been mulling over the idea of not installing the big brakes that I have. This will allow me to run 17s (the big ones will only fit 18s) and that's beneficial for two reasons.

6,000 miles on pontoon tires will not only make the trip more comfy but I won't have to be as stressed about road conditions driving out on the Rotas as I would if I was making the trek on the RS wheels or Boyds.

The downside is then I'm just on SVT brakes instead of boat anchors.

[Hal3st0rm]

Just keep your foot out of it and you won't have to worry about stopping so fast. lol

[Nickgt40]

Well I'm not as concerned about the difference in braking performance (The SVT stoppers on all 4 corners are MORE than sufficient). This is a car show afterall, and having bigger, better, different is what its about. Time will tell but that's the plan right now.




**** I NEED ROAD/TOLL INFO *****

The first toll I expect to see is the $4 fare from OKC to Jason's house in Tulsa, as I head into the Midwest I'm expecting the number of toll roads and the cost to dramatically increase. In a plead for help to try to figure out exactly how much I'm going to be spending to get there I'd really like those who have made the trip before to chime in on what to expect.

[BLRich1]

I think I spent around $10 on toll roads. There are none from Lincoln until you get to the PA turnpike. google maps calls out the roads with tolls and you can look up tolls on the individual states websites if you need specific costs.