How do you prepare for a cross country drive? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TommySS · 08-05-2013, 08:07 PM

I am driving my 2011 Camaro Convertable to Yellowstone National Park from Cleveland later this month. Over 3800 miles round trip in one week. Anyone have any tips for long trips. Thanks

RolltideSS · 08-05-2013, 08:08 PM

fill up with gas before you start and take frequent breaks

Squillo · 08-05-2013, 08:15 PM

Check tire pressure, change oil before you leave if you're close to the miles to change it. Most important stop at the Badlands too!!

tonyko1 · 08-05-2013, 08:19 PM

Try not to knock over any Harleys and piss off bikers, it is Sturgis time and they are thick as sheephead in Lake Erie, ha.

the barber · 08-05-2013, 09:05 PM

Make sure to plan stops ahead of time to do some walking....! Ur back and legs will greatly appreciate it

TX_ED_SS · 08-05-2013, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squillo

Check tire pressure, change oil before you leave if you're close to the miles to change it. Most important stop at the Badlands too!!

This^

The badlands are awesome!

fielderLS3 · 08-05-2013, 09:34 PM

This is gonna be an awesome trip for you. I've been there over a dozen times. (That's where I took my Avatar picture...that Coyote was actually near the side of the road working on a baby bison until too many people got too close, so it stood back waiting for everyone to leave to finish).

Definitely have every hotel booked in advance. They can fill up, particularly in the Yellowstone area, where they can go weeks in advance.

As for the car, have relatively fresh oil in it. Take an extra quart just in case (though in all my trips, I've never had to use it) and check it every morning, particularly after the longer days. Have a tire pressure gauge as well, just in case you spring a slow leak or something. Gas stations may have air, but maybe not pressure gauges.

If you have satellite radio or some CD's or MP3s or something to listen to, take it, as the days driving across the plains are rather dull.

If you have a little extra time, get off the interstate, and take some 2-lane roads once you get to Montana. Going 75-80 on the narrow secondary roads in a pony car is a blast...a nice break from the monotony of the interstate.

Having a convertible in the mountains is almost like driving through heaven as well. Its almost a religious experience. Two of the ways into Yellowstone are spectacular. One is Bear Tooth Pass. Another is getting to the west entrance by taking 191 south from Bozeman to West Yellowstone, which goes through a canyon and hugs the Galatin River for a good part of it.

As for stuff to do once you get there...there is far too much to begin to list. As much as I've been there, I still find something I've never done before every time.

One last note...be aware once you are in the park that occasionally you may get into a bison jam, where a herd of Bison are along or on the road. August is their mating season, and they get really ornery and aggressive, and being among them in an open convertible could be mildly terrifying.

Yendor · 08-05-2013, 09:54 PM

Drive as far away from Sturgis as you can. I made the mistake of driving through there at the wrong time, a bike can stop a hell of a lot faster than a car or truck. Too many noobs.

Rock on · 08-05-2013, 10:02 PM

wash your car cover it and get a rental when you get back home you will have a clean low mile car with no door dings or road chips

LimaCharlie · 08-05-2013, 10:48 PM

-Check tire pressure and condition of tires (monitor tire pressure daily during trip)
-Check coolant level
-Change oil and filter before you leave
-Keep extra quart of oil and gallon of Dexcool coolant in trunk
-Have fun during trip

BigRedMikeLV · 08-06-2013, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock on

wash your car cover it and get a rental when you get back home you will have a clean low mile car with no door dings or road chips

Kinda defeats the point of having a fun car?

Bowtiepower00 · 08-06-2013, 02:20 AM

Don't be afraid to run hard in South Dakota, I've been in packs running a minimum of 15 over, passing state troopers on multiple occasions, it freaked me out at first, but especially during times of heavy bike traffic, they don't seem to mind... The longer you wait the better, Sturgis is first full week of August, I've done the trip multiple times at all times of year, spring break (late march to mid april) being the best by far, NO traffic or visitors and everything is free! Better yet, last time I did it, mid 40's to 50's during the day with snow in the background, awesome trip. The Camaro will not be an issue, whenever you do it.

myold88 · 08-06-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedMikeLV

Kinda defeats the point of having a fun car?

^^^^^ This ^^^^.
Plus what's with the extra can of oil and coolant in the car ?
It's not 1950 anymore.

Cheveey57 · 08-06-2013, 06:50 AM

Fill the tank and pack a bag.

