We hope to be traveling to California/Arizonia next winter for a couple months. Will be leaving Canada in January and traveling I15 all the way. Anyone else done this trip in January and is there anything we should be looking out for and is there any alternate routes to avoid any potential high snow fall areas? I'm used to driving in winter weather, but if I can avoid it, would be a more pleasant drive. Where do people stay along the way? Is diesel hard to find along the way?
2008 Chev 1 Ton Dually Crewcab Duramax, Banks Speedbrake and IQ
2008 KZ Escalade 37REB
Diesel is very easy to get all along I5...
Jan. you risk snow at the passes and even road closures - Grants Pass and through the Siskisyous in S. Oregon and into N. Calif....You can even has some ice and snow through the low lands at times.
Oregon requires that you carry chains at all times.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."
GMC Duramax LBZ
Komfort
Reese Dual Cam HP Our Rig Picture...CLICK HERE
Interstate highways are all heavily traveled by trucks that use diesel fuel. Of course nobody can predict weather nine months in advance so just check local weather near when you'll be leaving. Interstate highways are always the last to close and the first to get opened again so alternate routes are probably not an option unless you take a different interstate highway. Good luck and enjoy the trip.
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
Troy we have traveled it many times, in all the winter months. We have seen good weather and roads, and we have seen the worst of the worst. Just check the weather forcasts plenty before you travel, as I-15 has many different elevations between Coutts and Mesquite. Take your time and enjoy the drive. It is a great road when the conditions are right. Don't worry about fuel stops, there are plenty. Macktee
downtheroad wrote: Diesel is very easy to get all along I5...
Jan. you risk snow at the passes and even road closures - Grants Pass and through the Siskisyous in S. Oregon and into N. Calif....You can even has some ice and snow through the low lands at times.
Oregon requires that you carry chains at all times.
Me thinks you are talking about another interstate. I15 goes through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, does not come close to Washington, Oregon or California.
Travel on I15 in winter changes from day to day. You have to remember that most of I15 after Butte MT is anywhere from 4000 feet to 6500 feet in elevation with some passes even higher.
downtheroad wrote: Diesel is very easy to get all along I5...
Jan. you risk snow at the passes and even road closures - Grants Pass and through the Siskisyous in S. Oregon and into N. Calif....You can even has some ice and snow through the low lands at times.
Oregon requires that you carry chains at all times.
Me thinks you are talking about another interstate. I15 goes through Montana, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, does not come close to Washington, Oregon or California.
Travel on I15 in winter changes from day to day. You have to remember that most of I15 after Butte MT is anywhere from 4000 feet to 6500 feet in elevation with some passes even higher.
He mistook I15 for I5, which he mentioned in his post. I think I15 ends in California though.
downtheroad wrote: Diesel is very easy to get all along I5...
Jan. you risk snow at the passes and even road closures - Grants Pass and through the Siskisyous in S. Oregon and into N. Calif....You can even has some ice and snow through the low lands at times.
Oregon requires that you carry chains at all times.
Macktee wrote: Troy we have traveled it many times, in all the winter months. We have seen good weather and roads, and we have seen the worst of the worst. Just check the weather forcasts plenty before you travel, as I-15 has many different elevations between Coutts and Mesquite. Take your time and enjoy the drive. It is a great road when the conditions are right. Don't worry about fuel stops, there are plenty. Macktee
What he said!! I have found the worst places for roads to be between Butte, MT and Idaho Falls, ID. However, there are alway reliable weather forecasts so just sit tight for a couple of days if they look bad.
If you are in an RV, there are a number of campgrounds open once you get south of Great Falls. We often stay in Helena the first night at the Lincoln Road RV Park.
I have driven I-15 from Coutts Alberta to Las Vegas the past 2 Januarys. I live in Lethbridge and look for a 2 day window of nice weather. This year the trip was great. No snow anywhere. Last year (2011) the worst area was the Monida. Blowing snow and poor visibility. You can also avoid Butte by cutting off at Boulder, Mt and getting back on to I-15 at Dillon, Mt. Nice highway with valleys and no passes. If weather is good its an easy 2 day drive. If you don't want to drive through Salt Lake, cut off at Pocatello, Id and cross into Nevada at Jackpot. Also a good highway.
Offline
