Hot Rod Magazine

Hot Rod magazine is the oldest magazines devoted to the hobby of hot rodding, modifying automobiles for performance and appearance, having been published since 1948 by Primedia. Hot Rod Magazine has licensed affiliation with UTI (Universal Technical Institute)

The Hot Rod Power Tour is an organized tour where people in the car hobby drive a pre-planned route throughout the country. It began in 1995 when Hot Rod Magazine staff members decided to take some of their project cars on a cross-country drive from Los Angeles, CA to Norwalk, OH. Thousands of people participated along the way but only seven participants (other than staff members) made the entire jouney and were inducted into the original "Long Hauler Gang". Since its inception, this event has continued to gain in popularity and is now one of the most anticipated automotive events each year. It is typically six to eight days in length and held in late May or early June. In recent years, the tour has evolved to become what is essentially a continuous trek around the United States in that it begins in or near the location that it ended in the previous year. Each stop is combined with events or activities that vary as much as the participants themselves.

Hot Rod Power Tour History

1996 May 9 - May 18

Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Grand Junction, CO; Denver, CO; Goodland, KS; St. Louis, MO; Springfield, IL; Lansing, MO; Detroit, MI; Norwalk, CT

1997 May 8 - May 17

Los Angeles, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Grand Junction, CO; Denver, CO; Goodland, KS; Kansas City, KS; St. Louis, MO; Springfield, IL; Lansing, IL; Mount Clemens, MI

1998 May 7 - May 16

Pomona, CA; Mesquite, NV; Grand Junction, CO; Morrison, CO; Goodland, KS; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Indianapolis, IN; Chicago, IL; Mount Clemens, MI

1999 May 13 - May 22

San Bernardino, CA; Flagstaff, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Amarillo, TX; Tulsa, OK; Kansas City, MO; Madison, IL; Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN

2000 June 1 - June 10

San Bernardino, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Albuquerque, NM; Elk City, OK; Tulsa, OK; Tunica, MS; Talladega, AL; Panama City Beach, FL

2001 May 3 - May 11

Pontiac, MI; Joliet, IL; Effingham, IL; Springfield, MO; Tulsa, OK; Amarillo, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Kingman, AZ; San Bernardino, CA

2,414 Miles and 417 Long Hauler Cars

2002 May 24 - May 30

Lincoln, NE; Kansas City, MO; St. Louis, MO; Louisville, KY; Columbus, OH; Pontiac, MI

1,600+ Miles and 535 Long Hauler Cars

2003 May 30 - June 6

Nashville, TN; Memphis, TN; Jackson, MS; New Orleans, LA; Lake Charles, LA; Shreveport, LA; Ft. Worth, TX

Details Unkown

2004 June 5 - June 11

Ft. Worth, TX; Tulsa, OK; Springfield, MO; St. Louis, MO; Davenport, IA; Chicago, IL; Green Bay, WI

Details Unknown

2005 June 4 - June 10

Milwaukee, WI; Springfield, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Nashville, TN; Birmingham, AL; Tallahassee, FL; Kissimmee, FL

1,600+ Miles and 1,310 Long Hauler Cars

2006 June 3 - June 9

Orlando, FL; Gainesville, FL; Perry, GA; Columbia, SC; Roanoke, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Englishtown, NJ

1,700+ Miles and 1,048 Long Hauler Cars

2007 June 2 - June 9

Cleveland, OH; Kalamazoo, MI; Racine, WI; Springfield, IL; Evansville, IN; Memphis, TN; Little Rock, AR