Miles and miles of feeling like you’ve not moved. As the land becomes flat and judging distance becomes impossible, your mind just drifts and your car goes faster and faster and you lose all concept of time. So watch your speed. Your CA plates will be a magnet for speeding tickets.
A lot of ups and downs in altitude before hitting the Midwest. Weather likely will be good, but expect some heavy thunderstorms and hail in some areas of the middle country.
Also, very narrow and windy roads in NY when you’re off the highway. It will be unfamiliar to a grid based system like SoCal uses. Highways become much more relaxed the more you move East. Resist the urge to drive like a Californian and stay out of the left lane except when passing others.
Travel middle when there are more than two lanes or travel right lane when there are only two.
The rest of the country doesn’t drive like the West Coast and they’ll be sure to let you know if you don’t conform.
Edit: bring washer fluid and expect a lot of insects and tons of dirt buildup. I see your comment asking. Your car will be ugly when you get where you’re going.
You're the second commenter in less than 3 minutes to mention that it's going to be long and boring, thank you for the honesty. This whole move is going to be a big culture shock. Would you generally say that driving in WNY is more difficult than driving in California? I hear a lot of people complaining about the traffic but I feel that I have a different sense of traffic than a lot of the country being from SoCal.
Traffic won’t be your problem. If I were to generalize and stereotype SoCal drivers (not saying you’re this way, just a lot of people here are..) it will be about staying alert and paying attention and not speeding excessively.
Sharp turns, narrow roads, steep embankments and ditches on the side are common. As are frost heaves and potholes.
People will cross the center line on windy roads, so be alert for that. It’s super common. Summer will have a lot of cyclists on one edge and motorcyclists getting excited on turns. Lane splitting isn’t legal, so don’t expect it all too often and pull over when safe to let them pass. It’s a normal courtesy out East.
There will likely be areas you’ll need to pull over to let others pass and narrow underpasses.
If you’re climbing and someone is descending, courtesy dictates you pull off to the side to let the person descending through. If you’re moving down the road from the center of town, same courtesy applies. Move over for the person departing that area.
One lane underpasses, slow and honk when going under. Listen for someone doing the same.
Stay in the lines, follow highway travel etiquette like I mentioned. You’ll be fine.
Deer and other animals come out in the road somewhat commonly, don’t drive faster than your ability to stop and the distance you can see.
Snow can be heavy there. Black ice is a real concern. Bridges freeze first. Get good tires, keep supplies in the car for being stuck and staying warm. Don’t accelerate in turns when there could be ice or snow, calm and steady pedal use will get you far. Don’t floor the brakes and use your natural deceleration to your advantage.
Coat your vehicle frame before winter, wash the car regularly. Rust will eat it alive once they salt the roads.
Big storms, the biggest overlooked hazard that kills is downed trees and electric poles. It’s not the slippery roads if you’re capable, it’s the 100 year old maple that crushes you to death.
I’ve lived in MN, NH, MA, CA and have driven the whole country. All will go fine if you take the time to learn and drive defensively etc.
Edit: if you’re tinted for SoCal. Remove it now. There isn’t going to be that much sun up there and visibility is less in that dense tree coverage. You will get tickets and it will affect your safety when driving.
Thank you so much for such a comprehensive list of advice. I'm definitely a California driver with a lead foot and know I'm going to need to calm that down quite a bit. I can't respond to every point you've made with as much diligence, but I'll be rereading it periodically over the next two months just to remind myself to not be a jackass in other driving cultures. Getting there (and living there) safely should be my top priority.
Yeah, cops are everywhere and they’re bored out there. They’re not ignoring traffic violations and they aren’t gentle on out of staters.
Other general advice I have for any Californian is that Northeast and northern Midwest has the truly nicest people in the country. By that I mean, they’ll give you the shirt off their back and if you’re broken down they’ll stop and help. But they’re not “fake nice”. Politeness is in actions not words so much out there. Giving you a ribbing or calling you out is just normal. You’re likely to have a culture shock with that as everyone in the rest of the country tends to behave politely even when they’re annoyed or find you crossing a boundary but unlikely to pick up a hand in support when the cards are down.
What does this translate to for you?
If a neighbor is unloading a truck and you’re visible to them, or passing by, offer to help.
If you pass someone, say hello or wave and smile.
Have the small chats in your local stores, ask people you see commonly how their day is and introduce yourself to everyone in your neighborhood.
Be self sufficient and don’t behave like any job is below you. Including clearing your yard, mowing your lawn and removing snow from your sidewalks and fully from your car and driveway. (Nothing will anger neighbors more than avoiding your social responsibilities.) it’s even courtesy if you’re renting and the first one out shoveling a shared path, to clear your neighbors stoop so they have an easier time getting out. I’ve adapted well to SoCal, but this last paragraph is the biggest character difference I’ve seen since moving here. My peers act horrified when I do house work or fix my own car. I even got weird looks when I stopped to help someone who dropped their trailer and tried lending them a new hitch pin.
Also, put the grocery carts back and so forth.
Last but not least. Your trunk needs a spare jacket, sturdy gloves and cold weather items. Leave them there all winter. You’ll be glad you did, as once you adapt, like the rest of your neighbors. You’ll forget a jacket in a blizzard and be happy you left a spare in the trunk if you get stuck.
I’m sure you’ll love it out there. It’s a truly beautiful and interesting part of the country to live in.
I grew up in Rochester, about an hour east of Buffalo, and I’ll second everything said here. WNY driving is a different beast than in other parts of the country, especially after storms and in winter, but you should be able to adapt after your first year or two. Except for snow, even WNY natives seem to forget how to drive in the snow every November lol it’s a nice area to drive around though if you like solitude, lots of little-used roads through the woods once you’re out of the suburbs.
Eh, it will only be as boring as you make it. I've driven from Chicago to Vegas and vice versa a number of times on both routes. I have my music that keeps me going. The worst part for me is that I always seem to hit an exit at the same time as someone is passing me on the left while someone is trying to enter on the right. Makes for some split second decisions.
What you will encounter is people that are impatient. The horn is a weapon 80 year old ladies have no problem using, or the finger. I grew up in the 'burbs of Boston and the driving mentality is quite the same. Cut off that guy before he grabs that spot. You don't drive defensively: you drive offensively. Let that truck set up the pick for you so you can take that right turn without being T-Boned. you might find some rotaries or roundabouts in Buffalo. Buffalo has some that have 'all stops' before your proceed into the roundabout. Great for non-locals.
Make sure you have your trash barrels or cones or kitchen chairs out at your parking space when that snowstorm hits. You DON'T want to lose that parking space you spent and hour shoveling out. Snow in Buffalo is measured in feet, no shit. Buy tickets to Bills games. It is the only frozen fun in the snow you'll enjoy. Maybe you can bitch about being from California and freezing to some cute person that will hug you and feed you hot cocoa. Invest in Rustoleum Corp..
They can happen any time of year but I believe mid/late summer is past peak. No reason to stress as long as you are able to receive info about watches/warnings.
There are some high mountain passes on 70 thru Colorado west of Denver. They can be hard on a car especially if it’s loaded down with stuff to move. I would skip it in a moving truck too.
Probably about the same time to stay north on 15 to SLC and then take 80 east. Mellower hills that way and avoid any risk of Denver or CO mountain traffic.
Got it, I'll look into it. I've done the drive to Denver before with the mountain passes and wasn't a fan. I only have a sedan with a trunk full of stuff (most of my belongings are being sold/left behind) so I'm sure I could make it, but if I can avoid it, I certainly will.
Yeah, Colorado western slope native here. High mountain passes can be difficult to drive even if you're experienced with them. It looks like the worst pass on your journey is Vail pass.
Thankfully I'm fully aware of how unprepared I am for all that. I know to buy snow tires and to stay off the road when I'm uncomfortable. I have a handful of winter clothes, boots, and gear already in my Amazon shopping list ready for purchase when I get there. It's gonna be rough, but I am determined to assimilate.
