Plan to Tour the 4 corners of the USA

[Blade]

Hello all,

I have a plan to tour the United States four corners. Starting in Virginia going south to Florida across to southern California up the coast to Washington State then start back across to Maine down to Virginia. I would like to accomplish my trip without hitting a lot of toll roads if possible. I plan to start my journey Mid-March or early April 2016. This has been on my bucket-list for a long time. I have heard other motorcyclist talking about it, but, I have yet to meet anyone who has accomplished the ride. I am figuring that March is a good time to drive south and west because it shouldn't be too hot going across the desert going west. And by the time I am ready to head back east that the temperature should be warm enough. I'm soliciting help from people who live near any of the potential travel areas such as I-10 Texas, New Mexico, or I-5 in California or Pacific Coast Hwy, or recommend a good road to take across Washington State, Montana and could provide some insight or let me know of some fallacies I have in my travel plans.

I appreciate any information you can offer. Thanks in advance for comments/recommendations.

Blade

 

[PrairieSpyder]

How long are you planning for this trip? Your talking in the neighborhood of 8,500 miles.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

You could still run into snow at that time of year. Depending on how long you are on the road the northern route could still be snowed in. Murphybrown has made the trip from Washington east at that time of year, maybe she can fill you in on what to expect.

Are you planning on going to the extreme points or just hitting the corner states?

 

[jerpinoy]

That's a very interesting plan. Just keep us inform.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Hello all,

I have a plan to tour the United States four corners. Starting in Virginia going south to Florida across to southern California up the coast to Washington State then start back across to Maine down to Virginia. I would like to accomplish my trip without hitting a lot of toll roads if possible. I plan to start my journey Mid-March or early April 2016.

March may be a little early. Rainy season in the South. You would probably be in the northern part of the country in late April/early May time frame while there is still snow to contend with, particularly across the Rockies. Glacier Park isn't open until mid-June. I would start early May myself. Latter half of May is a great time to travel along the Gulf Coast. I went across Montana in May a couple of years ago on I-94 & I-90. That was plenty early. No snow but wet and cold and threat of snow in Butte, MT eastward.

 

[Blade]

4 Corners of USA

How long are you planning for this trip? Your talking in the neighborhood of 8,500 miles.

I am hoping to complete the trip in 3-4 months. Is it doable, what do you think?
I have been studying an Atlas. I was to go the shortest distance if possible. I was wondering if I would hit some snow but I don't want to travel during the hottest time of the year. Thanks for your comments. I will definitely change my time tablet to Mid-April or May to start. If you think of anything else please feel free to PM me. I will be under going this venture alone. I am a little concern about fuel stations. I have a GPS and it should help out their but I am still getting a feel for my fuel consumption in my RTS.

 

[3 Wheel Rider]

I-10 from Houston, San Antonio, Fort Stockton and El Paso is well maintained and in great condition. There are no tolls and the speed limits vary depending where your at... within the city limits it averages between 65 & 70 MPH. Between Houston and San Antonio its 70 - 75 MPH. Between San Antonio and El Paso it ranges from 70 to 85 MPH.

Fuel stops: Houston, San Antonio, Junction, Ozona, Fort Stockton, Van Horn, El Paso

In September, I rode from San Antonio to Fort Stockton and then headed north to Red River NM by way of TX-18, NM-62, and NM-285 (Manohans Tx, Jal NM, Artesia NM, Clines Corners NM and Sante Fe NM). All of the roads were in good to great condition.

Let me know when you plan to pass through San Antonio; if the schedules coincide I'll treat you to lunch or dinner.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I am hoping to complete the trip in 3-4 months. Is it doable, what do you think?
I have been studying an Atlas. I was to go the shortest distance if possible. I was wondering if I would hit some snow but I don't want to travel during the hottest time of the year. Thanks for your comments. I will definitely change my time tablet to Mid-April or May to start. If you think of anything else please feel free to PM me. I will be under going this venture alone. I am a little concern about fuel stations. I have a GPS and it should help out their but I am still getting a feel for my fuel consumption in my RTS.

