Driving to Florida
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
Driving to Florida
I have some friends in Florida, and come May I plan on visiting them. I really want to take my Corvette down there, but the 17 hours in the car seems like it might cause problems. I've driven 15 hours in one day (in an Avenger) and I was super tired but I also worked 5 hours before I jumped in the car (this was all for work), and I was alone. The Trip to FL would be with a buddy of mine.
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 4
From: Arlington TX
I have some friends in Florida, and come May I plan on visiting them. I really want to take my Corvette down there, but the 17 hours in the car seems like it might cause problems. I've driven 15 hours in one day (in an Avenger) and I was super tired but I also worked 5 hours before I jumped in the car (this was all for work), and I was alone. The Trip to FL would be with a buddy of mine.
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 21,849
Likes: 140
From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
10 to 10.5 hours is a about all I've done so far, but it was pain free.
Hope you have a great trip.
Hope you have a great trip.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Flagler Beach Florida
I make the trip from New England to just north of Daytona a few times a year. About 1,250 miles. The last time was in Nov from MacMulkin in NH. I brought my 09 back and drove almost straight through. I stopped in VA for a quick 1 hour nap. Had to take it easy for a bit as the car was new. Actually traffic made me take it easy. There was no fatigue brought on by the car, it was more than comfortable.
Oh, the seats were fine and it has the Z51 option.
Oh, the seats were fine and it has the Z51 option.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
I don't know what seats you have, but my 2005 coupe has the top trim level heated seats with adjustable bolster and lumbar supports and full 6-way electric position adjustment.
I've done a 14 hour day from Cleveland to Daytona and was VERY comfortable. A little adjustment of the lumbar support, or a slight adjustment of seat position (tilt, height, fore/aft position) will let you be comfortable for hour-after-hour. My wife has a bad back and uses the seat heat all the time even here in Florida (well...it has been down to freezing the last couple nights!!)
When we got the Z06 the first thing my wife complained about was that her passenger seat was mechanical fore/aft only with no tilt/height adjustment. And, although it is heated, it didn't have the bolster and lumbar support bladders.
I solved that by getting some C6 seats and putting my Z06 seat skins on them so the Z06 now has the same features of full power adjustment both sides, and also has the adjustable bolsters and lumbar support bladders.
If you don't have the full power adjustable seats you may not be as comfortable for long periods of driving, but if you've got the high trim level you should be able to do long drives comfortably.
Bob
I've done a 14 hour day from Cleveland to Daytona and was VERY comfortable. A little adjustment of the lumbar support, or a slight adjustment of seat position (tilt, height, fore/aft position) will let you be comfortable for hour-after-hour. My wife has a bad back and uses the seat heat all the time even here in Florida (well...it has been down to freezing the last couple nights!!)
When we got the Z06 the first thing my wife complained about was that her passenger seat was mechanical fore/aft only with no tilt/height adjustment. And, although it is heated, it didn't have the bolster and lumbar support bladders.
I solved that by getting some C6 seats and putting my Z06 seat skins on them so the Z06 now has the same features of full power adjustment both sides, and also has the adjustable bolsters and lumbar support bladders.
If you don't have the full power adjustable seats you may not be as comfortable for long periods of driving, but if you've got the high trim level you should be able to do long drives comfortably.
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 17,373
Likes: 6
From: Chatsworth California
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 94
From: Southgate Michigan
Do it. I just came back from Hollywood Florida two weeks ago and it was fine. It's 22 hours and I enjoyed every minute of it. It's the 4th trip since last june too. You'll get to know XM radio very well. One problem I had was that you've got to time the weather so you can avoid ice. On the way back I got almost to Toledo before the ice started--then it was 4 way flashers and 35 m.p.h. till home.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Vette may be different than the Dodge, but you did work first and then drive the long hours. I'd say big difference. I drove about 11 or 12 hours straight, and wasn't beat up on way to same state as you're going to.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
I have taken the Florida to NC and Back trip almost twice a year in my vettes since 2002. And now witht the Vert.... the top comes down as the temp goes up. I love it. You will never get stuck in a long line of traffic unless you want to. 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Flagler Beach Florida
Really?? Does Lumberton ring a bell??? That area of I-95 has been a traffic jam since the 70's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,644
Likes: 1,220
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
I use my vert for mostly touring. I took a two week trip in it last summer and it was great, not as much luggage space as the coupe, but I was OK, my wife took up most of the room.
Took a lot of shorter trips also and they were all great.
Long hours in the vette is are the good times.
Took a lot of shorter trips also and they were all great.
Long hours in the vette is are the good times.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 89
From: East Northport NY
I just took mine from DFW to Orlando during the holidays - fantastic trip, fantastic ride, terrific gas mileage. I'm telling you no fatigue in the car, very comfortable. The only tough part is keeping yourself from nailing it to see how fast you can go. It's amazing how the striped lines become solid 
Last edited by jrizzuto; Jan 23, 2009 at 06:24 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Houston The Republic of Texas
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
I think some window washer solution and Zaino will be making the trip then...
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
get on I-75,
I just took mince from DFW to Orlando during the holidays - fantastic trip, fantastic ride, terrific gas mileage. I'm telling you no fatigue in the car, very comfortable. The only tough part is keeping yourself from nailing it to see how fast you can go. It's amazing how the striped lines become solid
heading south, put the cruise on 73, sit back, relax, stop for gas in 7 hours...
REPEAT above...
you should then be near Lake City
welcome to la Florida - land of the flowers
(spend your money and then leave
Last edited by crescentbeachbum; Jan 23, 2009 at 05:36 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
I have some friends in Florida, and come May I plan on visiting them. I really want to take my Corvette down there, but the 17 hours in the car seems like it might cause problems. I've driven 15 hours in one day (in an Avenger) and I was super tired but I also worked 5 hours before I jumped in the car (this was all for work), and I was alone. The Trip to FL would be with a buddy of mine.
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
So question I have is anyone take LONG trips in the Vette in a single day? Any tips? Am I crazy? Thanks!
I'm confident you'll find that the C6 is the most comfortable long distance GT touring car you'll ever have the pleasure of driving. Enjoy!