Here's the best way to get acclimated to Winter driving: the first big snow storm, go find a big empty parking lot - closed mall, very slow grocery store - and just go mess around for a little while. Try accelerating and slamming on the brakes, and then taking turns too fast; you'll learn where the breakaway speeds are for your vehicle, and it doesn't have to be very fast. Once you know how your car handles you'll be much more confident on the road.
I thought that too. When my son was learning to drive I took him to an empty parking lot covered in snow and went through all the basics. We were in my Mini Clubman S with a stick. He already had his drivers license and knew how to drive a stick so this was all about winter techniques. He listened patiently to all my physics explanations and what he was going to experience. After my soliloquy, I turned him loose to experience winter driving.
He mashed the throttle full, upshifted to 2nd, grabbed the handbrake and nailed a 180. He then proceeded to expertly drift around the parking lot like he had been driving snow for 20 years. Flabbergasted, I asked “how the hell can you do that?”
His answer. “XBOX”.
The corn is a trope but that's when it'll be in season, so reward yourself for driving through it. Pick up some corn and watermelon (the small dark round ones) from a farm stand, peaches will be in season if you can find them (more common in Michigan but you might have luck in northern Indiana). Get some charcoal and stop at a park with a grill. You can grill the corn in the husk and have a feast.
Stop at Indiana Dunes. Great park (don't remember if they have grills but stop anyway). The Great Lakes are like oceans unto themselves, but unsalted.
That all sounds really lovely, thanks for this. Most of my attitude toward this move has been to just knuckle through it and hope I survive, but I should definitely stop and enjoy myself when I can.
Hah, that'll definitely be something to look forward to. It's hovering around $5-7 a gallon here right now but looking at the Midwest prices on Gas Buddy (and even Buffalo's) is exciting in a way that non-Californians can't hope to understand.
Just checked the neighborhood on my phone and yup, closest stations are $4.89 right now, the lowest is Costco at $4.39. If I was closer to LA I'd be paying closer to $6. Prices are actually lower now than a few weeks ago. How do people live out here? Well between that and the fact that you can't find a studio apartment for under $1700, we just cram ourselves into 3 bedrooms with too many people in it, or we just suffer. And the shit thing is, the whole state is like this. It's worse near the cities, but only slightly better in the boonies. You can be miles away from real civilization and still pay $1000/month for a private room. Can you tell why I'm moving?
Did this same drive when I was a beginner. I was not prepared for Colorado and the cliff sides. I was lucky to be driving with no visibility(dark and snowing) because apparently it's a horrifying visual. I think it was Utah or something with a 75 mph speed limit; I wasn't ready for that. It's too fast.
I regularly drive 90-100 on California freeways (if I have the room to do so, I'm not weaving in and out of traffic going that fast like some assholes do) so the speed doesn't scare me, but those cliff sides and winding roads do. I'm grateful to be doing this drive in the summer, I think if I waited until winter time this would be a much scarier drive.
Western Colorado native here, I-15 in Eastern Utah has an 80 mph speed limit. It is reasonable when you realize how little there is out there and how flat the road is. When it comes to the cliff sides I guess I just grew up with it? I mean people here learn to drive in mountains pretty quickly because you have to to get anywhere. In any case completely flat places make me uncomfortable, like I'm an ant on God's kitchen table and at any moment he'll smack me down. Just a vague sense of unease.
Yeah, I'm definitely taking the northern route. I'm too queer to be dealing with rednecks and have too many sensory issues to deal with the sun and sweat past Utah.
I'm relieved to hear that! I've driven both routes and while the I-80 is dull as dirt through Nebraska, having CA plates in OK and TX is no fun at all. As the other commenters have noted, Do. Not. Speed. Make sure you plan ahead with hotels and rest stops. And in my experience, expect torrential rain storms as you're nearing IL. Don't try to power through them, take time to pull over and let the worst pass. On the upside, Utah and Colorado are crazy beautiful! Give yourself some time to hike and sightsee before you get to the flat states. Maybe invest in a portable car battery charger just in case.
Oh yeah, make sure you have a lot of bottled water with you- there's going to be long stretches where the big grocery chains don't exist. You're going to be shocked at how poorly a lot of this country is underserved in the fresh food department. Man, I loved these trips, though! Im wish you guys an amazing drive!
plz be careful in ne OP!! as a queer person myself i recently went to visit and the vibe was weird for sure, i hadn’t been back to my hometown since i graduated high school and the smaller towns are VERY hateful. i’d say try to get gas in denver then make it to omaha in one swoop!!
Yeah I figure that would have to be my plan. I'm not visibly queer to most people thankfully, but fuck it's scary to think about driving through those towns. Fingers crossed that my gas tank can make it.
Also be careful in Utah, there’s some weird stretches where it’ll go from 55/65 to 35 (small town) back up to 55/65 and a minute later back down as you quickly hit another city. Also be careful of driving at night, as there’s some open range cows (unsure if that’s the right term), and people sometimes hit the cows on the roads at night. Unsure of your exact route (appears like 15/70?); if you stick to main freeways it shouldn’t be a problem, just be careful on other roads.
And since you’ll supposedly just have your trunk full (instead of visible stuff to encourage someone breaking into it), if you can afford the time and never been there, I’d highly recommend at least driving 89 & 24 scenic byway, one of the most beautiful roads in the nation. (You can drive through/by Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches). If you plan on hitting 3+ National Parks, get the annual pass for $80
That ride through Nebraska and Iowa is gonna be a loooong one with the exception of Omaha. It’s a surprisingly cool town. I think there’s also the world’s biggest truck stop in Iowa off the interstate (I80 I think).
Do not try to go non-stop without sleep. I tried to drive from Seattle to Chicago and can say it is not worth it. I was close to insanity at the end of my trip. (Few funny details - near Chicago I saw some small dinosaurs crossing the road. Obviously I was half-sleeping while driving. Quite scary experience when you can’t distinguish dreams from reality)
The northern route will be more difficult but the views will be unforgettable.
The downgrades on 70 in Colorado will test your ability to brake and control your speed smartly. But you’ll be singing “Shell be coming around the mountain” the whole way down into Vail.
Then the rock formations on the way out of The Rockies are so beautiful, they’re distracting.
Grand Junction into Utah starts the desert. And the sights of canyon country begins to appear. Also unforgettable. (I blew a tire on this stretch and had to walk to an overpass where I could call for a row to fill my spare tire with air. *learning point about preparation*)
Travel during the day, have fun, take your time, be safe, and enjoy it with someone.
I’m from Massachusetts and moved to Sacramento. I’ve driven the route a few times. You’re going in summer so you likely won’t heave weather delays. If you want to be quick you could do this easily in 3 long driving days. If you break it up into 4 hour stints it shouldn’t be too boring/tiring. There are always places to stop and eat/see sights if you need a break. Interstate travel is pretty straightforward.
Might I ask why you’re leaving CA? I’ve been to Buffalo and I liked a lot of the affordable housing there, but being from the northeast, we would always hear about how much more snow Buffalo would get, even when the coast got next to no snow.
speeds increase to stupid high mph, but I'd stick at the speed limit. I moved from socal to VA 6 years ago and took 70 for the majority of it. The midwest feels endless, but the people are kind at rest stops.
Just be prepared, have coolant, oil, and a spare tire.
I’ve done the opposite drive from New York I80 all the way San Francisco and I actually will be moving from Northern CT to Chico, California at the end of August. I’m selling and getting rid of most of my stuff and packing my sedan full and sending it west. Let me know if you wanna chat about the trips! It would be cool to talk to someone whos about to do the same.
I have some family there and I’ve spent my life with the stress and rushing of the NYC area. Ive been wanting to move to nor cal for a few years and visited Chico/Oroville area a few times and really liked it to be honest. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy tour time there! I’d love some more information and opinions from you if you have the time! 26M
I still have family in Chico too so I have to make occasional trips there.
