I Took the LONGEST Greyhound Bus Route in America. 4 DAYS!
video description
Woodbridge, VA - Charlottesville, VA - Nashville, TN - St. Louise, MO - Denver, CO - Salt Lake City, UT.
It was supposed to last two full days but turned into three due to the weather. It was not because of curiosity. It was because of necessity. I was in a dire situation, and the employer paid only for Greyhound.
I felt miserable. I thought it was the lowest point in my entire life. And it probably was.
In retrospect, however, I find that journey enlightening.
The buses were perfect. PREVOST buses are Volvo buses customized for the U. S. They are smooth and quiet.
The Greyhound personnel was very professional and helpful.
Fellow passengers represented the real America. And there was nothing shocking. A couple of escalating situations were resolved by the drivers fast and professionally.
All this didn't make the trip easy. But it was not supposed to be.
New York - Los Angeles routes are running mostly via I-70 (the one I took) and I-40 (the one the author did) It is an excellent business model: it keeps the equipment utilized efficiently, the maximum number of passengers transported at an affordable price, and all Greyhound employees working in a reliable and predictable manner.
Back to my experience. Visual images, colors, sounds, smells, the whole tapestry of life - it was so rich. And I get back to it very often in my thoughts.
I am almost 60. And I keep thinking. We've been wasting so much time and effort to stay within the middle-class comfort zone, inside the nutshell. While life is out there.
When in New Mexico, look up. And you will see the grandeur of the Milky Way stretched across the sky!
Date: 2023-08-20
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Comments and reviews: 19
Fachy
I'm from Argentina and long distance bus trips are pretty common here. Here are the pros and cons compared to Greyhound and Megabus in the US.
Cons: most standard services dont include power outlets, usb ports nor wi-fi. Bathrooms are nearly unusable. Too many stops.
Pros:
Sketchy people are pretty rare. Most people are pretty chill and if someone starts to make a scene, everyone will make sure this person will get kicked out in no time.
Luggages are serialized to avoid any kind of issue. People can't grab your stuff If they don't show a the ticket which numbers have to match the security strap they put on it.
If you pay 30% more, you can ride an executive class bus that has individual fully reclinable seats, 360 curtains, full meals and they even gives you a champagne glass.
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I'm from Argentina and long distance bus trips are pretty common here. Here are the pros and cons compared to Greyhound and Megabus in the US.
Cons: most standard services dont include power outlets, usb ports nor wi-fi. Bathrooms are nearly unusable. Too many stops.
Pros:
Sketchy people are pretty rare. Most people are pretty chill and if someone starts to make a scene, everyone will make sure this person will get kicked out in no time.
Luggages are serialized to avoid any kind of issue. People can't grab your stuff If they don't show a the ticket which numbers have to match the security strap they put on it.
If you pay 30% more, you can ride an executive class bus that has individual fully reclinable seats, 360 curtains, full meals and they even gives you a champagne glass.
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Sean
When you go Greyhound, every journey is an adventure. When I was in the Navy, I did the opposite of what you did. I went from New York City to Los Angeles. This was in the 1980s. It wasn't glamorous. But I never felt unsafe. And in an odd way it was rather rewarding. Every stop was a bit of an adventure. A new town. Sometimes the station was in the middle of town. Sometimes a part of town people avoid. I learned how resourceful I was. In twenty minutes, sometimes an hour, you had to find a place to get something to eat and make it back to the bus all while being mindful of your surroundings. It never dawned on me till seeing your video that we kept the same bus all the way through. I hope you get to make the full journey someday.
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When you go Greyhound, every journey is an adventure. When I was in the Navy, I did the opposite of what you did. I went from New York City to Los Angeles. This was in the 1980s. It wasn't glamorous. But I never felt unsafe. And in an odd way it was rather rewarding. Every stop was a bit of an adventure. A new town. Sometimes the station was in the middle of town. Sometimes a part of town people avoid. I learned how resourceful I was. In twenty minutes, sometimes an hour, you had to find a place to get something to eat and make it back to the bus all while being mindful of your surroundings. It never dawned on me till seeing your video that we kept the same bus all the way through. I hope you get to make the full journey someday.
