Route help Pacific Northwest

[Mashmaster]

In December, my wife, son, daughter, and I are driving from Austin, TX to Portland, OR to see my daughter.

We have a 31' Minnie Class C

Since it will be 3 weeks, mid-December through the first week of January weather concerns me.

We are planning on avoiding the route through Denver because of the Rockies, We have three other options that I was considering. I was thinking of doing one route going North and the other going South.

route 1, I-10 El Paso to Phoenix, then north to Vegas north to Oregon to I-84 then into Portland
route 2, I-10 El Paso to Phoenix, then north to Vegas north to Reno (US95) north to Eugene then i-5. (unsure what it is like from Reno to Eugene)
route 3, US-84 to I-40 to Albuquerque, then to Salt Lake City to Boise to Portland (I am assuming this is two hilly and snowy?)
route 4, I-10 to I-5

We are thinking that on the way home we will do the boring I-10 to I-5 route. I realize this is the safest route, also the most boring.

Anyone know the areas for the other routes that can advise to see if the other options are viable or if we should just avoid everything but route #4?

Thanks for any help.

Dave
2003 31' Minnie Class C

[Goodspike]

I'd be concerned about the weather too, such that I'd take the west then north route. Even northern Arizona can get considerable snow--I would assume northern New Mexico would be the same.

Even doing that though you could possibly encounter some snow on I-5 in Oregon.

As long as you're going all that way you might want to consider going the Oregon Coast one of the directions. Not the best time of year for weather (rain, wind, fog), but the scenery is wonderful. You could even dip into California and see some of the Redwoods. That would probably add at least 2-3 days to your travel, but like I said, as long as you're going that way . . .. I had a trip planned from WA to CA that was cancelled by Covid, and we would have come back along the coast.

Edit: If you have flexibility you could plan on I-5 north and then divert to the coast if there were snow on I-5, hoping it better on the way back. But if it were okay just go I-5 and then the coast back.

[Mashmaster]

Thanks, it looks so easy on a mapping tool.....

I am hoping to catch some of the Oregon and California Coast if possible when doing the I-5 route. I know that means heading over to US 101.

[Goodspike]

Some of the routes between I-5 and the coast have some pretty nasty hills. My wife hates hills so I was planning on cutting over to 101 at San Rafael north of Oakland, but then not getting all the way over to the coast until Eureka. I would then stay on the coast all the way up through Oregon. I'm not a big fan of the California coast--Oregon and Washington have better coastlines, IMHO.

[imnprsd]

How much time do you plan to stay in Portland?

Can you be gone longer than 3 weeks? ...Do you have time to vacation along the way?

[Mashmaster]

I'll be in Portland for 6 days.

My son is still in school and I still work so three weeks is probably about the most I can do.

[armullis]

If I were you, I would check into chains for the rear tires (if they even make them for that size tire).

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by armullis

If I were you, I would check into chains for the rear tires (if they even make them for that size tire).

Especially if you're going the more direct route! And I'd probably practice installing them before you leave so you're not learning on the side of the freeway in adverse conditions.

[Morich]

I feel part of the question has to involve what previous experience you might have. Still being a "new guy " to the local area, I can certainly tell there is a world of difference in folks who grow up with winter and what we see locally!
Also what you know about mountains and the way it changes driving and weather is going to get involved. Do you think of weather only as being something that gets colder as you go North or does your thinking involve the huge difference in elevation when speaking of winter?
More experience with driving on snow covered or slick roads will let you take a bit more risk on what the weather may do but if you are a full time local Texas guy with little to no snow driving experience, I recommend not trying to go any route other than getting West of the mountains before heading North. December in crossing the Rockies is totally different then we find in the winter here!
The trip up and back in three weeks is close to killer in my book and running into a situation where you need to swing way out of the way or lay up for a few days to let the weather pass is not any idea I recommend.
Another question is how well prepped the RV is for real winter and how well prepped do you feel on keeping things from freezing? Just locating campsites can become a real challenge after September when folks begin to call the season over.
Copy and paste:
December
Reno's coldest month is December when the average temperature overnight is 20.7°F.