If you plan on taking the shortest route possible you should be able to complete the trip in a couple of weeks. I've done a lot of cross country trips and i usually try to plan my gas stops when travelling in the less populated areas. Even on the Interstates there are places where you could run out if you haven't planned well.

If you start your trip in late April and head south then west you should have good weather and avoid the heat of the summer.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I am hoping to complete the trip in 3-4 months. Is it doable, what do you think? I have been studying an Atlas. I was to go the shortest distance if possible.

With that kind of time frame don't bother with the shortest, go with the most scenic and interesting places to visit. In fact, the shortest may complicate your gas stops schedule. You very well may want to wander the secondary roads in order to keep the distance between gas stops safe, especially in the desert and Plains states.

An average of 200 miles per day is very leisurely. Gives you plenty of time for stops for scenery, museums, parks, etc. There's a lot to see around this nation, geological, historical, and hysterical! :yes:

You probably won't travel it but the only place I have ridden where the Interstate was prettier than the secondary roads is I-15 in Utah. It parallels US 40 which in my opinion is quite blah from Heber City to I-80.

 

[rt1200rt]

Four Corners Tour

If you go on to the SCMA (Southern Calif. Motorcycle Association) website you will find it is one of their rides you can sign up for. But to complete it, I believe it has to be finished in 21 days and you have to verify your checkpoints with photos of you and your bike. They also have other variations of the same ride.
Bob

 

[Chupaca]

Sounds like a plan.

you don't have toll roads once you leave the east coast...if you come in to SoCal as far as San Diego you have a place to stay. Pick up I-5 but use Pacific coast highway where you can up the coast to Oregon then WA...etc...let us know as things develop...:thumbup:

 

[Bfromla]

Ive been to 1

Per my trip to southernmost point Keywest FL was in Feb fyi the I75 on gulf side was under major construction (may be done by now) Trip there was nice ,good temps hit rain back in LA sucked but was only 5hours from home. Lots of tolls in FL but well maintained & had many stations that would take pic of your lic plate & send you a bill later,easier than carring change for all toll stops how ever many that may be as you pick your path. Have fun ,miles of smiles share your pics & visit few dealers along way, good for local restruant suggestions.

 

[vided]

 

[SPYD3R]

4 CORNERS

Blade;
try this MAPQUEST site: http://classic.mapquest.com/routepl..._campaign=new-ribbon&utm_term=Route%20Planner
it will allow you to plug in multiple locations... it's been a gr8 help 2 me for my X-country rides...
also, when travelling from east to west, give consideration to either Routes 82 or 84... i've done them both, and the are equally as good... plenty of motels, gas stations, and eateries... once in west Texas and west, ride by the 'half tank rule'... when you are down to a half tank of gas, start looking for a station...
on your ride from Washington to Maine, you may want to think about riding Rt. 34 in Colorado... it's an OMG ride over the top of the Rockies... from there, you can head up to Wyoming and the Dakotas....
there is a lot to see and do in our beautiful country, and 3 - 4 mths should be plenty of time, depending on your life style, i figure between $100 - $125 per day will cover most everything if you are sharing with another rider... ride safely and enjoy yourself...
wish i could join you, but i'll be riding to Nova Scotia in that time period...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S

 

[easysuper]

4 corners

I've been to all 4 and you will have a great lifetime ride. May would be a good time to start and head south, My wife and I try to take the secondary roads, better fuel stops for the bikes and yourself, When you get to Oregon PM us and you have a place to stay. another thing to look into is The Motorcycle Travel Network, kind of like a motorcycle B&B save you money and you meet some great folks that ride. Think about a cargo trailer for a trip of that scope.

 

[murphybrown]

That will be an awesome trip....

Hello all,

I have a plan to tour the United States four corners. Starting in Virginia going south to Florida across to southern California up the coast to Washington State then start back across to Maine down to Virginia. I would like to accomplish my trip without hitting a lot of toll roads if possible. I plan to start my journey Mid-March or early April 2016. This has been on my bucket-list for a long time. I have heard other motorcyclist talking about it, but, I have yet to meet anyone who has accomplished the ride. I am figuring that March is a good time to drive south and west because it shouldn't be too hot going across the desert going west. And by the time I am ready to head back east that the temperature should be warm enough. I'm soliciting help from people who live near any of the potential travel areas such as I-10 Texas, New Mexico, or I-5 in California or Pacific Coast Hwy, or recommend a good road to take across Washington State, Montana and could provide some insight or let me know of some fallacies I have in my travel plans.