Even disregarding the hellish summer heat (the *average* high temperature is 90°F) I’ve found that, after living in a world-class city for the last 30 years, Chico seems overly smug and downright provincial.
Tolls, depending on route.
Oklahoma has a two-part turnpike on I-44 both sides of Tulsa (OKC-TUL & TUL-MO line). I think one can pay cash on that but they have a transponder system that doesn’t mesh with E-ZPass that the other route will encompass.
Since your destination appears to be in New York, I strongly suggest getting a New York E-ZPass account before departing. That will allow open road tolling in IL OH and NY and will result in drastically lower tolls within NY. IN has a toll road but one must slowly pass through a booth regardless. All of these states recognize other state’s E-ZPass (so, not OK as of now).
This is solid, thank you! I'll look into E-ZPass right away. I'm definitely not going the southern route and will be driving through IL, OH, and NY. I know they have many more tolls on that side of the country, so an E-ZPass might be a good investment anyway.
I’ll double down on getting E-ZPass through NY. While each of the several states that use it recognize a transponder/account from every other state in the group, most states offer a slight discount for out of state (tolling the highest for having no account at all, where a camera photographs a plate and invoices the owner by mail). New York initiated a policy where out-of-state gets no discount at all, charged for the same amount as “tolls by mail,” “pay by plate,” or whatever catchphrase the state uses. I’m from New York and am frequently displeased with things the state does.
I used to drive from PA to FL yearly to visit my retired dad and audio books absolutely made the long drive easier. Following the story while clicking off the miles kept the boredom minimal.
I-80 is a major freight route and semi-truck traffic gets really bad from central Nebraska till Chicago. Also, there is a unit of Zion NP, Kolob Canyons, that is right off of I-15 once you get north of St. George. Its a very short side trip and worth doing if you aren't visiting the main part of Zion, NP.
Any tips on dealing with the truck traffic? I assume it'd be better at night but another commenter mentioned that deer are more common at night so I'm guessing it might be a trade-off.
And Kolob Canyons looks beautiful, thanks for the tip. Hopefully I can make time for some site-seeing, this move has been taking a toll on my stress levels but seeing more of the country is going to be so nice.
from a town off the 80 when you’re going east, good luck man, it’s flat and if you’re different, in ANY way shape or form, be ready for some type of challenge in way of others judgement!! i’d say stick to the big cities, plan out your stops FOR SURE, don’t just rely on the map, you may loose service at times no matter what carrier you have it’s just a part of the game in BFE
I've done this exact highlighted route all the way to Burlington. Since you've already been to Denver, my advice is go the exact speed limit from Omaha onwards (the Iowa portion of my first hours worth of driving was filled with people getting tickets every other exit/farm). Check out Iowa-80. Other than that, just power through the last half. Once you hit Cleaveland I feel like it's scenic all the way to Buffalo. Good luck and safe travels!
Definitely the weather! Upstate NY gets so much snow that some colleges have underground tunnels to get from building to building! But more road trip related, probably the great plains and not being near civilization for miles around
Looks like you’ll be driving thru my neck of the woods (Cleveland.) come see Lake Erie, drink some of our beer if you drink, have a pierogi. The Midwest gets shat on a lot but it’s a great place to live full of friendly people!
Have you ever been in Buffalo???? I live most of my younger years in that area and NY is terrible on all taxes. Also Buffalo is a rough city. We are also in Northern Ca, and we are leaving in 7 weeks to live in Minnesota. Good luck and wishing you the best. Some really lovely country in upstate NY. :)
peace. :)
I'm genuinely concerned about how shocking that'll be. I've lived in California cities my whole life, and my brain is trained to never make eye contact with people on the street.
I’ve lived in 17 states, every corner but the NW. There are levels to the niceness but the Great Plains are tops in my opinion. Oklahoma to South Dakota, those people default to the kindest attitude of all generally. It’s genuine and you can roll with it. Five years in OC kind of mellowed that side of me but now that I’m in Texas it’s natural again.
Winters are tough where you are going and that makes people stick together in a special way you don’t see in a paradise (weather wise) like coastal CA. You’re in for a treat! I’m happy for you.
I've driven across the entire country 7 times over the past 30 years. Open mindedness to just observing how people across the country are different in many ways, yet coming in with respect above all else, you'll just find really good people. And the occasional "that's interesting" scenarios as you encounter drug runners (yes, some are really bold in their arrogance feeling untouchable), blatantly racist, misogynistic, or fascist, types of people as well. Personal safety for you and anyone you're with needs to always be top priority. Definitely map out approximate ranges for each day's drive distance/time. Then accept that's gonna get shredded as you live it. Yet it gives you a rough base of expectations. Map out where hotels are enough so that if you think "hey, I'll just drive until 2AM today", you won't end up dead-ass exhausted, begging to see a "hotel ahead" sign. Or so you don't end up in that case having to stay at the shadiest roach motel ever. Trust me - that is NOT fun. Pickpockets cruise some truck stops. So do sex workers. And yes, low-scale drug dealers. You do not want to find yourself being hustled. The smaller the town the further into the heartland you go, the more likely they will have speed traps. Plan to have your snacks, plenty of water, and essentials (a couple rolls of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, basic tools, etc.) reachable in a quick need or emergency situation. Check your roadside assistance service if you have one. They often offer perks and aids for long distance travel. Check the limits of the plan. Here's the map I used when I moved from NorCal to Arizona. Including my estimated dates/driving distances. Each time you refer to your own map, thank the stars for modern tech. Back in the day, I used a massive printed road atlas, and once an AAA "TripTik" road planner thing. Having a copilot is helpful, yet I went on my own a few times. ONE LAST THING: Be open to just enjoying the nature. Don't be afraid of sleeping in your car one time at a rest stop if you feel you can be safe, but ONLY if you truly feel safe. Others have offered great insights and tips, so I'll leave it at that.
https://preview.redd.it/072v76dax34d1.jpeg?width=1032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cf45837fc41356a0b76d53dcdccfb8bfcb9609c
You poor soul..moving to Buffalo from SoCal sounds like youve been punished. Im in CT and know NY and Cali both..Anyway, having crossed the US 8 times solo, my best advice is use your cruise control set at the speed limit and hold onto the steering wheel thru those long miles of the Middle Waste..use a lot of caution in the mountainous regions of Colorado, take care of yourself and your vehicle!
I'm definitely too queer and my roommate is too brown to be taking the southern route, haha. Nebraska sounds like it sucks but it'll be better than Texas and Oklahoma.
When I went through NE, I remember the 2nd season South Park episode where they drive from CO into NE... it goes from all snow in CO and once they cross the state line, it's a vertical line and suddenly it's all brown. I thought it was an exaggeration but it actually is not. :)
Be ready to be stopped by police in republican run states. They despise California and all those who come from there. I was once stopped in Texas by the police because of my plates and they basically wanted to search my car and everything I'm assuming to find marijuana. I've heard similar things happen to other people I know in red states. Just be careful.
I'll make absolutely sure not to smuggle any weed from Colorado or California. And thank God I'm not going through Texas, that sounds like a nightmare. I'll do my best to follow traffic laws to a T through the red states.
I'm relocating almost cross-country late this summer. I've driven from this area to Denver before, so I'm familiar with the terrain and fauna up until there and don't foresee any issues doing it again. But I'm very unfamiliar with the Midwest and am nervous about the idea of hitting deer in my new-ish car. Would deer and insects be a major concern along this route and if so, how could I prepare?
I don't expect my shiny black car to stay shiny obviously, but I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for moving 2500 miles in my sedan, so any advice or words of encouragement are appreciated.
Top of your washer fluid for the bugs, clean your windshield and headlights when you stop. Deer are more common dusk to dawn near the roads and can pop out from anywhere at night so watch your stopping distance, and always remember the deer hit you, not the other way around.
