Winter Route Planning to Washington

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Ron,
I believe they were referring to chains for the tow vehicle, not the trailer. I know in some states they will set up a road block and only those vehicles that have chains with them are allowed to continue.

It's my understanding in some jurisdictions that if chains are mandatory then the trailer would also require them for one axle. At any rate if conditions were that way I'd sit it out for a day or two.

Originally Posted by Pembyescape

$499 delivery to Eugene OR. I’d do that and pick up there! I5 is an easy drive south from there into good weather. Towing your brand new Escape is not the time to learn how to drive in winter conditions.

I'm not understanding your point. It's an easy drive from Sumas to Eugene. Yes, the Seattle corridor can be slow and frustrating sometimes but it's no biggie. Our typical first day is to leave Vancouver, do the border, which you don't have to do when picking up in Sumas, and drive to the French Prairie rest stop South of Portland. Eugene is basically a days drive from Sumas.

South from Eugene does lead to good weather but there's Siskiyou and the other 4 passes to deal with before reaching the nice weather.

Ron

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I'm not understanding your point. It's an easy drive from Sumas to Eugene. Yes, the Seattle corridor can be slow and frustrating sometimes but it's no biggie.

Ron

I would skip the Seattle corridor by going across 20 on the ferry to Port Townsend, then down 101 to Olympia, you miss all the traffic, much more scenic, good if winding roads. Ferry costs you a bit with the trailer but worth it in my opinion.

[sherminator]

Originally Posted by Pembyescape

$499 delivery to Eugene OR. I’d do that and pick up there! I5 is an easy drive south from there into good weather. Towing your brand new Escape is not the time to learn how to drive in winter conditions.

Just south of Eugene is where the snowbelt on I-5 starts. All of I-5 north to the Canadian border is low elevation and fairly flat. From Eugene south to a bit north of Redding is where the steep grades are and where you are most likely to hit snow, chain restrictions, and road closures.

[Pembyescape]

I guess i was thinking that 499 seemed very reasonable to save 13-14 hours driving and a night or two on the road mid winter. Me I’d drive it but i have snow tires and 4X4 and time

[tractors1]

I have new Escapes stopping by my shop near Portland headed down I-5 all year long. Weather closures at Oregon/Cali border do happen, but are rare - and there are many places to overnight in the area. Surprise closures are not an issue - usually 2-3 days warning.

[Steveanson]

Originally Posted by Pembyescape

$499 delivery to Eugene OR. I’d do that and pick up there! I5 is an easy drive south from there into good weather. Towing your brand new Escape is not the time to learn how to drive in winter conditions.

Pemby, we really like your suggestion, and will likely do this just to avoid Seattle. We are retired and plan to take 4 to 6 weeks returning to the Texas gulf coast. It'll be our 'shake down trip' and doesn't OR have incredible winery's? Hope a few are open. Traveling safely is our primary concern, and following the forums wonderful advice and suggestions will assist in that goal. We have had bumper pulls in the past, and look forward to the handling characteristics of the 5.0. Thanks to all for your contributions. Patty

[Raypat]

Having lived in the mountains for the last 40 years, my best advice is take a route with the lowest altitude possible - even if it means a longer route. Low altitude is your best friend.

[pittendrigh]

We're Montana but go to Victoria/Palacios most Winters. Maybe not this Winter because of the virus. We'll see.

If you drive to Albequerque to Salt Lake in March there will be no snow.
Drive North and West to Boise. Still no snow. It's high desert so you might get a storm but it's unlikely.
Follow the map to Burns. Head West to Klamath Falls. The two lane road pass over the Cascades to Medford is your only chance for snow. In March is should be fine. If it is snowy head South from Klamath Falls to Weed in extremer Northern California. Then take the interstate all the way North to BC.

[Jack L]

We drive I-5 from Portland to Sacramento often. As others have said the Siskiyou Mountains can have some major snow issues but the Oregon Department of Transportation California Transportation Dept. do an excellent job of forecasting and monitoring the situation. Both agencies have video cameras along the way so you can see the conditions ahead of time. Worst case would be that you would have to hold up for a day. There are several Indian Casinos the route where you can overnight for free.

One other thing to be aware of is fuel. Between Ashland Oregon and Redding California, about 150 miles, there is only one significant place to buy fuel. Yreka California is a beautiful little place with excellent eating choices, but fuel is more expensive here and in bad weather, the lines for fuel can lead to a long wait. Some times Yreka does run out of fuel. If you plan ahead and monitor the situation, you should be fine.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by Jack L

Yreka California is a beautiful little place with excellent eating choices, but fuel is more expensive here and in bad weather, the lines for fuel can lead to a long wait.

This year it worked out that as we were approaching Yreka we were thinking that it would be nice to end our traveling day sooner than later. We'd started just south of Portland at the French Prairie Rest Stop. Stopped at the fair grounds, they said no problem to overnight and even left their wi-fi on for us.

Ron

[Slowpat]

Snow occurs on I-5 a bit north of Redding, CA and after the Siskiyou summit there are some hills that are snow zones until Roseburg or Eugene.

