When we start fulltiming we will probably be spending the last part of October in the Vancouver area, and was just wondering about the best routes to head south in the begining of November.
Also would we be required to have chains for the Motorhome at that time of the year.
No matter what avoid I5 south of the OR/CA border. It is terrible.
I5 South to Portland, US26/US97 south to Lapine US31 south east connecting to US395 toward Susanville and Reno.Follow US95 south to Las Vegas.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All
Last fall we had to detour around the Siskiyou Mountains Or/CA borderborder, going to the coast and down 101 on Nov 5th. We live 70 miles North of Seattle. My preferred route is now down I5 to Lost Hills, in central Cal., then over 46 to Bakersfield, East on 58, down through Palm Dale, 138 to, 15 to, 215 to, 210 to, 10 to Palm Springs and on to the East Valley of Phoenix.
We had been running central CA valley on 99, however it is getting ruff again. We came up it last week to meets another Cardinal owner for lunch.
That time of year one detours to the coast to avoid bad weather, not farther inland. We have been over the Siskiyou's the only day that week it did not snow - on April 1st, and once it snow the next day. This year we came over on Friday last week on a nice sunny day, and it has snowed a lot this week. We are going after Christmas this year and will watch tripcheck closely for weather conditions.
Let know if want suggestions on places to stop overnight.
We use a simular route as SMOKING 1127
leaving from Vancouver BC
Only, we switch over to hwy 99 from I-5 at exit 472 in Stockton on hwy 4
Then 99 to Bakerfield 58 to 395 to 15 to 215 to I-10
As for weather we leave Jan 1st/2cn and so far, in the last 9 years have had no problems crossing the Siskiyou Mountains guess there will always be a first time
As for chains I heard it is now the law to carry them in the RV
A1B00902 wrote: We use a simular route as SMOKING 1127
leaving from Vancouver BC
Only, we switch over to hwy 99 from I-5 at exit 472 in Stockton on hwy 4
Then 99 to Bakerfield 58 to 395 to 15 to 215 to I-10
As for weather we leave Jan 1st/2cn and so far, in the last 9 years have had no problems crossing the Siskiyou Mountains guess there will always be a first time
As for chains I heard it is now the law to carry them in the RV
Try I5 from Stockton to Lost Hills. We missed our turn and did it by mistake in the fall. Good road now, nice new smooth pavement with slight bumps under the overpasses, where they do not repave, as it effects the clearance. It is a much easier drive than the 99 rat race!
Also before you get down to 10 on the 215 just past University take the 210 East along the foothills and drop onto 10 farther East. Avoids the remaining construction on 215 just North of 10, and keeps you off part on the 10 rat race.
Palm Dale --- I learned a new way to navigate Palm Dale. Do not exit onto Palm Dale Ave to head East! Go two miles farther South to Avenue S and skirt the South side of Palm Dale and connect back up with 138 at the SouthEast corner of town. Chris
* This post was
edited 04/15/12 07:25am by Snoking1127 *
We take US97 south to Weed, CA. Then I-5 to Lost Hills, SR46 to US99, to SR58 and connect with either I-15 or I-40 at Barstow, CA, depending on where we are heading.
From Needles, CA, 95 on the AZ side of the river is the preferred rout south to I-10.
Depending on the weather, we sometimes take I-82, I-84 to Twin Falls, ID, US93, SR318 to Las Vegas. US93 from Las Vegas to Phoenix.
The DOTs of WA, OR, CA, ID, NV all operate very good web-sites, providing real time weather information.
In 15 years, traveling these routes in December and April, we have never found it necessary to go all the way to the Oregon coast (101). The OR and CA DOTs do an excellent job of keeping I-5 open over the Siskiyous. If the weather is really awful east of the Cascades, we take I-5 All the way from Portland south.
I wouldn't avoid I-5. Just drove it three weeks ago. Several improvements made in CA the past few years. Stockton area is probably the worst but you are going in a straight line. Take I-5 to Lost Hills, take SR46 (Wasco cutoff) to 99. Go through Bakersfield on SR58 (stop at "The Orange Grove" for night-popular overnight. Continue on 58 through Mojave desert to AZ 95. Go south to I-10 then East towards Phoenix. If going to Yuma, you could keep going South on 95 towards Yuma or cut South from SR58 and go through Palm Springs and then down along Salton Sea TO I-8.
Two things worth noting: The Siskiyous can be you biggest challenge depending on time of year. Use tripcheck.com to give you guidance for snow and pass closings here. If snow is bad and long term you can cut over to coast (Eugene) would be my choice. Take 101 down and cut over near Clear Lake in Ca to get back to I-5. Try to avoid going further South on I-5 beyond Lost Hills. Road is horrible all the way to the grapevine. Our china vanity sink cracked in half three weeks ago after vanity cabinet was forced open due to massive bumps and something heavy fell out and cracked bowl in half. Gorilla tape covered us for rest of trip.
One more thing, avoid Seatlle during rush hour and take I-205 around Portland.
I have been driving from Seattle to AZ since 1985 on vacations (in-laws lived in AZ) and SnowBirding for last 5 years. I suppose I've driven every route imaginable both coming and going. Years ago the most important criteria was speed--I wanted to get there in the shortest time possible. Now, the most important criteria for DW and I is relaxed driving, i.e. taking our time, no traffic, things to see, places to visit, etc. So it depends on what your criteria is. If you want the shortest driving time, head south on I-5 then east into AZ. Any road will get you there. If you want to take your time, try Calif Hwy 395 (maybe thru Yosemite if Tioga pass is open) and visit Mono Lake, June Lake, Bodie (ghost town) and then thru Death Valley into Las Vegas and then into AZ. Or you might consider driving to Portland OR and head east on I-84 to Twin Falls ID and then south on Hwy 93 to Jackpot and into Las Vegas and then AZ. Or drive down to Sacramento and get on Hwy 99 and see Yosemite and Sequoia National Park; continue south on 99 onto I40, I10 or I8 and head east to AZ. There is so much to see and do in this country, I never could understand why people want to take the shortest route possible...but I guess I was like that once. But as I get older, I want to enjoy the time I have left and that means not driving by the clock. Whatever you decide, Good Luck.
I-5 to I-405 at Lynwood, WA. Then east on I-90 to Ellensburg. Then SE on I-84 to Twin Falls, Idaho. Then S. on US 93 to Ely, NV (don't forget to see the train museum). TheN continue on US93 to the intersection with I-15 in AZ. West to Las Vegas then then S. into AZ.
This is, by far, my favorite route and it give you several casinos to stay at free (and eat at cheap) along the way. US93 in NV often has wild horses to watch along the way. It also avoids CA with its amazingly high fuel prices. Fuel in Idaho is about as cheap as you'll find it in western USA except perhaps WY.
Only caveat is that there are several mountain passes (Snoqualmie Pass, three grades to Yakima from Ellensburg, and the Blue Mtns in Oregon. If you wait too long these can be problematic due to weather.
Try not to drive at night. Watch for mule deer on US93 south of Jackpot, NV.
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