Best driving route Seattle to DLR?

[allgrownup]

We haven't decided for sure, but might be driving rather than flying. Our trip is scheduled for March 21-28. IF we can borrow rather than rent a vehicle, we will have 4 licensed drivers to share the duties.

Suggestions for easiest/sanest route?

Thanks!

 

[GIGI&MIMI]

I5

 

[Whidbey5]

We usually drive from just north of Seattle to Disneyland. We get on I-5 and head south! It's a long drive, but we can usually get it done in two very full days (stop overnight in Medford OR). I have to warn you that the stretch of I-5 from just south of Sacramento to LA is long and boooorrrrrring.

We're flying in December, which makes me a little sad. I love a good road trip.

 

[Jennifer in WA]

We've driven from Seattle to LA area every other year for Christmas. We usually leave about noon and get to Redding, CA about 11pm or so. We stay the night there. Then, we leave about 8am the next day and get to LA about 6pm or so. We only stop for bathroom breaks and to grab food. It's really not that bad, but yes...very boring when you leave the Sacramento area. We do it with 4 kids, too. Thank goodness for a DVD player in the van! Going home we do about the same thing....staying in the same hotel in Redding.

 

[garate55]

Haven't done it yet but I have talked about it. Wife thinks I am nuts. After Sacramento you could head over to 101 and take the coast down. It will be slower but a nicer drive.
Oh, you said safe........well better rethink that one.
This only adds about 2.5 hrs but it might be worth the sanity savings.

We drive from Seattle to Redding/Chico area for family. The drive between Portland and Eugene is long and boring, I know Sacramento to LA is alot longer.

 

[trodrigue]

We also do I-5, and love that boring old stretch because traffic tends to flow at about 75, which really makes the trip shorter. Honestly, we did stop overnight in Redding last time, but plan, if we drive again, to just switch drivers and go all the way through. Hate to waste the time and money at a hotel.

The Best Western in Redding rocks though. Great breakfast!

 

[jlmarr]

Here's what Mapquest had to say (the steps required to get to I-5 omitted):

5: Merge onto I-5 S via the exit on the LEFT (Passing through OREGON, then crossing into CALIFORNIA). 1161.5 mi

6: Take the HARBOR BLVD exit, EXIT 110A. 0.3 mi

7: Turn RIGHT onto S HARBOR BLVD. 0.1 mi

8: End at 1313 S Harbor Blvd Anaheim, CA 92802

If you get to the US-Mexico then you missed your exit. (my comment)

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We've done that drive 3 times in the past 3 years and dh and i usually drive straight through. We've only spent the night once out of the 6 times one way. We drive striaght down I-5 and it has taken us anywhere from 18 hours to 23 hours depending on traffic. We like to drive through the night when we head down and then drive in the day when we return home.

With 4 drivers, I'd drive straight through down I-5.

 

[allgrownup]

Here's what Mapquest had to say (the steps required to get to I-5 omitted):

5: Merge onto I-5 S via the exit on the LEFT (Passing through OREGON, then crossing into CALIFORNIA). 1161.5 mi

6: Take the HARBOR BLVD exit, EXIT 110A. 0.3 mi

7: Turn RIGHT onto S HARBOR BLVD. 0.1 mi

8: End at 1313 S Harbor Blvd Anaheim, CA 92802

If you get to the US-Mexico then you missed your exit. (my comment)

OK, since the trip will involve 4 college seniors on spring break, they would probably NOT point out the exit sign and be perfectly fine with ending up at the border. Heh.

 

[allgrownup]

We've done that drive 3 times in the past 3 years and dh and i usually drive straight through. We've only spent the night once out of the 6 times one way. We drive striaght down I-5 and it has taken us anywhere from 18 hours to 23 hours depending on traffic. We like to drive through the night when we head down and then drive in the day when we return home.

With 4 drivers, I'd drive straight through down I-5.

I am really interested in driving straight through on the way down and doing some highway 101 on the way back. The biggest block will be the rental vs. borrowing a vehicle. Cost effectiveness would be lost at having to put four 21yo alternate drivers on the rental agreement.

 

[allgrownup]

We also do I-5, and love that boring old stretch because traffic tends to flow at about 75, which really makes the trip shorter. Honestly, we did stop overnight in Redding last time, but plan, if we drive again, to just switch drivers and go all the way through. Hate to waste the time and money at a hotel.

