Getting ready for a long road trip
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 31
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From: Pensacola Florida
Getting ready for a long road trip
ok guys I am getting ready to transfer ( military type ), from Pensacola to Sandiego via Washington state. talk about going around your elbow. I plan on driving my c5 there is there anything I should absoluty get done before? I get 9 days to drive to whidbey I'll be there for 30 days then I get 3 days to drive to San Diego. I was also wondering if there were any awsome routs to drive along the way and stops I sould make ( must see stuff). any help would be greatly appreciated. 
Last edited by bmwdiver; Aug 3, 2004 at 03:13 PM. Reason: spelling
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,413
Likes: 278
From: NC
Originally Posted by bmwdiver
ok guys I am getting ready to transfer ( military type ), from Pensacola to Sandiego via Washington state. talk about going around your elbow. I plan on driving my c5 there is there anything I should absoluty get done before? I get 9 days to drive to whidbey I'll be there for 30 days then I get 3 days to drive to San Diego. I was also wondering if there were any awsome routs to drive along the way and stops I sould make ( must see stuff). any help would be greatly appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,547
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You will sure enjoy the trip, I'm sure. Wish I could offer some route advice, but I'm not familiar with where you are going. With all the CF members we have scattered between here and there, I am sure they will offer some very nice "off interstate routes"
Have fun
Have fun
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Since you have a '98 A4 and don't say where you are for recent fluid changes...before you head out...
Fresh oil/filter change, top off all of your fluid resevoirs, take a real good look at everything for signs of leaks, change your tranny and differential fluids, have plenty of tread on your tires or replace them, double check that all of your lights work properly and probably some new windshield wipers. If you have 50-60K miles on your serpentine belt get it changed (or at the least carry a spare).
Make sure your license, registration and insurance papers are all up-to-date for the LEOs you may encounter. Have a good radar detector.
Good prep work before you head out can often mean a happy trip without hassles.
I usually fly when I go to the left coast so I can't suggest a route to take...but you're probably stuck with I-10 for a good portion of the trip. 
Fresh oil/filter change, top off all of your fluid resevoirs, take a real good look at everything for signs of leaks, change your tranny and differential fluids, have plenty of tread on your tires or replace them, double check that all of your lights work properly and probably some new windshield wipers. If you have 50-60K miles on your serpentine belt get it changed (or at the least carry a spare).
Make sure your license, registration and insurance papers are all up-to-date for the LEOs you may encounter. Have a good radar detector.
Good prep work before you head out can often mean a happy trip without hassles.
I usually fly when I go to the left coast so I can't suggest a route to take...but you're probably stuck with I-10 for a good portion of the trip.
Last edited by Cajun99; Aug 3, 2004 at 03:51 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Maggie Valley NC
Originally Posted by bmwdiver
ok guys I am getting ready to transfer ( military type ), from Pensacola to Sandiego via Washington state. talk about going around your elbow. I plan on driving my c5 there is there anything I should absoluty get done before? I get 9 days to drive to whidbey I'll be there for 30 days then I get 3 days to drive to San Diego. I was also wondering if there were any awsome routs to drive along the way and stops I sould make ( must see stuff). any help would be greatly appreciated.
If you decide to head north and west from the outset and hook up with I-90 in S. Dakota, the badlands and Rushmore are great. The drive via 90 through Montana and Idaho and Eastern WA to Seattle is scenic. When you get to Whidbey, take a day to visit Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Great ferry trip from Annacortes.
Also, take the ferry from Widbey (Keystone) to Port Townsend, a neat waterside town. Beyond, you have the Olympic Penninsula, but you'll need at least one over stay to see some of it.
A long day trip from Oak Harbor (Whidbey): hook up with highway 20 in the Skagit Valley and head east right over the North Cascades to Winthrop. Incredible.
Lastly, on your trip to S CA, get off I-5 at Portland, Oregon and pick up 1 at Seaside for a run down the Oregon coast to the redwoods in N CA. This is a fabulous drive.
Happy trails.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by HHC5
Do you use this in a new C5 (600 miles)??
