I'm transferring from Whidbey, WA to Jacksonville, FL in Mid-Oct. Looking at three different routes to get there, I-80 or I-5 to I-40 or I-10. I'm pulling a 5er with a wife and 3 kids. Parents are squawking about I-80 weather conditions mid-Oct. I didn't think they were that terrible, but what's the odds of getting stuck due to weather? and, If this was you, which route would you take, I-80 across to IL, and then south, or I-5 down through CA, then I-40 or I-10 across?
Thanks for all the input in advance.
I did a 9100 mile round trip this summer from Florida to B/C and WA Coast. For a nice scenic route I'd go: I-84 (along Columbia River Basin) to I-15, to Highway 6 (a few steep grades but with passing lanes) at Provo to I-70 east to Highway 191 (one of most beautiful roads I have been on) then South through Moab (overnight and have dinner in Moab if possible and you have to drive through Arches NP if you haven't seen) you continue on 191 into AZ and you have several more Parks enroute as well as Monument Valley that can be quick drive throughs), then I-40 to Indian Nation Turnpike east of OK City then south to I-20 East, then South again on I-49 to I-10, make sure you take the I-12 By-Pass or you go through NOLA, then merge back onto I-10 into Florida. It is not much different in mileage than the shortest route but very scenic until you hit I-40. Plenty of Campgrounds enroute, you should be able to get into any at last minute.
My .02 worth would be that you shouldn't have any problems coming across 80 in October, with the possible exception of mountain terrain, I suppose. Anything on the flatlands should be fine, unless a real freaky weather situation came up.
I'd take 40, considering your time frame. By mid-October, a lot of campgrounds in the northern states (including many of those through which I-80 goes) start closing for the season, so you might have more trouble finding available places to stay. (And with kids, the Wally World parking lots will get old fast.) Otherwise, I agree that 80 wouldn't be a problem.
Forgetting the weather, the 80 over Donner Pass (Sacramento to Reno) is in my opinion the worst kept road in the Western US. I've been on gravel roads that were smoother. At 50mph it will rattle everything that can rattle, and loosen the fillings in your teeth. Once over the pass it is a decent road. But for that hour I would pick another route. The 40 is a great road, but you might hit snow in the Flagstaff area. However, you could plan on the 40, and if the weather turns sour, head South on the 95 (a good two lane highway) thru Wickenberg, to the 10. The 10 is good, but you really want to miss the part that goes through LA and Riverside.
The best way to minimize weather impacts would be to stay west as long as you can, then head south. In other words, take I-5 to LA, then I-10 all the way across.
Without even bothering to check with Google or other sources, it would seem to me that this route would be several hundred miles longer than the shortest route, which would be I-84 to I-86 to Salt Lake City, then I-80 east, or US 6 from SLC down to I-70 and then across. FYI if weather is impending, I-80 is just as bad as I-70, even though the former goes through less mountainous terrain.
From Denver, you can choose to make your drop south right there at I-25 (to I-40), or cross the plains to KC or St Looie and then head southeast. I think the best option is:
I-84 to Twin Falls/Pocatello, then SE on I-86 to SLC. South on I-15 to US 6, to Green River via Price, and east on I-70 to Grand Junction and Denver (this stretch between SLC and Denver is SPECTACULAR). Take I-70 east to KC (stop for some barbecue!) and thence to St. Louis. From there, several options exist. I would take I-35 south to Memphis and then I-40 east through Tennessee, then south through Chattanooga and Atlants. Beautiful trip, especially in the fall.
We and many others like us will wait until October or even November to take trips in the Rockies. You should just keep an eye on the weather so as not to wake up to a surprise, but you have the opportunity to see so much and have no crowds and the heat for the most part should be gone.
The odds are in your favor and for the snow, if it does come is usually gone the same day.
See if you can get by Yellowstone, Cody, the Black Hills, the St Louis Arch, Nashville, Stone Mountain and maybe Destin on the way it should be a great trip.
I grew up in a military family and we would take three weeks every 2 years changing duty stations and I still remember those trips.(must have gone more often as we crossed the country 11 times before I graduated High School) What your kids will experience on this trip they don’t and can’t teach in school.
Take 5 pictures every time you think about taking one and you will still wish you had taken more. The kids will love this and talk about it forever.
JMHO,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll be leaving here in about a month, so hopefully along the way I'll find some WiFi access and check in.
If anyone has any other ideas, suggestions, or opinions, please let me know, as I am sure there are more out there....
Whatever way you go, avoid all or as much of I-40 as you can. It has many, many areas typically around major cities where the road is simply horrible - jar the fillings out of your teeth! I did it this past summer and will find another way next time.
You didn't mention taking 80 all the way to I-77. I-77 is pretty bad as well through WVa and VA. Plus you have to pay a toll to get bounced all over the road. Don't know where the money is going but it is horrible as well let alone having to pay for the torture. Just wanted to offer that.
Routes suggested already sound very interesting. But I'd decide between I-80 and the southern route on I-10. Lots of possibilities and many great sites to take advantage of along the way. I don't envy having to make those decisions. But it will be a great trip just the same.
I-10 has the least amount of bad road (eastern Tx-western La). I-80 over Donner Pass is the worst in US, with I-40 east of OK City is the second worst.
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