Thoughts on Road Trips to Car Shows in Your Classic

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71GSSDemon

71GSSDemon

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So, what does everyone do when road trippin to car shows...quick, fastest route on freeway if available or longer 2 lane roads? Would you take a 4.5hr drive on the freeway or 5.5hr drive on 80% 2 lane highways? If driving modern cars, I say just get there and enjoy, but what about in your classic?
 
I do either, which ever route to stay safe and away from stupid drivers. With everybody using navigation, secondary roads are less traveled and sometimes are just as fast. Plus you can find some interesting stops and places to eat.
 
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I've always liked back roads vs tollways/highways. Especially with the 4.30s.

Enjoy a laid back ride, through small towns and scenic back roads.
 
That hour saved on the interstate can turn into 2 hours lost in a traffic jam real quick.

I know it can happen on the secondary roads as well, but at least then you've got a better chance of a drivable detour as opposed being stuck for 5 miles between exits.
 
Also, I've gone both routes. For me it really depends on day of the week and time of day that I'm planning to travel.
 
Seems like there are far less idiots on the secondary roads, and the scenery is typically more enjoyable too.
Last thing anyone needs is some rubber rubbernecking fool driving into their pride and joy.
 
sounds like a consensus. this was in regards to the trip up to Mopars in the Park. back roads it is......maybe. just follow the yellow car
 
Been wanting to do this for quite some time. Carslile or maybe Power Tour. I guess there’s a cruise in Colorado that goes to a big event.
 
4 hours to MITP. A hour and a half or more on 2 lane and the rest interstate. Usually a little more help on the 4 lane in case of trouble. 4 hours in the old car is enough. They aren't necessarily the most comfortable. I vote to get there.
 
I was just thinking to myself a little while ago, on my next visit to the Brats in Phx of taking the old US 66 through the Mojave to the Az border.
 
Just got back from a 2300+ mile road trip in the wife's car. Oregon coast on the 101 and then the 1 to San Francisco and over to Modesto. Including the loop out to Cape Mendocino from Ferndale to Honeydew and back to the 101. Home was via 88 to Carson City and Reno to Klamath Falls and then north on 97. We had a stretch on 84 from Biggs Junction to Portland and some of 90 and 395 on the way down and back, plus from SF to Modesto, but most of it was minor highways.

There are a couple of sections I'm not sure I would want to repeat in my Duster, or any other car for that matter (Cape Mendocino for sure). But if you aren't doing really narrow, windy roads with hairpin corners and lots of elevation changes I vote 2 lane roads the whole way. I think the scenery is generally so much better and the only issue I had was trying to stay patient with slower drivers. In my defense, it was the last day and was intended to be a 9 hour drive and 500 miles so I was focused on getting somewhere.

I hope someday to do something similar in my Duster. Lot's to do to get it ready though so no timeline yet.

Did a trip from Spokane, WA to Baker City, OR once in my Challenger and got off I90 at Ritzville and didn't see a major highway again until we were on the way home. Saw some really cool scenery and even made it over the Blue's without getting on I84. Really enjoyed that trip and would do it in my Duster.

Stay off the freeways and see America. That's my vote.
 
I generally operate with "avoid highways" selected in my navigation app. I did learn to bring a map book and a old school Garmin since there's not always cell service available.
 
This is wonderful. Thank you all
 
For me it has always depended on how much time I have set aside for the trip. That's no matter what we're driving or where we're going. With today's fuel prices, though, it would be the least expensive way to get there...
 
I won’t take my notch very far, I think I figured 4.5 MPG on a 12 gal well cell. I’m currently building a fb with a magnum 360, I’m hoping a little better on gas, and then, yes I would take that one
 
I go to Rockford IL a few times a year, I-90 to I-94 and on down. My friend mentioned the scenery on US 20, and I've taken that the last several times and it's much more relaxing, has fun stretches of hills and turns, and some beautiful scenery along the way. It's only an hour longer than the freeway, although there is plenty of less busy four lane highways to cruise along.

I hit the freeway to go to MITP, but last year followed some friends back on back roads, and really enjoyed the cruise.
 
Vixen doesn't have over drive. Yet. Even after I put the T5 in her, she'll not see interstate unless absolutely necessary. That's no fun.
 
All interesting takes on this. I prefer the 2 lane blacktop roads, but interstates have their advantages. In just speaking of getting somewhere, small towns, stop and go, agricultural slow downs, etc can/could/will add much more time and could negate the mileage advantage of going slower. Interstates have decently spaced off ramps with fuel stations (here in WI at least, not everywhere..I know). I hate the I94 section. About an hour of that from Eau Claire to just outside Minneapolis. Cars and semis flying by cutting people off, etc. I also don't want to be stuck behind a tractor full of hay or manure going 10mph on a winding, no pass road. Keep the opinions coming!
 
Sublime one said:
Typically I meander to the event with back roads and multiple stops. But when coming home I jam on the fastest way period. Interstate for home bound trip, back roads for destination.
Click to expand...

I was kinda thinking the same. We will see how the backroads go on the way there and then decide for the return trip. I think we will take an extra day going forward, leaving on Thursday so we have all day Fri and Sat for the show vs trying to relax and enjoy the drive while also trying to make some time to get to the show at a decent time.
 
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