[Ronald]

Chuck, I have no idea of your winter driving skills, but there is a decent percentage of the population that drives in the winter. Those folks live in snowy regions and snow rarely impacts their ability to travel. It does require good judgment, and some skills which people usually only get through experience. If you lack the experience of driving on slick surfaces, wait until they are cleared. Stick to interstates and leave an abundance of time in your schedule so you can remain parked until roads are cleared.

For several years most of the travel we did in our first bus was in the winter, up north doing trade shows to a schedule. The bus will handle snow very well, but as a driver you have to adjust for greatly increased stopping distances and be ever alert to any slippage, either sideways or the drive tires breaking loose. If those conditions are experienced you have to react quickly and correctly.

Along the way you are going to get elevation changes and if you have any concerns about crossing mountains wait until the roads are clear. I think some states require you to have chains, but I do not know if they have to be on the vehicle. I would not want chains on my bus. I do not see any reason to not go direct, as long as you are willing to adjust when you drive to match your ability to handle driving on snow covered roads.

[Archived]

Thanks Jon. Always good advice

[Michael]

We’ve been across Snoqualmie Pass several times in the summer but would not like to drive it in winter. Linda

[Archived]

Wyoming,idaho and Washington state all may require chains on certain passes and signage will be displayed when required. This includes many passes on I90.

If planning to go through many north west states, you should be carrying chains for drive tires or you may not be allowed over some passes during inclement weather.

As for driving out there, large trucks run those passes everyday. As jon said, be extra cautious, track weather, watch road sings and be prepared. Give yourself extra time to complete your trip, never know when passes may be shutdown for a period of time.

[Archived]

I would take I80 to Salt Lake, then I84 to Portland, and finally I5 to Seattle. There could be nasty weather anywhere along that route but you will avoid having to cross the Cascades via Snoqualmie Pass. Advice already given regarding weather watching is important. ORDOT, WADOT have good road advisories. The one grade that you will want to watch is Cabbage Hill (aka Emigrant Pass, Deadman Hill) between Baker City, OR and Pendleton, OR. 6% with lots of curves. Keep speed to a minimum (35-40) and try to cross during daylight. It is wide and well maintained but seems to catch trucks or motorists even in the summer.

I just bought a pair of “Snow Socks” from Prevost. $139. These are approved by Canadian and US authorities as traction devices. They slip on easily. Restricted speed is 20 mph but if you need them you probably shouldn’t be driving any faster. Come in a carry pouch, will not damage your bus if they were to come apart.

Enjoy the trip and be safe

Doug

[Chas]

I agree with Doug, normally I would say run 80 to 25 up to 90 but this past year 90 is ripped up with construction from Missoula west to Lookout Mtn and thru Coeur d’lene it was one lane most of the way in SEPT.

You have to use common sense and watch the black ice. Short days so I would be on the road by light and off by dark. I don’t know your driving habits so I won’t say more than that. When you get past Scottsbluff NE and the world changes it’s a great ride any time of year.

Just an FYI if you go this way when you come down Cabbage Hill and you clear the last curve and you can see the town of Pendleton OR off in the distance down below stay out of the left lane if you see trucks coming up behind you. You can see the bottom from this point and if guys are in trouble with hot brakes they will turn it loose at this point and when they pass they won’t be doing 70mph. Give them room.

The Wildhorse casino in Pendleton is a good overnight stop.

Enjoy yourself.

Later

bv

[Walter]

I84 was the most sketchiest road I’ve ever been on in the coach. Good thing I let tam drive as we got into oregon, and she got to deal with coming down into pendleton 🙂

Hmm, maybe that’s why I was worried?

Snoqualmie isn’t bad if it’s open, and lookout and 4th of july pass aren’t that bad, again, if they are open.

No matter what, track weather and only run when their isn’t weather and during day light hours.

Or park the coach, rent a car and get a room at the kimpton alexis hotel in the downtown area 🙂

[Archived]

Would a CB radio help? Being to talk to the truckers and get first hand knowledge of what lies ahead?

[Ronald]

Truckers are too busy texting or talking on their cell phones. Not many using a CB anymore.

Won’t a smart phone give access to road condition reports?

[Chuck]

We have a CB on this coach as we did with the other. It has come in handy during traffic back-ups and a time or two when I needed info about a certain hwy.

There is not much chatter to listen to, it stays quiet for a L O N G time.

Safe travels,

Mark

[Archived]

Thanks again everyone and will give you an update as we travel.

[David]

1. watch the weather

2. keep fuel tank full. ( roads close for long periods. temps can drop to well into the negative numbers )

3 . when temps are going be very cold. use no.1 fuel

4. dont be in a rush take your time. be a defensive driver.

5. I personally wouldn’t shut her down when it’s going to be in the single digits

6. I would also have the generator running, things dont seem work when it below 0

7 I would stay on the interstate roads

8. I would take 80/90 across to 94

just my thoughts and things I would do.. I sure there would some who disagree .

[Dick]

I can tell you that as far as 9pm on 12/16, all of I 90 and I94 in ND and SD are clear of any snow/ice from Minneapolis to Billings. The snow has been

to the south in Ks, etc. We have been having temps in the low 40’s all week and expect to be nice thru x/mass. I just drove from eastern SD to Billings and back and had dry roads the whole way.

[Archived]

How lucky can you get I did not have to make the trip and looking at the weather systems coming across the US I am thankful I did not.

Just in case I have made note of the suggested routes for future use

[Archived]

If the roads are snowy or icy don’t be the first one out, let the other guys break up the snow with their chains. Before it get dark and the temps drop find some place to park. If chains are required on the tires I wait it out, I do carry chains. We have a company here in the West call Les Schwab and if you buy chains and don’t use them you can return them at the end of the season. The worst park of I84 for me is La Grande to Pendelton.