Hi all, I'm taking a roadtrip from Los Angeles to San Francisco, and i'm taking the scenic route (highway 1 along the coast). Ive been told this route is about 450 miles one way. Im planning on stopping halfway there the first day in San simeon, staying in SF the next 2 days and driving all the way back on the fourth. I've never driven her that far...the furthest i have taken her was about 100 miles down to san diego and she did fine, but this is going to be a major trip for her so, what do you guys suggest? with all the driving and all the miles im gonna be putting on the rodeo, what tips or advice do you guys have on taking a trip like this? I did the oil change, checked all her fluids but thats about it...should i take her or just get a rental?

Bah, just gas it up and go! My 95.5 rodeo has around 178K miles and is still running like a champ. I've had to redo the clutch twice due to towing a heavy boat and my wife, but the tranny and motor are excellent. I'd just give it a once over, checking vital fluids (have you ever flushed the radiator? At 160K miles like you've got it should have been replaced by now). Carry an extra quart of oil and two gallons of distilled water with you for insurance.

I've driven my Rodeo from Washington to SOCAL more times than I can easily remember right now. Like I said, just gas it up and go.

yeah, I gave her a flush about 2 months ago, she had the tranny re-built about 1 month ago and I switched from regualr to synthetic oil about 1 month ago as well.

Maybe you should re-word this before she sees it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

This should be not a problem. The road is pretty easy, you will be doing 45MPH on average. No steep climbs, but in places the road is windy. This travel will put more load on your steering gear than on the drivetrain. Check the steering fluid condition, and the shocks condition - you will need them.

places to visit:

- Santa Barbara;
- Solvang;
- Pismo Beach, or Oceano Dunes SVRA (4wheeling in sand, along the ocean edge);
- Morro Bay;
- Hurst castle;
- San Simeon;
- Big Sur;
- Carmel (Point Lobos);
- Monterey (17 miles drive);
- Santa Crus;
- Half Moon Bay;
- SF.

My personal opinion is that you need totally 5-6 days to enjoy the road and the places.

There are actually many even more interesting and little known places around, but you would need to leave the highway 1 sometimes.

guys... you are just plain crazy...

I did a cross-country trip in the Trooper this year Atlanta, Ga to Seattle, Wa via Moab and back ~6000 mi. Just check all vital fluids, tire pressure, belts and hoses, and have fun!

I usually change the oil and do any other PM that I know it needs. Clean everything out because road trips usually fill up my car with trash. Rain-Ex the windshield. Put some fuel system cleaner in hoping to gain a few MPG. Bring extra coolant and extra oil, tools and rags. Extra headlight and blinker bulbs just in case. I hate driving at night on one bulb. A cooler filled with Mountian Dew, Redbull, Gatorade, and munchies.

Find a nice cruising speed where you don't have to sweat the police and find your road Zen. I love road trips.
njoi!

BELTS AND HOSES!!! make sure they are in good shape and bring some spares just in case.

thanks for the advice guys... I almost overlooked the belts and hoses! I'll check those out tonight....I am definetly gonna check out the dunes in pismo, thanks for the tip on that! I really wish I could spend a week seeing there is all to see along highway 1, but I only have 4 days...wish me luck! any other advice?