What's better than a Cannonball Run? An EXTENDED Cannonball Run

 April 8, 2023

The movie Cannonball Run was released in 1981. To this day I have not seen it, however I am familiar with the primary objective from the movie. The primary objective was a race from the Red Ball Garage in Manhattan, New York to the Portofino Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Below is the 2,800 mile journey by way of the traditional Cannonball route:


I am an automotive enthusiast, but I am also a huge proponent of seeing the United States in all its glory (especially if it can be done by road trip). I have previously done two road trips across the United States:

  1. Round trip from Atlanta, GA to Los Angeles, CA
  2. Huntsville, AL to Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX to Atlanta, GA
As you will see, I have never done a trip north of I-70. After years of conversation, my friend from the Fiero purchase and I have decided that we want to do a Cannonball Run (at least in spirit). We are not taking the traditional route for a variety of reasons, but instead doing an extended version of it with the same start and end locations. Here is the route that we have planned:



This is a 63 hour and 4,000 mile journey. In case you are wondering what the reasons why we are not doing the conventional route are, here's our answer:
  • Not interested in time attack. The purpose of our trip is not to set a time record like so many before have done (currently set at 25 hours and 39 minutes and can be referenced here) due to potential safety and legal/financial penalties

  • See new areas. Neither of us have done a northern route and are wanting to see National Parks, wide open land, and just see a completely new place in general

  • Simply we do not have the car for it. If you are going for a time attack record, having the drivers is only a small part of the battle. We do not have the car or finances to purchase the car to even attempt to make this drive in record time. We will be renting a vehicle in New York to drive across (updates to come on what that is)
Over the next several months (trip is scheduled for this summer), I will be providing a series of updates. If you have recommendations on where to stop, please leave a comment; we want to see as much as possible!

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