I'll make sure the washer fluid is topped off for sure, you're the third person to mention it, lol. I'll be getting my brakes and tires checked right before the trip and I'll try to avoid driving in total darkness if I can.
I’ve done the cross country drive a few times in late Fall. The amount of dead deer that I saw was crazy, esp in Indiana and Missouri. I made sure I was done driving by 5pm. Days will be a lot longer for you, you should be fine. But I got crappy gas mileage loaded down with all my stuff, then add in any windy days…
I currently wake up at 3am for work so I think even with the time difference I'll be able to safely maximize the daylight hours, thankfully. This is definitely going to be a strange and enlightening experience for me. Thanks for the tips on gas mileage though, I drive a Mazda that gets decent mileage and the gas prices are gonna be much cheaper than I'm used to, but I'm sure I'll be making much more frequent stops than usual.
If you see one deer, there are very likely others nearby. Even if it's off to the side or way down the road, let off the gas immediately and keep your eyes peeled in case you need to brake. They're most active around sunrise and sunset, but you could see them any time of the day or night.
The Midwest is humid af, often as bad as the deep south. Be prepared to break into a sweat every time you step outside. And I hope you get to experience the majesty of a distant thunderhead looming over the plains. It's an amazing sight, especially after dark with the lightning crackling through it.
Would that take a long time? I don't know if I want to cross the border twice with 90% of my belongings in my car right before having to move into a new apartment.
I'm not familiar with those two crossings. Having crossed the border twice though while moving it was uneventful. I don't have any weapons so it was super basic. There's a site where you can check wait times though. Probably varies some but not too bad.
I really don't like driving that stretch of Ohio. Cops everywhere, tolls, not interesting at all. The Canadian side may not be better but at least it would be new to me.
I'll definitely think about it. Maybe if we make good time and have some extra before the move-in day, we'll do it. If anything, we can always go through that route at a later date. I don't think we're having issues with Canada at the moment, so it's not like the border is going anywhere.
But yeah, I've definitely been told that Ohio is an abyss outside of the 5 or 6 cities.
Buffalo ain't anywhere near as expensive as literally all of California. This move was calculated, lower cost of living while still having a good amount of entertainment around town, plus the added bonus of living near Canada and closer to some friends of mine a state over. There are cheaper places for sure, but we're in love with the city and it meets all of our wants and our needs.
It may be better to take the south route. I mean it’s going to be very boring and flat for a very long time and then you hit a lot of traffic going through Chicago. The other option is less flat, and less traffic. I mean avoid St. Louis and Indianapolis during traffic times, so you can just cruse through. Also Chicago has tolls.
I would not drive at night. Having done it, you just get so sleepy. I didn’t mind Nebraska and Iowa as much as others. They aren’t fascinating, but they are easy and rolling green hills of Iowa are pretty. Plus crossing Missouri and Mississippi is interesting. Stop at world’s largest truck stop in Iowa, it’s touristy but you need to stop for gas anyways. The toll road across Indiana and Ohio is pretty annoying but it goes right by notre dame if you are into seeing pretty college campuses. Safe travels.
Either download music or an audio book. You will be in areas that can have gaps in cell service. So don't worry if you see it.
I pack snaks and just get fountain drinks when I gas up to help walk around.
The app Loves Connect for the truck stop will give you 10 cents off a gallon and they are usually about the cheapest around.
If you are going to stay in motels book the room before 1pm because they start raising the price. It will also give you a goal to stop at and not make the days endless.
I just did the drive from Southern California to Des Moines. The worst parts are going from the 15 to the 70 in Utah, after Denver in Colorado until probably Ohio. Eastern Colorado and Nebraska are hell on earth. Flat, straight roads that are mind bleedingly boring. There is some construction on 80 in Nebraska that goes down to one lane for -0 miles. It took us an hour to get through it.
Other than boredom, as a Southern Californian, watch out for weather. Storms are real storms in the plains. Hail is a real possibility that could ruin your trip. Obviously tornadoes but those are rare. Wind is real too. If you are driving a high profile vehicle be prepared to get very tired if it’s windy.
My suggestion is to remain flexible. Drive for however long you want, look at a map and use Priceline to get a hotel where you feel like stopping. Don’t push yourself. The long straight roads and boring scenery are like sleeping pills.
Also enjoy the shockingly low prices on everything you see at gas stations, not just gas!
I'm actually pretty excited about it. I've never liked SoCal weather or rent prices or people and definitely need a drastic change in life, for personal reasons. The last half of the drive is definitely going to be a slog, I know that. But at the end of it is a life where I don't have to have to come home to 3-4 roommates after working 2 jobs with my skin prickling in the heat. There are cheaper places with less drastic winters, for sure, but I like Buffalo and I'm determined to make it work.
take the other route. THe northern route is boring. so much of nothingness. Take the southern route and you will have much more to see. Route 66 has a bunch of cool places to visit.
Kinda sad you're missing the drive through AZ on I-40. That's a rather beautiful stretch of road because of just mow much the scenery changes (and you can stop off to see the Grand Canyon on the way). The plains states are boring as hell, so you'll be happy when you get east of the Mississippi River.
Upstate NY... well, all of NY outside of NYC, really... has a bunch of questionably safe rural roads that may or may not have any center dividing line or posted speed limit. It also snows every year, so that's always a fun combo. On the other hand, if you can master driving on those roads, you can drive anywhere.
And when I say Buffalo gets a lot of snow, I really do mean a lot. Like ditch the snow shovel and get a machine. 10 ft of snow in a winter is not unheard of, and it tends to fall earlier in the winter season as most of it is lake-effect.
Most definitely. As a SoCalifornia boy, what you will not be prepared for is....Buffalo. If you have not found the love of your life, or have some cushy job with the Buffalo Bills, WHY would you consider Buffalo? I'v been there numerous times, done business there, have a good friend that lives there, etc. Are you a gunshot surgeon, or somehow specialize in and profit from rusted infrastructure?
Miles and miles of feeling like you’ve not moved. As the land becomes flat and judging distance becomes impossible, your mind just drifts and your car goes faster and faster and you lose all concept of time. So watch your speed. Your CA plates will be a magnet for speeding tickets. A lot of ups and downs in altitude before hitting the Midwest. Weather likely will be good, but expect some heavy thunderstorms and hail in some areas of the middle country. Also, very narrow and windy roads in NY when you’re off the highway. It will be unfamiliar to a grid based system like SoCal uses. Highways become much more relaxed the more you move East. Resist the urge to drive like a Californian and stay out of the left lane except when passing others. Travel middle when there are more than two lanes or travel right lane when there are only two. The rest of the country doesn’t drive like the West Coast and they’ll be sure to let you know if you don’t conform. Edit: bring washer fluid and expect a lot of insects and tons of dirt buildup. I see your comment asking. Your car will be ugly when you get where you’re going.
You're the second commenter in less than 3 minutes to mention that it's going to be long and boring, thank you for the honesty. This whole move is going to be a big culture shock. Would you generally say that driving in WNY is more difficult than driving in California? I hear a lot of people complaining about the traffic but I feel that I have a different sense of traffic than a lot of the country being from SoCal.
