MN to OR route?

[PM15283]

Originally Posted by Hollybee

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.

It's an rv. What's better than a trip to pick it up? Enjoy!

[Roger C H]

When we moved to Washington in 1977 Thanksgiving week, the AAA routed us through North Dakota (I-94) instead of South Dakota (I-90). When questioned, they stated that N. Dakota is more reliable with snow removal.

I-94 west of Mandan and Eastern Montana west of Glendive are very remote areas having signs, "Next exit, Ranch exit only, no services" so don't allow your fuel to get low.

Have a good trip.


Looking back at the OP, I see you have already left. Let us know how it went.

[PM15283]

Originally Posted by Roger C H

When we moved to Washington in 1977 Thanksgiving week, the AAA routed us through North Dakota (I-94) instead of South Dakota (I-90). When questioned, they stated that N. Dakota is more reliable with snow removal.

I-94 west of Mandan and Eastern Montana west of Glendive are very remote areas having signs, "Next exit, Ranch exit only, no services" so don't allow your fuel to get low.

Have a good trip.


Looking back at the OP, I see you have already left. Let us know how it went.

Started out early afternoon last Sunday, headed toward I-80 near Omaha. Stopped for the night near Lincoln, noted bad forecast in the west. Got up Monday and decided to make a left turn, forget OR, and head for AZ. BAD wind and rain for the next couple of days, until 65 and sunny Wed. in Stanton, TX. Awoke Thurs. a.m. to blowing snow and high winds again. Glad we weren't at high elevation! Same all day long with some accumulation. Arrived at destination late Friday, glad we hadn't headed West into the teeth of the storm. Next year we'll leave early Oct!

[Farther]

Originally Posted by Roger C H

When we moved to Washington in 1977 Thanksgiving week, the AAA routed us through North Dakota (I-94) instead of South Dakota (I-90). When questioned, they stated that N. Dakota is more reliable with snow removal.

Smart back then. In the 1970s, I-90 was not maintained very well at all through South Dakota no matter what the season. SD had let the maintenance go for far too long with huge holes in the concrete even exposing the rebar. Now, I-90 through SD is as good as I-94 through ND.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Talk about insulting!

Enjoy,

Perrry

To this Iowan, insults from Minnesota roll off like a dead Minnesota mosquito, on my arm after being slapped. Hey did you know what the Minnesota State bird is. You got it, a mosquito. And what do they call two dead hogs and a tractor that won’t start? Minnesota State Fair. And away we go. Incest jokes not allowed.
Iowa Dave

[Hollybee]

Still trying to decide on best overall pickup route...heading up to Chilliwack for a pickup date 4/27.. coming from Nashville TN area...
Is it best to go !-40, then up to Las Vegas & from Las Vegas to Boise..or go up to Denver and across Wyoming to ID and WA Never driven either route.

What is best route from Las Vegas to Boise?

[cpaharley2008]

The first time I took I70 over the Rockies I got altitude sickness. Now I take I40 or I90 without any issues and since these go thru major metro areas motels should be available. Coming back towing, I'd try to see some National Parks like the Badlands and Yellowstone. I'd avoid the Las Vegas tourist trap area but drive thru the desert up 395 and enter Yosemite from the east.

[Hollybee]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

The first time I took I70 over the Rockies I got altitude sickness. Now I take I40 or I90 without any issues and since these go thru major metro areas motels should be available. Coming back towing, I'd try to see some National Parks like the Badlands and Yellowstone. I'd avoid the Las Vegas tourist trap area but drive thru the desert up 395 and enter Yosemite from the east.

Thanks for the advice.

[PM15283]

Drinking lots of water before and while at altitude will prevent altitude sickness.

