Eastern WA to DL

[tirby]

Ok I know I have asked somewhere but finding it is another story.
I am begining to book hotels and get ready for our trip in April.
We live on the Eastern boarder of Washington.( Lewiston, ID, actually)
But anyway I am trying to decide if it would be better to go down I-5 from Portland or if it would be better to go through Oregon like Redmond and Bend.
And meet I-5 at Weed ,Ca.
We are traveling with a 15 and 10 year old.
in a Toyota Corolla, so stopping to stretch and potty will be needed.

Is there anywhere to stop and sleep?
Anywhere to stop and eat?

It looks a bit baren on the map.

SO if you have driven and know, please give me your opinion.
I know going through the middle is about 1 1/2 hours faster but is it worth it? and is it a great road/

 

[CarrieJacks]

I'm originally from Tri-Cities, Washington, and we always went down through Bend and Weed. Sometimes, though, we would go over to Portland and go down the Coast and through the Redwoods. It's a beautiful drive.

I don't remember much about where we would stop, so I can't help you there. In my personal opinion, if you don't mind the extra drvie time, I would go down the Coast.

I'm sorry I'm not more help. I haven't been to California since I was a teenager. We're planning our trip for April, and if we didn't have to toddlers, we'd be driving down the Coast (starting in Portland) ourselves.

 

[tirby]

I'm originally from Tri-Cities, Washington, and we always went down through Bend and Weed. Sometimes, though, we would go over to Portland and go down the Coast and through the Redwoods. It's a beautiful drive.

I don't remember much about where we would stop, so I can't help you there. In my personal opinion, if you don't mind the extra drvie time, I would go down the Coast.

I'm sorry I'm not more help. I haven't been to California since I was a teenager. We're planning our trip for April, and if we didn't have to toddlers, we'd be driving down the Coast (starting in Portland) ourselves.

My mother-in -law lives in Tri Cities and we will be going there on our way out.. We are driving back UP hwy 101 on our way home. So we will be on the coast for over a week on the way home. I was looking at going DOWN I-5 which is not on the coast. But goes through Salem and Eugene oregon. We are leaving April 19 and will be gone for 2 weeks !!!! My oldest son is bunned because he has to stay home. No vacation time on his job yet. But thats ok I will still have fun

 

[abby]

I live in Portland, and I would come in 84 and go down I-5. Four plus lane highway the whole way, through bend to weed is sometimes two lane and twisty, I suspect you'd make better time through Portland.

 

[tirby]

I live in Portland, and I would come in 84 and go down I-5. Four plus lane highway the whole way, through bend to weed is sometimes two lane and twisty, I suspect you'd make better time through Portland.

Ok twisty road made the choice I'm going through Portland. I dont need car sick kids.
Thanks Abby.

 

[lisah0711]

Depending on when you are going you might check out Alaska Airlines Kids Fly Free promotion -- could save you a fews days of driving. I fly into LAX from Spokane and arrive in the parks by 11 a.m. when I take the 6:00 a.m. flight.

 

[LynnythePooh]

We used to live in Portland and we drove up to Seattle all the time - my one little bit of advice.... Make sure you're not going to hit Portland during rush hours, do tend to get clogged up. It's not a bad drive to LA from there though - enjoy the ride!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We live in the Tri-Cities and have gone both ways, the last 3 time we take 97 to I-5. It is a much nicer drive. No traffic issues to deal with other than around bend, do not have to deal with a major amount of trucks and weavers, the mountains and views are georgeous. I have always made better time down 97. We stop in Redding to swim and relax and head down the next AM. We always travel mid August so it is quite warm but absolutely wonderful weather.

Jack

 

[tirby]

We live in the Tri-Cities and have gone both ways, the last 3 time we take 97 to I-5. It is a much nicer drive. No traffic issues to deal with other than around bend, do not have to deal with a major amount of trucks and weavers, the mountains and views are georgeous. I have always made better time down 97. We stop in Redding to swim and relax and head down the next AM. We always travel mid August so it is quite warm but absolutely wonderful weather.

Jack

So the road is not twisty? I dont know if you know what HWY 12 up by orofino, Idaho, is like but that is to many curves for me. Can you tell me where you stay in Redding? Are there a few rest stops along the way? For bathroom stops? Any good places to eat along the way.
And how long does it take you from Tri- Cities?
It is a few hours closer than us but it would be a great estimate for me to go on.


We are not flying. We will be traveling for two weeks with the kids going up the coast and the redwoods. We WANT to drive.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I know the raod you are talking about and 97 is nothing like it. The biggest dry spell for us is Biggs Junction to Bend and there are two reststops. There are a couple of places to stop but we usually drive to Bend, catch gas, then to Kalamath Falls for lunch, then on to Redding. We stay at the Best Western Hilltop in which has a nice pool and an excellent hot breakfast.Tri-Cities to Redding is 9 Hrs 45 mins. The worst part of the trip for us is from Valencia on down to Anaheim. The traffic a bit different than the pacific northwest. Any thing else I can help with, let me know.

