When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This would be fun, and thinking about it. For those who have done it, can you talk about what its like? Are hotels a problem, i.e. is it a must to book in advance? Is the highway full of cool cars, or is everyone spread out? Once at the stop points, is it overly crowded and difficult to navigate / find parking? Would be interested in any and all comments on what the event is like.
First thing is if you do it once you are hooked. I always book my hotels in advance. I book near when the event is for the day, others book farther away on the route for the next stop. We have a set of direction that you can follow which most do or take any route you want and do side trips. Totally up to you. You leave about 8 every morning but we usually head out about 7. There are cool cars everywhere that travel together. It is mostly 2 lane roads through small towns with people lining the roads to see the cars. Cars on the tour have their own parking so parking is not a issue but getting into venue can be slow. You can do it for 1 day, multiple days or the whole thing.
Joey
Question, I've heard about traveling at idle speed for miles. Can you, that have made the tour, comment on this?
I personally never had to. It gets slow in small towns with lights or stop signs. But they had cops there helping to keep traffic moving. The worst I had in 2019 was getting into Summit the last day. It was slow but really not that bad in my opinion. The next venue opens at noon.
you can leave for it whenever you want. Some leave early some late. Leaving early was great. Tons of us leaving hotels at the same time but not a issue. But these route are backroads so you are not going 60 mph.
I've been doing the Hot Rod tour since 2005. Even got married on stage in Gonzales LA in 2016 at the Kick Off of the tour- it was pouring rain!!!
The last 7-8 years the number of participants has grown exponentially.
For several years we'd stay in the host city - head out really early to beat the crowds. Sometime we'd do the routes- other times we'd take the interstate for a portion.
The last couple years - he'd head out after the stop and drive halfway to the next stop. Hotels were more plentiful AND cheaper. Trust me- we weren't the only ones with the plan- as most time the parking lots look like car shows 100 miles for the tour.
We are doing it this year-don't know if we'll do the longhaul as the start is 11 hour drive.
Do like the 5 stops- as the past tours have been a grueling 7 days- and we'd cover over 3000 miles in a week!!!
We have made many friends over the years- and wouldn't miss it. In fact -my wife had a knee replacement 3 weeks before the 2019 power Tour and we (she) managed to do 4 stops- what a trooper!!!
Getting married 6-11-16 on stage by "Kid Cadillac"
We have done the long haul a couple times and 2-3 nights depending on the route. In the past prior to annoucning the route the hotels are bought up by the organizers and then resold at much higher prices. We attend the event and then 20-30 miles down the route for hotels and dinner.
One year when the Power Tour last stop WI Dells. It was a total mess getting into the venue. 3 hours waiting in line to get in. Many over heated cars and people.
But having said that it is a great time.
Couple of tips. Make sure you have a good cooling system. Also some small towns ran out premium at the gas stations so plan ahead.
Hot rod power tour
