There's nothing quite as American as the road trip. Nothing. Not apple pie. Not baseball. Hell, compared to the road trip even mom looks like a flag-burning communist. And in terms of road trips, this is a good one.
South Bay to Back Bay -- 3,024 miles-- in the 2009 Ford Flex for my college roommate's wedding. The Flex's excellent nav system, iPod integration, comfy (heated) seats, refrigerator, TV and smooth ride made it my first choice.
I grew up in the age of cheap flights and terrible cars. Planes are faster, easier and probably cheaper-- they're also statistically safer. But there's no adventure. No commitment. Even on a long flight the biggest challenge is paying for the on-board snacks. Committing to 6,000 miles of asphalt requires one to abandon all rational thought of the task at hand and just go. It's an adventure. And hopefully it's an adventure that hasn't died in the wake of gas prices and the global warming scare.
Follow along as I blog what will probably turn out to be the worst idea I've ever had. I'll also be Twittering the trip for those times when WiFi isn't available-- or I'm just too tired to bother with more than 140 characters.
Wish me luck.
Mike Magrath, Vehicle Testing Assistant
elfjon says:
05:57 PM, 09/26/08
hmm...dont know if you'll be that comfortable without a telescoping steering wheel.
jdub53084 says:
07:01 PM, 09/26/08
Fun. I've done this a couple of times and it's defiantly a commitment to look at a nav screen and its says your destination is 3,000 miles away...
billt9 says:
07:22 PM, 09/26/08
Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, then Boston.
You could be distracted for months!
Or you can take the northern path through Denver and Chicago... (according to google maps!)
ahightower says:
04:57 AM, 09/27/08
So cool. I'd definitely take a different route home, see as much as you can see. I've been across the south from LA to Miami and back again, but it took three weeks because we stopped for concerts almost every night. That was over 10 years ago, and I've always wanted to do it again at my own pace, and also go across the northern half.
The Flex should be powerful enough to make good time, but not quite enough to get arrested for 100+. I used to visit customers all over Texas and Oklahoma in a company issue Dodge Stratus, so I've spent quite some time speculating on what vehicle I would choose for a long highway trip like this. If it was the whole family (three kids so far), I'd probably want something just like the Flex. By myself, maybe a CL-Class Mercedes. As much as I would enjoy the R8 or GT-R, let's face it, I'd rather be in something more like a Buick for a trip that long.
ahightower says:
04:58 AM, 09/27/08
(I should say it took three weeks each way - edit button, where art thou?)
jasond52 says:
08:59 AM, 09/27/08
It'll be a great trip. I've done it a couple of times and always enjoyed the trip. Try coming back 70 to 15...the part through Colorado and Utah is worth it.
carfreak8394 says:
01:49 PM, 09/27/08
That picture of the Flex is really awesome! Have fun, Mike.
altimadude00 says:
08:24 PM, 09/27/08
Is this trip to see how good a minivan this box really is?
jahfakin says:
08:49 PM, 09/27/08
OMG....the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2009 Ford Flex "Top Safety Pick award" in it's class....is that like a first for Ford? I guess that boxy shape is good for something.
http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr092508.html
tinyelvis says:
07:54 AM, 09/28/08
Having crossed the US by car several times, I wholeheartedly endorse a different route on the way back. Heading west, there are few sights as grand as seeing the Rocky Mountains grow in your windshield, then watch Denver arise from the bowl it sits in. Blasting along I70 in the Rockies is a thrill, and there are several places to stop and see the Colorado River drop a thousand feet. The engineer in you will marvel at the construction of the roadway.
If you are lucky enough to pass through Utah at night, pull over on a mountain top to see stars like the ancient Greeks used to see.
One of the reasons we bought our Enclave was to eschew the airports. We've tacked on 24k in a single year with three significant trips. We have great memories of fun stops where our young kids have been able to interact with all sorts of different people.
My travel tips are as follows: check for construction and heed the advice of your local AAA office. I80 in New York grinds to a halt for construction whereas the Pennsylvania Turnpike finds a way to keep you moving. Always order the country ham at Waffle House and not the city ham. And finally, do not allow young-uns under the age of 12 to have unfettered access to the beverage cooler unless you want to search for a restroom every other exit.
sammin says:
09:49 AM, 09/28/08
" And finally, do not allow young-uns under the age of 12 to have unfettered access to the beverage cooler unless you want to search for a restroom every other exit."
I thought the Flex had a bathroom in it?
jr1m90 says:
10:20 AM, 09/28/08
The Back Bay is an awesome place. Even coming from someone who doesn't really care for cities, living directly across the Charles from that area is a lot of fun.
You've got a great destination on your hands, enjoy!
brn says:
12:43 PM, 09/28/08
jahfakin, that's hardly a first for Ford. They've strong history in safety.
dougtheeng says:
06:10 AM, 09/29/08
Looks like a great trip, I am jealous. The Flex seems like a perfect choice, and I love the overall good feelings people have about this vehicle.
The I-90 through western and central New York is brutally boring though.
chavis10 says:
07:29 AM, 09/29/08
Your taking the boring route. As Jason said, you should take I-15 and I-70 through Utah and Colorado- very scenic. If you have a bag of potato chips or pretzels in the car, they'll pop right around the Eisenhower Tunnel (Loveland Pass) on I-70 due to the low air pressure at that elevation.
Heading West, I took I-80 thru Chicago, Sioux Falls, SD; Sheridan, WY, Butte MT and Spokane, WA. You could then head south down I-5 through the whole length of CA passing Mt Shasta and other attractions- Redwood Park, etc.
misterfusion says:
09:45 AM, 09/29/08
The post does not say whether or not there will be any passengers. Although this will be a good test of the Flex's comfort & utility, I can't help but think that it would be an even better test if there were a couple of passengers on board.
This should be a lot of fun either way, but a bit less so if it's just one dude going across the country in a car that's bigger than my apartment.
oldchap says:
12:33 PM, 09/29/08
The ocean waves on the nav screen are not to scale.
clarkma5 says:
11:50 PM, 09/29/08
Awesome! When I saw the Flex I immediately thought it was a perfect road trip car.