I appreciate any information you can offer. Thanks in advance for comments/recommendations.

Blade

I have done most of what you are planning....I agree with others that in some years March might be a little early for the "northern" portion. Absolutely travel PCH or 1 or 101 (it becomes all of those)..absolutely a must do in my book..I have traveled several times and always luv it. Depending on how much time you have...each and every state that you will be crossing into or through has a wealth of roads to ryde. I personally avoid freeways as much as possible. Feel free to PM or call me and I will share any and all info/opinions I have :roflblack::roflblack:....When your planning starts toward WA and MT...get ahold of me and I will let you know all the adventure trails and I have open door policy for fellow ryders. I live NoCentral WA. Will be following your thread...exciting. :thumbup::thumbup::yes::yes:

 

[redneck diva]

2-3 months????????? wow

we have done GA to CA & back 3 times now & hit a ton of state & national parks along the way we have down 7k miles in 12 days (last year)

route is on another tread wild hawgs ride.

had a blast & plan on doing it again this upcoming may/june

 

[MRH]

California Highway 1 (of which Pacific Coast Highway is a part) from Santa Monica to Fort Bragg, CA is a great ride (most of which I did in September). I can't speak to the last 40 miles of the 1 north of Fort Bragg, but I'd certainly not leave it out.

Highway 1 through Orange County and LA until you get to Santa Monica is a lot of busy surface street time, and not worth the ride in my view. Note that the 1 periodically merges with the 101.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOUR TRIP

Blade;
try this MAPQUEST site: http://classic.mapquest.com/routepl..._campaign=new-ribbon&utm_term=Route%20Planner
it will allow you to plug in multiple locations... it's been a gr8 help 2 me for my X-country rides...
also, when travelling from east to west, give consideration to either Routes 82 or 84... i've done them both, and the are equally as good... plenty of motels, gas stations, and eateries... once in west Texas and west, ride by the 'half tank rule'... when you are down to a half tank of gas, start looking for a station...
on your ride from Washington to Maine, you may want to think about riding Rt. 34 in Colorado... it's an OMG ride over the top of the Rockies... from there, you can head up to Wyoming and the Dakotas....
there is a lot to see and do in our beautiful country, and 3 - 4 mths should be plenty of time, depending on your life style, i figure between $100 - $125 per day will cover most everything if you are sharing with another rider... ride safely and enjoy yourself...
wish i could join you, but i'll be riding to Nova Scotia in that time period...
Dan P
SPYD3R F3-S

:yes:Dan, on your way to or from Nova Scotia, if you DON'T stop and visit I'll be really Pi**ed .....I don't care how many people are travelling with you, All are welcome .......as Murphy Brown said, I also have an open door policy ........Mike :thumbup:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOUR EPIC TOUR

Hello all,

I have a plan to tour the United States four corners. Starting in Virginia going south to Florida across to southern California up the coast to Washington State then start back across to Maine down to Virginia. I would like to accomplish my trip without hitting a lot of toll roads if possible. I plan to start my journey Mid-March or early April 2016. This has been on my bucket-list for a long time. I have heard other motorcyclist talking about it, but, I have yet to meet anyone who has accomplished the ride. I am figuring that March is a good time to drive south and west because it shouldn't be too hot going across the desert going west. And by the time I am ready to head back east that the temperature should be warm enough. I'm soliciting help from people who live near any of the potential travel areas such as I-10 Texas, New Mexico, or I-5 in California or Pacific Coast Hwy, or recommend a good road to take across Washington State, Montana and could provide some insight or let me know of some fallacies I have in my travel plans.

I appreciate any information you can offer. Thanks in advance for comments/recommendations.

Blade

:yes:....First, thank you for your service :clap:.....Like " Murphy Brown ", I also have an open door policy for fellow Spyder lovers.......sooooooo on your tour around the country if you want to take a rest for awhile ( a week or so ) you are welcome to visit ( 05660 ) ..........Mike :thumbup: