22 votes

People of Tildes, have you travelled the entirety of the length of your country?

If my title was a bit confusing, here's some examples of such trips:

  • An east to west coast trip in the United States
  • A trip from the northernmost point of Scotland down over to Lizard Peninsula (UK)

I hope you get the idea. It doesn't have to be a complete end to end trip, so even one which covers a large part of the country's area should be fine. Please describe your experiences if you have experienced one :)

I apologise if this does not meet the quality mark for the website, this is my first try at posting here ;-;

35 comments

  1. ThisIsMyTildesLogin
    Link
    I think I have actually. I was born in Scotland and lived there until I was 18. We moved about quite a bit when I was growing up, but mostly lived in the Highlands. I've been as far north as...

    I think I have actually. I was born in Scotland and lived there until I was 18. We moved about quite a bit when I was growing up, but mostly lived in the Highlands. I've been as far north as Thurso on the mainland and I've been to Orkney and the Hebrides (Isle of Lewis & Harris). And when I was about 17, we went on a camping trip to Cornwall and spent a day in Land's End.

    When I was 18 we moved to North Wales (my dad got a job there). We've lived there for about 20 odd years now. My dad has relatives in the Midlands, so we've been all around there over the years. I've visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Manchester and countless other places.

    So yeah, I guess I've seen quite a lot of the UK in my time.

    7 votes
  2. calm_bomb
    Link
    Yes, I've done this in Romania, from Vaslui (east) to Timișoara (west). The distance is ~900km one way. I've done this looking to meet my first ever online date. This was in 2000 if I remember...

    Yes, I've done this in Romania, from Vaslui (east) to Timișoara (west). The distance is ~900km one way.

    I've done this looking to meet my first ever online date. This was in 2000 if I remember well. I've met (online) a group of people who were fans of Dinamo București (football team) from Lugoj (near Timișoara) and at the same time I met this girl in Timișoara. So, after a few months of chats on IRC, I've set out to go and meet her, but at the same time I thought it would be great to meet the other guys too.

    I left my town (Vaslui) one night to Bucharest, where I switched trains for Timișoara and 23 hours later I was in Lugoj meeting with the Dinamo fans. After one night of drinking and finally getting some sleep, the next day I was in Timișoara for the girl. The date was a bit weird at first, but things worked out. I've spent three days there and then went back home, but took a different route.

    Going back home I took a Timișoara - Iași train, which passed through Cluj Napoca and Suceava, then in Iași I switched for a train to Vaslui.

    In total it took me ~48 hours by train and 5 nights with friends.

    PS: the relationship didn't last, but I'm still friends with the guys from Lugoj.

    7 votes
  3. [7]
    Erik
    Link
    I've never done this, but I really want to. Like a lot of Americans, I've been on both coasts, but missed a lot of the stuff in the middle. I live on the east coast and I've been waiting for my...

    I've never done this, but I really want to. Like a lot of Americans, I've been on both coasts, but missed a lot of the stuff in the middle. I live on the east coast and I've been waiting for my son to get a little older (and now all of this pandemic) to do a cross country train trip over the summer. Was originally thinking this last summer as a reward for finishing his first year of school, but obviously that didn't happen.

    Probably not this summer either. So I guess Summer 2022 might be the earliest time for such an adventure.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      scrambo
      Link Parent
      I've always been interested in doing something like this too. Train seems like a great way to do it, since you don't have to worry about actually paying attention the whole time you're traveling....

      I've always been interested in doing something like this too. Train seems like a great way to do it, since you don't have to worry about actually paying attention the whole time you're traveling. But then, you're also....... railroaded (sorry, had to) onto the path that the train takes, no ability to wander if the need strikes.

      I considered doing a cross country road trip earlier back out of college, but I didn't have a car for it at the time. Now I've got a job, a lease, and a girlfriend, so the dream seems farther and farther away each day ;_;

      3 votes
      1. Erik
        Link Parent
        Yeah, the big thing you miss with the train is that it's really tough to get to Yellowstone. I've never been there and I feel like I really should. There are other things in the plains and...

        Yeah, the big thing you miss with the train is that it's really tough to get to Yellowstone. I've never been there and I feel like I really should. There are other things in the plains and mountains states (the only place I really haven't been) that wouldn't be super easy to get to without a car, but that's the only thing I feel like we'd really miss as a big "must see." Probably just take a special trip sometime.

