TransAmerica East to West or West to East?

[mzimmerm]

My wife and I are planning to do The TransAmerica route starting in May of next year. Is there any data that supports traveling either West to East or East to West as being preferred?
Wind? Weather? Sun in your eyes?
We are thinking East to West currently.

[John Nelson]

If you're starting in May, especially if in early May, the weather clearly favors starting in Yorktown.

If you like to start early in the morning, the sun also favors starting in the East. If you start later in the day, then direction is of little concern.

Wind doesn't predictably favor either direction, despite common opinion.

[mzimmerm]

Great response. Thank you. Makes perfect sense. We were planning a May 1st start to allow as long as a 4 month journey. And we would start in the relatively early morning each day.
Really appreciate your perspective.

[planeguy5]

If you're starting May 1st then I would second east-west. I'm currently going west-east and have been running into westbound riders that started right around that time. Happy riding!

[John Nelson]

It would make no sense at all to start May 1 in the West. McKenzie Pass doesn't even open until at least the middle of June, and you'd almost certainly be in for a lot of cold, wet weather in May in Oregon. Furthermore, Yellowstone National Park wouldn't even be fully open when you got there.

[staehpj1]

We were planning a May 1st start to allow as long as a 4 month journey. And we would start in the relatively early morning each day.

I agree on starting in the East if starting in May.  It allows for a better chance of good weather that some other options.

I will say that taking 4 months doesn't necessarily dictate a May start though.  Another option would be a later start in the west.  October in the East can be glorious, so if starting in the west you could start quite late in the season and still take 4 months if you wanted too.  Catching the Ozarks and or Appalachians in full fall color could be amazing.

BTW, another factor is where you live, if you live near one end or the other.  I find that I prefer to ride toward home.  It is easier to arrange air travel for the start since you are likely to know the exact start date and the end date can be pretty nebulous right up to the last few days.

[mzimmerm]

All VERY good feedback. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Appreciate you all taking the time.
We are probably still thinking a May 1st start in Yorktown.

[staehpj1]

All VERY good feedback. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Appreciate you all taking the time.
We are probably still thinking a May 1st start in Yorktown.

That is a fairly popular starting time and direction of travel.

[Calum]

I started May 2 from Yorktown this year but was unlucky with the weather. Of the first 24 days, it rained on 21 days :-(  I also ran into some persistent headwinds, especially in the west.  I had a few glorious tailwinds, but they were few and far between.  Regardless of that, I had a grand time and am already planning my next crossing - this time on a recumbent from west to east (probably the Northern Tier).  One point that hasn't been mentioned yet is that if you start in the east, you finish with the majestic scenery in the west.
Good luck!

[Randingo]

If riding west to east, what is the most common start date?  Thanks!!

[John Nelson]

If riding west to east, what is the most common start date?  Thanks!!

First half of June.