[Mashmaster]

I've driven cars in the snow so I have that experience, but I know enough to know that is a different animal and will respond totally different.

I am leaning to do I-10 to I-5 and just deal with that. Thankfully my boss is pretty flexible so if it takes a little longer he won't give me a hard time.

[akeagle]

Originally Posted by armullis

If I were you, I would check into chains for the rear tires (if they even make them for that size tire).

If I was thinking of making that trip I would do my best to avoid the snowy weather. I haven't driven in the Northwest yet, but I know winter storms can pop up quickly in mountainous areas. Thus I would buy chains to have them available in a worst case scenario.

[mcfflyer]

December can be the coldest month in the Sacramento Valley, and certainly the mountains are colder. My advice would be to take I-10 out to California, but turn north on I-15 to avoid LA, a place I certainly would not want to drive my rig in Los Angeles. Take I-15 north to US395 to California 58 down into the Central Valley.. Then either 99 or I-5 north to Sacramento, I-5 north into Oregon. Greatest chance for snow will be over Siskiyou Summit at the California-Oregon border. But if this was during the summer, I’d certainly route you a different way! Safe trip!

[rgvtexan]

Check the chain laws in the state you are go to travel. Many require you to carry them in the winter months.

We have had to lay up in Weed CA, at Thanksgiving time.

Have you ever driven on Black Ice?

[dickb46]

We have Auto Socks for ours, two sets so we have 4 wheel breaking in the snow. They are light, easy to store and most of all very easy to install.

We've made two trips from Seattle to south Nevada in the winter. Both times we went from Mt Shasta to Reno then down through Nevada. The Siskiyou Summit (4300ft) is on I-5 at the Oregon/California border. The road from Mt Shasta to Reno is relatively flat and very nice. The drive from Reno to Las Vegas is very flat and pretty boring.

[paisleydale]

If it were me and I did this from my house in Southern Oregon to San Antonio and back in Dec 2018.

I would take the route thru Phoenix, Las Vegas, Reno - then stay on US 395 to OR 31 north of Lakeview, OR on to US 97. Turn S on 97 to the cut-off rd in Chemult to OR 58 which will take you to I-5 just S of Eugene, OR.

OR 58 may have snow but you will be out of soon and it is mostly down hill to I-5. And the road from Reno to US 97 is mostly high desert.

We like the back roads and I think this would be one of the shortest routes.

Just my opinion, hope you have a great trip - Dale

[Cal-L]

We live in Oregon, daughter in Austin. In Winter Route 4 is your best bet. And even at that snow in the Siskiyous on I5. The no-snow route is I5 to 20 at Williams CA. Take 20 to 101, then up through the Redwoods. Longer, slower, but beautiful. 101 back to I5 in Oregon, at several places, all good for RVs. Staying East if the Sierra is very iffy for snow in Northern CA and East of the Cascades.

[MarvinFickle]

I've lived in Oregon for nearly 30 years (currently in Eugene), and have driven the Portland to Los Angeles route several times a year for most of that time. We bought our VIA 25T in 2015, and have driven the I-5 Siskiyou Pass route in late fall or winter at least 8 times. The issue is timing. The road will often be clear of snow or ice, but you need to plan your route for a starting and ending date based on weather reports. Fortunately, they are getting better. The coastal route is beautiful, as numerous comments have mentioned. I have driven 1/101 from Berkeley to Portland in the late fall, and the rain can make the route tedious. The roads from I-5 to the coastal 101 are not recommended for RVs, as they are very narrow and mountainous. The "redwood highway" is gorgeous in Spring and Fall, but very narrow, and full of slow traffic. The other routes you mention lead to some "interesting" situations. The I-84 from Boise leads you through Ladd Canyon in Baker County and over Cabbage Hill in Pendleton. Let's just say you do not want to drive that road when it is icy, and semis are rolling through at maximum speed. Lethal. Another route from Reno takes you over Donner Pass at Soda Springs/Norden. Great place to cross county ski. Can be rough when the snow is 2 feet deep between lanes. I've driven it many times in a VW bus in winter; I was young and foolish. Tried to time it in the RV last winter, but opted out and went through LA. Of course, the Grapevine (I-5 north of Santa Clarita) can get very icy and windy, not a good match for RVs. Flexibility is paramount; risk taking with a motorhome (or any vehicle) is not wise. Another issue to consider is that you may need to winterize your RV once you head north, as temperatures can drop precipitously on several of the routes you are considering. Good Luck!

