I am driving to LAX from NYC, Suggestions?

"Mathias Rios" (Mars478) 01/17/2015 at 22:48 • Filed to: None

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No, I am not out to beat the cross-country record, in fact quite the opposite. I plan on leisurely exploring the country and living out one of my life long dreams (which I feel rather lucky to be able to pull off at the age of 19). I have wanted to do this since as long as I can remember, and my current situation life-style wise fortunately will allow me to pull this off. I will be taking my incredibly reliable 1999 ML320 across the country, where it will tick a quarter of a million miles somewhere in the middle of the USA. I will be traveling to LAX with a friend of mine, but he will be catching a plane back to NYC as soon as we get to LAX. On the way back I may be driving the whole way back alone or a family member may meet me in Arizona because they really want to see the grand canyons and then they will drive back with me.

Along the way I will try my best to post pictures and updates from my journey and how my trusty ML320 is doing. I am leaving monday morning and hope to be in california before Friday. What I ask of you, oppo, is suggestions for where to stop, and if you live in one of the states between NY and CA and want to meet up, shoot me a line (mars478@gmail.com) and we can arrange that! If you see a Black ML320 with a Jalopnik sticker on it driving down the highway with the NJ plates MARS478 give me a wave!

ttyymmnn > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 22:50

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http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

The best source I know for offbeat, out of the way things to see on the road. No big tourist spots, just quirky, oddball, fun things to stop for a few minutes and check out.

What's your route?

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 22:52

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Quarter million? I thought it had more than that already.

I would join you, but that whole new job thing is killing me. I've been wanting to do the same thing with the SL myself when I get the time.

Mathias Rios > JGrabowMSt 01/17/2015 at 22:55

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She's sitting somewhere at 248 or 249k at the moment. My goal is to hit at least 500k haha.

I totally understand. Since I'm taking this semester off from school I will probably have to look for a job as soon as I return from this trip haha...

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 22:55

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What route you planning? Through dead center of the country or are you going North/South route? Depends so I can possibly help you.

Mathias Rios > ttyymmnn 01/17/2015 at 22:56

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Exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for! Thank you :)

At the moment I am not 100% sure, I am more or less going to come up with it as we go, but I know that I need to stop in Indiana, Colorado, and to see the Grand Canyons. Apart from that I am very loosey goosey and open to deviating my route.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 22:56

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That's awesome, Best of luck to you!

That's always been a dream of mine, Cross country. No fucks given, and no destination in mind really.

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:02

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Barely broken in. The SL is sitting at 99959 right now and I'm pissed that wont make it to New Canaan without a tow most of the way. I'll need to figure something out because that's where I want to break 100k.

The new 5.7 has 250 miles on it LOL...

Mathias Rios > jkm7680 01/17/2015 at 23:02

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Thank you! I hope that you get to do it as well at some point! I feel truly privileged that my life has lined up in a way where I can finally pull off this dream bucket list item of mine.

Mathias Rios > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 01/17/2015 at 23:03

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I am probably aiming more southwards, since LA is on the southern part of CA. But again, completely flexible.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:07

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Most of my travels have been in the North. I'm in NY but most of my family is in Northern states. When going west I've been as far south as Iowa. SC is the furthest south I've been.

Mathias Rios > JGrabowMSt 01/17/2015 at 23:16

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That's a rough one... Not sure what you can do about that.

The sweet sound of a brand new 5.7....

scoob > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:16

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I've always wanted to do this. Hopefully if my future goes as planned/dreamed, then I should be able to! Good luck and of course, have fun. Keep us updated! Maybe make a special tag for this.

Anyways, Hoover Dam, Vegas, and Highway 1 (Big Sur, San Francisco, etc.). That's all I know since I've been to those places lol.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:19

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yolo

the only relevant places in the US are in nyc, Texas (maybe), and LA. Because that's where all the cool car stuff is

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:20

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I hope so too! I just need the right time to do it.

I'd love to just be dropped somewhere completely random, and just go from there.

