Around the country... In 14 days... In a 4th gen?
- Thread starter Opi
- Start date
034RUNNER
New member
Do it, I'm sure the truck will be no problem and the experience will be awesome. I've always wanted to go x-country and hope to one day. The furthest trip I did was from CT to Indy this past summer. We used someone elses lease to pile the miles onto but the 4runner would have been no problem. The only complaint I'd have is I like to drive fast and a car (sports car) may be better for that BUT to hold lots of stuff for a trip that long, well you may have to give that up! I'd have 100% confidence in the 4r.
MidwestT4R
Member
I'd check out the rental too. Sometimes they have specials and the savings on gas might offset the cost of the rental.
I'd also note that your route has an awful lot of common road coming and going. Why not consider going through Texas after you leave New Orleans and then when you are coming back head through Colorado or at least cut through Tennessee and Kentucky after Memphis on the way home? There are plenty of great places to visit and stay in all those states.
I'd also note that your route has an awful lot of common road coming and going. Why not consider going through Texas after you leave New Orleans and then when you are coming back head through Colorado or at least cut through Tennessee and Kentucky after Memphis on the way home? There are plenty of great places to visit and stay in all those states.
BOSMECH
Member
I have driven across the USA 5 time so far from Seattle to Atlanta, Atlanta to San Diego to Salt Lake City then to Boston, Before that Tennesee to Seattle (x2) Seattle to Santa Barbara and back (x4).
Those are just the moves I have done and still have made trips all over the USA and Canada none in a T4R yet but will soon, my next move will be back to Atlanta.
Those are just the moves I have done and still have made trips all over the USA and Canada none in a T4R yet but will soon, my next move will be back to Atlanta.
I just drove from Chicago to Virginia Beach with 95k and didn't check a thing....lol. Maintenance was pretty up to date. We went to pick up a motorcycle and tow it back to Chicago. Not one problem. Oh and did I tell you I hadn't realize that someone had stolen my spare prior to the trip. So we went to Virginia and back without a spare and did not have a clue...lol.
The 4Runner can definitely handle this trip without a doubt. Just make sure you have it serviced before you leave for that extra peace of mind. I have actually done 3 cross country trips before. I rented a car on all three occasions. Last one was one way from Boston to San Diego and back to Las Vegas where I spent the last 3 days of the trip and then flew back. Choose Vegas as the drop off city at the time to avoid the drop off fee rental companies charge customers for returning a car in another location or state which can be sometimes as high as $300.
The trip was great and I am sure you will enjoy the one you are planning. Good luck.
The trip was great and I am sure you will enjoy the one you are planning. Good luck.
The only problem I see is that you're not going through the Texas hill country. You need to get down to Shiner, TX to visit the Shiner Bock Brewery and then swing up through Lockhart, TX to visit Kruez Market and then continue up through Austin to visit Franklin BBQ. Then you can continue on your merry way through Dallas to Amarillo.
Seriously - that stretch between Fort Bend, Arkansas and New Mexico is a bunch of NOTHING. You're going to fall asleep driving it. It's flat nothingness.
Seriously - that stretch between Fort Bend, Arkansas and New Mexico is a bunch of NOTHING. You're going to fall asleep driving it. It's flat nothingness.
Aquabear
New member
DO IT! DO IT! DO IT! I did it in 2009 and my wife and I still talk about how awesome it was! Maybe next year we'll do it again but to other places.
We did
Start: New York
Arch in St Louis
Dinner stop Oldest BBQ house in Kansas
Denver weekend rest, recoup, sight see, 4th of july fireworks, awesome city(First night in a bed since leaving NY) oh yeah great food n beer!
Moab Utah- camping, whitewater rafting, hiking, off roading in Canyonlands Ntnl Park
Jackson hole WY- same as Denver,
Yellowstone- camping, hiking etc
MT Rushmore
then straight home +24 hours nonstop to New York.
Your 4R is low in miles relative to many 300k 4R's on here, just take a look.
Your at the mark of doing the 100k maintenance and you should do it. I'd also add change brakes if never done and ALL fluids b4 ur trip, tries?. For 2 people the 4R has a crazy amout of space but I added a cargo box since my daughter was coming.
Pass me some questions and I'll answer them. You gotta do this trip everyone should- our country has some beautiful sights, people, food and can be a giant playground!
happy trails:driving:
We did
Start: New York
Arch in St Louis
Dinner stop Oldest BBQ house in Kansas
Denver weekend rest, recoup, sight see, 4th of july fireworks, awesome city(First night in a bed since leaving NY) oh yeah great food n beer!
Moab Utah- camping, whitewater rafting, hiking, off roading in Canyonlands Ntnl Park
Jackson hole WY- same as Denver,
Yellowstone- camping, hiking etc
MT Rushmore
then straight home +24 hours nonstop to New York.
Your 4R is low in miles relative to many 300k 4R's on here, just take a look.
Your at the mark of doing the 100k maintenance and you should do it. I'd also add change brakes if never done and ALL fluids b4 ur trip, tries?. For 2 people the 4R has a crazy amout of space but I added a cargo box since my daughter was coming.
