Hi all, We have a 2010 prius, ~125k miles on it. We are planning on a 2000 mile road trip, hoping to bang it out essentially in one day so will be continuously driving for a large chunk of it. The car is in good condition no major mechanical issues ever. Just had brakes redone. Had the 100k service done at toyota (every service up to that point was done at toyota), since then have gotten oil changes every 5-6k miles. Will get a fresh oil change prior to the road trip. Tires are ok. Any preventative maintenance or things I can check you guys think I should get prior to leaving? Much appreciated
Really? 2000 miles in one day. That is averaging 83 mph, assuming 24 hours. When I was (much) younger I did coast to coast in about 50 hours a couple of times with 2 drivers...but that is just averaging 60 mph. Mike
Get the maintenance done say a week before you go, just in case they screw something up. And keep it to basics. Make sure the windshield washer fluid's topped up, wipers ok. Have a reflective vest and/or triangle/cone. Check the pressure/condition of the spare. Stuff like that.
1. Limit maintenance to filters and fluids check, lights (all of them) and wipers. 2. Tires check and pressure and tread. (last rotation?) 3. I would lean away from things that will bite you in the butt when you get to mile 99x and these would include anything requiring hand tools for at least a few days prior to going wheels up. 4. Weather. When snow levels reach 2000' in the California, then you know there's a winter storm inbound. It's a function of living on a roundish planet that rotates. Even if you're bound for New England - you're going to have to watch the weather - ESPECIALLY in a car with essentially no ground clearance. Make sure you have a plan for breaking down in cold WX, in BFE, and when tow trucks are all busy. You don't have to prep for the Zombie Apocalypse...but it does help to have enough battle rattle to swap out a blown tire on the side of the road......in freezing rain.....at night. 5. Audiobooks. Gatorade (bottle.) 6. May want to consider limiting carbs a day or two before. MOST IMPORTANTLY! Relax, have fun, and enjoy the trip!
In that situation, I would get a rental with unlimited miles. It can handle the trip obviously but that those speed, I’ll put the engine stress on a rental.
Even if it was possible to drive a Prius at top speed for 16 tours with a tanker refueling you when needed while driving at top speed, you wouldn't be able to cover even close to 2,000 miles. Even the New York to Los Angeles world records drivers couldn't do it in 16 hours. It would take them like 19 or 20 hours. Alex Roy Just Smashed The New York To LA Record In An Astonishing 26 Hours And 28 Minutes
Unless heading directly to Mexico, I don't think there is anywhere you can go that far away, soon, without going through current or upcoming winter storm warning or advisory areas. Those will either make mincemeat of your hoped 75+ mph average speeds, or turn you into one of the many news photo-ops on the shoulder or ditch. Carry enough food, water, blankets, warm clothing, and toiletries for at least a full day of unplanned car camping on closed or blocked roads, and winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and flashlights to hike to the nearest other shelter.
What you talkin' bout Willis? You can drive from Miami to Los Angeles. I don't consider rain to be a "Winter Storm". Perhaps you have some secret knowledge of where the OP lives and where he's driving to, but I certainly don't.
He gives a home location of Illinois. The only domestic destinations 2000 miles from there are on the west coast. The only route possible avoiding that winter weather wall is a detour through El Paso, then hugging the border through a very long but narrow strip of solid Flash Flood Watch. But get south very quick before those winter conditions march any farther east or cover Illinois. But zooming in for closer detail, that Winter Storm Watch reaches all the way to the Mexican border, even over I-8. I can't see if I-10 threads a very narrow corridor between winter storm zones, staying in just extensive flood watches only.
Only Weather Lightweights in Los Angeles consider rain to be a winter storm. To mean calling rain a winter storm is laughable. I'd still rather live in L.A. than PA or anywhere with horrible weather though.
It isn't conditions IN Los Angeles that have the snow warnings. The snow warnings are on all the approaches, both from the east and the north, now including even I-10. And if his destination is anywhere north of L.A. -- plenty more possibilities in CA, OR, and WA -- then that means much driving distance within those winter warning zones. There are no active warnings in Los Angeles right now. But as I write this, east of there, I can draw a continuous, unbroken line of snow warnings from border to border, Canada to Mexico. From Montana, through Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California to the border. Mostly with full winter storm warnings, with a couple short segments of lighter winter weather advisories, all including snow. This morning, I-5 over the Grapevine was fully closed by snow and ice. Right now, part of I-10 has lane reductions due to flooding. Winter isn't horrible, just something to be prepared for. And a source of fun outdoor activities. BTW, did you figure out where my alleged "secret knowledge of where the OP lives" came from?
