In over my head??

I would not say never say never on chaining. Flagstaff, Winslow expcially and a couple of other spots in I-40 are a real problem in storms.

I would consider Tuscon and I-20 and leave off the Dallas Mixer and insanity. Possibly even 40 until cross country to say weatherford.

The goal is to keep moving. Not sit in city traffic, you follow me?

 

Maybe you lucked out on that job offer. Sometimes that happens. I'd probably give it a try and do a trip or two and see how it goes.
Do you live in southern CA?

 

I've done that run many times pulling reefers. The company was ok with me dropping down to I-10 and running it all the way through.
Check the difference in miles.
Check that out and ask the owner if that's ok.

 

You will make new discoveries and friends in the South. Even many places like where i am they hold doors and say yes m' or yes sir and things like we appreciate you all when completing a buy or sale etc. You will also discover small town police are real rulers of the realm should you inadvertently follow that misguided GPS onto a non truck road.

And the Food? My my my you aint lived yet.

Just remember one thing. This is winter. Ice rules the south, do not go out into it because its all the others with zero ice experience having to relearn it all over again.

Another rule that is permanent. Ever see Atlanta? DO NOT whatever you do penetrate the core inside the 285 beltway. UNLESS your delivery address is absolutely downtown and only then.

I am not current on truckstops They closed so many. An alternative would be gambling casinos in Louisana that might provide truck parking and food. (Do not gamble money, they will take it. I probably had one win for 400 in Calhoun LA out of about a thousand lost over the years there. This was back in about 1994 or so, I still have that radio paid for with half that winnings on my table in good condition.

Did I mention the food? IF everything before florida was great, you will enjoy florida. But those people move at a different pace than you do. So, you have alot of discoveries to make.

Oh one more thing. Learn to eliminate your Urine in Louisana before you discover 30 mile bridges with no place to put it.

 

That I-10/I-20 stretch is fairly easy to drive.

You will see a lot of deer at night along the southern end.

Tropical storms sometimes with damaging winds. Codriver told me he almost ran into a small tornado down there in Mississippi. He pulled over and nader went off to left side. Almost blew truck over.

You know you are close to a tornado because all wind and rain will suddenly stop like in an instant. You can roll your window down and you should hear a freight train sound.

From west Texas through AZ high wind area and blinding dust storms are possible.

But 99% of the time is really easy. Download myradar and turn on the wind layer through the options so you can keep an eye on conditions. Check it before you roll.

Thats my .02 having been on that stretch quite a bit so far. We have terminals in Atlanta, Dallas, and Ontario CA.

 

Go for it, if it dont work out then quit when you get back from your first run.

 

Do it. Maybe a good start for you.

 

As far as I know you can add endorsements at any time without a road test, unless Cali has some special rules about it. Never heard of such a rule before.

How many trucks does this guy have? What kind of shape was the truck in that you drove?