Posted on 04/28/2020 5:01:02 AM PDT by Betty Jane
My father is having surgery for colon cancer today in an Upstate NY hospital so any prayers would be appreciated.
My next need is travel information. I need to get to my parents' house near Cooperstown from the Chattanooga, TN. area. My question is which is the best way to travel in these weird times of lock downs. I don't want to be stopped on the way up. I do have an essential personnel letter, but I don't think it will help out of state issued.
I'm leaving early Friday. I don't know if I can do it in 1 day anymore. I'm bringing a little dog so another possible issue with motels.
Has anybody traveled through VA, MD, WV, KY, OH, PA, NY recently? Any problems with gas, food stops, etc? Trying to figure which may be best.
Thanks in advance for any advice. Freepers have a wealth of knowledge.
I met one of my shipmates in Berea, KY last week. He traveled from Ohio and my wife and I traveled from Sevierville, TN. Neither one of us encountered any problems along I-75.
Stay on FEDERAL property, INTERSTATE system, they can’t screw with you.
But DON”T DARE bring your evil, awful baby-killing, earth destroying Weapon of War handgun with you into the Peoples Republic of New York.
They Be BANNED, except for Our Fearless Leaders, their mistresses, bribery sources and drug dealers.
No NYS Anointed PERMISSION from Goobermint, no carry.
They gonna toss you in The Pokey with Bamboo under the fingernails. Oprah on TV 24 hrs a day and nothing to eat but Halal chicken necks.
Fly.
I can only speak for Virginia, where I live. You’ll have no trouble. I recommend I-81, vs I-95. If you do choose I-95, however, you’ll sail through with no traffic. Driving up the east coast has never been easier from a traffic standpoint. Either way you go, gas stations and plenty of drive through and take out food available in VA. Police won’t bother you as long as you don’t have a heavy foot.
Looks like about 13 1/2 hours of driving.
When I’m doing those kind of trips I pack everything up the evening before and try to get to bed early.
Then arise and depart about 3 or 4 AM. It does make for a long day but you should arrive while it is still daylight which seems to help with the worries of falling asleep at the wheel. Plus you can pull over and rest a little while if you feel the need without feeling like you’re going to arrive exceptionally late.
I, personally, would try not to stop and get a motel because I worry about contamination. But with as few travelers as there are on the road the rooms may not have been occupied for quite a while.
There are websites for pet friendly motels if it comes to that.
I can’t help with the route.
Thanks all for the info. I happy to hear travelling won’t be much of a problem. I’ve been safely ensconced working in my little neck of the woods, so didn’t know what to expect.
My plan is to be going by 4:00 am. My folks live in a rural area with difficult roads so I want to get in before dark.
Praying with you...
I just traveled around the world, from Papua, Indonesia to Atlanta and down to Auburn, AL. I left on Thursday and arrived late Saturday night. The only two places where I encountered health checks were in Papua at the start of the trip and in Japan. The only place my letter of good health was needed was in Papua. Otherwise, everything was “travel as normal.” I noticed more people in Asia wore masks than in the US. But, many people, not all, in Asia wore these same types of masks before Covid. I think if you just get in your car and go, you’ll be fine. If you fly, you’ll be fine. Don’t go to extra trouble for yourself.
You may also talk to local car rental places and see if they have a car with a NY plate on it? Might help if you’re traveling toward NY?
As far as your dog, look on line ahead of time for motels along likely places you might stop over night, and then do some calling to possible motels you find.
I know most Comfort Suites are pet friendly (may charge a one time fee of $10 to $30 dollars) but it is not universal across all their locations - you need to call ahead and check.
I know most of Marriott’s brands are pet friendly - that’s their Autograph Collection, Marriott Renaissance Hotels, Delta Hotels and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, TownePlace Suites and others. Again, you need to call ahead to be sure pets are accepted and to see if they have a pet fee.
On calling ahead, I think, when traveling with a pet, you should be calling ahead and making a reservation(s) for your stops anyway. You don’t want to be stopping cold, or driving around, asking different places if they accept pets, at the time you need to be settling in at a place you know ahead of time (a) your pet is ok and (b) you have a reservation.
If you need some help on doing that - planning your itinerary and the location(s) of your stop(s), let me know. Send me a private message and I’ll give you more personal contact info.
Saying prayers for your dad and all his family.
Praying for you both. Most hospitals are not allowing visitors. Plan to arrive on discharge and help him at home.
Others have said the drive will be no problem but rest areas may not be open and hotels may be hit or miss
GasBuddy.com is a good app to use to locate inexpensive fuel.
Looks like some of the NE states are hanging on to higher prices unlike everywhere else.
Avoiding metro areas during rush hour times is also a good thing, too, especially in the new era of tolls based on traffic volume in some places.
Buy a cheap new pillow so you have it for travel. Mark one side of a pillow case for the down side. Throw out on return.
Prayers for you and your father.
Another APP You should Download is WAZE. It’s Free, shows in real-time the Traffic Conditions, COPS, Accidents, Alternative Routes around to keep You moving, Gas Stations, Your speed vs Speed Limits, ETA and miles to go.
Prayers for Y’all.
Stay Safe and Take Care.
Chattanooga tn to Cooperstown ny
May I have your Father’s name? Prayers for him, AND your trip there.
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