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Joel
I took Greyhound from Eau Clare Wisconsin to Chicago via Milwaukee and we were driving through a blizzard. I remember the McDonalds stops. I just missed my bus to return to Eau Clare even though my dad stood in front of the bus as it was leaving the terminal (not full) they wouldnt let me get on. I had to buy an airline ticket out of OHare airport to Madison Wisconsin then take a cab to the bus station and caught up with the same bus I missed earlier to take me to Eau Claire. My car had broke down there and I had to pick it up and drive it back home to Illinois after my engine was replaced. Good times.
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I took Greyhound from Eau Clare Wisconsin to Chicago via Milwaukee and we were driving through a blizzard. I remember the McDonalds stops. I just missed my bus to return to Eau Clare even though my dad stood in front of the bus as it was leaving the terminal (not full) they wouldnt let me get on. I had to buy an airline ticket out of OHare airport to Madison Wisconsin then take a cab to the bus station and caught up with the same bus I missed earlier to take me to Eau Claire. My car had broke down there and I had to pick it up and drive it back home to Illinois after my engine was replaced. Good times.
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George
You cheated on the last leg of the trip by catching a plane. When I rode it was a nightmare all the way from Santa Barbara to Cincinnati but if I had an option to catch a plane from being inconvenienced by greyhound I would have done the same darn thing you did too especially when I was in Oklahoma in a gas station using the toilet and came outside to realize my bus left without me with all my belongings on board I took a couple losses but I finally made it back to my love ones and that is priceless.
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You cheated on the last leg of the trip by catching a plane. When I rode it was a nightmare all the way from Santa Barbara to Cincinnati but if I had an option to catch a plane from being inconvenienced by greyhound I would have done the same darn thing you did too especially when I was in Oklahoma in a gas station using the toilet and came outside to realize my bus left without me with all my belongings on board I took a couple losses but I finally made it back to my love ones and that is priceless.
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Joe
I think that I would have to break that up with a day in a hotel half way through. So that you could at least get a shower and a proper nights sleep after 2 days. I think I would go insane if the only sleep for 4 I got was sitting in a bus seat and being all sweaty from not being able to take a shower.
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I think that I would have to break that up with a day in a hotel half way through. So that you could at least get a shower and a proper nights sleep after 2 days. I think I would go insane if the only sleep for 4 I got was sitting in a bus seat and being all sweaty from not being able to take a shower.
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dcl
If anyone's wondering what it feels like, just imagine eating lemon for 4 days straight while living in the slums of Skid Row, tension never leaves you until you get off at your final stop. Noel handled it with classic English politeness and unique ability to rationalize the chaos of hell
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If anyone's wondering what it feels like, just imagine eating lemon for 4 days straight while living in the slums of Skid Row, tension never leaves you until you get off at your final stop. Noel handled it with classic English politeness and unique ability to rationalize the chaos of hell
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Stephanie
I took Greyhound from Houston to Virginia. I spent the night in Virgina and turned around and rode back to Texas. It was awful. I remember calling a friend from a pay phone in the Atlanta bus station and begging him to get me a plane ticket out of there. No such luck.
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I took Greyhound from Houston to Virginia. I spent the night in Virgina and turned around and rode back to Texas. It was awful. I remember calling a friend from a pay phone in the Atlanta bus station and begging him to get me a plane ticket out of there. No such luck.
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yorgunsamuray
First I thought: it you did not have a plane to catch in NY, you coulda waited for a day or so but when I saw that the road cancellation due to the whole interstate highways getting closed, that would be a risky move too. In better weather conditions, why not?
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First I thought: it you did not have a plane to catch in NY, you coulda waited for a day or so but when I saw that the road cancellation due to the whole interstate highways getting closed, that would be a risky move too. In better weather conditions, why not?
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Muz
I went from Boston via Chicago to Dallas in 1976
Long, uncomfortable ride,
broken toilet, great vista's but Amtrak back was amazing, comfortable and thrilling with the observation car and being a kid and being English I got well looked after by the porter.
