[blix9]

Guys, looking for some quick and wise solution here.

I have to move from Virginia to Iowa for transfering school. All the moving companies' offer was just too expensive for me even those 'U-Pack, We Drive' type of services.

I think I'll rent a truck and drive down to Iowa myself alone. It will be around 17 hours of driving. I have never driven such long distance before and I'm gonna be refering at the direction all the time as I drive.

Is this safe?

Also, I will have to stop by at a motel and sleep one or two nights.
Is there suitable place for me to stop overnight close to highways? Or I have to go into a city for some place to sleep?

My question is not clear. I know that but I 'm kind of afraid of all this and I don't even know what to worry.

Somebody with some knowledge please give me some advise.

Thanks

[digitalwanderer]

You can do it, the trick is to get a couple of friends to come along and help with the hauling of boxes once you get there.

There's generally LOTS of places just off the highway where you can get a motel room, you can either check Virginia's Trip Planner Page, or the Online Highway Guide has a few good links.

[DriveEuro]

You can't even do U-Haul? Personally I could drive it the whole way. But just take it slow and do it in two days.

[ToshiroOC]

It would be possible - I have done the drive from southern California to northern California dozens of times, a 6-8 hour drive (which is similar but no-where near as long). At the very least make sure there is a second person with you so if something happens you have somone else around to help and so you don't have to be looking up directions on the road - the other person can do that. It is also always useful to have someone else to help unload, especially if you will be moving furniture, as it is nearly impossible to move large (even lightweight) and bulky pieces of furniture without injury single-handedly.

[blix9]

I am gonna have to do it alone for all the driving. Am I not safe?

[Madgoat1979]

Dont worry man...


I've had to drive all over th USA. I dont think I have lived in one city for more than 2 years at a time...


You need to get online and plan out a trip... Figure out your hotel, and motel places before you go... Then call them... make sure you've got a spot for that night when you get there...


and your set... I have moved from cali and back MANY times...


My dad and I made the 967 mile road trip from Tucson AZ to Marysville CA in one trip, without stopping... (for gas of corse)


But you need to pase yourself... your new to this and driving is VERY tireing!


the big thing is to sit down with a map.... and the net.... and plot out your way... And make sure you have a game plan as far as where your going to stop for rest.... cuz if you have a midpoint to get to while your on the road... you have something better to look forward to... (It not so hard seeing 50miles ti'll your "motel" than it is 200miles ti'll Iowa)


good luck

[Vampyromaniac]

an MP3 cd/harddrive player helps

[blix9]

Thanks for all the advise, guys.

Halfway will be about when I enter Indiana.
Should I make a reservation or I can just walk in and ask for a room at this time of year? Is this busy season for highway travellers?
Also, how do I find a motel or hotel that is just right off from highway I-80? I tried on the internet and I could not find them easilly accessible from highway.

Am I just too nervous about this?

Thanks guys

[Zarathustra]

You shouldn't have any troubles finding a hotel room in Indiana. That is a good place to stop too. I live in VA and used to go to college in Indiana. The highways out there are COMPLETELY straight and the countryside is devoid of trees of any sort. Long story short, driving through Indiana is incredibly boring and will make you sleepy VERY fast.

[DriveEuro]

Yes, my family drives from IL to Buffalo NY, and to Hilton Head Island SC from IL once a year. Indiana is long and flat and boring.. You better have a lot of music and drive through inidiana during the day... It's a bore.