08-05-2013, 08:07 PM	#1
TommySS Drives: 2014 lt2 Laguna Blue Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: United States Posts: 91	How do you prepare for a cross country drive? I am driving my 2011 Camaro Convertable to Yellowstone National Park from Cleveland later this month. Over 3800 miles round trip in one week. Anyone have any tips for long trips. Thanks

08-05-2013, 09:34 PM	#7
fielderLS3 Drives: 2016 Mazda6, 2011 Mustang 5.0 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Portage, Wisconsin Posts: 4,049	This is gonna be an awesome trip for you. I've been there over a dozen times. (That's where I took my Avatar picture...that Coyote was actually near the side of the road working on a baby bison until too many people got too close, so it stood back waiting for everyone to leave to finish). Definitely have every hotel booked in advance. They can fill up, particularly in the Yellowstone area, where they can go weeks in advance. As for the car, have relatively fresh oil in it. Take an extra quart just in case (though in all my trips, I've never had to use it) and check it every morning, particularly after the longer days. Have a tire pressure gauge as well, just in case you spring a slow leak or something. Gas stations may have air, but maybe not pressure gauges. If you have satellite radio or some CD's or MP3s or something to listen to, take it, as the days driving across the plains are rather dull. If you have a little extra time, get off the interstate, and take some 2-lane roads once you get to Montana. Going 75-80 on the narrow secondary roads in a pony car is a blast...a nice break from the monotony of the interstate. Having a convertible in the mountains is almost like driving through heaven as well. Its almost a religious experience. Two of the ways into Yellowstone are spectacular. One is Bear Tooth Pass. Another is getting to the west entrance by taking 191 south from Bozeman to West Yellowstone, which goes through a canyon and hugs the Galatin River for a good part of it. As for stuff to do once you get there...there is far too much to begin to list. As much as I've been there, I still find something I've never done before every time. One last note...be aware once you are in the park that occasionally you may get into a bison jam, where a herd of Bison are along or on the road. August is their mating season, and they get really ornery and aggressive, and being among them in an open convertible could be mildly terrifying. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE (Arrived 4/29/22) "The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive." . 2022 1SS 1LE (Coming Soon)

08-05-2013, 09:54 PM	#8
Yendor Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS 1LE Hyper Blue Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minnesota Posts: 661	Drive as far away from Sturgis as you can. I made the mistake of driving through there at the wrong time, a bike can stop a hell of a lot faster than a car or truck. Too many noobs. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1SS 1LE Hyper Blue

08-05-2013, 10:02 PM	#9
Rock on Drives: black 2011 2ss Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: plain city utah Posts: 248	wash your car cover it and get a rental when you get back home you will have a clean low mile car with no door dings or road chips __________________ FASTER THAN A SPEEDING TICKET 2011 cammed 3600 stall LSA super charger. 68 cammed 2800 stall 4/11 posi

08-05-2013, 10:48 PM	#10
LimaCharlie Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS - 2004 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,989	-Check tire pressure and condition of tires (monitor tire pressure daily during trip) -Check coolant level -Change oil and filter before you leave -Keep extra quart of oil and gallon of Dexcool coolant in trunk -Have fun during trip __________________ 2011 Summit White Camaro 1SS/RS -6.2 LS3, TR6060, 3.45, G80 2004 Black Silverado 1500 2WD Regular Cab, Short Bed -5.3 LM7, 4L60E, 3.42, G80 2014 White Caprice PPV -6.0 L77, 6L80E, 2.92, G80

08-05-2013, 08:08 PM	#2
RolltideSS Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Houston Posts: 1,069 View My Garage	fill up with gas before you start and take frequent breaks

08-05-2013, 08:15 PM	#3
Squillo Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS BRM LS3 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,174	Check tire pressure, change oil before you leave if you're close to the miles to change it. Most important stop at the Badlands too!!

08-05-2013, 08:19 PM	#4
tonyko1 Banned Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Convertible, IBM Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,015	Try not to knock over any Harleys and piss off bikers, it is Sturgis time and they are thick as sheephead in Lake Erie, ha.

08-05-2013, 09:05 PM	#5
the barber Drives: 13' Sw 2ss Ls3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: porterville ca Posts: 543	Make sure to plan stops ahead of time to do some walking....! Ur back and legs will greatly appreciate it

08-06-2013, 02:20 AM	#12
Bowtiepower00 Drives: Previous Camaros: 69, 89, 11, 13 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: AZ Posts: 136	Don't be afraid to run hard in South Dakota, I've been in packs running a minimum of 15 over, passing state troopers on multiple occasions, it freaked me out at first, but especially during times of heavy bike traffic, they don't seem to mind... The longer you wait the better, Sturgis is first full week of August, I've done the trip multiple times at all times of year, spring break (late march to mid april) being the best by far, NO traffic or visitors and everything is free! Better yet, last time I did it, mid 40's to 50's during the day with snow in the background, awesome trip. The Camaro will not be an issue, whenever you do it.

08-06-2013, 06:50 AM	#14
Cheveey57 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,425	Fill the tank and pack a bag. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.