beez43

iTrader: (6)

So guys.. My car gets to LBC on the 29th and I need to drive it up to DC. What is the best stretch of highway in your opinions when considering time efficiency, safety, and good sights? Also, would you guys tape up the front of your rides with painter's tape as well? What height would you guys ride in if you had 19's and the alignment was done when the car was dropped with the rear tires slightly tucking and the front has about a .5 finger gap? I appreciate any ideas and suggestions and thanks in advance for your inputs!!

sojah

iTrader: (1)

whenever you can get on highway 70 you should pick it up and it will take you all the way into MD, its a pretty drive through the Rockies and the Appalachians. when i took this drive i drove from denver to reston va and mapquest said 70 the whole way, now when i try it says like 76 to... all kinds of different roads... i liked 70 cuz it went through all the major cities and you could see the rural lands and leading up to the suburbs leading to the cities and out again repeatedly + the 2 different sets of mountains to look at...

i also recommend putting the stock wheels + tires back on since they give you that nice cushy ride.. good luck yo

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I've done that trip (but I went from D.C. to L.A. )

Do L.A. to Havasu to Flagstaff to Gallup to Alberqueque. That takes 12-13 hours.

Then from Alberqueque, head to Amarillo to Oklahoma City to Little Rock to Memphis. That takes 13-15 hours.

Finally, Memphis to Nashville to D.C. should be another 10-12 hours.

With rest stops and overnight stays, you can do it comfortably in 3 days. Good luck!

whoster

I agree with Phil on most of those.

LA > Flagstaff > Amarillo > Tulsa (past OKC) > and then past Tulsa it's really up to you... you could head north to St. Louis, cut through Louisville and West Virginia to DC, or do what Phil suggests...

Most of the interstates cutting cross many states are pretty much same, just differently numbered (from what I've noticed)

whoster

I think the 70 is a bit too northerly....

beez43

iTrader: (6)

Thanks a lot for your info guys!! what about taping the front bumper up and i do not have stock wheels as well fyi.

litesoarer

Definitely take I-15 to I-70, very scenic route (Virgin River Gorge) I-70 is also great with many views. (Canyons in Utah, Colorado; especially Glenwood Canyon)

Virgin River Gorge


Glenwood Canyon

pvmike1

I'd seriously consider buying stock wheels for the trip:

1. Difficulty in finding the right sized 19" low pro tire if you get a flat in BFE;
2. Road noise/ride comfort for 2000 miles;
3. Possible damage to your 19" wheels, even if it's cosmetic (rock chips);
4. Price of stock wheels with tires = cost of 2000 miles of tire wear on 19" tires.

Painters tape is probably a good idea too if you don't mind the ugliness.

litesoarer

LA to DC is not 2000 miles.

It is closer to 3,000mi, give or take a few hundred. I agree however on attaining the stock wheels for the trip, I-15 in california is not kind to large wheels.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Unless I-40 has been completely repaved from Amarillo to Oklahoma City, I would avoid it. I drove it last May in my Supra with Tein HAs (newly rebuilt), and it was no less than punishing. The pavement has severe frost heaves and I was certain I'd bent a wheel more than once. If you are lowered on tires with small sidewalls, I'd REALLY avoid it.

Iceman

I've driven cross-country 7 times, on every interstate route from I-70 south (I-40, I-30/20/10, and I-10 all the way). There are advantages to each. Mostly to me it depends on the time of year--in the winter I'll take the southern route and in the summer I'll move north. I've never used tape, and never got more than a few rock dings that touch-up paint covered up. Changing out wheels also sounds like more trouble than it's worth--if you can't drive in the wheels then why'd you get them in the first place?!

litesoarer

I-40 also has a ton of those pesky state troopers in Texas, as well.

Ever gotten paced for going 67 in a 65?

Iceman

No, but I can't say I found I-10 any less patrolled than the other routes.

litesoarer

I found I-70 to be less patrolled than I-10 or I-40 in general.

beez43

iTrader: (6)

thanks guys for all your help and fyi i dont have my stocks since they are back in hawaii as well.