        2 votes
    2. [3]
      joplin
      Link Parent
      A couple of coworkers did the Route-66 tour a while ago. You start in LA and follow Route-66 all the way to Chicago. It's not all the way across the country, but it's like 2/3rds of the way. From...

      A couple of coworkers did the Route-66 tour a while ago. You start in LA and follow Route-66 all the way to Chicago. It's not all the way across the country, but it's like 2/3rds of the way. From Chicago, you can get to New York (or anywhere on the East Coast) a number of different ways. Might be worth a try sometime!

      3 votes
      1. [2]
        Erik
        Link Parent
        That does sound fun, but I try really hard not to take a car unless it's necessary. I'm lucky to live in an area in the States where that's feasible for me. So, as long as the train goes cross...

        That does sound fun, but I try really hard not to take a car unless it's necessary. I'm lucky to live in an area in the States where that's feasible for me. So, as long as the train goes cross country, that's probably how we'll go.

        3 votes
        1. joplin
          Link Parent
          Totally fair point! I've taken the train across states, but never across the entire country. It's a really neat way to travel when it actually goes somewhere you want to go!

          Totally fair point! I've taken the train across states, but never across the entire country. It's a really neat way to travel when it actually goes somewhere you want to go!

          3 votes
    3. culturedleftfoot
      Link Parent
      I know two people (separately) who've done cross-country by car, and they each raved about the experience. I think it's a real tragedy that Americans don't really know enough of their own country...

      I know two people (separately) who've done cross-country by car, and they each raved about the experience. I think it's a real tragedy that Americans don't really know enough of their own country to appreciate all that it has to offer... and I think that does factor into climate change denial somewhat.

      Sadly, I also know a few people that want to do it but feel they'd have to skip certain sections for their own safety.

      1 vote
  4. [5]
    acdw
    Link
    I've almost driven across the entire length of Interstate 40 in the US -- though not all at once. I grew up around Knoxville, TN, and went to grad school in Flagstaff, AZ -- which are both on...

    I've almost driven across the entire length of Interstate 40 in the US -- though not all at once. I grew up around Knoxville, TN, and went to grad school in Flagstaff, AZ -- which are both on I-40, so it was a straight-across shot. At some point I drove out to the Western terminus of I-40 in Barstow California; I've gone as far East as Raleigh, NC, but not quite to Wilmington. One day, I'll finish it out!

    5 votes
    1. [4]
      Icarus
      Link Parent
      Hey Knoxville! I grew up on the Virginia side of the Cumberland Gap area. Small world!

      Hey Knoxville!

      I grew up on the Virginia side of the Cumberland Gap area. Small world!

      2 votes
      1. [3]
        acdw
        Link Parent
        Haha, yes it is :) Around Johnson City?

        Haha, yes it is :) Around Johnson City?

        1 vote
        1. [2]
          Icarus
          Link Parent
          Somewhat, Johnson City/Kingsport was where we had to drive to when we wanted to actually go see a movie or get dinner for a special occasion. That was about a 50+ minute drive for me. Was a bit...

          Somewhat, Johnson City/Kingsport was where we had to drive to when we wanted to actually go see a movie or get dinner for a special occasion. That was about a 50+ minute drive for me. Was a bit closer to Harrogate/Middlesboro, KY.

          1 vote
          1. acdw
            Link Parent
            Oh wow, the sticks, hehe. I actually grew up in Sevier County, but out in the county, so I know what you mean. For us it was a 30 minute drive though. Gotta love the country, right!

            Oh wow, the sticks, hehe. I actually grew up in Sevier County, but out in the county, so I know what you mean. For us it was a 30 minute drive though. Gotta love the country, right!

  5. UniquelyGeneric
    Link
    Over the past 8 years my major road trips have been: NYC to Seattle Seattle to LA LA to Tampa (both ways) LA to NYC (using the southern border and East coast) Tampa to NYC Some trips were strictly...

    Over the past 8 years my major road trips have been:

    • NYC to Seattle
    • Seattle to LA
    • LA to Tampa (both ways)
    • LA to NYC (using the southern border and East coast)
    • Tampa to NYC

    Some trips were strictly getting from point A to point B (up to 18hrs driving in a day), and others I would ensure there was a memorable experience each day to keep the road trip interesting (e.g. stopping at the Grand Canyon, staying with friends). I think I've been in ~35 states, with gaps mostly in middle America.

    I am currently planning on doing a NYC to Portland trip this Christmas to avoid plane travel during covid. I haven't driven a car in over a year, but I'm much more comfortable visiting my family by self-isolating in a car the whole trip.

