Roadtrip! Taking the Noble across America

[exarkun1178]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I'll be around Saturday. I'm actually changing my license plate to "THE GLEN".

[MickOpalak]

Randy - join us at the Dragon!!!

[LotusFamily]

Originally Posted by MickOpalak

Randy - join us at the Dragon!!!

Second that

[JnC]

Congrats on the Noble!

Between now and the road trip, you might want to inquire about putting Stoneguard, Starshield, Invinca-shield, or equivalent on the car if it doesn't already have it already. You have enough leeway to allow a vendor to come up with a custom template if they don't already have something in stock.

OTOH, blue masking tape does goes well with silver.

If you're doing the Dragon, i might drop by. Cheers!

[dasmoofler]

See ya at the Dragon, Randy.

[JimK]

wow, stuff happens fast around here! congrats on the Noble, Randy!

[Bavarian Motorist]

Randy, are you going to be able to drive the car legally? Will you have a temp. registration?




BTW, it's White Plains, NY, not CT

[Randy Chase]

Car is plated now so should not be an issue.

[Randy Chase]

Question for our Northern friends.... leaving Watkins Glen to head to Detroit, the fastest and most direct route will be through Niagara and then Canada. This saves me 30 minutes off the Ohio route. Are there any downsides to going through Canada? Do I need anything special? Proof of insurance?

[ML1media]

Originally Posted by JWA

About half of the section of Rt. 66 you'd miss consists of stop and go urban streets, which I can't imagine would be much fun in the Noble. Hooking up with the HTTH group would be cool since you'd have some other Noble's to run with and talk shop with the owners. Either way, you'll have a hell of a time.

...What he said. The first 35 miles out of Chicago (except for the true start point at the Lake Shore) won't be much fun. BUT...once you get to the Joliet area and beyond, it opens up. Yeah, sure, there's a bit of over commercialization of the Rt 66 'mystique'....still it's so unlike Interstate Hwy travel. I drove out to SanDiego last summer and used a lot of the 66 route--also, a lot of people overlook that there's unspoiled parallel roads that are EXACTLY what 66 was 40-50 years ago---parts of Route 60 in MO, for instance --very close to the actual 66, but none of the overhype. And RT54 across KA and NE ---a total time warp.
If you drive 66-get some maps printed in advance and then check for the 'alt 'routes'.

One other plus of the local routes. Except for the occasional 'Barney Fife' at the edge of some 1-stoplight towns, BLASTING K band, the V1 won't ever peep.

john m.

[slaughtr]

Congratulations again Randy, if it had been a couple of months from now, I might have been in a bidding war with you.

BTW, what class is a Noble in for autoX?

[BTC]

I just spoke Pat; I don't think that car will get to the end of his driveway with the padlock and chain now attached to it. Sorry bud, its a long walk home. I can't wait to drive it.

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

Question for our Northern friends.... leaving Watkins Glen to head to Detroit, the fastest and most direct route will be through Niagara and then Canada. This saves me 30 minutes off the Ohio route. Are there any downsides to going through Canada? Do I need anything special? Proof of insurance?

I went to Niagra a few months ago borrowing my friend's car. If you stop to look at the falls, go to the Canadian side since the view is much better over there. Border agents on both countries only asked for my drivers license, but i think they now require a passport. Oh, having my car searched by Canadian border agents was fun too They didn't ask for registration/insurance.

[25psi_Elise_Killer]

Er,regarding the post above, i forgot if the border agents asked me for registration/insurance on the car. So hopefully someone chimes in with a more definitive answer.

[exarkun1178]

Originally Posted by 25psi_Elise_Killer

I went to Niagra a few months ago borrowing my friend's car. If you stop to look at the falls, go to the Canadian side since the view is much better over there. Border agents on both countries only asked for my drivers license, but i think they now require a passport. Oh, having my car searched by Canadian border agents was fun too They didn't ask for registration/insurance.

drove over to Canada the other day... to get into Canada, dr lic and car reg. to get back pass port or birth cert.

took about 20 mins before i was let back into Vermont, as i have neither a birth cert or pass port.

[bpeery]

Congrats on the new ride. I found my Elise locally but had been looking forward to getting acquainted during a road trip if I purchased away from home.

You've got a place to stay if you end up in Springfield, Mo overnite.

[Vishus_1]

Randy

Don't know if you will be heading this way through St. Louis - but there is a lot of construction going on on what was formerly highway 40/61 - now labeled as highway 64. A major section is closed from downtown St. Louis to it's outskirts. This is a major issue locally and causes many to consider alternate routes.

Just something to know...

Highway 70, for the most part, is ok - just watch out for major pot holes. You will be able to make it from IL through to KS via 70.

Also watch your speed near overpasses here - the cops have all kinds of little areas they hide. They also make a point of coming out in mass a couple of times a month to enforce speed limits. If you get off the highway - there are some areas that have traffic cameras at stop lights - but it isn't as bad as some states yet.

[Cegan09]

Sounds like one hell of a trip, enjoy it. I wish i could make it out that weekend to the glen, but i don't think i can.

[tvacc]

I do this all the time....that is how I get to Auto Europe....When you go through Canada, just make sure the car is plated with non dealer plates and you have either 2 forms of identification...like your license and birth certificate. You can also cross with just your passport.

If the car has plates from another owner...you need a letter stating that you have permission to take the car out of the country just incase they ask.

From my house which is between Buffalo and Niagara Falls...Canada route cuts off about 1.5 hours from going the Ohio route to Detroit. Nice thing about Canada is that you can cruise at 85 and usually the OPP will leave you alone as long as your not weaving in and out and acting like a jerk.

You cannot use Radar detectors in Ontario.

I take the nothern route (401 to 402) and go to Sarnia/Port Huron crossing. It is faster as I go to Auto Europe in Birmingham. If you are going to South Detroit...the south Canada way...staying on the 401 might be faster.

It is easier to get into Canada than it is to get into the States.

There is a new route that cuts off about 20 min when bypassing Toronto outskirts. Take the Red Hill Creek Expressway.....It is also the Centennial Road or Parkway exit. It is so new it is not on the maps or the GPS's. It is just before the hamilton Skyway bridge and much shorter. It took me 4 hours last time to get from Buffalo to Detroit. But I was really cruising. Normally it takes me 4:15 or 4:30

You take 14 to...the 90 to.... the 290...to the 190 north... to the Lewiston Queenston Bridge. then the 405 as you exit the bridge. That puts you on the Queen E way....then exit on to onto Red Hill Creek Expressway I mentioned above. That then puts you on to the 403.....403 to the 401....401 to the 402....to Port Huron/Sarnia and the Blue Water Bridge.You are then about 35 min north of Detroit.

I know a bunch of great back roads from the Glen to my area...but I think you want to make time.

Remember if you are going to go through Canada you will be about 5 min from my house when you get on the 290 outside of Buffalo.

The LOONYs will be meeting for Breakfast that morning at Zorbas...before we go the Euroday car show.

I am sure they would like to get together if you have the time. It takes me just under 2 hours to get from the Burger King in Watkins Glen to my house.

If you left there at 7 or so...you would be getting to Zorbas for breakfast with us about 9:15.

if you want any more info....call me. Number is on the LOONY site. LotusOwners

[tvacc]

Oh....one thing you CANNOT bring into Canada is a firearm.
Edit...
One more thing..We all have it around here as we go to Canada all the time. You should get a special form from your insurance company saying you have insurance in Canada. I always forget, but it is available.....just ask you agent.