Help with Overland Trip

[SS100]

New to the forum. Introduction First: Name is Silviu Stanescu, I live in Caracas, Venezuela. Avid Four Wheeler for over 15 years. Always in a Land Cruiser. First a 60 Series, then a 62 followed by a 70 Series, currently own an 80.

I´m planning an overland trip for next December. It should start with the rigs (my FZJ80, one FZJ78, & two FZJ70s) beeing shipped to Panama, from there we head north through Central America and Mexico. Planning on visiting Baja and then heading into the US for Moab (and any other place interesting enough that we manage to fit into our time schedual, suggestions?) After CA, we will head East through TX (any suggestions on interesting trips around there?) and either ship the vehicles back home from Houston or continue to Miami and ship them from there.

We can spare 1 and a half months for the trip, so although it seems like a lot of time, we understand we will not be able to check everything worth a visit, so we will have to choose between the best attractions.

Looking for information regarding best places to visit, routes (preferably as little pavement as possible), distances, gas prices, tips on customs and anything else you might think that could be useful.

 

[expat]

I can't help, but...

You might want to try here:

4wd trips

There are some people that may be able to help you in the SW USA and Mexico.

 

[crushers]

sorry i can not help with the planning but it sounds like a nice run. best of luck with the whole adventure.
cheers

 

[SS100]

Thanks, useful.

 

[gifu]

i'd also talk to steve (www.sandcruiser.com), they spent about a year and half driving around central america.

 

[Greg_B]

And perhaps Robin at http://www.newcruiser.ca/

hth's

gb

 

[cruiser_guy]

You're going to be spending ALOT of time driving. I would either reduce the distance travelled or increase the time allotted.
You can plan on a full day driving for each Central American country allowing for border crossing formalities and thats on the main roads, not backroads or gravel. That's nearly a week there. Mexico is going to take 2-3 days of driving ONLY, again on the good roads. So far you haven't done much exploring or sightseeing (just a couple of hours at your nightly destination). Depending on how you go through Mexico, it could take another 2-3 days to get to Utah for Moab, again on the Interstate. Back to Houston, allow another 2-3 days.
That's at least 2 weeks of driving 8-10 hours/day every day on good roads without allowing for stops for exploration or back road travel.
I know some of us in the states and Canada can and do drive much longer than 8-10 hours, those from other countries typically don't drive that long without stopping or resting.
Trust me, 1 1/2 months is NOT enough for the trip you have planned if you really want to see something along the way.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

!Hola Silviu!

Sounds like a great trip!

If you folks want to head a bit north we can show you some good off-roading in the mud and snow (December!) of the Pacific Northwest!

Let me know if I can assist in any way.

Regards,

Alan
Seattle

 

[Mike S]

Mexico - there is a fast way to get from the mainland to Baja - Take the ferry from Mazatlan on the mainland to LaPaz, BC, then cruise north to California. La Paz to the border is 1000 miles. You will be travelling at 30 to 45 MPH for safety's sake. There are many places to camp, buy gas and food in Baja, so you do not need to bring a lot of food in the vehicles. It may be cool and rainy at times.

In California, see Death Valley, and Yosemite. In Arizona, visit some of the Native American ruins and Grand Canyon - especially interesting on the Northern Rim - the Kaibab Plateau area. This is close to Utah, and on your way to the Moab area. Check in advance to see what backroads will be pen - I have never traveled there in the WInter, so I am not sure.

From Moab, you could go to "four Corners" (where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado borders meet). From here you can get to Canyon de Chelley - a very interesting (occpied) Native American site. Consider visiting Nothern New Mexico and Santa Fe / Taos area. From there you can head South to Las Cruces, NM and cross over the river to West Texas.

In December it will be cold in tha mountains of California, and in the northern parts of Arizona and New Mexico. Moab is fairly high up, and will be cold also. Bring warm stuff. Some roads that are passable in the Summer may be closed due to snow. Plan carefully.

By December gas prices are likely to be $2.50 to $3.00 USD per US Gallon. Prices vary by area and even at each retailer. Also be aware that you may have trouble finding some parts for non US spec vehicles. Plan accordingly. I reccommend extra spare tires. If you have the same size tires on several of your vehicles, you can 'share' spares.

Take AT LEAST a cell phone (two is better). A satellite phone is even better, as there are many areas that cell phones have no coverage, or only work intermittently.

Have a safe trip, and post your accounts and photos on a website for the rest of us to enjoy.

M

 

[bigbrowndog]

Silviu, cheers from Australia , have a great trip mate,good luck.

 

[paulj]

Silviu;
There's a lot of good information above. In my opinion, the 4 Corners area is one of the most scenic places in the U.S. I too think it would be better to have more time. If you do, you might consider the Trans-Pecos region of west Texas if you are in that area. Marfa and Big Bend National Park are interesting and have wheeling, too. If you are heading to Florida, I'd go through the Cajun country of southern Louisiana and take in some of the local cuisine. The gulf coast is pretty interesting as well, but as noted above, you are talking about a lot of driving.