Pass me some questions and I'll answer them. You gotta do this trip everyone should- our country has some beautiful sights, people, food and can be a giant playground!
happy trails:driving:
03L4RUNNER
New member
I second that notion
gptoy96
New member
Sounds like a great trip, I've never been to any of those areas but would love to be in your shoes.
As for the rental thing, in theory it sounds like a smart idea but I'd never do it. Part of the ownership experience I have with my vehicles is the memories I get with them, that trip would be a great memory with that vehicle. I say put the miles on!
As for the rental thing, in theory it sounds like a smart idea but I'd never do it. Part of the ownership experience I have with my vehicles is the memories I get with them, that trip would be a great memory with that vehicle. I say put the miles on!
Seatown
New member
check out this guy who did a one year road trip with his wife in his First Gen. It's an awesome read with great pictures and some cool stories. This will definitely give you the inspiration you'll need to take the 4runner.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...n-francisco-ushuaia-argentina-87-4runner.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...n-francisco-ushuaia-argentina-87-4runner.html
OrbeaRider
New member
Just my two cents ...
I've driven across country a couple of times in my 4Runner and it was great. First time was from DC up to Montana, down to Yellowstone and out to California. A few years later (after I grew tired of being back on California), I moved back East and went the southern route (very similar to your trip). I had absolutely no problems with the 4Runner. A couple of suggestions though:
-- Get your AC checked and working before you go. I drove from DC to San Antonio one June and my AC broke ... it was brutal.
-- On your way to the Grand Canyon, try to hit the Southern side. It has less tourists. When I drove back to NC, this was the highlight of my trip. I'm a cynic and didn't think I'd really like it but it was amazing.
-- Since you're so close, consider go through Monument Valley. The rock formations are incredible.
-- The one thing I wish I had done since I was so close was to check out Arches National Park. It's is in Utah and is supposed to be amazing.
-- Driving across country is amazing but be prepared for lots and lots of boring sections. Make sure you've got plenty of music to keep you going because, in parts, the only radio you'll be able to get will be talk radio, Spanish or Christian (or a combination).
-- Get the Gas Buddy app for you phone. This will tell you the cheapest gas near you. The costs difference can be ridiculous. I stayed in Needles, CA on my way out of the state and gas there was running $4 / gallon (this was in 2010). The receptionist at the hotel I was staying at told me to go a couple of blocks down the road and it was $2.25 because I was in Arizona.
I'm jealous .. I'm ready for another road trip and won't have one for awhile.
I've driven across country a couple of times in my 4Runner and it was great. First time was from DC up to Montana, down to Yellowstone and out to California. A few years later (after I grew tired of being back on California), I moved back East and went the southern route (very similar to your trip). I had absolutely no problems with the 4Runner. A couple of suggestions though:
-- Get your AC checked and working before you go. I drove from DC to San Antonio one June and my AC broke ... it was brutal.
-- On your way to the Grand Canyon, try to hit the Southern side. It has less tourists. When I drove back to NC, this was the highlight of my trip. I'm a cynic and didn't think I'd really like it but it was amazing.
-- Since you're so close, consider go through Monument Valley. The rock formations are incredible.
-- The one thing I wish I had done since I was so close was to check out Arches National Park. It's is in Utah and is supposed to be amazing.
-- Driving across country is amazing but be prepared for lots and lots of boring sections. Make sure you've got plenty of music to keep you going because, in parts, the only radio you'll be able to get will be talk radio, Spanish or Christian (or a combination).
-- Get the Gas Buddy app for you phone. This will tell you the cheapest gas near you. The costs difference can be ridiculous. I stayed in Needles, CA on my way out of the state and gas there was running $4 / gallon (this was in 2010). The receptionist at the hotel I was staying at told me to go a couple of blocks down the road and it was $2.25 because I was in Arizona.
I'm jealous .. I'm ready for another road trip and won't have one for awhile.
That happens to me on here sometimes. I usually highlight everything before I post and do a copy(Ctrl C) and then try to post my response. If it does not post like in the case you just mentioned I can simply go back and hit Paste(Ctrl V) without having to type everything all over again. It works for me.
Victor_inox
New member
id never take my own vehicle to trips longer then 500miles, I rent, its cheap (weekly rates that is and youll safe your own vehicle.
weekly rates could be as low as 150 with unlimited mileage.
weekly rates could be as low as 150 with unlimited mileage.
I agree too. Not much to see on that stretch of Interstate 40. If you pass through Amarillo stop by Cadillac Ranch. It's a ranch with 10 old model Cadillac's buried with the back of the cars sticking out. It's a poulpar tourist attraction and can be found in Travel books too. You cant miss it since it's visible from the highway and just of old RT 66.
xlaxx
New member
Two of my friends and I are planning a 2 week trip in the first weeks of June, debating taking my 4runner as the vehicle of choice... Anyone do anything like this? I have 96k on it, probably drop it at a dealer before we go to make sure everything looks good and is up to date... Here's a rough idea of our trip we want to take
Yo,...Opi,...
I say, STAY HOME! Don't go anywhere. Save your money, gas, and wear & tear on your T4R. Google Image everything if you want to see it and wiki it to read about it.
Plop yourself on the ole couch and watch NASCAR,...damn,... that Daytona 500 was a riot to watch and the dude crashing into the jet dryer was even funnier! :beer:
xlaxx
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