Saturday, August 16, 2014

2014 Big Truck across the NW, Trip Summary

HOME! Day 20 was an 18.5hr odyssey, but again we arrived home safe and sound. A bit weary, but safe and once again, fairly trouble-free.

Before I get into the stats, huge thank you to all who helped make this possible. Specifically, 
  • The Takas family - thanks for putting up with Reggie for 3 weeks! I think he is mad at us this time.
  • Everyone for reading, following on various forms of social media, and keeping us in your thoughts & prayers
  • All who gave suggestions on locations, lodging, routes, sights, etc
  • Mother nature for keeping Marne dry enough that our lawn isn't 2 feet tall
  • Jordan and Kimberly for listening to approximately 120hrs (not kidding) of sports talk radio during drive time
Stats time - if you don't care, don't read on. If you're ever thinking of doing something like this, there may be some relevant info here.

Our sweet gas mileage log.


We shattered some records, albeit much too late to make a significant impact. By experimenting with highway speeds, we could get as low as 6.4mpg (68mph), and as high as 8.8mpg (58mph). 6 of the final 8 tanks were above 8mpg by setting the cruise around 58-59mpg.  Simply upping it to 60mph dropped mileage to 7.2. Ok, no one cares.

Trip route

Notable stats
  • 6772 total miles (6193 with the full rig, the rest solo in the Jeep)
  • Avg gas price $3.69/gal (OR and WA were consistently around $4)
  • Avg mileage 7.8mpg (new towing record)

  • States visited
    • 9, bringing our running tally to 44 (36 with the Big Truck)
  • National Parks visited
    • 9, bringing our running tally to 34
  • Microbreweries/Distilleries visited
    • 7, keep 'em coming...

  • Mechanical issues/breakdowns
    • Jeep transfer case linkage came loose at Porcupine Mtg dump station - 5 minute fix
    • Had to rotate the Jeep tires in Murdo, SD
    • Big Truck drivers side mirror vs tree in Bend, OR
  • Incidents -
    • A full panic girlish scream when a certain driver, focused on completing hour 18.5 of the return trip, had a moth fly across the inside of the windshield at 5am
    • Jeep death wobble requiring high-tech towing shims
    • Enraged Chicago toll booth operator demanding a quarter back after repeatedly asking if the Jeep connected to the rear of our RV was 'with us'
    • Austin Powers-like event in driveway of Port of Newport RV park
    • Keystone, SD intersection that launched all internal contents of the Big Truck skyward
    • Jordan falling asleep and rolling off the couch during a highway session in mid Idaho


Overall, an incredible experience - amazing scenery, great people (thank you to every kid that played with Jordan on the various playgrounds, you have no idea how much she appreciated you), cool locations, fun drives/rides/hikes, and lots of exploring.

As is customary, we close this trip's session with a look toward the next one.  Not sure yet where that will be, maybe the central south (?) of New Mexico, Texas, OK, etc, or possibly north into the Canadian Rockies.  Either way I'm sure we will have a great time. Thanks again to everyone who helped along the way.

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