While living in NW Montana, my wife and I crossed the Western US 4 times when we wintered in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. We crossed the US 8 times when we wintered in Destin Florida. Eash of these trips were by a different route.

We saw all sorts of cool stuff and, after this month is over, we will have seen all 50 US States. Again, lots of cool stuff out there.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
Second time someone has suggested Penske. I'll see how it all shakes out, but the closest one to where I'm loading the truck up is a three and a half hour drive south of there.

Did you check Home Depot? They rent Penske moving trucks.[/QUOTE]
I rented my Penske truck online and picked it up at a Home Depot. I would think there should be one of them reasonably close to where you plan to start your trip.

I checked Penske’s site, nearest one is 2.5 hrs south west in Watertown, next nearest is Albany. Nearest Home Depot is a 45-50 minute drive, I confirmed with them this morning that they don’t rent trucks. Nearest weigh station on my projected route is south of Buffalo, or Albany if I go through eastern NY. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, guys. That’s its own complication.

A different viewpoint. Wife and I owned a home in western MA and Florida. When we found ourselves spending 10 months of the year in Florida we decided to sell the MA home. Since our Florida home was already totally furnished there was a lot we gave up to family so one truck would complete the move. We still had a car up north so my wife would follow me driving the truck down to Florida. I checked with UHaul and Penske. The prices for both were very close, I only needed a 16’ truck. I then checked PODS and they were about $100 more but they dropped off a 16’ container which I filled and locked. They delivered the pod to my Florida home a couple days later. This saved me from having to drive a truck, paying the extra toll cost and fuel.

I don’t know how much stuff you will have and if they have a pod the size you need but I enjoyed driving our car down to Florida rather than driving a truck. Assuming you are flying up to NY , you could make it a round trip ticket and not have to drive a truck for multiple day’s and pay for food and lodging. If part of this is to see the country and possibly meet some folks, then just disregard all the above.

Assuming you're leaving from up around Malone? Were I you, I'd stay as far away from Albany as I could, especially driving a big truck.

Route 11 down to Syracuse - Chicago - St. Louis - OKC - Albuquerque - home, would by my route. Were I driving a POV and not a UHaul truck, I'd probably explore a little more and take two-laners most of the way (I agree with bald1 and sjtill...much more pleasurable way to travel and see the country). This seems more like a necessity trip and getting from point A to point B. Given that I'd do interstates and just get it overwith.

Also, be prepared to pay out the nose renting a UHaul anywhere out of NY. Not sure about nowadays, but there was a time when their prices were exceedingly high when NY was the pick-up location. As an example, I rented a 12 ft trailer from here to Albany for about $250. On the way back a few years later they wanted almost $3000 from Albany to here. I told the guy that I could almost buy an enclosed trailer for that much and he said, "Then do it", and hung up. So I did.

Have a good trip. And weather shouldn't be an issue in October, even in the North Country.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I would personally have a hard time sightseeing with a "garage full of stuff" and especially guns and ammunition in tow. Anywhere you stop for longer than a bathroom break or meal leaves your stuff vulnerable to theft.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
I'd forget anything other than a strict focus on moving the stuff.

My attitude as well.

To me, it is work, not pleasure. You'll have valuable stuff in a truck, and for me, the mission is to get from point A to point B quickly and safely. When I moved to TX, I drove three Uhaul trips, two of them the fastest route, non stop (I had my son on one, my wife on the final trip). I had guns, ammo, reloading stuff and lots of other valuables on two of those trips, and I figured the less time on the road, the less chance of getting ripped off, because it does happen.

I have more experience over the road than I care to have.

Difference between Penske and Uhaul is the Penske trucks are diesel and their fleet is generally newer and better taken care of. Also, if Penske does not have a 21' truck for you, you are upgraded to the 26' truck for no extra charge. The Penske diesel trucks have heavier payloads than the Uhaul gas trucks. Uhaul has lower ramp heights. Penske has air brakes and radar cruise control.

