From Chilliwack to Southern California

[Loren & Cathy]

We also have been debating how to get the new trailer past the Seattle metro area. Going to Chlliwack, we hit I 405 about 3:30 PM and things rapidly ground to a halt from there. Going back, we took 3 in BC to Osoyoos and saw lot of beautiful campgrounds along the way. But I don't think we can get plates before we go and some say going back into Canada after you pick up the trailer in Sumas can be a problem. If we would get the same gal that we had crossing the first time, it would be. Will have to see. Loren

[Scuba55]

Karen, I've taken yours and Don's advise, and going for it. However, I did reschedule for the 29th, we are spending Christmas in Sacramento, then onto Chilliwack on the 25th. Thanks for all the help!

[Vermilye]

I've taken I 15 through Salt Lake City a couple of times, and while I didn't enjoy it, it is nothing compared to some of the Eastern cities such as Washington DC or Atlanta...

[tractors1]

Not looking forward to my Xmas week driving through San Francisco - when I lived there in 1970 I could cross the Bay Bridge at 80 mph. My son in law advised me now it can take 80 minutes to go the 2 miles...........

[OneOleMan]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

No lie. I grew up in the SLC area in the 60's and 70's, and traffic on I-15 was pretty much nonexistent. How things have changed there.

And when I grew up in Seattle there was very little traffic on I-5. Oh, wait, there was no I-5 when I was growing up.

Just looking at a history of I-5 one sentence got me to laughing, “With its opening, motorists can travel without stopping from the Canadian border to the northern California state line.” Sure they can.

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Not looking forward to my Xmas week driving through San Francisco - when I lived there in 1970 I could cross the Bay Bridge at 80 mph. My son in law advised me now it can take 80 minutes to go the 2 miles...........

And now, depending on which direction you cross any of the bridges in the area, you pay a toll, even on the golden gate.

[Brian B-P]

The Golden Gate Bridge toll system looks much like the systems for bridges in Vancouver, B.C. and the toll highway (407) across Toronto, Ontario.

For regular commuters the cost is a concern, but for visitors the cost isn't important and there's one extra administrative task to take care of - paying the toll, typically online. Computer systems which read license plates have eliminated the delays and hassle of toll booths.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

The Golden Gate Bridge toll system looks much like the systems for bridges in Vancouver, B.C. and the toll highway (407) across Toronto, Ontario.

For regular commuters the cost is a concern, but for visitors the cost isn't important and there's one extra administrative task to take care of - paying the toll, typically online. Computer systems which read license plates have eliminated the delays and hassle of toll booths.

That's true, the newer systems can read a plate and toll roads are much quicker as a result. When they opened the new SH130 high speed toll road here in South Texas from Seguin to Round Rock, they allowed a team from Hennessy/Cadillac to test drive the Hennessy CTS-V the day before opening. Hennessy got free publicity as to how fast their supercar could go, and the state got real-world testing of their license plate reading system. The Hennessy reached 220 mph, and the system read the plates no problem.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy

We also have been debating how to get the new trailer past the Seattle metro area. Going to Chlliwack, we hit I 405 about 3:30 PM and things rapidly ground to a halt from there. Going back, we took 3 in BC to Osoyoos and saw lot of beautiful campgrounds along the way. But I don't think we can get plates before we go and some say going back into Canada after you pick up the trailer in Sumas can be a problem. If we would get the same gal that we had crossing the first time, it would be. Will have to see. Loren

After going to and from Chilliwack via I 5 through Seattle, the I 405 was much easier, at least for me. If you can, time your trip to avoid commuter hours. Also there is a Costco for gas not far off the freeway in Federal Way. (If you are a member). I was blissfully ignorant and had no license plate, and took delivery in Canada, which was being done at that time, so I guess I lucked out.

[Dave&Jane]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I've taken I 15 through Salt Lake City a couple of times, and while I didn't enjoy it, it is nothing compared to some of the Eastern cities such as Washington DC or Atlanta...

Urban freeways often are congested, but they usually don't have the high-speed traffic that adds to the stress of driving on I-15 near Salt Lake City. Under normal conditions, someone traveling the posted speed of 65 mph could guilty of impeding traffic. It can remind you of a stock-car race, which is why some people call this highway section the "Mormon 500". A recent survey showed traffic averages over 70 mph here, so the State is responding by raising the speed limit! The new 70 mph signs are going up Monday, for the 85-mile section of urban I-15, from North Ogden to Spanish Fork.