[Hollybee]

If we go I-40 where is best route to finally get UP to WA area

[cpaharley2008]

At Kingman, Az you can head north towards Las Vegas and then catch the aforementioned 395 towards Yosemite and from Yosemite take I-5 north

[mimie]

Recently made round trip to Chilliwack from NH (Oct 23-Nov 6).
Took I-94 & I-90 west, had some dicey roads in eastern Montana one morning, then snow was cleared/highway lanes visible again, and rest of trip west was fine. But - noted how much of a "mountain pass" I-90 has, going over the Rockies, especially down the western slopes. Mind you, I was loving the countryside, but this was NOT a sightseeing trip.
Eastbound, opted for I-80, and was very glad I'd done so. Mountain "pass" is much more gradual, both up and down, better for me, given that I was towing brand new trailer in iffy season, driving a lot at night. Tired, sometimes, too? Well, maybe a little bit
Eastern Wyoming/Nebraska not bad - the weather was kind, which helped hugely.
Bottom line - if weather/season is iffy, I-80 would be my pick.
Also, purchased road weather app I liked, called "DriveWeather". Small learning curve, and then it helped a lot, planning timing/routes.

[Hollybee]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

At Kingman, Az you can head north towards Las Vegas and then catch the aforementioned 395 towards Yosemite and from Yosemite take I-5 north

Thanks for the tips. Looks like 395 crosses I-40 further west, like near Barstow CA, not near Kingman. Where should we get to 395 in your opinion, and then where do we get off 395 to catch I-5 north

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by Hollybee

If we go I-40 where is best route to finally get UP to WA area

We made the trip from Texas to Chilliwack in mid-April to pick up our 5.0TA. From I-40 if you take 191 north to Moab, then jog west a few miles on I70 and follow 191 / 6 up to Salt Lake City, that is roughly 300 miles shorter than going west to Las Vegas and then north on I-15 to SLC. The non-interstate section is good highway and easy driving, and scenic to boot.

From SLC it's interstate all the way, 84 to 82 to 90 into Seattle. By late April you shouldn't encounter any snowy road conditions crossing over any of the mountains. We enjoyed the trip tremendously.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by Hollybee

Thanks for the tips. Looks like 395 crosses I-40 further west, like near Barstow CA, not near Kingman. Where should we get to 395 in your opinion, and then where do we get off 395 to catch I-5 north

The maps show secondary roads that connect around Las Vegas or you can stay on I40 until Barstow and then head north. The secondary roads in Nevada lead to neat little towns around the desert like Bishop and Pahrump that then connect to 395 which takes you to Yosemite,Ca and the roads exiting the park east to 99 or I-5 north.

[cpaharley2008]

Either way is fine, it's just that you are so close to so many National Parks and monuments, you want want to arrange your path to see them without towing.

[Vermilye]

While 395 is my favorite north/south route through California, be aware that there are 8000'+ passes, for example just north of Mono Lake. If it isn't summer travel, keep an eye on the weather.

[Hollybee]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Either way is fine, it's just that you are so close to so many National Parks and monuments, you want want to arrange your path to see them without towing.

Yup we're gonna stop a day aroound Gallup NM and see Petrified Forrest NP and then a full day stop on up to see Arches and Canyonlands NPs. We're lucky to also be AiRBNB hosts and have been able to reserve AirBNBs along the way, from Nashville up to Chilliwack so far. Plan to stop several places & take our time camping on the way back... with the new '21'..trip of my lifetime...and Holly's

[Hollybee]

Coming back, we gona stay near the factory at the KOA in Lyden WA, stop a nite at Olympia NP then head on down to Crater lake NP and Lava Beds NP and head on down 395ish thru Reno, then stop a day in Yosemite NP, and a day 2c Sequoia NP, a day at Death Valley NP and a 3 day stop 'driveway boondocking' at the sister's house in Scottsdale to rest up and maybe see the area..., then on to Tuscon, & LasCruces NM, stop in Alamagordo/Roswell and then thru Wichita Falls. Hot Springs AR and finally Home..what a trip! LOL now all we gotta do is find campgrounds open..we were planning to go home the 'nawthurn route' via 90 but many CGs are not open in April and early May, so we changed to plan B and will use the suthrin route.
We'll catch Yellowstone /Tetons/Badlands in warmer days...maybe summer of 2021