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I went from Boston via Chicago to Dallas in 1976
Long, uncomfortable ride,
broken toilet, great vista's but Amtrak back was amazing, comfortable and thrilling with the observation car and being a kid and being English I got well looked after by the porter.
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WhitTheGem
Also a tip for those taking Greyhound, use a food delivery service to get a meal delivered to you at the bus station/your stop so you arent stuck eating fast food during your whole trip. Id need a salad and some veggies after awhile.
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Also a tip for those taking Greyhound, use a food delivery service to get a meal delivered to you at the bus station/your stop so you arent stuck eating fast food during your whole trip. Id need a salad and some veggies after awhile.
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WhitTheGem
Youre brave for attempting this Greyhound journey. Ive taken both Greyhound and Megabus a few times in my younger years and whew. Im glad that those buses were available to me but am appreciative of other methods of transportation.
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Youre brave for attempting this Greyhound journey. Ive taken both Greyhound and Megabus a few times in my younger years and whew. Im glad that those buses were available to me but am appreciative of other methods of transportation.
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CHARLES
Even back in the 60s there were at least two mentally ill people on every trip I was ever on in a Greyhound. The most memorable was a very large man who tore up a newspaper into confetti and kept yelling he was going to get her.
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Even back in the 60s there were at least two mentally ill people on every trip I was ever on in a Greyhound. The most memorable was a very large man who tore up a newspaper into confetti and kept yelling he was going to get her.
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Jason
Took a greyound in 1998 from DC to Pittsburgh while I was in college. Homeless guy was hiding in the bathroom and sat next to me. Driver basically threw him out on the side of the highway. insane stuff but ill never forget that
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Took a greyound in 1998 from DC to Pittsburgh while I was in college. Homeless guy was hiding in the bathroom and sat next to me. Driver basically threw him out on the side of the highway. insane stuff but ill never forget that
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Kyle
i personally do not recomend greyhound when visiting the US. its a bit rough. but amtrack is ok on some routes. you are much better off flying, but hell. that aint that much fun either domestically. just a quicker bus
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i personally do not recomend greyhound when visiting the US. its a bit rough. but amtrack is ok on some routes. you are much better off flying, but hell. that aint that much fun either domestically. just a quicker bus
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pleadthefifth
How could a 4 day trip from hell ever compare to a 6-8 hour trip from hell? Makes zero sense. Id rather put up with the nonsense for a few hours on a bad airline than a few days on a Greyhound!
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How could a 4 day trip from hell ever compare to a 6-8 hour trip from hell? Makes zero sense. Id rather put up with the nonsense for a few hours on a bad airline than a few days on a Greyhound!
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The
It wasnt you that couldnt do it - it was Greyhound that couldnt do it! BTW- You were really close tome some cool Rout 66 stuff, Especially in ABQ and AMA! Im glad you got off the bus. Its dangerous.
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It wasnt you that couldnt do it - it was Greyhound that couldnt do it! BTW- You were really close tome some cool Rout 66 stuff, Especially in ABQ and AMA! Im glad you got off the bus. Its dangerous.
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MK
You can't really blame Greyhound for the cancellation given the snow storm.
I hate Greyhound as much as the next guy, but I would much rather take Greyhound than fly Spirit
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You can't really blame Greyhound for the cancellation given the snow storm.
I hate Greyhound as much as the next guy, but I would much rather take Greyhound than fly Spirit
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Jamie
doesnt look too bad other than being in the same position for so long like a 15 hour flight but at least you have some time during the stops to get out and stretch your legs
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doesnt look too bad other than being in the same position for so long like a 15 hour flight but at least you have some time during the stops to get out and stretch your legs
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Crazy
That thumbnail makes you look like youve just been through the most traumatic experience of your life. Granted, I think staying on a Greyhound for 4 days probably counts.
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That thumbnail makes you look like youve just been through the most traumatic experience of your life. Granted, I think staying on a Greyhound for 4 days probably counts.
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