Driving to Los Angeles. Tips?

Never done it personally, but BS speed traps plus joints? Sounds like there's a decent chance of your trip being derailed in an unfortunate way.

 

Last summer I drove with my dad from Houston, all through California, through Oregon, to Seattle Washington, all the way back through California, back to Houston.

Hell of a drive.

I'd say the best thing you could do is, bring a buddy (fam member, gf) to help drive. I know that's probably not a possibility for most, but if you could do that it would probably make the drive much better for you.

 

DONT DO IT!

there is checkpoint outside of el paso and they will probably run a dog around your car. they got willie, snoop dog/lion and fionna apple...they will get you too.

i dont know about speed traps, but cops out there are looking for people carrying drugs and they are very, very good at profiling...if they think you look suspicious its not hard to make up a reason to pull you over.

weed is pretty much legal in cali - just wait till you get out there.

 

I drove from Houston to Phoenix with my dad and brother 5 years ago. Had the cruise control exactly at 80 on the 80 MPH stretch of I-10 and we didn't get pulled over.

Will you be driving alone? As ThatBoyNick said, having someone along for the ride will definitely help. I drove through Texas (which will take all day), and my dad took over once we got to Las Cruces.

IIRC, there's another checkpoint in New Mexico too. I don't remember if it's an agricultural checkpoint, though

 

I take my gf even when I go to Austin. Guaranteed BJ while I'm driving because she gets bored.

But seriously it's not bad. I drove from the East coast to Houston, close to 2000 miles in 2 days. About 13 hrs each day.

 

I drive out to west texas from Houston about twice a month. I've been pulled over by those small town cops in Sonora and Ozona for going 4 and 5 mph over the speed limit...was given warning both times...just had to not be a dick and apologize . I'd say keep it at 80 (which is what I always do now)...that extra 10 mph will only save you about 30 mins of extra driving or so. It's not worth it. Also, after Ozona you'll be out of cell range for about an hour or so until you hit around exit 305. Other than that it's pretty cool, lots of rolling hills and such. I hadn't been out to El Paso or beyond since I was 13 though

 

i wear diapers when on long trips.

 

Easy way to get around this, If you have drugs on deck I definitely wouldn't consider driving along the border of mexico because they are tripping. Take the highway 40 route instead. It's 3 hours longer, but it keeps you a good distance from the boarder at all times, decent stopping places in Dallas, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Flagstaff then you hit LA. Stopping by Vegas on that route would be quite easy as well if you wanted.

 

Never encountered a speed trap in west Texas, I've driven 110mph out there, not a car in sight. But lots of speed traps west of NM.

 

My tip ... I-10.

 

I remember as a kid, my family drove from Houston to LA and it seemed like it took forever(2days non-stop). The two things I remember was at night in West Texas, you could see El Paso from miles and miles away but remember it taking forever to actually reach it cause its so barren out there. The second thing was Phoenix and that dry heat is a killer.

 

Your refueling route sounds good, although I usually stop in Boerne (Bernie) which is in NW San Antonio (exit 550)...there is an Exxon/McDonalds that is quick off and back on the freeway. It seems like gas outside the major areas is a bit more expensive. If you get about 25 mpg you should be able to make it to Fort Stockton with no issues from Boerne.

 

Music will get boring after a while. My advice is to pre-download some lengthy podcasts of your choice. Also, don't forget your phone's car charger.

I would also suggest leaving earlier than 8am. 6am would be better and you could probably even stretch the first night's stay in Arizona that way, rather than New Mexico.

**Edit: Why not just fly instead? I know you said you wanted to see the country, but Austin nonstop to Long Beach, CA (right outside of LA) is $99 on Saturday, April 25th. Book at JetBlue.com.

 

Fly breh. Rent a car when you get there. Get a joint when you're in Cali.

 

**** that bro take that free flight.

So much more of a chill experience. Road trips are fun with friends sometimes, but that far being alone it would probably be a pain in the ass even if you like driving.