Route planning

[610Alpha]

I have been thinking about what route(s) I could take to get home from my work if TSHTF. My biggest obstacle is the fact that I have to cross a good sized river to get to/from work. The bridge that I normally cross would be, IMO, jammed up with traffic. It is near a pretty good sized city so that is what leads me to believe this would be the case.

How far up/down stream should a person go?

How small of a town would be safe (pop. 50K, 25K, 10K, 5K....) that has a bridge?

I assume that it would behoove me to have a couple of these routes to get back to my family.

Should I plan to have 2 routes upstream and 2 downstream (total of 4 or should I plan for more)? Any other thoughts suggestions?

[EX121]

In your planning don't forget about railroad bridges, pipeline crossing, etc or other less obvious means of crossing the river. It may mean leaving your vehicle and getting another, or having something stashed. As far as how many crossing to plan on I don't think it's a matter of numbers but a matter of distance you want to travel.

[crossbow]

better start carrying an inflatable boat and a 2 horse eng with you.

[Klayton]

I am thinking buy a gyrocopter and park it on the roof at work until needed. =)

Ok Ok, inflatable canoe (even the falls apart in one day cardboard canoe would work) and strategically park a second vehicle on other side of river (or hone up on car "acquiring" skills).
If you rely on "acquiring" a vehicle, remember when SHTF alot of people will be bugging out and taking their vehicles to the traffic jam, might not be many cars to pick from, if any.

Railroad crossings are a good one, but dont be trying to drive over them in some little Honda Fit. Those railroad ties are separated enough to get you stuck if you run into one without adequate stone inbetween the railroad ties.

The more important thing I can suggest, the first sign of congestion, get off whatever road you are on in a hurry.

[monkeybird]

elittle, I have the same problem. The Tennessee River is between me and my bug out location in Florida. I purchased Delorme maps to help outline a route and discovered that most routes across the river are at major locations.

That is my biggest worry.

[610Alpha]

Do you know where I can get a used gyrocopter? Better yet I'll just whip out my go go gadget (Inspector Gadget cartoon) helicopter out of my top hat. :) LOL

I had thought about an inflatable raft in case the bridges were inaccessible. I'll have to double check the other crossing possibilities. Don't have a second vehicle to strategically park nor the place to park it. Probably just as easy for me to carry an inflatable and row across then hoof it the rest of the way if it came to that.

Thanks for the ideas.