I'm going to be driving from Boston to Southern California this winter and want to camp out of my truck. I'm fully set up to do this but I'm worried about driving into high elevations where I could be forced to camp in the cold 😞 I'm doing artwork while I camp so cold is absolutely no good. Is there a resource that will give me safe winter driving routes?
Also, what are recommendations for "next exit" directories and camping directories(besides Nat'l Parks which i will visit when I want to pay more)? Are some better than others?
Thanks, I really appreciate any help!
Reply to this My partner and I drove from NY to southern CA in January/February this year, and I'm afraid to tell you that there is no way around the cold in the higher elevations. The mountains span the continent, so there's no way around them! We camped just about the whole way, but it was pretty cold sometimes - woke up to ice on the car quite a few mornings, even in southern California!
Once you get west, check out the Bureau of Land Management sites...free camping! Often National Preserves and Forests, as well as State Forests have cheap or free camping as well, check with each site. Look in the Rand McNally Atlas, as they have marked most of the forests and parks that have camp sites with little tents.
You could buy the Free Camping directory, it's a fantastic resource for all the cheap and free camping spots across the USA. When in need of a cheap motel, don't forget to pick up those coupon booklets at interstate rest stops (are those the "next exit" ones you speak of?) or use AAA membership to get cheaper rates. Walmart also sells a Walmart directory for truck drivers and RV campers...any of those that allow overnight parking generally will allow a truck or car to park overnight too, with security giving you a hello in the morning.
Talk to other drivers when you can to find out road conditions up ahead...truck drivers are a great resource!
Bring your thermals and warm gloves and lots of hot chocolate, and you'll do fine! We layered our "bed" with several blankets as well as winter sleeping bags, and we were snug as a rug! As far as artwork goes, it might have to be saved for when the sun's up to warm your back!
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