Mathias Rios > Brian Silvestro 01/17/2015 at 23:21

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zerofucksgiven.com

trueeeeee

Mathias Rios > jkm7680 01/17/2015 at 23:22

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When that time comes seize the day! :)

Essentially I would love for that to happen to me as well which is why I'm not really setting out with a definitive plan, just a destination.

Brian Silvestro > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:24

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wait

just got an idea

Have you been keeping up with the Smoking Tire Youtube channel lately? He's been letting people give their cars to him so he can review them.

You know what to do

ttyymmnn > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:25

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I went to the Google and plugged in LAX-NYC. It gave two routes, one more northerly than the other. That takes you through NV, UT, CO, NE, IA, IL, IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY. That's the route I would take, only because, living in TX, I've taken the southern routes out of my state enough times.

Enjoy the Grand Canyon. It's truly mind boggling.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:25

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Awesome! Lots of pictures is a must, A time lapse would also look great :)

JGrabowMSt > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:28

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I can't wait to do the exhaust on it. 2.5" all the way, no resonators and free flowing cats....

Mathias Rios > ttyymmnn 01/17/2015 at 23:29

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Thank you!

Mathias Rios > jkm7680 01/17/2015 at 23:30

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I am going to see what I can do for #content but there will be some made. Luckily the friend who is traveling with me is a major film guy so he may be making something for me.

Mathias Rios > JGrabowMSt 01/17/2015 at 23:30

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I can't wait to hear it!

CAR_IS_MI > Mathias Rios 01/17/2015 at 23:45

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Vegas...

But your not 21 so....

AM3R shamefully returns > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 00:01

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good luck man! If you happen to stop by the DC area and have any car trouble (dat ml is reliable though, my friend's mom has driven hers to 270k) I'll definitely be willing to lend a hand.

ttyymmnn > Brian Silvestro 01/18/2015 at 00:16

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Except that, without going way out of his way, the only part of TX he'll go through is the Panhandle. AFAIK, there ain't shit up there. Thank god it's the skinniest part of the state.

Aaron Brown > Brian Silvestro 01/18/2015 at 00:32

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single take

deekster_caddy > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 01:00

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There is so much to see and do. I did a 6-week 12,000 mile tour from Boston to New Orleans to Phoenix to Seattle and back to Boston about 15 years ago. Best trip of my life and a very unique opportunity.

Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion are must see places, get a National Parks pass before you go. Saw too many things to put here, but remind me to write again in the daytime when I can list a few more of my favorite stops.

deekster_caddy > deekster_caddy 01/18/2015 at 01:01

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Also, to get all that way in 5 days doesn't leave much time for stops.

deekster_caddy > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 01:03

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Also consider winter weather as a possible major factor crossing the rockies and midwest. Pay close attention to forecasts all around the country!

Ferrero1911 > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 01:55

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I've driven from LA to Kentucky and back a couple times this year. The 70 is a much more interesting route. And since you are going through Indiana it makes a lots of sense. The 40 has more constructions and tolls, but less weather. If you feel like stopping in Kentucky I'm sure Bird would show you our shop and our Toyota Crown. I live in LA, so if you want to meet up when you get here let me know...I could show you the Soarer! One other thing, 5 days from NYC to LA is far from a leisurely pace....

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Brian Silvestro 01/18/2015 at 07:30

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Ohio says Fuck You Too, buddy...

Car culture is everywhere, you only need look for it. It may not be as prevalent outside of a few centers, but do not discount the entirety of the whole country just because you don't hear about it as much.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 07:35

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Swing by Dayton and you can visit the National Museum of the USAF and America's Packard Museum.

There is also Carillon Park which has the Wright Flyer III on display, and you can take a tour through Orville Wright's house, Hawthorn Hill.

jkm7680 > Mathias Rios 01/18/2015 at 08:53

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Awesome, Sounds pretty good!

Brian Silvestro > Aaron Brown 01/18/2015 at 09:41

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one take

Brian Silvestro > ttyymmnn 01/18/2015 at 09:41

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ew nevermind