Traveling in cold weather

[DGS49]

I just did a 12-hour day trip to visit my sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan from my home in Pittsburgh. Temperatures ranged from 10 below (obviously, Fahrenheit), to ten above during the trip. And it had absolutely no effect on the trip.

The roads were clear and dry, I was comfortable in my VW Golf Alltrak wagon, and the few times I had to go out into the cold it was only for a few minutes at most, so the cold was not a factor at all.

On Saturday I am heading down to Florida (Savannah, actually, the first night), and the weather is predicted to be crappy the whole way down, starting at -13F at home, and culminating in a high in the low 50's when I reach the Villages, FL (Disneyland for Old Farts).

Snow, sleet, and ice are a problem, but with today's modern cars, temperature is just a number that you can pretty much ignore.

 

[White 6]

I just did a 12-hour day trip to visit my sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan from my home in Pittsburgh. Temperatures ranged from 10 below (obviously, Fahrenheit), to ten above during the trip. And it had absolutely no effect on the trip.

The roads were clear and dry, I was comfortable in my VW Golf Alltrak wagon, and the few times I had to go out into the cold it was only for a few minutes at most, so the cold was not a factor at all.

On Saturday I am heading down to Florida (Savannah, actually, the first night), and the weather is predicted to be crappy the whole way down, starting at -13F at home, and culminating in a high in the low 50's when I reach the Villages, FL (Disneyland for Old Farts).

Snow, sleet, and ice are a problem, but with today's modern cars, temperature is just a number that you can pretty much ignore.

Be sure and carry winter gear, in case of unforeseen breakdown, and personal defense weapon of choice, as you just never know. Have a nice trip.

 

[1srelluc]

I carry a wool blanket, shelter half, insulated boots, water, a couple MREs, German E-Tool (sharpened one side like an axe), and fire making materials/alcohol stove/fuel.

Of course, weapons.

 

[d0gbreath]

I just turn up the heat in my truck.

 

[DGS49]

As I sit here at seven pm Friday evening, the forecast for the Carolina's is horrible. I will be driving through the worst of it - God willing. I'm going from just north of Pittsburgh to Savannah, GA - a 12 hour drive in good conditions. We will leave the house before dark, when we are ready.

My HOPE is that the interstates will be kept more or less clear and if I take it easy, it will be OK. Worst case, I'll cut it short and find a motel to hunker down. The forecast for Savannah is frightening to the locals...wind chills in the single digits. It's only a number, eh?

Theoretically, I have a pretty good vehicle for the trip. It is a VW Golf Alltrack, with 4WD and a stick. It is lifted a few inches higher than the Golf sportwagen, making it a German version of a Subaru Outback. Tires are OK but not snow tires.

Two months at the Villages.

 

[Concerned American]

As I sit here at seven pm Friday evening, the forecast for the Carolina's is horrible. I will be driving through the worst of it - God willing. I'm going from just north of Pittsburgh to Savannah, GA - a 12 hour drive in good conditions. We will leave the house before dark, when we are ready.

My HOPE is that the interstates will be kept more or less clear and if I take it easy, it will be OK. Worst case, I'll cut it short and find a motel to hunker down. The forecast for Savannah is frightening to the locals...wind chills in the single digits. It's only a number, eh?

Theoretically, I have a pretty good vehicle for the trip. It is a VW Golf Alltrack, with 4WD and a stick. It is lifted a few inches higher than the Golf sportwagen, making it a German version of a Subaru Outback. Tires are OK but not snow tires.

Two months at the Villages.

LOL, and here I sit in WA--right next to the Canadian border and we're not supposed to get below freezing for the next week. No snow, no precipitation and the ski resorts around here are hurting. I went skiing today and got a good workout, but conditions suck. Maybe you should head to the west coast--our weather is unseasonably warm and dry. Damn it.

 

[DGS49]

Worst drive of my life. It was a "12 hour" drive according to waze, and it took 14 hours, plus, with only a couple pee/gas stops.

Below-zero temperatures, high winds, snow-covered roads, crazy drivers (mainly in 4WD pickups), several "white outs" were you couldn't see a ******* thing, many stretches of road where the white lane markers were either covered or simply worn out, high winds. I experienced all of it. I saw four crashes (relatively minor), all caused by people driving too fast for conditions and not allowing sufficient space in front of them to stop, if needed.

North Carolina's highways were particularly bad. I saw no indication that they gave a shit. I saw one snow plow with its blade raised, no salt trucks, and seriously, there was no buildup of snow on the side of the roads that would indicate that they had been plowed in the preceding hours. On the roads where I drove, they were untouched by road crews.

It was entertaining in South Carolina to see Palm trees covered in snow, although the actual accumulation we saw in SC was minimal, compared to West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Lots of "white-outs," though.

My VW Golf All Track performed like a champ. Only one time did I lose traction, and that was a revelation. I was going about 50 with my Cruise Control engaged (something I don't usually do), and I hit a large patch of slush, unexpectedly, and it kicked off the Cruise Control. I didn't know it would do that, but it certainly makes sense.

Now I am in Savannah and the only issue for the next couple days will be the cold...not bad compared to Pittsburgh, but very hard on the locals. Temps in the 20's. Florida high's for the next few days will be in the 50's.

 

[Concerned American]

Worst drive of my life. It was a "12 hour" drive according to waze, and it took 14 hours, plus, with only a couple pee/gas stops.

Below-zero temperatures, high winds, snow-covered roads, crazy drivers (mainly in 4WD pickups), several "white outs" were you couldn't see a ******* thing, many stretches of road where the white lane markers were either covered or simply worn out, high winds. I experienced all of it. I saw four crashes (relatively minor), all caused by people driving too fast for conditions and not allowing sufficient space in front of them to stop, if needed.

North Carolina's highways were particularly bad. I saw no indication that they gave a shit. I saw one snow plow with its blade raised, no salt trucks, and seriously, there was no buildup of snow on the side of the roads that would indicate that they had been plowed in the preceding hours. On the roads where I drove, they were untouched by road crews.

It was entertaining in South Carolina to see Palm trees covered in snow, although the actual accumulation we saw in SC was minimal, compared to West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. Lots of "white-outs," though.

My VW Golf All Track performed like a champ. Only one time did I lose traction, and that was a revelation. I was going about 50 with my Cruise Control engaged (something I don't usually do), and I hit a large patch of slush, unexpectedly, and it kicked off the Cruise Control. I didn't know it would do that, but it certainly makes sense.

Now I am in Savannah and the only issue for the next couple days will be the cold...not bad compared to Pittsburgh, but very hard on the locals. Temps in the 20's. Florida high's for the next few days will be in the 50's.

Hope you continue to have safe travels.

 

[LA RAM FAN]

I just did a 12-hour day trip to visit my sister in Ann Arbor, Michigan from my home in Pittsburgh. Temperatures ranged from 10 below (obviously, Fahrenheit), to ten above during the trip. And it had absolutely no effect on the trip.

The roads were clear and dry, I was comfortable in my VW Golf Alltrak wagon, and the few times I had to go out into the cold it was only for a few minutes at most, so the cold was not a factor at all.

On Saturday I am heading down to Florida (Savannah, actually, the first night), and the weather is predicted to be crappy the whole way down, starting at -13F at home, and culminating in a high in the low 50's when I reach the Villages, FL (Disneyland for Old Farts).

Snow, sleet, and ice are a problem, but with today's modern cars, temperature is just a number that you can pretty much ignore.

okay,have a good trip.