Route recommendations - Austin to Seattle

Yes.

Shortest = Austin to Albuquerque to Salt Lake City to Boise to Pendleton to Seattle.

Not real scenic but avoids Interstates if that's a good thing?

Quickest = Oklahoma City to Denver to Cheyenne to Boise to Seattle.

Delorme Street Atlas 2004 makes the quickest route to be I-35N to I-25N to I-80W to I-84W to I-82W to I-90W. About 2385 miles. Speed is up to you. Of course since it goes to Denver and turns north going through some mountainous areas one would fervently hope for no Spring storms.

Out of curiosity I checked the shortest route they recommended and it is

2105 miles and looks almost as if someone drew a straight line on the US map. Austin to Albuquerque to Durango to SLC to Boise to Yakima to Seattle. No doubt in my mind that the shorter route would be more interesting and they only estimate 7 hours more driving time than for the quickest route.

Have fun! I've always enjoyed my cross-country trips.

That will be the longest one-way I have ever done. That's right, snow....forgot about that. I'll pray for no storms, I do have 3 to 4 weeks to go if that helps at all.

Gas is somewhat of a factor, but the trip can take a few more or less days, it won't really matter. I guess I am also looking for any must-see things along the way, besides the obviously popular ones.

Thanks, this could be one-way for quite some time.

Pat

Blue Book Excellent = $3,400

Less $3,400 because it's a slow color = $0.00

No HUGE TAK, no really ugly wing, deduct $50.

Deliver the car here along with $50 and I'll take it off your hands..... ;-)

No idea, I think you could get a bunch here but it would take forever to sell because most non-Miata people are afraid of modifications.

Thanks! I will have to plot that out.

Now I have to decide. Sell the miata and get a more civilized one or even another car, or push this sucker on up there. I guess I would need to research snow tires for the first time ever.

Any idea what I should ask for this if I sell it? It just turned over

150K miles and has a small quarter panel dent that needs to be repaired and a few small hail dings on the hood. I am about to replace the top with one that is near mint. Most of the upgrades are 3 to 4 years old with about 35K of use on them. 1991 Mazda Miata (red) Hard Dog Hardcore Double Diagonal with pad/cover SSR Competition (Type C) 16x7" lightweight wheels (needs new tires) Mazdaspeed Short Shifter '94 1.8L bottom end (8.8:1 compression) (30K on seals, belts) '99 head & intake manifold (valve job ~38,000 miles ago) ARP head studs ACT Extreme clutch Flyin' Miata/Fidanza lightweight flywheel '99 Torsen differential (4.3:1), '00 axles & driveshaft Flyin' Miata aluminum radiator Coolant reroute to exit at rear of head Mazdaspeed motor mounts Linearized temp gauge, tach modified for quicker response No AC, no PS Tec3 ECU with latest software running full sequential Momo Champion steering wheel Black voodoo brake handle Black Voodoo shift knob Leather shift boot Team Miata Hood Lift 5 point harnesses in addition to factory belts CD player & headrest speakers Boost (in eyeball vent) & EGT (below stereo) gauges Flying Miata Blow-Off Valve Garrett ball bearing GT2871R turbo w/ ATP turbo T3 .86 A/R exhaust housing Tial 40mm external wastegate w/ .4 bar spring ETD Racing "shorty" turbo header Custom downpipe by Corky Bell w/ flex sections & wastegate joined in at Cat Racing Mazda 3" high flow cat, bolt-in Enthuza Racing 3" single outlet turbo exhaust 18"x8"x3" bar & plate intercooler from Bell Intercoolers Silicone hose couplings, T-bolt clamps Vishnu dual feed fuel rail RC 550cc/min injectors Racing Beat front & rear swaybars Racing Beat front swaybar & under engine braces Flyin' Miata rear suspension brace Flyin' Miata front shock tower brace Flyin' Miata poly bushings KYB AGX adjustable shocks Ground Control coilover sleeve kit Flyin' Miata stainless steel brake & clutch lines Larger brake pad and rotor upgrade from 1996 miata Mazda Factory Air Dam Mazda Factory Trunk wing/spolier

A few other things I have forgotten about I am sure. One thing that it does lack is a HUGE TAK!, I never did really put one in.

Pat

You want this on your route, no matter where the rest of it goes. Ahhh, US550, the Million Dollar Highway. Stop by Flyin' Miata in Grand Junction.

Ouch!

I don't even know why I am thinking about it, the answer is obvious, I'll tear it apart and sell the pieces.....

Hard to believe, the wheels were almost half of the blue book value in cost.

Pat

Never been there. Is that the crazy one through the mountains?

Pat

Not crazy, just achingly, mindblowingly scenic. Even if there's snow, it should be plowed.

The crazy one is US191 in eastern Arizona, a bit far out of your way and possibly iffy before late spring. If you get into trouble there, it could be a long time before the next vehicle comes along, even in summer.

Hi Pat,

Yes, I live about 10 miles North of there. I will send you my Phone # in an Email. Drop me an E-mail when you ata going to come up and I will get with you.

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Excellent!

Ahhh, now I remember.

You saw the specs on my car, do you think I should expect any trouble on the trip? Low-grade gas problems? Anything like that?

I may roll on the stock 15 inch alloys and have the SSRs shipped afterwards. I will want a second set of wheels for snow tires anyway if I stay up there.

Thanks!

Pat

Gonna meet another r.a.m.m. member, cool, especially after being so coldly rejected by Carol.

Now let's talk housing. You wouldn't happen to have a spare bedroom would you? Rent free would be great! ;-)

I'll give you a call.

Thanks!

Pat

One way? Spare bedroom? You leavin' Austin then Pat? (Sounds like it should be a country song :-))

Eric

Nah. Remember, though: high-altitude gas is lower octane, so don't fill up just before you drop back down below 5000'.

It sure looks like it. A couple of friends are saying no way will I do it, it looks like it is time to surprise them.

I didn't get an answer from Bruce, so I am assuming that it is a go with the bedroom at his place. I hope he can cook... ;-)

Pat

No, not much room at my place. Only 2 bedrooms and our pet Mountain Lion sleeps in one of them. "Jasper" is a good boy and he walks on a leash. He keeps most of the local dogs ont of the yard. :-) The good thing is, our "pet control" lady likes him so she doesn't tell too many people we have him ! :-) I don't think he would go along with a guy from Texas wanting to move him over. ( Oh yes, buy the way he snoors. It's not too bad now that we sound proofed the room. )

Bruce Bing '03 LS

Are you out of your %#$@% mind? You've got the critter exactly the way you want it, KEEP IT!

You'll never own another car that's exactly what you want. I sold a car years back that I shouldn't have and have never stopped regretting it...

I told you to start using deodorant! ;-)

Jeez! First a gun-toting husband and now Jasper the Mountain Lion. A guy can't catch a break on here.

Pat