The Great Crimbo Road Trip to Detroit

dirtyblueshirt · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2010, 09:43 PM

So, I'm taking a trip from the (comparably) warm climes of San Diego to surprise my folks in the southern suburbs of Detroit. My timeframe is 15 December - 27 December. I'll be packing the dog and my bags into my Fiesta to drive the route, taking I-40 across (to avoid the Rockies), then headed up north through Missouri and Illinois before hitting Michigan.

Any suggestions on the drive? Anyone along the route want to stop and say hi?

Chances are I'll meet @samdelag and I'm going to see if I can meet up with @idamaster and see if I can ascertain some things about the future of Sync. Too bad my Gov't TS clearance isn't good at Ford HQ in Dearborn

But it'd be nice to meet some of the people on the Fiesta team and pick their brains. I've been interested in the internal workings of the auto industry for years, especially in design, so Sam, if you're reading, could you work some magic for my short Crimbo visit?

I'll keep a log of my adventures, and my iPad charged with plenty of 3G data to keep connected.

Who knows? Maybe I'll see some of you in the D!

HanlonsRazor · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyblueshirt

So, I'm taking a trip from the (comparably) warm climes of San Diego to surprise my folks in the southern suburbs of Detroit. My timeframe is 15 December - 27 December. I'll be packing the dog and my bags into my Fiesta to drive the route, taking I-40 across (to avoid the Rockies), then headed up north through Missouri and Illinois before hitting Michigan.

Sounds like an awesome summer trip! Wait, this is the NORTHERN hemisphere, it's not summer in DECEMBER! You're willingly going Detroit in DECEMBER?! Are you crazy?!?

(Sorry, I had a quick flashback to my first trip to Detroit when I was a consultant... I got on the plane on a mild early December morning in Philly, and when I landed I realized I'd forgotten my coat in PA...

Longest wait for a rental car shuttle ever!)

Seriously though, sounds like a great trip in a Fiesta! I haven't driven along much of your planned route, only the St. Louis to near-Chicago part, and that was 20 years ago - so I can't suggest much. But when you're there in Detroit, find out where that SYNC developers kit is!

LMTech · #3 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyblueshirt

Any suggestions on the drive?

From what everyone is saying I would suggest to get some snow tires.

**GapBoyPCS** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 08:30 AM

If you were staying, say, mid-January, then you could have also hit the North American International Auto Show

The only advice I have on the drive is to just be aware of your driving conditions. It is winter, and since you're coming from that far of a distance and will experience anything from the warm and dry to the cold and snowy/ice worlds, conditions can change gradually or instantly. Drive according to the conditions. Pack a good emergency kit, and keep your cell phone charged.

dirtyblueshirt · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GapBoyPCS

If you were staying, say, mid-January, then you could have also hit the North American International Auto Show

The only advice I have on the drive is to just be aware of your driving conditions. It is winter, and since you're coming from that far of a distance and will experience anything from the warm and dry to the cold and snowy/ice worlds, conditions can change gradually or instantly. Drive according to the conditions. Pack a good emergency kit, and keep your cell phone charged.

Definitely going prepared! I spent the first 10 years of my driving life living in snow states, so I'm well versed in handling procedures... which is why I'm avoiding the shortest route across Colorado

For emergency supplies, I have the typical stuff already there, but I'll have to find my ice scraper and all those other winter supplies I packed away when I left Washington a couple years ago.

I'd love to be there for the NAIAS but unfortunately none of our holiday leave dates allows us that opportunity.

CarefreeAZ · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 04:52 PM

Have traveled Wisconsin-Arizona/California in the winter (Christmas/Semester Break) many times...and assume you're going I-40/I-44/I-70/I-75. Suggest you track the weather on something like wunderground.com to get a good look at radar. My winter trouble spots in the past have been Flagstaff (12"+ snowfalls), Amarillo (snow/ice and sometimes dust if it is warmer, dry and windy), and OKC (ice storms). North of Joplin, expect winter conditions as a good possibility. If problems exist on the old Route 66 route before you start out, consider the I-10/20/30/40 trick to I-65 or shortcut it on 10 to Las Cruces and take the US70/60 combo to Lubbock if Flagstaff is the only problem. One watchword: gas. Don't run short out there as it's a long walk between Lordsburg and Deming for example (experience speaking here).