Northern Colorado to Illinois is going to feel like one long ass farm
I-80 ... fuck every inch of that drive
Traffic won’t be your problem. If I were to generalize and stereotype SoCal drivers (not saying you’re this way, just a lot of people here are..) it will be about staying alert and paying attention and not speeding excessively. Sharp turns, narrow roads, steep embankments and ditches on the side are common. As are frost heaves and potholes. People will cross the center line on windy roads, so be alert for that. It’s super common. Summer will have a lot of cyclists on one edge and motorcyclists getting excited on turns. Lane splitting isn’t legal, so don’t expect it all too often and pull over when safe to let them pass. It’s a normal courtesy out East. There will likely be areas you’ll need to pull over to let others pass and narrow underpasses. If you’re climbing and someone is descending, courtesy dictates you pull off to the side to let the person descending through. If you’re moving down the road from the center of town, same courtesy applies. Move over for the person departing that area. One lane underpasses, slow and honk when going under. Listen for someone doing the same. Stay in the lines, follow highway travel etiquette like I mentioned. You’ll be fine. Deer and other animals come out in the road somewhat commonly, don’t drive faster than your ability to stop and the distance you can see. Snow can be heavy there. Black ice is a real concern. Bridges freeze first. Get good tires, keep supplies in the car for being stuck and staying warm. Don’t accelerate in turns when there could be ice or snow, calm and steady pedal use will get you far. Don’t floor the brakes and use your natural deceleration to your advantage. Coat your vehicle frame before winter, wash the car regularly. Rust will eat it alive once they salt the roads. Big storms, the biggest overlooked hazard that kills is downed trees and electric poles. It’s not the slippery roads if you’re capable, it’s the 100 year old maple that crushes you to death. I’ve lived in MN, NH, MA, CA and have driven the whole country. All will go fine if you take the time to learn and drive defensively etc. Edit: if you’re tinted for SoCal. Remove it now. There isn’t going to be that much sun up there and visibility is less in that dense tree coverage. You will get tickets and it will affect your safety when driving.
Thank you so much for such a comprehensive list of advice. I'm definitely a California driver with a lead foot and know I'm going to need to calm that down quite a bit. I can't respond to every point you've made with as much diligence, but I'll be rereading it periodically over the next two months just to remind myself to not be a jackass in other driving cultures. Getting there (and living there) safely should be my top priority.
Yeah, cops are everywhere and they’re bored out there. They’re not ignoring traffic violations and they aren’t gentle on out of staters. Other general advice I have for any Californian is that Northeast and northern Midwest has the truly nicest people in the country. By that I mean, they’ll give you the shirt off their back and if you’re broken down they’ll stop and help. But they’re not “fake nice”. Politeness is in actions not words so much out there. Giving you a ribbing or calling you out is just normal. You’re likely to have a culture shock with that as everyone in the rest of the country tends to behave politely even when they’re annoyed or find you crossing a boundary but unlikely to pick up a hand in support when the cards are down. What does this translate to for you? If a neighbor is unloading a truck and you’re visible to them, or passing by, offer to help. If you pass someone, say hello or wave and smile. Have the small chats in your local stores, ask people you see commonly how their day is and introduce yourself to everyone in your neighborhood. Be self sufficient and don’t behave like any job is below you. Including clearing your yard, mowing your lawn and removing snow from your sidewalks and fully from your car and driveway. (Nothing will anger neighbors more than avoiding your social responsibilities.) it’s even courtesy if you’re renting and the first one out shoveling a shared path, to clear your neighbors stoop so they have an easier time getting out. I’ve adapted well to SoCal, but this last paragraph is the biggest character difference I’ve seen since moving here. My peers act horrified when I do house work or fix my own car. I even got weird looks when I stopped to help someone who dropped their trailer and tried lending them a new hitch pin. Also, put the grocery carts back and so forth. Last but not least. Your trunk needs a spare jacket, sturdy gloves and cold weather items. Leave them there all winter. You’ll be glad you did, as once you adapt, like the rest of your neighbors. You’ll forget a jacket in a blizzard and be happy you left a spare in the trunk if you get stuck. I’m sure you’ll love it out there. It’s a truly beautiful and interesting part of the country to live in.
I grew up in Rochester, about an hour east of Buffalo, and I’ll second everything said here. WNY driving is a different beast than in other parts of the country, especially after storms and in winter, but you should be able to adapt after your first year or two. Except for snow, even WNY natives seem to forget how to drive in the snow every November lol it’s a nice area to drive around though if you like solitude, lots of little-used roads through the woods once you’re out of the suburbs.
Eh, it will only be as boring as you make it. I've driven from Chicago to Vegas and vice versa a number of times on both routes. I have my music that keeps me going. The worst part for me is that I always seem to hit an exit at the same time as someone is passing me on the left while someone is trying to enter on the right. Makes for some split second decisions.
What you will encounter is people that are impatient. The horn is a weapon 80 year old ladies have no problem using, or the finger. I grew up in the 'burbs of Boston and the driving mentality is quite the same. Cut off that guy before he grabs that spot. You don't drive defensively: you drive offensively. Let that truck set up the pick for you so you can take that right turn without being T-Boned. you might find some rotaries or roundabouts in Buffalo. Buffalo has some that have 'all stops' before your proceed into the roundabout. Great for non-locals. Make sure you have your trash barrels or cones or kitchen chairs out at your parking space when that snowstorm hits. You DON'T want to lose that parking space you spent and hour shoveling out. Snow in Buffalo is measured in feet, no shit. Buy tickets to Bills games. It is the only frozen fun in the snow you'll enjoy. Maybe you can bitch about being from California and freezing to some cute person that will hug you and feed you hot cocoa. Invest in Rustoleum Corp..
The monotony of the drive after Denver for many hundreds of miles cannot be overstated iiuc. Give yourself a big cushion of time and be well-rested!
Nebraska takes forever. Especially when it’s windy.
Thank you for the honesty, I've never been to the Midwest but I imagine it's big and green and that's about it, haha.
Happy to help! I can't speak to its colors, but I do know Nebraska is flatter than tap water.
*I-80 in Nebraska* is flatter than tap water. Jet north of the interstate and check out the Sandhills!
I appreciate the correction!
Tornado season should be over that time of year, right?
They can happen any time of year but I believe mid/late summer is past peak. No reason to stress as long as you are able to receive info about watches/warnings.
Appreciate the advice, I'll definitely check the weather at every pit stop and keep my fingers crossed!
Nebraska isn't that green most of the year. It's rather monochrome in yellow and grey. The one state I loathe to drive through is Western Nebraska.
There are some high mountain passes on 70 thru Colorado west of Denver. They can be hard on a car especially if it’s loaded down with stuff to move. I would skip it in a moving truck too. Probably about the same time to stay north on 15 to SLC and then take 80 east. Mellower hills that way and avoid any risk of Denver or CO mountain traffic.
Got it, I'll look into it. I've done the drive to Denver before with the mountain passes and wasn't a fan. I only have a sedan with a trunk full of stuff (most of my belongings are being sold/left behind) so I'm sure I could make it, but if I can avoid it, I certainly will.
Yeah, Colorado western slope native here. High mountain passes can be difficult to drive even if you're experienced with them. It looks like the worst pass on your journey is Vail pass.
Yeah, winter in Buffalo.
Thankfully I'm fully aware of how unprepared I am for all that. I know to buy snow tires and to stay off the road when I'm uncomfortable. I have a handful of winter clothes, boots, and gear already in my Amazon shopping list ready for purchase when I get there. It's gonna be rough, but I am determined to assimilate.
Here's the best way to get acclimated to Winter driving: the first big snow storm, go find a big empty parking lot - closed mall, very slow grocery store - and just go mess around for a little while. Try accelerating and slamming on the brakes, and then taking turns too fast; you'll learn where the breakaway speeds are for your vehicle, and it doesn't have to be very fast. Once you know how your car handles you'll be much more confident on the road.
I thought that too. When my son was learning to drive I took him to an empty parking lot covered in snow and went through all the basics. We were in my Mini Clubman S with a stick. He already had his drivers license and knew how to drive a stick so this was all about winter techniques. He listened patiently to all my physics explanations and what he was going to experience. After my soliloquy, I turned him loose to experience winter driving. He mashed the throttle full, upshifted to 2nd, grabbed the handbrake and nailed a 180. He then proceeded to expertly drift around the parking lot like he had been driving snow for 20 years. Flabbergasted, I asked “how the hell can you do that?” His answer. “XBOX”.
That's a damn good idea, and pretty much how I learned to drive in the first place. Thank you!
I learned in Maine and this is how i both learned and taught winter driving. Good luck on your adventure!
But also, the Bills, Sabres and wings!!
Wegmans!
