Baltimore to Seattle roadtrip: what's the best route?

[grlpwrd]

Hi,

I usually just lurk here and take notes.

I am planning to take a road trip back to Seattle for Thanksgiving and I know it will take up to 3 days to get there. If any of you have made a similar trip, please post and let me know your route.

I have already checked online routing websites. I look forward to the opinions of DIS'ers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[bavaria]

the 'best route' is the one in the sky!

I-90? Doesn't that go aaaaaaaaallllllllllll the way across the country? I've only driven it from Seattle to eastern WA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_90

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

The BEST route to take most of the time will be I-80 most of the way.

For you that means taking I-70 west out of Baltimore until you reach Breezewood, Pennsylvania where you pick up the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the Ohio Turnpike to the Indiana Toll Road to the Tri-State Tollway in Illinois. Shortly after arriving in Illinois I-80 will leave the tollway and you'll be FREE riding the rest of the way. You'll follow I-80 across Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming until you get to Salt Lake City, Utah. At that juncture you take I-15 north to I-84 west all the way to northern Oregon where you now use I-82 to connect you into Washington State up to I-90 for the remainder of the journey into Seattle.

You have to watch the weather closely as your trip date approaches because winter storms can happen in late November which could render parts of this route impossible. A snowstorm can happen anywhere but certainly Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming are more susceptible.

I would avoid I-90 because it's further north and more mountainous but there could be times that route is better than I-80 if there is a storm further south. Likewise I-70 from Youngstown and then through Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City and Denver is a more southerly route but more out of the way but provides you a backup plan if I-80 is problematic on your travel days. But I think overall I-80 is your best bet.

You're looking at 3 very LONG travel days!

BobK/Orlando

 

[ducklite]

I agree with Bob, especially about the weather and the length of that drive. I've done that route several times, and it's a long, long, long, and very, very, very boring drive from Youngstown to Utah. One you get to Utah the scenary is GORGEOUS through to Seattle.

One thing about Bob's routing is that he's taking you all the way to SLC, and the slightly faster route is turning onto 30 while still in WY, then following that to 15 to 86 to 84.

I'm not sure that the average person who isn't used to doing a lot of driving will be able to make that run in three days. It works out to 12-15 hours a day of driving, and that's with making minimal stops to get fuel and eat. That also doesn't take into account traffic volume, bad weather, an accident blocking the road, or getting behind slow moving trucks.

I have three pieces of advice:

1. Pack a blanket or two, plus some water and juice boxes, and some snacks like granola bars and such. This time of the year it's very possible that you'll hit a sudden snow squall that will force you to pull over for a few hours.

2. Do not let your gas tank go under 1/4 full. On some of those roads, gas stations can be few and far between.

3. Get a CB radio. The truckers can be amusing to listen to, and they will be happy to give the "four wheeler" help in getting around traffic jams and such by taking side roads. They will also know how far it is to the next truck stop/gas station. You can also use channel 9 on your CB to call for help in areas that you might not have ell service. Channel 9 is usually monitored by the state and/or local police.

Have a great trip and be safe!

 

[tiki23]

I'd take I-84 west all the way into Portland, then hit I-5 all of the way to Seattle. You'll have less chance of bad weather traveling west of the Cascades (I-5) then east of the Cascades (I-82 to I-90)

 

[CPer'sMom]

I have three pieces of advice:

I just have one piece of advice ~

If you are only going for Thanksgiving, please consider flying!! November is not the best month for a cross-country trip along the northern route.

 

[grlpwrd]

Thank you!

Now I am reconsidering going. lol Seriously, my dh urged me not to try it, but stubborn me just had to push for it. Please keep in mind I am from Hawaii and I don't always think of those kinds of things, like weather and obstacles.

I want to make it for my cousin's wedding and to be with family, but it is also because one of my lifelong dreams is to visit 50 states before I am 50. Looks like it will be a while.

My dh and his brother already made this trip recently (almost to the T of what Bob posted), but it was in late summer. I think he will be pleased to know I am seriously reconsidering. In fact, I just called my relatives that I might cancel my plans.

Oh well, perhaps during the spring...