-Dave

[Scuba55]

Can anyone suggest RV parks that might be open along I-5 in Washington and Oregon? I will be traveling back from Chilliwack on Jan. 1. Thanks

[Scuba55]

Dave, what is driving thru Utah like on I-15 in the winter? That is also an option to return to Las Vegas. Thanks.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Can anyone suggest RV parks that might be open along I-5 in Washington and Oregon? I will be traveling back from Chilliwack on Jan. 1. Thanks

A luxury one is 7 Feathers @ Exit 99 in Canyonville, OR (99 miles from the California border). Another pull through RV park is at Corning at the Rolling Hills Casino. If you wish, I believe you can dry camp for free there in the truckers lot. (The RV park is separate). There also is a fee-based shower facility, with towels included. I've never tried it.

Have an enjoyable trip.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Dave, what is driving thru Utah like on I-15 in the winter? That is also an option to return to Las Vegas. Thanks.

Not Dave, but I did grow up there, and many of my relatives still live there, so I drive there often. I-15 can be hit or miss. Although SLC is considered a mountain / snow area, I-15 is usually easy to drive in the winter. Unless there's a huge storm, you should be fine. Even then, I-15 is usually the first highway they attack with the snow melt. I only recall one or two times when driving I-15 was scary, and we saw some pretty heavy snowfalls on occasion.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Can anyone suggest RV parks that might be open along I-5 in Washington and Oregon? I will be traveling back from Chilliwack on Jan. 1. Thanks

I can't help with specifics, other than seven feathers and the escapees one in sutherlin.


Here is a review site that might be of use? Plug in city you will be near on given day.
Centralia, WA Campground Reviews - Best of Centralia Camping - RV Park Reviews

[Donna D.]

Valley of the Rogue State Park, just east of the city of Rogue River, off I-5. It's beautiful.

Keep a sharp eye out on the weather going over the Siskiyou Summit, Sexton Pass and Stage Coach Pass. All along I-5 in southern Oregon.

https://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=4

[techfan]

For new travelers let me recommend

Allstays Camp / RV App for your phone. This is one of the best planning tools we use to find and evaluate campsites. It is well worth the small cost for the app, as many other members can attest. We use it to plan trips as well as find places when we are underway.

Here is the main website and then there is information on the phone app.

Allstays | Campgrounds | RV Parks

In Canyonville, OR there is a great little municipal park 1/4 mile from the casino.

[Sandra L]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Valley of the Rogue State Park, just east of the city of Rogue River, off I-5. It's beautiful.

Keep a sharp eye out on the weather going over the Siskiyou Summit, Sexton Pass and Stage Coach Pass. All along I-5 in southern Oregon.

https://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=4

Great advice. Trip check is also a great tool for all who drive in Oregon and near the California border. Their webcams are updated frequently. For Oregon travelers in general, the road conditions and weather for Oregon can be found on the ODOT site: https://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?curRegion=0

[Bruce Wray]

For RV parks in specific areas, I generally use: RV Park Reviews - Trusted Reviews of Campgrounds & RV Parks As long as a place has a good number of frequent reviews, I find the info useful and accurate.

Bruce

[Dave&Jane]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Dave, what is driving thru Utah like on I-15 in the winter? That is also an option to return to Las Vegas. Thanks.

As Rbryan4 noted, I-15 in the SLC area usually is OK in the winter. Utah operates an army of snowplows and they liberally salt the roads. It's not unusual to have snow problems farther south in the state on I-15, however, over the passes between Nephi and Cedar City. Be sure to take advantage of Utah DOT's website, udottraffic.utah.gov UDOT TRAFFIC and their many traffic cameras and realtime reports.

Probably the biggest winter risk of an I-15 route is getting there via I-84 in eastern Oregon. The I-84 section over the Blue Mountains between Pendelton and La Grande (AKA "blizzard alley") is well known for winter road closures and accidents.

My advice for long-distance winter driving? Whatever route you choose, be sure to plan for extra travel days so you can wait for storms to move out and roads to re-open, if necessary.

-Dave