To piggyback onto what SigSAC said about the weigh scales, you will also need to stop at the agricultural scales despite not being a commercial vehicle. I found this out in the Florida panhandle. Got pulled over by an agriculture cop on I-10. He said I didn't pull over into the inspection station. I said I didn't think I had to because I'm not commercial. Very reasonably, he said they can't tell if I'm driving personal items or rented the truck for commercial use. I told him I have a 1911 in the door, he had me open the door, he unloaded the pistol and put it on the dash while I went to open the back for him. Showed him my license and CWP, he shook my hand and I went on my way when he saw it was just household goods and furniture.

quote:

I'm definitely not going through Illinois with guns and ammunition

Unless you are going through Chicagoland, you won't have any issues. Most of Illinois is like the rest of the country. Chicagoland ruins that state. I assume you'd likely be going in central or southern Illinois and that would be far enough away from Chicago. Going across Illinois isn't a long drive at all.

quote:

your departure date of mid-October is about as late as I'd risk things

Because of that, if I were making the trip, I'd head south sooner than later.

quote:

A couple of years ago, the wife and I drove from Chicago to upstate New York for a wedding. We were pressed for time on the way there, but had plenty of time for the return, so I decided to get off the interstate and see the scenery. After a couple of hours of slogging over bad roads, getting stuck behind dump trucks, and slowing to a crawl through decrepit one-stoplight towns, I was desperate to find the nearest interstate entrance ramp!

Having driven in 36 states, that's my take. It might some cool or romanticized but many of those little towns will make you a target for revenue. Speed limits will all of a sudden drop to 35 mph. Gas costs more, food costs more, you lose cell reception.

I must admit I'm rather surprised at all the naysayers. Perhaps it is my attitude about making the best out of any situation. So if traveling in a 16' or 21' box truck I'd still look for enjoyable diversions along the route I take. Yes it will take longer but fuel economy will probably be better. An acceptable trade off in my mind.

For clarity, no, I've never travelled long distances in a box truck or RV for that matter.
Most recent for the family was a round trip from Rapid City to Fort Collins and back in a 16' U-Haul my son drove.
My preference has always been sports cars ala the old Route 66 TV show.

And no, in all my years I never was nailed in a speed trap or felt ripped off by prices in small towns. I did get pulled over on the NY State Thruway once though. Was running late to an event at my folks place or I would have taken the slower and much more scenic Rt20 or Rt5. Unpleasant experience.

Invariably if I stopped in a small town for lodging around the country I was pointed to the best "ma and pa's" locally eatery when inquiring. Never anything resembling a tourist trap. Great food and decent prices were the rule not exception. Chit chat was always entertaining as well. Most folks are very friendly when treated with respect.

As an aside I don't recall Charles Kuralt or any others of like persuasion ever commenting about problems with their large conveyances when traveling the back roads of America.


Ed (P220 Smudge), whatever route you decide to take, be safe and keep smiling!
As an aside that PODS business sounds like it could be a winner.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

One is Illinois with guns and ammunition in the truck - I'm just not going to spin that wheel.

I don't blame you, but you could hide the guns and ammo carefully and don't stop anywhere near Chicago.

If you do get stopped and the cop starts a fishing expedition, politely ask "Am I being detained or am I free to leave?". If he tries to bamboozle you, state "Please give me the ticket so that I may leave. Am I being detained?".

If he asks to see what is in the truck, politely decline. If he tries to coerce you, "I do not consent to search of myself or the vehicle". Followed by "Am I being detained or am I free to leave?".

There's no reason you should expect to be stopped if you drive carefully. Keep firearms and ammo legally stored and in a location where it will not be seen if for some reason you do have to pull over, such as a flat tire.

You're a gun guy, right?

Work your way over to St Louis and take I-44 to Tulsa. The town of Claremore is a suburb of the Tulsa Metro area, right off of I-44.

In Claremore, you MUST visit the The Gun Museum also known as the JM Davis Arms and Historical Musuem.

It will amaze you. Allow at least a few hours to visit, they have so much to see! You WILL love it.

From Tulsa head to OKC and you might stop to see the Oklahoma City National Museum where McVeigh blew up the Murrah Building. It's an amazing place.

From OKC head west on I-40 to Amarillo and visit the Palo Duro Canyon It's similar to the Grand Canyon, somewhat smaller, and gorgeous. It is also just off the highway.

Take I-40 to Albuquerque and stop at the Nuclear Museum I always visit, again and again, anytime I am in or going through Albuquerque. It is absolutely a must for everyone to visit. Learn about nuclear power and weapons, Oppenheimer and others, they have some real nuclear bombs on display (inert with nothing inside) and so much more. Lots of missiles and airplanes too. 1966 B-52 Crash and loss of 4 nuclear weapons 2 of the recovered nuke weapons are in this museum, (inert no insides) and it's fascinating to see the dents in them, they are so close you can almost stretch out and touch them.) The LINK above has a pic of them, scroll down to see. These are the casings.

From Albuquerque I'd take I-25 South towards Las Cruces, but just before Las Cruces get off at the Hatch NM exit. Buy some fresh Hatch Chiles to take home. This is where they're grown. This is the season now.