    Some takeaways from my travels:

    • Texas is HUGE. It can easily take a day to travel from one end to the other. There's a reason the highway speed limit is increased in this state (85 mph)
    • PCH (the route from LA to SF) is by far the most beautiful drive in all of America. I did it in a convertible once, and it was well worth it. Best direction is SF -> LA
    • The area around Yellowstone has a very rustic/pastoral beauty that can't be understated
    • The most uncomfortable / out of my element I've ever felt in my own country has been in the Deep South. It's depressingly poor when you're in the rural areas
    • The Northeast Corridor between Washington D.C. and Boston is very jarringly urban when you've been driving in nature for hours each day. Something I notice less when I live in it
    • The deserts are very bleak and not safe to drive on late at night (everything looks the same and you can fall asleep at the wheel very easily)
    5 votes
  6. scrambo
    Link
    I (technically) have! I live on the East Coast, close enough to the beaches to make a day trip to them, no sweat. A year or two ago, I took a flight with one of my college friends out to...

    I (technically) have! I live on the East Coast, close enough to the beaches to make a day trip to them, no sweat. A year or two ago, I took a flight with one of my college friends out to California to visit another friend from college that ended up out there. I dipped my toes in the Pacific Ocean so I can say I've been coast to coast in the US now ;)

    Trip was great, smoked some great weed while we were out there. Hit a lot of tourist points (San Diego Zoo, San Diego City, Los Angeles..... which kinda sucked tbh), WE WERE ON THE JIMMY KIMMEL SHOW when they had Michelle Obama and Lin-Manuel Miranda, watched one of the highest scoring football games of all time in the Colosseum (Chiefs vs Rams; like 54-57 points or something), and hiked all over the beaches and up a mountain near our friends place. Awesome trip, would absolutely recommend to anyone who's interested. Next time I wanna hit farther north and see San Fran, maybe Seattle and Portland too.

    I've also driven down a good chunk of the East Coast to Florida, as well as drove up north into Canada to visit family friends every year I was a child.

    4 votes
  7. [4]
    aphoenix
    Link
    I have driven most of the way across Canada, which is a bit of a trek. I have driven from my home town to Vancouver, when I moved to Vancouver at the age of 21. It was a lengthy drive, and I did...

    I have driven most of the way across Canada, which is a bit of a trek.

    I have driven from my home town to Vancouver, when I moved to Vancouver at the age of 21. It was a lengthy drive, and I did almost the entirety myself - ie. I drove for about 45 hours over the course of 5 days. It was tiring. I also drove the return trip when I was 22, though we spread that out over several days.

    I have driven from Vancouver to Victoria to Tofino, which is a point on the other side of Vancouver Island, and peered off into the Pacific. The drive from Victoria to Tofino is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever taken, and Tofino itself is quintessentially "Pacific Northwest". Like almost everywhere I've been in Canada, it is amazing.

    I have driven to Ile d'Orlean, which is the place in the St. Lawrence river where the fresh water of the St. Lawrence becomes the salt water of the Atlantic. That is the furthest I've driven over land, but I think it counts - I've driven from the place where I live now, to the oceans on either side.

    I've also been to Halifax, though I flew there. Halifax is amazing.

    Our bucket list includes visiting each province and territory. I've visited none of the Territories, and am missing Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. My kids are missing those and also Nova Scota, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

    I've loved everywhere that I've been in Canada, but I always have a soft spot for visiting Quebec. Old Quebec City is an amazing place to visit, and I've always found the people there to be so warm and welcoming, despite my terrible french.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      Tardigrade
      Link Parent
      The 45 hour drive is a hell of a journey for 5 days. Did you need the car at the end or did that work out best use of time/money? Being in the UK I find it so hard to wrap my head around driving...

      The 45 hour drive is a hell of a journey for 5 days. Did you need the car at the end or did that work out best use of time/money?
      Being in the UK I find it so hard to wrap my head around driving that distance. That's like driving to Italy and back in one go!

      2 votes
      1. [2]
        aphoenix
        Link Parent
        We had a number of a things that we were taking with when moving that we packed into the car - mostly clothes, but a couple of kitchen implements, a computer, a few books. We also planned to use...

        We had a number of a things that we were taking with when moving that we packed into the car - mostly clothes, but a couple of kitchen implements, a computer, a few books. We also planned to use the car when we got to Vancouver as our daily drive car. We also wanted to have the experience of doing the drive, which was, honestly, absolutely glorious. It's not the only time I've gone on a long road trip; when I was even younger, I took a family trip that went from here to Banff and back, all over a period of 14 days. That was also wonderful; there's a lot to see in Canada.

