Hitched newly restored 16 ft '86
Scamp to the '96 Tahoe and left New Jersey with a full tank of gas and $3k in our pockets. Plan was drive to army buddy Jack's little farm in northern Minnesota, then on to Charlie's ranch in Montana, and then swing down into Colorado on our way back home. Made it back with money to spare.
On the way out and back we overnighted only at truck stops. The daily grind mileage ranged from a high of 579 to a low of 387. Towing mpg was 15.6, give or take. Worst was the first leg, on Rt 80 across PA because I foolishly maintained a steady 65 mph and that area is up the hill and down the hill. Next worst was across North Dakota, even at 55 mph. Can only guess this due to high cross winds. (?) We avoided all toll roads.
Camping sites were in the Big Horn Canyon rec area and the Custer National Forest in Montana, and Yellowstone (Fishing Bridge 1 nite, Grant Village 3 nites), then Gros Ventre Campground in Grand Tetons, that followed by 1 motel night in Laramie, then 2 nites at Moraine Campground in Rocky Mt NP. We used our Golden Age Pass at each park, except for Fishing Bridge, which doesn't honor it.
Truck stops were in Van Wert, Ohio; near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin; then at one in Dickerson, North Dakota; and on way home at Green Island, Nebraska; Morris, Illinois; and finally, at Barkeyville, Pa.
Absolutely
no trouble at any truck stop. A couple were noisy, yes, and one was too brightly lit, but free is good. Most have WiFi available but you gotta pay for it.
Best luck: stumbling on a horse auction in Nort Dakota that was a mini-rodeo for real cowboys only.
Best Wal-mart: in Lauren, Montana.
Best gas price: $2.56 in Upper Sandusky, Ohio
Most excitement: when noticed locked
Scamp door had swung open (!) while driving 7 miles of rough, dusty, washboard-dirt road approaching Charlie's ranch.
ET-19
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