Jack

 

[tirby]

I know the raod you are talking about and 97 is nothing like it. The biggest dry spell for us is Biggs Junction to Bend and there are two reststops. There are a couple of places to stop but we usually drive to Bend, catch gas, then to Kalamath Falls for lunch, then on to Redding. We stay at the Best Western Hilltop in which has a nice pool and an excellent hot breakfast.Tri-Cities to Redding is 9 Hrs 45 mins. The worst part of the trip for us is from Valencia on down to Anaheim. The traffic a bit different than the pacific northwest. Any thing else I can help with, let me know.

Jack

You've been a big help thank you. My DH will be doing the driving when we get by large towns. So Gas up in Biggs then Bend? Right?.
Depending on what day we leave, after DH gets off on Thursday, or Friday morning. That will determin where we will stop for the night. We aren't in a big hurry so if Bend or Klamath is good we might stay there. We will be spending the night before in Stockton so no rush. ( I mean my husband wont think it's much of a vacation if it's just drive till ya drop.) We are breaking it up into three segments instead of two.
Again thanks for the help. Knowing that someone who is use to driving around this area and can give help is great. If I can think of anything else I will let you know.

 

[blackjackdelta]

You've been a big help thank you. My DH will be doing the driving when we get by large towns. So Gas up in Biggs then Bend? Right?.
Depending on what day we leave, after DH gets off on Thursday, or Friday morning. That will determin where we will stop for the night. We aren't in a big hurry so if Bend or Klamath is good we might stay there. We will be spending the night before in Stockton so no rush. ( I mean my husband wont think it's much of a vacation if it's just drive till ya drop.) We are breaking it up into three segments instead of two.
Again thanks for the help. Knowing that someone who is use to driving around this area and can give help is great. If I can think of anything else I will let you know.

Where you gas depends on the mileage you get for the most part and if your kids need servicing. We try to stay in a place that is close to the highway and has quick easy access to food. Having a hard time spelling today.
Have a great trip.

Jack

 

[tirby]

Thanks and I think we will stay close the the highway too. Only 69 days till we leave. The countdown continues

 

[Diznotyzed]

If you find yourself getting hungry about an hour south of Redding, check out Granzella's Deli in Williams. Just a couple minutes west off I-5. Great food, way better than fast food. In fact, if we're not ready to eat yet, we still stop and pick up food to eat further down the road. A definite highlight of a Portland to Disneyland drive we've made many times. Have a great trip!

 

[tirby]

If you find yourself getting hungry about an hour south of Redding, check out Granzella's Deli in Williams. Just a couple minutes west off I-5. Great food, way better than fast food. In fact, if we're not ready to eat yet, we still stop and pick up food to eat further down the road. A definite highlight of a Portland to Disneyland drive we've made many times. Have a great trip!

Great I think I actually had willows as a place to stop and get out.Just for a pit stop. I'll google it or mapquest and locate it.
I love it when people can recomend a good place to stay or eat. It's fun to check out things like that. I know on our way home we will be going to the Jelly Belly candy co in Fairfield ,Ca. The cafe has jelly bean shaped pizza and things like that so the kids will love it. Also some one recomended the Samoa Cookhouse up by Eureka ca. Can't wait!

OH only 68 days as of today!!!!!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Granzella"s is excellent and very convienient.

Jack

 

[RangerPooh]

I'm here in Pullman, Wa, we usually fly out of Spokane (or Pullman if the price is right), Portland, or Seattle into SNA. We have not driven to DL from Pullman but have from the coast (Ocean Shores). We take I-5 th entire way! Being from Ca we prefer to just hit 5 the entire way down and will take 1/101 home if time allows (just not HWY 1 from Cambria to Moneterey as it takes too long). 5 is just easier as the speed limit is 70mph, multi lanes, and as long as you time it right has very little traffic.

 

[tirby]

I'm here in Pullman, Wa, we usually fly out of Spokane (or Pullman if the price is right), Portland, or Seattle into SNA. We have not driven to DL from Pullman but have from the coast (Ocean Shores). We take I-5 th entire way! Being from Ca we prefer to just hit 5 the entire way down and will take 1/101 home if time allows (just not HWY 1 from Cambria to Moneterey as it takes too long). 5 is just easier as the speed limit is 70mph, multi lanes, and as long as you time it right has very little traffic.

Well Hello neighbor!
I think We have decited which way to go. And thanks for all your advice. It is a SMALL WORLD after all!!!