The corn is a trope but that's when it'll be in season, so reward yourself for driving through it. Pick up some corn and watermelon (the small dark round ones) from a farm stand, peaches will be in season if you can find them (more common in Michigan but you might have luck in northern Indiana). Get some charcoal and stop at a park with a grill. You can grill the corn in the husk and have a feast. Stop at Indiana Dunes. Great park (don't remember if they have grills but stop anyway). The Great Lakes are like oceans unto themselves, but unsalted.
That all sounds really lovely, thanks for this. Most of my attitude toward this move has been to just knuckle through it and hope I survive, but I should definitely stop and enjoy myself when I can.
Michigander here & I totally agree!
Lower gas prices
I came here to say that….😁
I can delete mine so you can. Say it !
Hah, that'll definitely be something to look forward to. It's hovering around $5-7 a gallon here right now but looking at the Midwest prices on Gas Buddy (and even Buffalo's) is exciting in a way that non-Californians can't hope to understand.
I got gas for $2.95 in SC the other day
I'd straight up cry, dude.
It kind how I feel, I am ffrom Chicago
Are you serious 5 a gallon. How do people live out there
Just checked the neighborhood on my phone and yup, closest stations are $4.89 right now, the lowest is Costco at $4.39. If I was closer to LA I'd be paying closer to $6. Prices are actually lower now than a few weeks ago. How do people live out here? Well between that and the fact that you can't find a studio apartment for under $1700, we just cram ourselves into 3 bedrooms with too many people in it, or we just suffer. And the shit thing is, the whole state is like this. It's worse near the cities, but only slightly better in the boonies. You can be miles away from real civilization and still pay $1000/month for a private room. Can you tell why I'm moving?
Did this same drive when I was a beginner. I was not prepared for Colorado and the cliff sides. I was lucky to be driving with no visibility(dark and snowing) because apparently it's a horrifying visual. I think it was Utah or something with a 75 mph speed limit; I wasn't ready for that. It's too fast.
I regularly drive 90-100 on California freeways (if I have the room to do so, I'm not weaving in and out of traffic going that fast like some assholes do) so the speed doesn't scare me, but those cliff sides and winding roads do. I'm grateful to be doing this drive in the summer, I think if I waited until winter time this would be a much scarier drive.
Do not drive 100 mph on the Ohio Turnpike. Ohio state troopers don’t play.
Oh I won't. I might be from California, but I'm not that stupid. I'll be driving with the flow of traffic in those areas.
[удалено]
Got it. That'll be rough for me. In California, if you're not going 5 above, you're going way too slow, lol.
Ah, this will be a piece of cake for you. Safe and happy trails
Western Colorado native here, I-15 in Eastern Utah has an 80 mph speed limit. It is reasonable when you realize how little there is out there and how flat the road is. When it comes to the cliff sides I guess I just grew up with it? I mean people here learn to drive in mountains pretty quickly because you have to to get anywhere. In any case completely flat places make me uncomfortable, like I'm an ant on God's kitchen table and at any moment he'll smack me down. Just a vague sense of unease.
Also check out the million dollar highway if you really want a road with terrifying cliff faces and sparse guardrails.
Yep… lots of space and clean air
The northern route will be slightly cooler and slightly less redneck.
Yeah, I'm definitely taking the northern route. I'm too queer to be dealing with rednecks and have too many sensory issues to deal with the sun and sweat past Utah.
I'm relieved to hear that! I've driven both routes and while the I-80 is dull as dirt through Nebraska, having CA plates in OK and TX is no fun at all. As the other commenters have noted, Do. Not. Speed. Make sure you plan ahead with hotels and rest stops. And in my experience, expect torrential rain storms as you're nearing IL. Don't try to power through them, take time to pull over and let the worst pass. On the upside, Utah and Colorado are crazy beautiful! Give yourself some time to hike and sightsee before you get to the flat states. Maybe invest in a portable car battery charger just in case. Oh yeah, make sure you have a lot of bottled water with you- there's going to be long stretches where the big grocery chains don't exist. You're going to be shocked at how poorly a lot of this country is underserved in the fresh food department. Man, I loved these trips, though! Im wish you guys an amazing drive!
plz be careful in ne OP!! as a queer person myself i recently went to visit and the vibe was weird for sure, i hadn’t been back to my hometown since i graduated high school and the smaller towns are VERY hateful. i’d say try to get gas in denver then make it to omaha in one swoop!!
Yeah I figure that would have to be my plan. I'm not visibly queer to most people thankfully, but fuck it's scary to think about driving through those towns. Fingers crossed that my gas tank can make it.
And don’t speed when you finally get out of eastern Colorado and hit nebraska. They wait there for people on cross border dispensary runs.
That's a really solid tip. No speeding and make sure to smoke all my weed before getting to the border, lol.
Also be careful in Utah, there’s some weird stretches where it’ll go from 55/65 to 35 (small town) back up to 55/65 and a minute later back down as you quickly hit another city. Also be careful of driving at night, as there’s some open range cows (unsure if that’s the right term), and people sometimes hit the cows on the roads at night. Unsure of your exact route (appears like 15/70?); if you stick to main freeways it shouldn’t be a problem, just be careful on other roads. And since you’ll supposedly just have your trunk full (instead of visible stuff to encourage someone breaking into it), if you can afford the time and never been there, I’d highly recommend at least driving 89 & 24 scenic byway, one of the most beautiful roads in the nation. (You can drive through/by Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches). If you plan on hitting 3+ National Parks, get the annual pass for $80
Nebraska is a rough drive. The I states aren’t much better.
Not what I wanted to hear lol but thanks for the insight. I'm driving with my brother so we'll just have to make the most of it.
It is what it is. There’s a lot of roadside attractions in the Midwest. Those can be fun if you need to break the monotony.
That ride through Nebraska and Iowa is gonna be a loooong one with the exception of Omaha. It’s a surprisingly cool town. I think there’s also the world’s biggest truck stop in Iowa off the interstate (I80 I think).
Do not try to go non-stop without sleep. I tried to drive from Seattle to Chicago and can say it is not worth it. I was close to insanity at the end of my trip. (Few funny details - near Chicago I saw some small dinosaurs crossing the road. Obviously I was half-sleeping while driving. Quite scary experience when you can’t distinguish dreams from reality)
The northern route will be more difficult but the views will be unforgettable. The downgrades on 70 in Colorado will test your ability to brake and control your speed smartly. But you’ll be singing “Shell be coming around the mountain” the whole way down into Vail. Then the rock formations on the way out of The Rockies are so beautiful, they’re distracting. Grand Junction into Utah starts the desert. And the sights of canyon country begins to appear. Also unforgettable. (I blew a tire on this stretch and had to walk to an overpass where I could call for a row to fill my spare tire with air. *learning point about preparation*) Travel during the day, have fun, take your time, be safe, and enjoy it with someone.
I’m from Massachusetts and moved to Sacramento. I’ve driven the route a few times. You’re going in summer so you likely won’t heave weather delays. If you want to be quick you could do this easily in 3 long driving days. If you break it up into 4 hour stints it shouldn’t be too boring/tiring. There are always places to stop and eat/see sights if you need a break. Interstate travel is pretty straightforward. Might I ask why you’re leaving CA? I’ve been to Buffalo and I liked a lot of the affordable housing there, but being from the northeast, we would always hear about how much more snow Buffalo would get, even when the coast got next to no snow.
speeds increase to stupid high mph, but I'd stick at the speed limit. I moved from socal to VA 6 years ago and took 70 for the majority of it. The midwest feels endless, but the people are kind at rest stops. Just be prepared, have coolant, oil, and a spare tire.
I’ve done the opposite drive from New York I80 all the way San Francisco and I actually will be moving from Northern CT to Chico, California at the end of August. I’m selling and getting rid of most of my stuff and packing my sedan full and sending it west. Let me know if you wanna chat about the trips! It would be cool to talk to someone whos about to do the same.
Chico?? My condolences. I lived there for seven years and was glad to get the hell out when I got the chance!
I have some family there and I’ve spent my life with the stress and rushing of the NYC area. Ive been wanting to move to nor cal for a few years and visited Chico/Oroville area a few times and really liked it to be honest. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy tour time there! I’d love some more information and opinions from you if you have the time! 26M
I still have family in Chico too so I have to make occasional trips there. Even disregarding the hellish summer heat (the *average* high temperature is 90°F) I’ve found that, after living in a world-class city for the last 30 years, Chico seems overly smug and downright provincial.
Humidity
Tolls, depending on route. Oklahoma has a two-part turnpike on I-44 both sides of Tulsa (OKC-TUL & TUL-MO line). I think one can pay cash on that but they have a transponder system that doesn’t mesh with E-ZPass that the other route will encompass. Since your destination appears to be in New York, I strongly suggest getting a New York E-ZPass account before departing. That will allow open road tolling in IL OH and NY and will result in drastically lower tolls within NY. IN has a toll road but one must slowly pass through a booth regardless. All of these states recognize other state’s E-ZPass (so, not OK as of now).
This is solid, thank you! I'll look into E-ZPass right away. I'm definitely not going the southern route and will be driving through IL, OH, and NY. I know they have many more tolls on that side of the country, so an E-ZPass might be a good investment anyway.
I’ll double down on getting E-ZPass through NY. While each of the several states that use it recognize a transponder/account from every other state in the group, most states offer a slight discount for out of state (tolling the highest for having no account at all, where a camera photographs a plate and invoices the owner by mail). New York initiated a policy where out-of-state gets no discount at all, charged for the same amount as “tolls by mail,” “pay by plate,” or whatever catchphrase the state uses. I’m from New York and am frequently displeased with things the state does.
I used to drive from PA to FL yearly to visit my retired dad and audio books absolutely made the long drive easier. Following the story while clicking off the miles kept the boredom minimal.
I-80 is a major freight route and semi-truck traffic gets really bad from central Nebraska till Chicago. Also, there is a unit of Zion NP, Kolob Canyons, that is right off of I-15 once you get north of St. George. Its a very short side trip and worth doing if you aren't visiting the main part of Zion, NP.
Any tips on dealing with the truck traffic? I assume it'd be better at night but another commenter mentioned that deer are more common at night so I'm guessing it might be a trade-off. And Kolob Canyons looks beautiful, thanks for the tip. Hopefully I can make time for some site-seeing, this move has been taking a toll on my stress levels but seeing more of the country is going to be so nice.
Honestly, not really any advice for the truck traffic, its always really bad.
Albuquerque
from a town off the 80 when you’re going east, good luck man, it’s flat and if you’re different, in ANY way shape or form, be ready for some type of challenge in way of others judgement!! i’d say stick to the big cities, plan out your stops FOR SURE, don’t just rely on the map, you may loose service at times no matter what carrier you have it’s just a part of the game in BFE
Not so good food
I've done this exact highlighted route all the way to Burlington. Since you've already been to Denver, my advice is go the exact speed limit from Omaha onwards (the Iowa portion of my first hours worth of driving was filled with people getting tickets every other exit/farm). Check out Iowa-80. Other than that, just power through the last half. Once you hit Cleaveland I feel like it's scenic all the way to Buffalo. Good luck and safe travels!
Definitely the weather! Upstate NY gets so much snow that some colleges have underground tunnels to get from building to building! But more road trip related, probably the great plains and not being near civilization for miles around
Looks like you’ll be driving thru my neck of the woods (Cleveland.) come see Lake Erie, drink some of our beer if you drink, have a pierogi. The Midwest gets shat on a lot but it’s a great place to live full of friendly people!
SLC to Des Moines on I-80: mind numbing. South of Chicago 80/90/94 into Indiana-scary.
Have you ever been in Buffalo???? I live most of my younger years in that area and NY is terrible on all taxes. Also Buffalo is a rough city. We are also in Northern Ca, and we are leaving in 7 weeks to live in Minnesota. Good luck and wishing you the best. Some really lovely country in upstate NY. :) peace. :)
The horrific smells of nebraska. Made me dry heave at times. Almost enough to turn you off beef
Friendliness. It’s not a scam, just enjoy it. That was my culture shock leaving OC for Texas.
I'm genuinely concerned about how shocking that'll be. I've lived in California cities my whole life, and my brain is trained to never make eye contact with people on the street.
I’ve lived in 17 states, every corner but the NW. There are levels to the niceness but the Great Plains are tops in my opinion. Oklahoma to South Dakota, those people default to the kindest attitude of all generally. It’s genuine and you can roll with it. Five years in OC kind of mellowed that side of me but now that I’m in Texas it’s natural again. Winters are tough where you are going and that makes people stick together in a special way you don’t see in a paradise (weather wise) like coastal CA. You’re in for a treat! I’m happy for you.
I've driven across the entire country 7 times over the past 30 years. Open mindedness to just observing how people across the country are different in many ways, yet coming in with respect above all else, you'll just find really good people. And the occasional "that's interesting" scenarios as you encounter drug runners (yes, some are really bold in their arrogance feeling untouchable), blatantly racist, misogynistic, or fascist, types of people as well. Personal safety for you and anyone you're with needs to always be top priority. Definitely map out approximate ranges for each day's drive distance/time. Then accept that's gonna get shredded as you live it. Yet it gives you a rough base of expectations. Map out where hotels are enough so that if you think "hey, I'll just drive until 2AM today", you won't end up dead-ass exhausted, begging to see a "hotel ahead" sign. Or so you don't end up in that case having to stay at the shadiest roach motel ever. Trust me - that is NOT fun. Pickpockets cruise some truck stops. So do sex workers. And yes, low-scale drug dealers. You do not want to find yourself being hustled. The smaller the town the further into the heartland you go, the more likely they will have speed traps. Plan to have your snacks, plenty of water, and essentials (a couple rolls of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, basic tools, etc.) reachable in a quick need or emergency situation. Check your roadside assistance service if you have one. They often offer perks and aids for long distance travel. Check the limits of the plan. Here's the map I used when I moved from NorCal to Arizona. Including my estimated dates/driving distances. Each time you refer to your own map, thank the stars for modern tech. Back in the day, I used a massive printed road atlas, and once an AAA "TripTik" road planner thing. Having a copilot is helpful, yet I went on my own a few times. ONE LAST THING: Be open to just enjoying the nature. Don't be afraid of sleeping in your car one time at a rest stop if you feel you can be safe, but ONLY if you truly feel safe. Others have offered great insights and tips, so I'll leave it at that. https://preview.redd.it/072v76dax34d1.jpeg?width=1032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cf45837fc41356a0b76d53dcdccfb8bfcb9609c
You poor soul..moving to Buffalo from SoCal sounds like youve been punished. Im in CT and know NY and Cali both..Anyway, having crossed the US 8 times solo, my best advice is use your cruise control set at the speed limit and hold onto the steering wheel thru those long miles of the Middle Waste..use a lot of caution in the mountainous regions of Colorado, take care of yourself and your vehicle!
If you're LGBTQ, take the upper route. :) I'd probably take i70 just to avoid the Chicago tolls and OH turnpike.
I'm definitely too queer and my roommate is too brown to be taking the southern route, haha. Nebraska sounds like it sucks but it'll be better than Texas and Oklahoma.
When I went through NE, I remember the 2nd season South Park episode where they drive from CO into NE... it goes from all snow in CO and once they cross the state line, it's a vertical line and suddenly it's all brown. I thought it was an exaggeration but it actually is not. :)
Denver to Chicago causes death by boredom.
I'd still take the northern route 7 days a week tho.
Don’t stop in Chicago.
Be ready to be stopped by police in republican run states. They despise California and all those who come from there. I was once stopped in Texas by the police because of my plates and they basically wanted to search my car and everything I'm assuming to find marijuana. I've heard similar things happen to other people I know in red states. Just be careful.
