How many miles to drive across the country?

Answer 1

Depends where on both sides of the country you are starting from and going to, and where you are stopping. I have driven across the country from San Franciso to New York City, and reversed, many times...US route 80 goes from one to the other.

I don'tremember the exact mileage but it was slightly less than 3000 miles. For trip planning, I would estimate I could easily average 50mph including gas refueling and quick meal stops, or in other words 60 on the road hours coast to coast excluding hotel stays. These were mostly in the days of the largely ignored national 55mph speed limit...now you could probably change your average including gas and meals up to 60mph or higher.

I've done it in 5 days driving 12 hours a day, or in 3.5 days by staying on the road much longer and having two drivers take turns, stopping at motels only every other day.