Like Vipers from the Battlestar...

[dajoflo]

..well, my mind is anyway. My car isn't as amped as I am.
I too, am a BM virgin. I've read about it and considered it for years. Finally, I've pushed myself to do it.

I've got a friend who's been a big info help and inspiration for this trip, but I wanna engage the community...

So here's a starting question (one of many):

Any suggestions for LONG distance driving to the event? I'm in CT and seriously considering punishing my Volvo 740 with the 3K trek. (or 6K if you look at it both ways...) I've always dreamed of driving cross country and this may be my last chance (at least until i retire or my son turns 18... in 16 years... whichever comes first)

Thanks all!

[littlemonkey]

Hi dajoflo,

I'm guessing but let's see...15 gallon tank, 20 miles to the gallon, gas at $3.00 a gallon, 6000 miles...roundtrip that's about 900 bucks.
Add in accomodations and food and what...a minimum of $1200.00 roundtrip? Plus wear and tear on your vehicle. And the time.

Today you can find roundtrip flights from say, Hartford to Reno for about $300.00. And a weeks rental car for around $200.00.
That's a pretty good alternative to driving yourself as far as money and time go.

But...driving may be your only choice if you have a lot of stuff to take.
And if you haven't seen the country it's a good way to do it.
And If you're able to find the right person/people to ride out with it can really be great.

I think for me, if I had a good vehicle, plenty of time, enough money, and the right person to ride out with, I'd drive. Otherwise...

littlemonkey

[MikeVDS]

Hmm. Not sure what the real question is. I guess map out the way you'll get there, bring lots of snacks and drinks for the trip, make sure your auto is in good running condition and had oil changes. You can sleep at rest stops in your vehicle. If you can't or don't want to do that you'll have to find motels or campsites. Driving cross country seems pretty simple. I have AAA plus which is just convenient, since sometimes finding a tow or shop in a strange area can be tough if you need it.

And welcome to the family.

[robotland]

Indeed, welcome! I myself am a product of Connecticut, though I haven't been back in over 40 years. If you plan to make the Big Drive, you almost owe it to yourself to allow enough time to make it all the way to the other ocean! I drive from Michigan, about 2100 miles each way. (And I seem to be compelled to mention it every time I see a post about somebody threatening to make the Big Drive...)
It's really a fun trip, and amazing to see how the countryside changes over that vast expanse. You'd probably be taking I-80, and feel free to PM me about some particularly good things to investigate along the way. (And if you see a silver Element with a BRC sticker and plastic alligators on the dash, be sure to say Howdy...)

[unjonharley]

I have posted this before but.. I threw my whole camp into a bag, put it over my shoulder and flew to Main.. Picked up a car and set 11 camps on my way back to the west cast.. If I were coming from the east to BM this year.. I would make up the same camp and fly to Reno.. Add water and injoy Burning Man.. Less camp=more time for fun..

I did have a 10X10 nylon shade.. One of the old type with poles in center and corners..

[gyre]

I'll probably be driving my 245 and I still want to do the big loop of the country.
If you are going to see things on the way, nothing competes with driving.
There is too much stuff to bring to fly.
You then have to arrange to get supplies out there anyway.

If you do your own maintenance, check out ipd.
Their antisway bars make a dramatic difference.

If you keep putting miles on your volvo and take care of it, that engine will only go a million miles or so, but you might as well enjoy it.

[dajoflo]

Thanks, everybody, for your input!
I'm still so undecided as to how to proceed. (and time ticks away...)

The pros and cons are both strong. I don't have a lot of gear to bring (so more time for fun indeed) but I could drastically improve the quality of my life while i'm there with what i can bring in a car.

Plus I would love to see the country via Rt. 80. (which, as I map it, is practically a straight line from CT to BRC) I haven't solicited passengers yet as i'm still weighing the two options.
It may come down to simple math. I've gotta crunch the numbers.

In any case. I'm so excited to be there I can barely stand it.

[gyre]

The tiki camp from florida meandered all over the place for two weeks towing a camp and art car.
Then they did it going back too.
But they hit everything on the way.

It makes a loaded car seem like a casual impulse after that.
If you have time, drive.

[LeChatNoir]

Hey dajoflo!!!

Welcome.

We drive from Louisville, Kentucky every year. I’d highly encourage you to drive to BRC. I think everyone should drive across the great country at least once. You have idea how really freakin’ huge this place is until you’ve let it roll under your wheels the full way. I made a point to go into California and enjoy some hot springs, then into the Bay Area to place my open palms in the Pacific Ocean.

I’ll also say that my first trip cross country was shared by a fellow who has become a really terrific friend to me. We vibed very well and are good travel mates. This made the trip even better, but…

If we had not vibed it could have been worse. So I’ll advise to size up ay travel companions before hand. Having a second person helps since you can usually split the gas bill, thus making it more affordable for everyone.

So carbon emissions aside (you can do things the other 51 weeks to offset this minor amount), drive it, drive it, drive it.

Things to think about before heading west:

~~Change your belts now, before they break. Keep the old ones in the trunk as a backup.

~~Change your oil before you leave and when you get back, if not sooner. My truck holds 3 gallons so I can make a 5000 mile round trip. Your car holds 1 gallon, so you may want to have it changed out west somewhere.

~~Have your transmission serviced and inspected. Change the fluid and filter. Have the shop look for wear.

~~Change all the fluids in your rear end and inspect for wear.

~~Have the shop give your wheel bearings a look over while its on the lift too.

~~Change you radiator fluid… you’ll need it to work in Nevada.

~~Check your tires. And check your spare to make sure it’s still got air in it.

~~Pack a basic tool kit and a fire extinguisher.

These are things you should do every so often anyways, so don’t think it’s all just for the Burning Man trip. And besides… your car is good to go for another 30,000 miles or so now.

[LeChatNoir]

Oh yeah...

And if you're towing a trailer, inspect the bearings before hand and bring along an extra set too. I learned this lesson the hard way last year while franticly searching up a set of bearings on a Saturday afternoon, then rushing back to make the repair on the side of the freeway in downtown Denver.

Yikes...

[Teo del Fuego]

Probably been asked before, but would it be possible for our Connecticut friend to ship her gear ahead of time to Reno, or hell, Gerlach, by ground and then fly to Reno, rent a car and meet up with her stuff? Or is the ground shipping too cost prohibitive. Is there any place near BM that would receive a parcel of camping gear poste restante?