I am planning to Drive all the way to Seattle from Minneapolis this coming week. It is a long drive and will take more than 24 hours .. I am driving alone ....

I need suggestions from you guys .. Do's and Dont's  ????

How about hotel booking ?? About resting ?? etc .

Thanks
Aalu


My Route :


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For some reason, I need to go through "Sioux Falls", SD.
Google shows it will take 24 hours .. But I have my GPS ready.

why u going to seattle ?

also why not fly ?

u dont need hotel booking... just sleep in the car when u get tired.. otherwise just plan on driving non stop.. u will be very very tired by the time u get there..

Good question latoboy ..

I am permanently moving to seattle area. I left my car here when I got the job . I don't want to sell my car and other stuff that I can take with me. .

burn some nice rock music to keep u awake... you dont need GPS for this trip...when u get close to seattle maybe yah u might need...  just straight long boring drive.. specially if u are driving alone.

pack some sandwich, snacks...

when tank is almost empty, stop by gas station, get coffee, caffeine drink to keep awake.

North dakota is dead area so u will be bored as hell driving thru that area.
once u get on to montana, the scenery can be nice.. maybe take some pictures around montana if u are there during day time, they got great views from there.

i think the biggest cities on your way is sioux falls, sd, fargo, nd and spokane, WA before getting to seattle.

good luck... safe driving...

From my experience, I can tell you that resting is the most important aspect of a successful journey. Make sure that you're well rested before you set off. 24 Hour drive isn't really that long but since you mentioned you're traveling alone, it could be turn out to be really long.

Try to drive through entire North Dakota without making a single stop and after that, I'd suggest you to stay in a motel in Montana ( you don't necessarily need to book a room ). Also, set off at around 10 am. That's the best option because you can drive all day, stay overnight in a motel and then set off again.

Burn cds and when you stop in a gas station for gas, rest for 10-15 minutes, stretch!

Also, Red bull is your best friend! Don't "overdo" it though because it will lose its effectiveness.

Good luck!

Hey Quagmire,

Thanks Buudy,

I am not going through ND .. infact I am going through SD .... I want see the "Mt Rushmore". I thinking to drive 10 hours first day and stop at "rapid city" and go to see "Mt rushmore"

My Route :


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go 35W-South and take I90 W through IA-NE-CO-UT-NV-OR-WA.

Don't do the South Dakota-Montana.. this is wilderness with nothing.. literally, run out of gas somewhere.. you're done .. Worst some Polar bear or White freak might chase/eat you.

thanks lamak_98 .. but that is hell lot of miles.. any other suggestions ??

While going through Montana, try to avoid Brokeback Mountain    Not that anything is wrong should you choose to.

1. Pack loads of Red Bull

2. Sleep in your car with window open just to let air circulate.

3. Load iPod with heavymetals.

4.Take 30min break every 3 hours.

5. Enjoy.

6. Have a safe drive.

I would also suggest scenic route through Badlands once you are in SD on I-90 . DON'T miss it. You take Exit 110 on I-90 on SD , and come out exit 131.

From my experience, the most important stuff for long drive is Red Bull.  Drink one every 6-7 hours, you'll be fine. 

isnt sleeping in car in rest area illegal???? i always thought so. thats what i have heard

yeah I heard the same ..

Can we sleep in the rest area ? i dont have plan to sleep during night ..but what about for 1 hour or so?

Chill out dai... plan to take some rest.. have a good night sleep in some motel.. don't drive more than 12-13 hours in a day... Plan to be on road early, rest while you reach Mt. rushmore/Rapid City.. Enjoy early morning sight-seeings and be on the road at time... Anyway how about momo: in my place tomorrow?

thank you dai .. yeah .. Red bull with Red level . .hehe

You don't need to drive all the way to Rochester if you plan driving through Sioux Falls. Instead follow (depending where you are in Minneapolis) 494 W, 212 E, 23 W and then 90 W.... or 169 S, 14 W 23 W and then 90 W..... you will save few hours following this rout.