I'd take extra time and go up the coast on 101. You can avoid Portland this way by either crossing the Columbia at Astoria or farther inland at Longview, WA. It has snowed on the coast and it can get icy but it's usually OK.

When snow falls in Portland and Seattle, the world stops. I used to pop some popcorn, turn on the TV and watch Snowmageddon occur.

Or, you can keep an eye on the mountain passes in Warshington. The secret pass is highway 12--White Pass. It doesn't get as much traffic and is kept in pretty good shape because it is a two lane road and easier to plow. It is the last pass to close when storms hit. I have been told it is a scary pass for people who are not used to being in the mountains. There are some steep drop offs alongside, but the highway crew keeps it in good shape because there is a ski area at the top.

The Columbia Gorge is another way to avoid the Cascades, but it can get icy, and you have to contend with Portland if you wait to cross over into Warshington.

Carry tire chains. Sometimes they are required. More advice...if the powers that be require tire chains on ALL vehicles (including all wheel drive) it's time to get off the road and wait for the weather to improve.

[Tompan]

What would be the best route from Connecticut to Sumas in late February- early March? Head south? And then follow the routes already mentioned in this thread?

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Tompan

What would be the best route from Connecticut to Sumas in late February- early March? Head south? And then follow the routes already mentioned in this thread?

If It were me, I'd take I81 south to Nashville and then I40 west all the way to California and then up the coast. Just carry a set of chains in your car, sometimes they will not let you through the western passes unless you have a set with you.

[Tompan]

Thank you cpaharley

I am getting ready to order a set of chains for my Tundra. Looking at auto tension type chains. Can anyone recommend good simple to use? Is it necessary to have chains for front with FWD?

[cpaharley2008]

Rear only , it could mess up your front suspension. Ask the dealer what best is for the Tundra and good luck on the trip. BTW, I have not used chains since 1969 so my knowledge about them is really old.

[flynfrfun]

Originally Posted by Jack L

...One other thing to be aware of is fuel. Between Ashland Oregon and Redding California, about 150 miles, there is only one significant place to buy fuel. Yreka California is a beautiful little place with excellent eating choices, but fuel is more expensive here and in bad weather, the lines for fuel can lead to a long wait. Some times Yreka does run out of fuel. If you plan ahead and monitor the situation, you should be fine.

There is one other spot that is better (cheaper fuel) than Yreka...Weed, CA. It is about 20mi south of Yreka. Several gas stations including a truck stop with decent fuel prices. Yreka for food, Weed for gas although Weed does have fast food (Taco Bell, Burger King and Subway). My opinion...if you are just traveling thru and not looking for small town charm, then Weed is better than Yreka for a quick stop. Yreka has the small town charm that is missing in Weed if that is important to you.

[flynfrfun]

I have traveled extensively between Seattle and California on I-5 over the last 20yrs. Only once has the snow been so bad that I was delayed in the Siskiyous. Happened to be the year a friend of mine and I were towing his travel trailer. DOT required chains on the drive axle of the tow vehicle and also at least one braking axle on the trailer before they would let us proceed. It was an awful experience. They made us chain up in Ashland and drive on bare pavement all the way up to the summit of Siskiyou pass (extremely hard on the chains and the tires). Then we found out why...going down the southern side was where the snow began. Then we had to de-chain once in the lowlands and re-chain again with a final chain removal closer to Redding. Normally Medford to Redding is about 1.5-2hrs. This took us 6hrs.

[dfandrews]

A couple of addenda to previous comments re: northern CA I-5.
1) Our regular gas stops are (NB) Woodland, CA Costco, then 204 mi. miles later, Exit 738, Mt. Shasta City., CA-(Shell or Chevron), then 90 mi. to Costco Gas, Medford, OR. (or 255 mi. to Costco Gas, Eugene, OR)
2) Alternative to I5 & Siskiyou Summit (4310' elev.), depending on weather conditions, is:
At Weed, take US-97 NE right past Mt. Shasta, over Grass Lake Summit (elev.= 5101') to Klamath Falls, then north to just past Chemult, then NW on OR-58 over Willamette Pass (5128 ' elev.) back to I-5 at Eugene, OR.
Amazingly, the distance on I-5 from Weed to Eugene is 1 mi. different in length from the distance on US-97, OR-58 from Weed to Eugene.
We enjoy that route better; it's a lower stress journey (less twisty-turny), though the passes are a little higher.
Gas is at Mt. Shasta City, Klamath Falls, then Costco Gas Eugene, OR


(Edit: and as a response to an off-line peanut gallery comment: Yes, I do indeed have all the Costco Gas stops on I-5, US-101, I-10, I-40, and I-15, within 800 mi. of my home, plotted!!!)

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by flynfrfun

T
if you are just traveling thru and not looking for small town charm, then Weed is better than Yreka for a quick stop. Yreka has the small town charm that is missing in Weed if that is important to you.

When I'm just traveling through, making tracks, I don't care about charm, all I want is a quiet place to sleep before I move on.

Ron