Long trips usually mean long distances for our type of travel. To save both time and money, I usually drive long days covering more distance on way to destination and back home. Driving late makes it easier to overnight in rest areas, where we get an early start. We often cover first 1200 miles in first 2 days without any campground fees.
If we had more free time I would travel in a more relaxed mode, but for now when we just need to sleep, rest areas save time and money. Also, getting to destination sooner allows more time there (assuming total time is limited).
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