In Hatch, take NM State Highway to Deming NM (don't go to Las Cruces, that route takes you back east some) This is a short drive, maybe 35 minutes or so.

In Deming NM, get on I-10 (takes you to Phoenix). After you enter into Arizona on I-10, maybe 60-75 miles, you'll come up on Texas Canyon. You will be on I-10 driving through. Yes, it's called Texas Canyon but is in Arizona on I-10. The view is spectacular. HUGE HUGE boulders, many bigger than houses, scattered all around. It's a unique archeological area. Take pics. Here is a link with a pic, but I guarantee you that pic does not do justice to the size and scale of the area. Even has a rest area there. Here is a link to a pic, it does not do justice to the area Texas Canyon in Arizona

Have a good trip, stop and smell the roses along the way, enjoy.
.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
Assuming you're leaving from up around Malone?

Clicked the link for a tax auction for some land in Malone today. lol
Then clicked the map... nope. "I tripped and fell and landed in Canada."

Yeah, Malone area. Cas, you don't want anything there. Out of morbid curiosity, can I see that link?

Especially if hauling guns and related items pick the route that gets you out of the god forsaken hell that is NY as soon as possible, after that no worries

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
Especially if hauling guns and related items pick the route that gets you out of the god forsaken hell that is NY as soon as possible, after that no worries

I'm going to one-shot it down PA.


Cas, that red brick building in #6 used to be the county poor house, when such places existed. When we moved there in '97, they told us it had been abandoned for decades. #36 & #37 are across the street from the Tru Stitch factory. They're a division of Wolverine boots, lot 112.3 on the map. Across the river from that is #41, and I drove past that building twice a day or more for four years. Also been abandoned probably 30 years.

I could go on, but those pictures are very representative of everything from the Adirondacks north. Money does not come into the area, the only jobs there are working for the government at some level. They've been in the business of educating and exporting anyone with an IQ for about sixty years or more.

On topic, I ran down all the various "you pack a container and we'll move it" type businesses. Only Uhaul will service the area, and their U-Box is made out of pressed wood and has a 2,000lb weight limit. I don't know if what I have will fit in one of those, I may well be over that weight limit, and the reviews on those things are nightmarish. So it looks like it will indeed be a Penske truck. I watched some videos on them, and there's absolutely no way I'm going to get anything but a cat nap in one, so I will indeed need to stop at cheap motels for the night where I can back it up to the door. Figuring probably five or six hours in the morning, stop for lunch at a grocery store which gives me a chance to walk around, hour or two break depending on what I need, then five or six hours in the afternoon and then stop for the night.

Thanks for the well-wishes and the advise, I'm looking things over and will keep you guys updated.

When you move stuff like that, can you insure it? Or is it too costly. Just wondering if some kinda home owners would cover something like that.

We rented a 26' Penske to move from Montana last year. Big discount to veterans and AAA members.

Hmmm, not a veteran, but I think we have AAA. I'll inquire about that when I call this afternoon.

Rizzle, I'm going to ask about that, too. The U-Box could be insured for up to $20k. That was another reason it didn't seem like a bright idea. I have no idea that actual total value of what I'm moving, but to replace it new? I can see it getting up into that ballpark, if not higher.

Reserved a 16ft Penske truck. I think it should do what I need. Did a video call and got a look at what all is in there that I wanna mess with. It was kind of depressing. My mother was in zombie mode for some months after my father passed and a number of people came over "to help" and picked through everything. All the fishing gear I grew up using is gone, just given away. That really stung. The Winchester Super X he bought when he first moved to El Paso in the early 70's is also missing. I'm sure other stuff is missing. I guess that's just what happens when someone dies - the vultures swoop in and that's that. The garage is in such a state of disarray that it'll realistically take more time to sort through what's there than I have for this trip. Mom wants me to help her load a bunch of stuff up for a dump run. I think I'm going to need to go back in the spring for a few weeks at least to help her prepare an estate sale.

Anyone have any interest in a vintage mechanical pinball machine from the golden era? It's a Gottlieb "Jacks Open." It's all there, could use some paint and electrical work, though. It can be set for either coin op or free play. I don't have the room or the inclination. Not my video, but this is the same machine here:



Another friend said "stop and visit," so I'm going through Columbus at least. If there's enough to pack the truck full, I'll bury the shotguns and the ammo in the front of the box and just keep headed west through Illinois.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

I could go on, but those pictures are very representative of everything...

I always say upstate New York is the land of broken dreams. There's places I drive by regularly, "That was a convenience store someone built, was open maybe six months, been sitting empty for 25+ years. That was a grocery store, been closed since 1986." And on and on. Forget about the long dead industrial areas.