The Best Western in Redding rocks though. Great breakfast!

Thanks for the hotel idea. A great breakfast is a definite plus with this gang!

 

[bumbershoot]

Sanest route in March when there'll still be snow in the passes?

Flying.


I used to drive when in college ALL the time. Not to Anaheim, but to the Bay Area b/c that's where I'm from. At that time there was construction all through the Siskyous.

And I just can't do it anymore, it's too scary. I guess I liked the slower speeds and single lanes with blockades all around, and having the normal speeds and no blockades frightens me!

 

[allgrownup]

Sanest route in March when there'll still be snow in the passes?

Flying.


I used to drive when in college ALL the time. Not to Anaheim, but to the Bay Area b/c that's where I'm from. At that time there was construction all through the Siskyous.

And I just can't do it anymore, it's too scary. I guess I liked the slower speeds and single lanes with blockades all around, and having the normal speeds and no blockades frightens me!

lol, considering three of us are from Alaska, one from Colorado, and one from northern Washington state, I'm not sure snow in the passes will be much of a problem, but I will keep that in mind if I have to do all the driving!

 

[evilprncess96]

I used to regularly drive from LA to Seattle and back. Driving at night makes the drive much more enjoyable. There is a lot less traffic all around.

 

[dalepool]

I-5, near Vancouver, Washingtion, junctions with 205. 205 will by pass down town Portland. I would suggest using that route. It will connect back with I-5 near Wilsonville. Have a wonderful trip. I so not think you will run into any snow over the passes at that time of year.

Patty

 

[allgrownup]

I-5, near Vancouver, Washingtion, junctions with 205. 205 will by pass down town Portland. I would suggest using that route. It will connect back with I-5 near Wilsonville. Have a wonderful trip. I so not think you will run into any snow over the passes at that time of year.

Patty

Thank you. I hope this all pans out, I'm getting excited for the drive.......Oh, and I guess DLR will be fun, too.

 

[tortugaverde]

I-5, near Vancouver, Washingtion, junctions with 205. 205 will by pass down town Portland. I would suggest using that route. It will connect back with I-5 near Wilsonville. Have a wonderful trip. I so not think you will run into any snow over the passes at that time of year.

Patty

This is a good idea, Portland traffic can be pretty crazy. Seattle is the worst though (in my opinion... I am native to Western Washington) so be sure to not travel through there during peak hours!

Weed CA is always a fun place to stop, just for the fun of it. There is a great little tourist trap area right off the freeway.

A note on taking 101 on the way back. It is very beautiful (especially the stretch where I currently reside, northern CA souther OR) but it is very SLOW. The road is old and curvy. You will travel through some great towns north of San Fran... but it is a slow road. If you get behind a semi or a motorhome there is limited opportunity to pass. Just an FYI

Have a great trip, and drive CAREFUL!

 

[ylatan]

5 goes right thru portland, so i wouldn't bother messing with 205.

if you are experienced with snow, i guess that would be ok. we moved to portland from texas in november a few years ago, and having never driven in snow, driving on those snowy passes was kind of scary. my mom also had on flip flops, because hay, we are from texas! it is funny now, but at the time, just a bit stressful.

eta, the traffic is just as bad on 205 as it is on 5, IME.

 

[jlmarr]

If you get off the I-5 in Yreka, CA, could you check to see if there really is a Yreka Bakery? I've always been curious. (It's a palindrome.)

 

[allgrownup]

This is a good idea, Portland traffic can be pretty crazy. Seattle is the worst though (in my opinion... I am native to Western Washington) so be sure to not travel through there during peak hours!

Weed CA is always a fun place to stop, just for the fun of it. There is a great little tourist trap area right off the freeway.

A note on taking 101 on the way back. It is very beautiful (especially the stretch where I currently reside, northern CA souther OR) but it is very SLOW. The road is old and curvy. You will travel through some great towns north of San Fran... but it is a slow road. If you get behind a semi or a motorhome there is limited opportunity to pass. Just an FYI

Have a great trip, and drive CAREFUL!

We would actually be leaving from Tacoma, so missing beautiful downtown Seattle...
I don't think we could do 101 all the way on the return trip, but I know the 'kids' want to see some of it. I need to get a good atlas!