MN to OR route? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Me | General Topics > General Escape
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-12-2019, 10:54 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Green Valley, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA
Posts: 138
MN to OR route?

Want to cross the Rockies leaving MN next week (10/19) and getting to the OR coast. Driving a GMC 1500 w/a 5.0ta. No schedule or deadlines, but I'll not use 8 sets of tire chains! Realistic or foolish?
PM15283 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 12:07 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Farther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Quimper Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: TBD
Posts: 369
It would be four sets of chains and maybe three. Traveling this time of year in the Rockies is a crapshoot. In my opinion, I wouldn't let the weather get in my way. The worst-case scenario is that you may get delayed for 24 hours while a snowstorm passes through. And you already have your accommodations with you. I've slept a few nights on the shoulder of I5 at the Siskiyou Pass waiting for the road to open.
__________________
Thanks,
~Farther
Farther is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 12:06 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
EscapeBoulder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Trailer: 2018 Escape 19'er + 2018 Highlander
Posts: 300
Yes... The Rockies being "continental weather", things change fast. We live at 8,300' in the Colorado Rocky foothills west of Boulder. This week Wed it was t-shirt and shorts weather. Thurs it got down to 15 deg with 3" of snow. Today it'll be 60 deg and the snow has melted.

Even mid-winter, the major roads here in Colorado tend to be clear of snow and dry within a day or two of a snow storm.

If you want the lowest "pass" over the Rockies, taken I-80 thru Wyoming. But not during a snowstorm because the blowing wind creates whiteouts!
__________________
... Greg
2018 Escape 19'er & 2018 Highlander
Not all who wander are lost
EscapeBoulder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2019, 05:42 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
I concur with Greg. Take the Oregon Trail: I-80 and I-84.
dfandrews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2019, 01:34 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Williamson County, Tennessee
Trailer: 2019 Escape-21C toad by 2017 Titan XD Crew Cab V8 4x4
Posts: 450
We'll be heading up to Chilliwack in late April 2020 to pick up our new E-21 on the 27th..by then will we expect the snows to have cleared mostly??
Hollybee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2019, 06:40 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Green Valley, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollybee View Post
We'll be heading up to Chilliwack in late April 2020 to pick up our new E-21 on the 27th..by then will we expect the snows to have cleared mostly??
Hijack?
PM15283 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2019, 09:49 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Vermilye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,362
In both cases, it is wise to keep track of the weather, particularly on the passes. While major roads are cleared quickly, late & early snowstorms happen. As others have said, be prepared to "hunker down" for a day or two, waiting for clear roads.

Specific to April, I ran into open, but barely drivable (and I'm used to snow) I 90 at a Montana pass...
__________________
Jon Vermilye My Travel Blog
Travel and Photo Web Page ... My Collection of RV Blogs 2018 F150 3.5EB, 2017 21
Vermilye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2019, 10:26 AM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Trailer: Sold the Bigfoot 17. Looking for something else.
Posts: 49
You can usually find excellent, very frequently updated reports on road conditions, especially mountain pass conditions on the internet. The state DOT's report and in many cases provide live camera information that is very helpful.
Jack L is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-20-2019, 11:04 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Williamson County, Tennessee
Trailer: 2019 Escape-21C toad by 2017 Titan XD Crew Cab V8 4x4
Posts: 450
Talking I-80 route

Thanks for the info. I think we're going out that route and coming back the southern route, taking ~3 weeks or so to get home, camping along the way. Should be fun.
Hollybee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 09:42 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Green Valley, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA
Posts: 138
Ditto here, Holly. On I90 leaving MN (and the rain) this a.m. Will try to outrun the wind, then get to I80.
PM15283 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 12:01 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,141
Living in Minnesota and having driven 80, 90 and 94 west numerous times we don't even bother with 80 anymore, unless going to Utah/Nevada. Flip a coin on 94 or 90.

OTOH, we enjoy taking US 212 west (The Yellowstone Trail). It may be slightly slower, but much more interesting.

Enjoy,

Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 01:21 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Farther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Quimper Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: TBD
Posts: 369
US20 is also one of my preferred routes from Oregon to MN.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_20
__________________
Thanks,
~Farther
Farther is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 02:19 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 17A
Posts: 2,344
We have driven portions of US-212, US-20, and US-12 through MT, WY, ID, and OR. They are all interesting, slower, generally 2 lane routes, that have much in the way of historical interest. However, when facing potential snow forecasts, we would stay with the Interstate routes.
Also, for those 2 lane routes, we plot our gas stops (read: gas availability) carefully, because when towing in the mountainous areas, we can get as low as 11-12 mpg, so we plan gas stops at 150-180 miles, and sometimes at 100 mi. intervals. Some small towns don't have gasoline availability when and where you would expect it.
dfandrews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2019, 05:29 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,141
Quote:
Originally Posted by Farther View Post
US20 is also one of my preferred routes from Oregon to MN.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_20
Except it doesn't go to Minnesota.

Enjoy,

Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2019, 11:22 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
Farther's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Quimper Peninsula, Washington
Trailer: TBD
Posts: 369
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perryb67 View Post
Except it doesn't go to Minnesota.
So when did Iowa secede from Minnesota? I guess I always take US16 to I-90 in the Black Hills. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_16
__________________
Thanks,
~Farther
Farther is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2019, 07:25 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,141
Quote:
Originally Posted by Farther View Post
So when did Iowa secede from Minnesota? I guess I always take US16 to I-90 in the Black Hills. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_16
Talk about insulting!

Enjoy,

Perrry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2019, 09:31 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Bonney Lake, Washington
Trailer: 2010 Escape 17B
Posts: 188
I-80 thru WY has a lot of wind. That combined with snow/ice can make it no fun. Especially when the semi trucks don't care and continue along at 70+mph! Been there, but not towing thankfully.
flynfrfun is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2019, 09:55 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Perry Butler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lanesboro, MN, between Whalan and Fountain, Minnesota
Trailer: 2016 Bigfoot 25RQ - (2018 Escape 5.0 sold)
Posts: 2,141
Quote:
Originally Posted by flynfrfun View Post
I-80 thru WY has a lot of wind. That combined with snow/ice can make it no fun. Especially when the semi trucks don't care and continue along at 70+mph! Been there, but not towing thankfully.
I80, I70, I90, I94, 212, 20, etc. all will have wind/snow/ice. Pick your poison. If the weather is nice going to Arizona I'll take Wolf Creek Pass for it's raw beauty, but the weather better be favorable. The scariest one is I70 across Colorado through the Rockies. YMMV.

Enjoy,

Perry
__________________
Those who know everything use pens. Intelligent people use pencils.
Perry Butler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2019, 10:22 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Green Valley, Arizona
Trailer: 2018 5.0TA
Posts: 138
Have decided no Oregon this trip - straight to AZ. Sunny, dry, flatland, but the wind is incredible. Over the Rockies? No thanks!
PM15283 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-23-2019, 10:24 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Williamson County, Tennessee
Trailer: 2019 Escape-21C toad by 2017 Titan XD Crew Cab V8 4x4
Posts: 450
Talking Oregon no?

Quote:
Originally Posted by PM15283 View Post
Have decided no Oregon this trip - straight to AZ. Sunny, dry, flatland, but the wind is incredible. Over the Rockies? No thanks!
WE wd rather not have to drive
"up there' either, but unless ETI opens their new Distributorship in AZ b4 May we will be forced to go. With my usual luck, the day we pick up the 21 [April 27th] will be the day b4 ETI opens the shop in AZ. My bad.
Hollybee is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.