Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 131, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 June 1919 — MOTOR TRIP ACROSS U. S. CHEAPER THAN BY RAIL. [ARTICLE]

MOTOR TRIP ACROSS U. S. CHEAPER THAN BY RAIL.

Ray McNamara, road engineer of the Maxwell Motor company, in the following article claims that it is cheaper to take a trip across the continent in a motor than by, rail. McNamara has driven 825,000 miles since 1903—farther than any man in America. Has never had an accident. Has never been arrested for speeding. Has driven a car from ocean to ocean eleven times. Holds world’s one-day touring record of 802 miles. The advice and directions given by Ray McNamara are by a man that knows every inch of territory between the Atlantic and PacificlWhile the starting point is New York and San Francisco the .terminus, the figures quoted are equally applicable on the trip going in reverse direction. He says: “In comparing the costs of a trip from New York to San Francisco by rail with a similar trip by automobile, I believe it would be a fair estimate to say that it would be 33 per cent cheaper to travel by motor cor.” Railroad fare, including berths and meals for four persons, would amount to about $650. The average expense per person would approximate $162.50. These figures would apply to four men going direct from coast to coast without stopovers. A sample expense account follows: Garage bills • • $ I’*®® Hotel for four persons ..... 138.00 Meals for four persons .... 207.00 Gasoline figured at 30c gallon 67.00 Oil figured at 1 gal 200 miles 13.60

Total cost for 23 days tour $440.40 Average per person about. . .SIIO.OO If a drummer 'had to make the same schedule by rail it would cost about double this amount. By travelling direct without stopovers the trip can be made easily at. 200 miles per day in the summer time. This would reduce motoring costs on (hotel garage and meals to a very small amount. But it is advisable to take your time. It is always better to give the roads a chance to dry up before starting, unless you are accustomed to driving over wet, dirt roads. This applies particularly west of Chicago. . /Before starting on a journey of this kind the car should be put in faultless condition. This wilb eliminate considerable trouble and will make tJh.e driving easier. Take along the right kind of tools as they may come in handy in some out-of-the-way place. One more precautiondrive carefully! Never exceed twenty-five miles per hour and it will pay in the long run. It will keep your tires out of the shop and you out of jail. The destination that the tourist desires to first reach on the Pacific coast and the season of ths. year which the trip is made has more to do with the selection of the route than the quality of the roads along any particular trail. !The El Paso-Yuma, and Santa re trails are the most desirable winter and spring routes inasmuch as they cross the continental divide and the coast 'ranges at lower elevations. I consider these routes the most interesting as more Indian and Mexican life is seen and more primitive methods of living prevail. This is more true of the Santa Fe trail than any ,of the others. The Lincoln highway or central route is undoubtedly the most popular and the more travelled trau ct aU, as it follows a more densely populated section of the country. Starting from the Atlantic coast there are three well travelled routes. The New York and Boston routes come together at Albany then via Utica and Syracuse to Buffalo. Another very desirable route from New York goes by way of Binghamton and Elmira and joins the above route at Buffalo then via Erie and Cleveland to Chicago. The Lincoln highway from New York is an excellent shape. The only poor roads are from Pittsburg to Canton, Ohio. The roads thropgh Dlinois are dirt for the most part. From Clinton, la, to Omaha there are a few short stretches of brick and gravel, but mostly dirt. Through the western part of Nebraslwtejsjbhere is a little sand. In Wyqming there are natural dirt and gravel roads. Passing through Utah it is mostly natural ditt and rock roads with a stretch of concrete pavemerit out of Salt Lake City The route leads around the south end of Salt lake, where almost one hundred males of dirt flats are crossed. Through Nevada many mountain ranges are crossed at very high altitudes and the trails are very rough and rocky. From W, Nevada, to San Francisco, you will find the road well marked, thanks to the California State Automobile association. From Ely to Goldfield to Los Angeles the trail is superbly marked to your destination. Te Southern California Automobile club deserves much credit for thousands of ename* guide posts.