I've always used Chevron Premium and never added extra Techron...I've also never had the dreaded gas gauge problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
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From: Springfield MO
Originally Posted by bmwdiver
ok guys I am getting ready to transfer ( military type ), from Pensacola to Sandiego via Washington state. talk about going around your elbow. I plan on driving my c5 there is there anything I should absoluty get done before? I get 9 days to drive to whidbey I'll be there for 30 days then I get 3 days to drive to San Diego. I was also wondering if there were any awsome routs to drive along the way and stops I sould make ( must see stuff). any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Just make sure your tires are properly inflated, all fluids are at the right levels, belts and hoses are in good shape. Then have a blast on your trip.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Vancouver
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I think the previous posts say it all. And post some pics along the way. Once your in Seattle, Vancouver Canada isn't that far away. Two hours and your here. Great place to visit if you get the chance. Also Vancouver Island and Victoria. Have a great trip.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Panama City Beach FL
It seems you have a wonderful, scenic drive ahead of you into WA state from FL.
One member suggested going north on I-65 thru Bowling Green KY. That route from Pensacola thru lower Alabama onto I-65 northwards makes a boring drive unless you want to stop for some excellent bbq ribs or pork sandwich in Birmingham (ie. Dreamland or Full-moon BBQ).
I would take Hwy 98 doing the scenic tour (you won't see those beaches for awhile) into Mobile, dip into Biloxi. Stop at the casinos, flop on the beach for the remainder of the day. Play in the casino at night. In the morning, headout for lunch in New Orleans and continue west towards Houston or San Antonio (suggest to stay/play in the Riverwalk area...it's a good thing). From there, I would go north up thru CO, UT and ID into WA; plenty of eye popping views and twisties if you take some of the back roads.
Enjoy your trip, regardless of the route you take.
One member suggested going north on I-65 thru Bowling Green KY. That route from Pensacola thru lower Alabama onto I-65 northwards makes a boring drive unless you want to stop for some excellent bbq ribs or pork sandwich in Birmingham (ie. Dreamland or Full-moon BBQ).
I would take Hwy 98 doing the scenic tour (you won't see those beaches for awhile) into Mobile, dip into Biloxi. Stop at the casinos, flop on the beach for the remainder of the day. Play in the casino at night. In the morning, headout for lunch in New Orleans and continue west towards Houston or San Antonio (suggest to stay/play in the Riverwalk area...it's a good thing). From there, I would go north up thru CO, UT and ID into WA; plenty of eye popping views and twisties if you take some of the back roads.
Enjoy your trip, regardless of the route you take.
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
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The only thing that I might add to all of this great advice is might consider a bra for the front end. It sounds like about 3500 miles, and you're sure to get some chips along the way. The GM Bra is economical and fits very good. You might check out Fichtner Chevrolet in Laurel, Montana is you're going to be anywhere near - great prices on parts and all things Corvette, plus they are super nice folks....
Have a great and safe trip - my very first experience with my 98 convertible, was I bought the car on a Friday afternoon in Chicago and drove it back to Phoenix starting that day. There is no better way to really become "one" with your car than a long road trip. It was an awesome experience!
Take lots of photos!
Have a great and safe trip - my very first experience with my 98 convertible, was I bought the car on a Friday afternoon in Chicago and drove it back to Phoenix starting that day. There is no better way to really become "one" with your car than a long road trip. It was an awesome experience!
Take lots of photos!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 378
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From: Marysville WA
Welcome to Wasington
We live in Marysville Wa which is about a hour as the Vette flys from Whidbey Navel Air station and 40 minutes north of Seattle. There are a couple of Vette clubs in the area and great places and drives as stated in other replys. When you get here drop me an email and maybe we can get some coffee(might be able to find some in this area).
Have a safe trip and keep it between the white lines.
Gene,AKA. stinger
Have a safe trip and keep it between the white lines.
Gene,AKA. stinger
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Maggie Valley NC
Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
Just make sure your tires are properly inflated, all fluids are at the right levels, belts and hoses are in good shape. Then have a blast on your trip.
The reason I said I'd do nothing special to my car for a long road trip in an earlier post is, my car is always ready. There is no difference between driving 6k miles around your home area, and driving 6k miles on a road trip. Miles are miles, and we need to be prepared for them regardless.BTW, though I have runflats, I carry a compressor and plug kit. And an extra qt. of Mobil 1. Plus, flashlight, emergency triangle, fire extinguisher, cell phone, AAA membership, CB, maps, good insurance, water... Far as I'm concerned, this stuff is standard wherever I drive.
Have a wonderful trip.
Last edited by RVers; Aug 4, 2004 at 06:45 AM.