The Adventures Of Driving With Mapsco Maps

By Marci Glover


The fastest, and probably the cheapest way, to get from Chico, California, to Temple in Texas is to fly. This is not necessarily the most pleasant journey. For one thing, it takes seven hours and may include at least one, possibly, two or even more connections. Moving a family of four people, never mind the pets, will cost around $1,500 or even more. Consider making the journey by car using Mapsco Maps.

Driving from Northern California to just southwest of Dallas, Texas, takes between 27 and 28 hours, depending on the route that you take. The distance is between 1,800 and 2,000 miles. In addition to getting to see more of California and Texas than you would on an airplane, you also have the privilege of driving through the states of Arizona and New Mexico.

There are a couple of choices. You can drive due south to San Diego and cut across the remainder of California, then through southern Arizona and New Mexico. This way, you can choose to dip in and out of Mexico should the mood take you. You might want to avoid Juarez, Mexico. This city has had a reputation for being dangerous for women since the early 1990s.

The northern approach involves veering eastward around Buttonwillow, maintaining a steady course through the northernmost third of Arizona, proceeding through Albuquercue, taking care not to emulate Bugs Bunny and making the wrong turn. Meander gently in a broad arc toward the Texas Gulf Coast. Taking a wider arc will bring you through Dallas.

Take time to enjoy the journey. Plan to spend at least one night in each of the four states. You can even dog leg into Nevada. Stop for meals at local, independently-owned cafes instead of global fast-food outlets. Have picnics at lunch time. Above all, take at least a quarter of an hour out of every two hours to take a break from driving. It is also a good idea to stay hydrated. It is surprising how a small decrease in fluid intake can lead to a huge reduction in brain function.

If possible, bring at least one other qualified driver along with you. Apart from being able to keep you company, and awake, they can also take turns driving. This seems like a good place to mention you should make yourself familiar with motoring laws in each state you pass through. For instance, California allows rolling stops at red lights when turning right, others leap at the chance to catch California drivers unaware and make this maneuver illegal.

It is also worth bearing in mind that, especially if this is your first time driving this journey, whichever route you choose, the roads are going to be unfamiliar to you. For this reason, you will undoubtedly want to limit the hours spent driving in darkness. On the other hand, if the weather is hot, you will want to spent most of your driving hours during the cooler period during the days.

The advantage of leaving early in the morning, while it is still dark, is when you do set up camp for the night there will be plenty of daylight left to enjoy it. Plan ahead. Drive safely. Enjoy your journey.




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