Using Amtrak Auto Train from VA to FL with the Mustang

[scazea]

Well the good thing about this Mustang is that it will force you to stop since the mileage is not that great

Specially GT! Maybe 300 miles autonomy on highway?

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[GrabThatBlue]

Specially GT! Maybe 300 miles autonomy on highway?

I never reached 300 miles, but yeah, with no traffic and constant speed maybe yes haha

 

[LouG]

I just looked on google maps, it looks like a doddle. One overnighter and, from what I've seen of US roads, it'll be safer and more relaxing than the same distance here.

 

[Kevi]

Specially GT! Maybe 300 miles autonomy on highway?

I wouldn't want to go any further without stretching my legs but on a 4 hour highway trip I was seeing 26mpg which would put it close to 400 miles. Avg about 20 driving around town. Much better than my jeep which is like 15 town, 17 highway. The mustang is a little more aerodynamic than a brick on 35s.

 

[Bear376]

With planning, a long drive is no problem. I use an app to plan fuel stops. There are some states that are much higher priced than average. I like fueling at Sam's Club when convenient. Rest breaks are usually Love's, QT and Buc-ees. Your best chance at decent facilities. I also recommend forgoing any adventures in dining. I love checking out new places, but there were occasions that it was regrettable. And don't fail to plan your place to sleep. Nothing worse than getting tired on a trip and finding out that all the rooms for miles are full for an event. And read the reviews. When my 2025 comes in, I have six weeks to get it prepped to my needs before a 3200 mile trek to VA, that will include a run at the Tail of the Dragon and the Air Force Museum in Dayton among other things.

 

[Kevi]

before a 3200 mile trek to VA, that will include a run at the Tail of the Dragon and the Air Force Museum in Dayton among other things.

There's a nice one at Dulles airport too.

https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center

 

[LouG]

That's the beauty of a huge country, lots to see and do.
I've travelled every State Highway in little old NZ, and a lot of the minor roads. Pretty much seen and done everything worth doing.
But I've always thought it's about the journey, not the destination. I live for road trips.

 

[Bear376]

There's a nice one at Dulles airport too.

https://airandspace.si.edu/visit/udvar-hazy-center

Been there, and the D.C. museums. Would love to go there again. Things are always changing. Have also done Pima, the CAF museum in Houston and several others. And several I would like to see. I also had my 2019 aboard the USS Lexington, and toured the USS Kidd, USS Texas, USS Batfish. My hope is to do the Henry Ford Museum and revisit the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. And don't ask me how many car museums I have been to, because I can't count that high. The only thing is not being able to go to all the places I would like to see.

 

[Kevi]

Been there, and the D.C. museums. Would love to go there again. Things are always changing. Have also done Pima, the CAF museum in Houston and several others. And several I would like to see. I also had my 2019 aboard the USS Lexington, and toured the USS Kidd, USS Texas, USS Batfish. My hope is to do the Henry Ford Museum and revisit the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. And don't ask me how many car museums I have been to, because I can't count that high. The only thing is not being able to go to all the places I would like to see.

I just toured the Wisconsin last weekend. Beautiful boat! Going to have to check out the New Jersey soon!

 

[Neggytive]

I have done the auto train a dozen times with everything from my 24 GT to my 06 F150 w/ an 8' bed

Yes you save 900 miles

The trip is long and boring

If the train is full you will be sharing the seat with someone, while trying to get a few ZZZ's

The costs of rooms is off the scale

The dining options have been greatly reduced, no more sit down meal with a glass of wine unless you are buying a room

I have been in jail cells bigger than the small room option, seriously

Noise cancelling headphones are a must, as is an inflatable neck pillow

Now I will tell you that one time when I got my truck in Lorton after a trip from Sanford there was $6000 dollars damage to the right side.

They did not tell me about it, I found it

That is why they photograph each car before they load it

They damage so many cars they have an insurance guy on site to start the claim

But to their credit they did get the Mustang from Lorton to Sanford damage free (the car had 1500 miles on it!) last August.

Now I run up and down the east coast from Fort Myers to NH on a regular basis, I have never had a problem in 30 years. I will tell you DO NOT SPEED in Virginia, I have never been stopped but there are enough horror stories out there to make me watch my speed.

Same for 301/200 from Yulee FL down to Ocala

If you have any questions shoot me a PM

 

[Kevi]

I'm actually heading from Baltimore to Panama City Beach this weekend. Stopping over in Savannah for dinner and drinks and a little sight seeing. Then a week at the beach. Maybe a stop in Orlando on the way home. I do want to see the new epic park at Universal Studios.

 

[scazea]

I have done the auto train a dozen times with everything from my 24 GT to my 06 F150 w/ an 8' bed

Yes you save 900 miles

The trip is long and boring

If the train is full you will be sharing the seat with someone, while trying to get a few ZZZ's

The costs of rooms is off the scale

The dining options have been greatly reduced, no more sit down meal with a glass of wine unless you are buying a room

I have been in jail cells bigger than the small room option, seriously

Noise cancelling headphones are a must, as is an inflatable neck pillow

Now I will tell you that one time when I got my truck in Lorton after a trip from Sanford there was $6000 dollars damage to the right side.

They did not tell me about it, I found it

That is why they photograph each car before they load it

They damage so many cars they have an insurance guy on site to start the claim

But to their credit they did get the Mustang from Lorton to Sanford damage free (the car had 1500 miles on it!) last August.

Now I run up and down the east coast from Fort Myers to NH on a regular basis, I have never had a problem in 30 years. I will tell you DO NOT SPEED in Virginia, I have never been stopped but there are enough horror stories out there to make me watch my speed.

Same for 301/200 from Yulee FL down to Ocala

If you have any questions shoot me a PM

Thx for the detailed description!
still deciding..never done a long trip like this by car, that's why I ask for others experiences., but I'd love to try it.

 

[Neggytive]

Thx for the detailed description!
still deciding..never done a long trip like this by car, that's why I ask for others experiences., but I'd love to try it.

There is nothing special about it, most of the train trip is in the dark at night, the last hour or so is stop and go as CSX has to work around the local train traffic (Brightline) commuter trains.

If you can tolerate about 11 hours on the road including fuel stops and pee breaks, I suggest you set your destination the first night as Yulee FL. The Best Western Plus right off 95 is a place I stay often. Never an issue.

From there I don't know your destination, mine is the Fort Myers area so from Yulee I hop on 200 to 301, a great road that avoids the 295/ I-10 disaster area to Ocala then hop on 75 at exit 358 and it is 200 miles to my exit. I can make the run from Yulee to Fort Myers in 5.5 hours.

Avoid I-4 if you can, I'd rather do almost anything else that go across that road, again I do not know your destination. But if you are using the train and headed to the west coast, you are forced to use I-4, East coast destinations you'll leave Sanford and head for 95.

If you go by train, and don't spring for a roomette, you will need a survival kit.

Phone and charger, a tablet is nice to have, noise cancelling headphones, neck support, a light blanket or sweatshirt, snacks, water and lots of it. Snacks are a must.

Oh you have not experienced hell until you try to use the facilities on an Train going at 70 MPH. Think airplane, think rocking back and forth, very noisy, and by the end of the trip they are filthy.

 

[scazea]

Yeah, probably going to drive. Destination is Miami, so i95 all the way.
Yulee looks like a decent middle stop.
we seem to have the same car! rapid red GT convertible ?

 

[Neggytive]

Yeah, probably going to drive. Destination is Miami, so i95 all the way.
Yulee looks like a decent middle stop.
we seem to have the same car! rapid red GT convertible ?

Yes 2024 Rapid Red ragtop, 401A package

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