        2 votes
        1. Tardigrade
          Link Parent
          That makes a lot of sense. I'd love see a lot of Canada in my life, currently travel vlogs will have to suffice.

          That makes a lot of sense. I'd love see a lot of Canada in my life, currently travel vlogs will have to suffice.

          2 votes
  8. Tardigrade
    Link
    I did a little more than travel end to end. I did a three week trip around Ireland doing the full circumference. I plotted where I went on the map and it's nice looking back and seeing a full ring...

    I did a little more than travel end to end. I did a three week trip around Ireland doing the full circumference. I plotted where I went on the map and it's nice looking back and seeing a full ring of red dots and having photos from each one.

    3 votes
  9. joplin
    Link
    I think I have, though not all at once. I grew up in Michigan in the US. I have driven up to Lake Superior, which is on the northern border of the country. I have driven from Michigan to Atlanta,...

    I think I have, though not all at once. I grew up in Michigan in the US. I have driven up to Lake Superior, which is on the northern border of the country. I have driven from Michigan to Atlanta, Georgia in a single trip. I have then driven from Atlanta, Georgia to New Orleans, Louisiana which is on the southern border of the country. I've also been to Key West, Florida, which is the southern-most point in the US, though I flew to Miami then drove to Key West, so I've never done the stretch between Atlanta and Miami.

    Technically, Alaska is farther north than Lake Superior, but our country is not contiguous, so I don't know how you'd count that. It is possible to drive through Canada to Alaska, but I've not done that (though I have driven around other parts of Canada).

    3 votes
  10. bvom413
    Link
    While I've not driven it all in one go, I have driven the majority of the east coast of the US. I live in CT and have driven up to to the central coast of Maine numerous times. I've driven to...

    While I've not driven it all in one go, I have driven the majority of the east coast of the US. I live in CT and have driven up to to the central coast of Maine numerous times. I've driven to Florida exactly once, Orlando, of course)! We've driven down to the Carolinas a bunch of times. The worst parts of the drive are definitely just to the south of us, getting through the NYC metro area. DC isn't much fun either. After that, it seems pretty mundane.

    I'd love to do an East to West coast trip some day. Hell, if it weren't corona time, I'd tell my husband to pack the car and do it now! I've recently become friends with a woman and found out she and her kids did it a few years ago. It put the idea in my head just a few weeks back. Now I see this thread and it's got me thinking about it again.

    The US is such a beautiful country. I've been to about 2/3rd of the states, with a huge chunk missing in the midwestern and plain states. I would love to just GO and explore. I'm easy. I don't need to be entertained. I'm happy with beautiful views, good music and good company.

    Maybe someday.

    3 votes
  11. soks_n_sandals
    Link
    To some degree, yes. I've traveled from Louisiana to Northern California by car, as well Louisiana to Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania to Washington D. C., so in a roundabout way I've been all the...

    To some degree, yes. I've traveled from Louisiana to Northern California by car, as well Louisiana to Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania to Washington D. C., so in a roundabout way I've been all the way across.

    2 votes
  12. Icarus
    Link
    I have driven across the country 3 times in the last 10 years. Once was from North Carolina to Washington and back. Then from Tennessee to California. I have been as far south as you can get in...

    I have driven across the country 3 times in the last 10 years. Once was from North Carolina to Washington and back. Then from Tennessee to California. I have been as far south as you can get in Florida, to San Diego in California, and up to Seattle in Washington and Massachusetts on the east coast.

    I probably need to drive across the country one more time to hit the southern states I have missed.

    2 votes
  13. [4]
    Don_Camillo
    Link
    easy. its just a short trainride. 2 hours south to north about 4 hours east to west :-)

    easy. its just a short trainride. 2 hours south to north about 4 hours east to west :-)

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      Tardigrade
      Link Parent
      I can't tell if you're from a benelux size nation or on high-speed intercity trains in a Germany or France size nation.

      I can't tell if you're from a benelux size nation or on high-speed intercity trains in a Germany or France size nation.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        Don_Camillo
        Link Parent
        it takes a lot longer to cross all of france or germany, even with high speed rail :-)

        it takes a lot longer to cross all of france or germany, even with high speed rail :-)

        3 votes
        1. Tardigrade
          Link Parent
          I've only ever done it by car but hope to interrail once covid is over.

