Vintage Van Cross Country Caravan

This is on my bucket list.  A trip across the country in my old 65 econoline.

I know that Donovan has gone to Michigan from California,
but I'd like to go to California from NJ.

I see it like this.  500 to 800 miles a day, stopping for gas and meeting all on the site.
Maybe making it to some shows along the way.

But I have thousands of questions.

What are the reputable garages along the way?

Best places to eat?  You get real hungry on the road.
Best places to see?  I don't want to miss anything.

Who are the vintage vanners on the way.  
We need some sort of registry by town and state.
Chebby can you supply me this?

Who would volunteer to be spokes person of your state and locale?
You know, the guy to call when you've broke down and need those local connections.
Email and phone numbers would be needed.

What are the best campgrounds and at the best time of year.

What is a good hotel chain to use for that comfortable bed?

And of course...a route map connecting everything!

Who has the same idea..let's start the map.

So who wants to go with me?
Caravan across the country.

In May,,,,,I wont be in my van, but I should be in my G30 Chevy Transvan,,,,,,wandering east on I-40, standing on a corner in,,,,,Winslow, Arizona,,, then heading up   I-55 north to Chicago, then back down I-55 South to I-44 West which is Route 66  to Oklahoma City then back on I-40 west and drop down through Arizona to Southern California,,,,,,and there is a 1000 miles of California to see,,,,,,,,,,,so  thats my road trip route,,,,,,,

500 to 800 miles daily?!? Maybe if you were 17 and driving to your sweetheart after being away all summer but wow, that's a lot of miles to be able to appreciate the country and its folks!

I've crossed east to west, West to east a good dozen times in old vans. I guess it all depends about how much time you can spare but the best trips were the longer ones where I covered the least

Enjoy!

Well, I think we should make a road map of the US, Canada and Mexico...hey even Europe showing pins of members willing to help a fellow member on the road or welcome as a visitor.

The pins could be of different colors...blue for Ford, Red for Chevy and Orange for Dodge.
The pin could be striped to indicate they have a garage with tools and parts!

Hell, I'll start the sign up list now!

Blue with black striped PIN
Casimier
Jackson, NJ
08527
732-998-7529

anybody else?

Blue striped pin Charleston SC 29412but my garage is slam full of stuff. I do have a nice pop up if rain is present.

orange pin up in the northern end of the valley in ca
3rd county south of oregon
along I-5

spread the word!  we need more than 3 pins!

New Jersey
South Carolina
Northern California

any other states?

Blue stripped pin in Vancouver, BC Canada.

Not much of a garage but it never stopped me wrenching

red for vancouver

I have a GMC in Sarasota, Fl., Would that be a red pin with an * ???

Blue with a black striped pin up in Turner, Maine. It's out of the way but beautiful and well worth the drive up.

I used to be in a much better position to lend a hand, but can still be a pin to vanners.
Orange pin in the Prescott area of Arizona, but have many years of turning wrenches on everything, so add a Blue and Red dot.
Garage is jammed up, but have tools and a bunch of Dodge parts.

I do not want to post phone or email on an open forum. I realize that the majority of us here are older and may not have the latest smart phone, but it's a smart thing to have on a open road adventure, along with a triple A card. PM me here if you are planning on running thru Prescott, Skull Valley, Yarnell, Sedona, Jerome, or I-40 (replacing Route 66) from Williams to Seligman. I can provide contact as needed.

Eating is very personal. Some prefer the bland sameness of a chain to ensure no gastric distress. Others dig finding the mom & pop place the locals all frequent. Some bask in the unique 'tourist traps' that serve stuff you can't find anywhere else for that 'bucket list' fix.

There are a TON of books about road tripping, along with a gigawatt's worth of websites. Just make sure to cross-check for recent reviews, so you don't end up at a place that closed down a year ago.

http://www.theroute-66.com/
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/weird-roadside-attractions-strangest-road-trip-sights
https://roadtrippers.com/guides/roadside-attractions-usa?lat=40.80972&lng=-96.67528&z=5
http://backroadplanet.com/

I would strongly suggest avoiding the interstate unless needed to get from point-to-point. One of the major points of driving a vintage van is to slow down (they aren't Grand Tourismo machines) and you want to be able to interact with others, see things at a more relaxed pace, and really take in the experience. Bonus points for writing it down, taking pictures and sharing!

For the areas I listed, here are some sites.
Note that I tried to supply various sites rather than all the places at a single site. This way you can explore each site to see the differences in the way they present information and find one that fits you.
http://visitsedona.com/
http://www.sedonaverdevalley.org/jerome/aboutjerome.html
http://www.skullvalley.org/
http://www.visitarizona.com/places-to-visit/north-central-arizona/yarnell
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Arizona/Seligman-750306/Things_To_Do-Seligman-TG-C-1.html

Your route will probably not pass this way, but we have a big blue pin with a stripe here in Raleigh NC, just down the road a piece from Mayberry.

Hey
Barnubus
You never know when someone is making the trip to FLA from NJ
And tends to visit friends in Charlotte.
That's near Raleigh, well same state anyway

I saw a similar idea on the xlforums (harley sportsters).......The idea was for forum members to host other forum members when they were on long distance trips.....
I would never expect to be rescued by a fellow forum member and probably not volunteer for such duty myself (that's what road service and healthy credit limits on your cards are for!)
I love the idea of long-distance caravans, and I'd love to be visited..... Even better would be to generate enthusiasm for regional van happenings like the old days.....I know some parts of the country still do these and the volkswagen bus people still do these in the SW......The closeness of our computers does allow us to unite in big numbers and have robust conversations, but geography and the age and crudeness of these vehicles present physical limitations for those of us that expect modern comfort when we travel......Eventually, I hope to achieve a van build that achieves this level of comfort.....until then, I'll be here online...

Put a blue pin with black stripe just outside Columbia S C 29160

great information, ideas and thoughts! What a membership.
Keep the posts of PINS coming! I need all the states.
RED for Chevy, Blue for Ford and Orange for Dodge.
Striped pins if you have a place and tools to work on the van.

What no Mexico or UK?

Casimier

Most all are very correct on road trips- we've all done it ! 800 miles a day is not feasable-500 is a good figure to shoot for daily==PROVIDED?? there are no weather conditions, ice , snows, rains, wrecks, detours?? , ect. to deal with?? i always figure 50 mph =ADVERAGE!! daily giving 10 hours for a 500 mile a day average- adding Bfast, Lunch stops & FUEL stops addl. Thats around 5 stops ---unless you fuel & grab a garbage burger from the fuel places=(gormet / NOT!) Still adds up to a 12/13 hour day?

We should do a meetup in Las Vegas around June time. Could be fun and its kinda in the middle. LOL

I agree with you twinpilot

500 miles a day with enough time to smell the roses along the way.

10 hours a day driving the van lets face it at our age is exceptional.

Just wanted to compile info for the trip along the way.

Who's who and where you at?

orange and striped pin in Spartanburg SC right off I85....really like this idea.

I'm right on I 40 in Jackson TN. Between Memphis and Nashville. I'm mainly Econoline but can help with anybody passing through. If you're passing through just stop by for a visit.

Duane.

I just thought I would add that I have a trailer to haul broken down travelers if needed. Hope that never happens tho. Y'all are also welcome to stop in for a visit when you are in the area. I have plenty of space for overnight campers also.

First pin in Europe!
Blue striped in Stuttgart, south/west Germany.

When you attach the pin remember to list a few attractions nearby to you ie,
Here in Jackson, NJ we have
Great Adventure, with the Belmar beach and Atlantic City Nearby.
No hotels close by, nearest Days Inn is in nearby Freehold.