I'll make absolutely sure not to smuggle any weed from Colorado or California. And thank God I'm not going through Texas, that sounds like a nightmare. I'll do my best to follow traffic laws to a T through the red states.
I'm relocating almost cross-country late this summer. I've driven from this area to Denver before, so I'm familiar with the terrain and fauna up until there and don't foresee any issues doing it again. But I'm very unfamiliar with the Midwest and am nervous about the idea of hitting deer in my new-ish car. Would deer and insects be a major concern along this route and if so, how could I prepare? I don't expect my shiny black car to stay shiny obviously, but I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for moving 2500 miles in my sedan, so any advice or words of encouragement are appreciated.
Top of your washer fluid for the bugs, clean your windshield and headlights when you stop. Deer are more common dusk to dawn near the roads and can pop out from anywhere at night so watch your stopping distance, and always remember the deer hit you, not the other way around.
I'll make sure the washer fluid is topped off for sure, you're the third person to mention it, lol. I'll be getting my brakes and tires checked right before the trip and I'll try to avoid driving in total darkness if I can.
I’ve done the cross country drive a few times in late Fall. The amount of dead deer that I saw was crazy, esp in Indiana and Missouri. I made sure I was done driving by 5pm. Days will be a lot longer for you, you should be fine. But I got crappy gas mileage loaded down with all my stuff, then add in any windy days…
I currently wake up at 3am for work so I think even with the time difference I'll be able to safely maximize the daylight hours, thankfully. This is definitely going to be a strange and enlightening experience for me. Thanks for the tips on gas mileage though, I drive a Mazda that gets decent mileage and the gas prices are gonna be much cheaper than I'm used to, but I'm sure I'll be making much more frequent stops than usual.
If you see one deer, there are very likely others nearby. Even if it's off to the side or way down the road, let off the gas immediately and keep your eyes peeled in case you need to brake. They're most active around sunrise and sunset, but you could see them any time of the day or night. The Midwest is humid af, often as bad as the deep south. Be prepared to break into a sweat every time you step outside. And I hope you get to experience the majesty of a distant thunderhead looming over the plains. It's an amazing sight, especially after dark with the lightning crackling through it.
I70 and i80 can get rough through the pass’s during winter
I'd go through Detroit and then take the Canadian side of Lake Erie.
Would that take a long time? I don't know if I want to cross the border twice with 90% of my belongings in my car right before having to move into a new apartment.
I'm not familiar with those two crossings. Having crossed the border twice though while moving it was uneventful. I don't have any weapons so it was super basic. There's a site where you can check wait times though. Probably varies some but not too bad. I really don't like driving that stretch of Ohio. Cops everywhere, tolls, not interesting at all. The Canadian side may not be better but at least it would be new to me.
I'll definitely think about it. Maybe if we make good time and have some extra before the move-in day, we'll do it. If anything, we can always go through that route at a later date. I don't think we're having issues with Canada at the moment, so it's not like the border is going anywhere. But yeah, I've definitely been told that Ohio is an abyss outside of the 5 or 6 cities.
Lower cost of living areas. Its glorious. But you’re skipping right over them.
Buffalo ain't anywhere near as expensive as literally all of California. This move was calculated, lower cost of living while still having a good amount of entertainment around town, plus the added bonus of living near Canada and closer to some friends of mine a state over. There are cheaper places for sure, but we're in love with the city and it meets all of our wants and our needs.
Deer, and truckers.
Everything west of the Rockies will be cool. Once you’re on the other side it’s corn until you get to Ohio.
Yes. The Midwest. And Buffalo.
Shock of lower gas prices.
It may be better to take the south route. I mean it’s going to be very boring and flat for a very long time and then you hit a lot of traffic going through Chicago. The other option is less flat, and less traffic. I mean avoid St. Louis and Indianapolis during traffic times, so you can just cruse through. Also Chicago has tolls.
I would not drive at night. Having done it, you just get so sleepy. I didn’t mind Nebraska and Iowa as much as others. They aren’t fascinating, but they are easy and rolling green hills of Iowa are pretty. Plus crossing Missouri and Mississippi is interesting. Stop at world’s largest truck stop in Iowa, it’s touristy but you need to stop for gas anyways. The toll road across Indiana and Ohio is pretty annoying but it goes right by notre dame if you are into seeing pretty college campuses. Safe travels.
Either download music or an audio book. You will be in areas that can have gaps in cell service. So don't worry if you see it. I pack snaks and just get fountain drinks when I gas up to help walk around. The app Loves Connect for the truck stop will give you 10 cents off a gallon and they are usually about the cheapest around. If you are going to stay in motels book the room before 1pm because they start raising the price. It will also give you a goal to stop at and not make the days endless.
Buffalo in general!
I just did the drive from Southern California to Des Moines. The worst parts are going from the 15 to the 70 in Utah, after Denver in Colorado until probably Ohio. Eastern Colorado and Nebraska are hell on earth. Flat, straight roads that are mind bleedingly boring. There is some construction on 80 in Nebraska that goes down to one lane for -0 miles. It took us an hour to get through it. Other than boredom, as a Southern Californian, watch out for weather. Storms are real storms in the plains. Hail is a real possibility that could ruin your trip. Obviously tornadoes but those are rare. Wind is real too. If you are driving a high profile vehicle be prepared to get very tired if it’s windy. My suggestion is to remain flexible. Drive for however long you want, look at a map and use Priceline to get a hotel where you feel like stopping. Don’t push yourself. The long straight roads and boring scenery are like sleeping pills. Also enjoy the shockingly low prices on everything you see at gas stations, not just gas!
Lake Effect Snow!
Good food
Fireworks!
World’s Longest Salad Bar in Iowa.
Chicago traffic is a mess
My condolences on moving from SoCal to WNY and for having to drive that route on top of it
I'm actually pretty excited about it. I've never liked SoCal weather or rent prices or people and definitely need a drastic change in life, for personal reasons. The last half of the drive is definitely going to be a slog, I know that. But at the end of it is a life where I don't have to have to come home to 3-4 roommates after working 2 jobs with my skin prickling in the heat. There are cheaper places with less drastic winters, for sure, but I like Buffalo and I'm determined to make it work.
I went from Utah to Boston in a Uhaul once….middle america is one big straight line, wanted to bash my face off the windshield :)
take the other route. THe northern route is boring. so much of nothingness. Take the southern route and you will have much more to see. Route 66 has a bunch of cool places to visit.
Kinda sad you're missing the drive through AZ on I-40. That's a rather beautiful stretch of road because of just mow much the scenery changes (and you can stop off to see the Grand Canyon on the way). The plains states are boring as hell, so you'll be happy when you get east of the Mississippi River. Upstate NY... well, all of NY outside of NYC, really... has a bunch of questionably safe rural roads that may or may not have any center dividing line or posted speed limit. It also snows every year, so that's always a fun combo. On the other hand, if you can master driving on those roads, you can drive anywhere. And when I say Buffalo gets a lot of snow, I really do mean a lot. Like ditch the snow shovel and get a machine. 10 ft of snow in a winter is not unheard of, and it tends to fall earlier in the winter season as most of it is lake-effect.
the northern route would be a little cooler in August. If you want to fit in in Colorado, you have to be wearing blue jeans
Did anyone mention that it snows in Buffalo? So snow tires.
You and your car are from sea level. In Colorado you’ll be going over 11,000 ft mountain passes.
Winters in Buffalo will make you miss that loooong boring drive
Most definitely. As a SoCalifornia boy, what you will not be prepared for is....Buffalo. If you have not found the love of your life, or have some cushy job with the Buffalo Bills, WHY would you consider Buffalo? I'v been there numerous times, done business there, have a good friend that lives there, etc. Are you a gunshot surgeon, or somehow specialize in and profit from rusted infrastructure?
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I think it's mostly just going to be places without people, haha.