          I've only ever done it by car but hope to interrail once covid is over.

          2 votes
  14. [2]
    rish
    Link
    India. Not yet but hope in future I travel around the country. I’ve travelled in three states so far. My grandfather was in Airforce and has been to almost everywhere in the country expect north...

    India. Not yet but hope in future I travel around the country. I’ve travelled in three states so far.

    My grandfather was in Airforce and has been to almost everywhere in the country expect north eastern states. My father is the eldest child and has four siblings. They went with him and grandma to all those places. Later my dad joined military and had postings around the country. He got to serve in North Eastern states as well. I was born when he was posted in Kashmir , and we lived with grandparents then. When I was around 10 we moved with him to a peace posting but then he was called in border area soon. So we moved back to grandma. Dad served another 10 years before retiring. By then he had probably travelled in every state in the country. He spends the time reading books now. I wasn’t interested in joining the military and chose traditional desk job. There little no travel involved and I’m just stuck ..in same place. Hopefully not for life. I want to travel around. See places.

    2 votes
    1. flanew
      Link Parent
      Ah, its nice to see a fellow Indian on here :) Cool to hear your dad's story. Army folks sure have a lot going in their job, one might consider getting posted in remote areas like that as an...

      Ah, its nice to see a fellow Indian on here :)

      Cool to hear your dad's story. Army folks sure have a lot going in their job, one might consider getting posted in remote areas like that as an advantage to the job lol. Personally, I have travelled to maybe 5-10 states (and UTs) depending on how much time I spent and area I covered during my visit you consider. But I can say I have travelled to and stayed in most of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana as well as most of Himachal too (My village is in himachal but I live in Bengaluru now).

      I wish to see more soon, perhaps states like Meghalaya or J&K or maybe even somewhere like Odisha, but heck there's Covid around :(

      One place that I love to visit either by itself or on the way to somewhere else is Mysore. I'd recommened visiting it, maybe even around this time of the year (October) because they have their beautiful Dusshera preparations ongoing. Either way, I hope covid passes, and that you and I can visit more wonderful places in the country soon :)

      2 votes
  15. moocow1452
    Link
    Technically yes, since I started in the Michigan-Canada Border and traveled to Arizona.

    Technically yes, since I started in the Michigan-Canada Border and traveled to Arizona.

    1 vote
  16. aldian
    Link
    I have, actually, though not all in one go. And not entirely by a single form of transit. I was born in the South East region of the US, travelled all over it before I was 18, including trips to...

    I have, actually, though not all in one go. And not entirely by a single form of transit.

    I was born in the South East region of the US, travelled all over it before I was 18, including trips to Chicago and Ohio. I've been to DC, NYC, Phili, Atlanta, Never any of the gulf states, really, just passed through. Texas, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California. Haven't made it to the PNW or the middle of the country except driving through. Furthest trip was Knoxville, TN to Denver, CO and I've done it, there and back several times.

    1 vote
  17. Diff
    Link
    Not the entire country, but a good part of it. I've lived in the middle of the USA for pretty much my entire life. But when growing up we had family down in Florida so once in a blue moon we'd...

    Not the entire country, but a good part of it. I've lived in the middle of the USA for pretty much my entire life. But when growing up we had family down in Florida so once in a blue moon we'd drive on down there. One of my earliest memories is collecting shells on a beach somewhere in Florida.

    On my own personal road trip I've been up north all the way to the border to see the Niagara Falls, that was pretty fun. Lots of heights which I'm not a fan of, but it was great reading all the displays about various crazy people who've thrown themselves off the falls in barrels seeking thrills. Also saw a few national parks (Allegheny in Pennsylvania being the main one and definitely my favorite) and cave systems on that trip, did a little camping.

    On other trips I've only been as far west as Colorado, saw sand dunes as big as (small) mountains and spent 2 weeks hiking through the (larger) mountains with some people from my church. Weirdest thing about Colorado is how flat things are around the mountains. You can see for miles and miles, a tiny handful of houses scattered across the landscape looking like toys with a backdrop of mountains far in the distance behind them. Scale is a weird thing. So's altitude. My resting heart rate while sleeping in the mountains was as high as it might be after a quick walk from my apartment to my college campus.

    Never been further west than that, but I've seen a lot of the country from Colorado to the east cost. I'd like to see the west coast some time though.

    1 vote
  18. jprich
    Link
    I guess I have. Savannah, Ga to San Diego, CA.

    I guess I have. Savannah, Ga to San Diego, CA.