[Mashmaster]

OK, seems like the I-10 to I-5 route will be the route to take for us. I have family in El Paso, north Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Portland. So, might boondock at their houses along the way. We have a reservation in Portland for 5 nights. On the way back, I may do the Oregon and Northern California coast, then stop to see my boss in San Jose. (Does that mean I can write off the trip? LOL)

[Shedboy]

Agree w Goodspike. I round trip Colorado to Oregon every 3 months in 24’ Navion Class C. Plan on your Route 4, I-10 to I-5, it's the safest. Check I-5 Siskiyou Pass (Ashland, OR) at the CA/OR border. Change to more scenic routes if weather permits. Wind and ice are frequent on all other routes also steep grades. Semi trucks lose control or are swept of the highway by the wind on I80/84 during the winter months. On occasion these routes are closed. Lots of windmills on these routes! I have taken HWY40 occasionally to avoid northern winter conditions.

Reconsider I25 thru Denver, as second choice if weather permits. HWY 25 is in good condition and well maintained, likewise for HWY 84 thru WY/ID. Places to check-out before leaving – 1. Raton Pass @ NM/CO border, snow, has no shoulder 2. Avoid I25 Denver to Ft Collins @ rush hour, take HWY 287 Ft Collins to Larimie WY (HWY84) shortcut, 3. Rawlins WY to SLC can be very bad with ice and wind, La Grande to Pendelton OR (Caggabe Hill) long steep treacherous when snowy.

Route 1 –Route fm Vegas to I-84 (Columbia River George via hwy 95). Don’t know if you plan HWY 95 or 395? If 95, Check ice on Cabbage Hill, Hwy 84 Meacham Pass into Pendelton OR and west wind Pendelton through Columbia River George reduces gas mileage significantly. Steep hill between La Grade and Pendelton, have seen semi’s blown off the hwy when it ices over.

HWY 395 to Carson City to Hwy 80 to Hwy 5 Better route, check Donner Pass (CA) and Siskiyou Pass at the CA/OR border for snow. HWY 5 through Canyonville (casino), Medford and Grants Pass, Roseburg OR has 3 summits over 3,000’ often snow with semi’s chaining up. .

Route 2 – Reno to Eugene, Carry extra gas, not much out there, just Lakeview, OR, has two gas stations, high plains then pine forest, Skip Eugene, go to Bend OR then HWY20/22 to HWY5 to Portland. Long, loney 1 lane in each direction w occasional semi traffic. East Sierra Nevada foothills on the west, highland “dry” lakes on the east. Couple of very small towns deserted for the winter. Avoid HWY 140 in OR, very steep downgrade w multiple switchbacks.

[Jrb46]

I can tell you that in winter you will most likely have snow on I-5. I have traveled that freeway more times than I can count, from the Bay Area to Medford, Corvallis, and Portland. Fortunately I had a 4 wheel drive truck. Been caught in a snow storm in Weed where 5 was closed for a day. Traveled with four wheel drive on from Redding to Medford. Going down hill from top of pass to Medford was a white knuckle many times due to ice. Oregon won’t let you over the pass without chains if you don’t have 4 wheel drive. The Oregon coast is NOT as beautiful as Calif. Beaches are small and wind. Lincoln City and Gold Beach are probably the best place to visit.