? for those who have driven from Seattle/Vancouver

[Catrinabeach]

Did I miss it, or did you say what day of the week you're starting your drive? Because if you get off the ferry at 7:15 on a weekday, you're just hitting prime time rush hour down I-5.

I'm going on a Friday. But I won't get onto the I-5 at that time since I will have to cross the border. It's about an hr to the border and then the border wait to cross. So probably get there around 9:30. Probably still quite busy at that time but it should thin out shortly after. At least that is my hope lol

 

[Catrinabeach]

Which hotel are you staying at in Medford? I grew up in the Central Point area and can tell you if it is in a good area.

We are staying in the Travelodge. I tried to pick one close to the highway so I don't have to go hunting.

Travelodge Medford OR
954 Alba Drive
Barnett Rd And I-5
Medford, OR 97504 US

 

[nun69]

I live in Oak Harbor WA and we drove last year {Mar 07} and plan on driving again this year {Aug 08...DH refuses to fly} and we drove to Portland {5 hrs ona good day}, spent the night with my inlaws, then drove to Santa Nella CA which ended up being about 10-11 hrs of driving {few potty breaks and a stop at McDonalds}...then after that we got up and on the road around 9 am, drove to Anaheim and got there around 3 pm...I would not underestimate the traffic and the time...you just don't know what you will encounter on your drive...our only expectation was to get there and get to our dinner reservations at Goofy's Kitchen by 5 pm and we did make it
.. DH is from Portland OR and the roads are very confusing in and around Portland...I would recommend buying a GPS...we bought one for our trip this year since we want to go see San Francisco...

 

[lillibet123]

Have you thought of maybe taking the coho instead of BC ferries. It shaves 1.5 hrs off the trip from Tsawassen and you don't have to do the border crossing or drive through Seattle. I dont know when in Sept you are going but they often have a 6:10am ferry which gets you into Port Angeles by 7:30 am. We also live on the island and have driven to Disneyland many times (4 times in the last 3 years) and this is the way we go. If you are wanting to do it in only 2 days I would suggest taking the 6 am coho, driving to medford (or even Mt Shasta-maybe not if you are stopping in portland) and then carrying on the Anaheim. We have 3 little ones and they tend to sleep in the car which helps. On the way home we usually leave DL early (you can get stuck in LA traffic for hours otherwise) and drive to Mt Shasta and then usually drive home through Tsawassen (taking the BC ferries). HTH and let me know if you want anymore info

 

[Cookie55]

BUY A GPS!! Seriously, when my husband bought ours I thought it was a ridiculous waste of money. However, now I can't imagine life without it. We will be making this trip this summer and I am sure the GPS will not only save us time but also gas money. The wonderful thing about it is that not only does it find the best route but if you somehow make a mistake it immediately helps you get back on route! It is a wonderful thing to have and I use it all the time even around my home and I have lived here all my life!!

 

[TheDentons]

We live in Port Orchard, WA (across the water from Seattle) and our longest drive straight through is 22hours. We tend to leave at about 3am to miss most of the traffic.

One of the worst spots will be the traffic in LA. Also be careful in the Grapevine.

We tend to break up our trip with a stop over at my Aunt and Uncle's in Woodland CA (Approx 13 hours from our house) and then it is another 10 hours (depending on LA traffic)

Our epic road trip this is Vegas, San Diego, Disneyland and a couple days with the family.

Has anyone ever driven up the coast from Disneyland?

 

[Catrinabeach]

Have you thought of maybe taking the coho instead of BC ferries. It shaves 1.5 hrs off the trip from Tsawassen and you don't have to do the border crossing or drive through Seattle. I dont know when in Sept you are going but they often have a 6:10am ferry which gets you into Port Angeles by 7:30 am. We also live on the island and have driven to Disneyland many times (4 times in the last 3 years) and this is the way we go. If you are wanting to do it in only 2 days I would suggest taking the 6 am coho, driving to medford (or even Mt Shasta-maybe not if you are stopping in portland) and then carrying on the Anaheim. We have 3 little ones and they tend to sleep in the car which helps. On the way home we usually leave DL early (you can get stuck in LA traffic for hours otherwise) and drive to Mt Shasta and then usually drive home through Tsawassen (taking the BC ferries). HTH and let me know if you want anymore info

We took this ferry when we went to WDW in Dec. We flew out of Seattle. But it didn't seem to save us any time except at the border. Actually I think the ferry costs were a little less too.

What route do you take ? Is it easy ?

 

[Catrinabeach]

I just checked and the earliest Coho one is 10:30 in late Sept. They stop the 6:30 am one on Sept 3

 

[reynmagsmom]

we have driven from Kelso Wa several times usually leave here around 5 am and get to Santa Nella Ca which takes about 12 hours with a few stops for potty breaks and food and although it is a long drive which i do all the driving i dont find it to be too much.... have been going with my kids since they were 7 and 8 and they r 16 and 17 now!! i have made the trip in march, april, june and sept... worst trip was march heavy rain and some snow in the passes but was not bad enough that it delayed us any...sept is perfect time and happens to be my fav....have a wonderful trip and just take your time...
thats my motto and it has always worked for me.....

 

[Catrinabeach]

we have driven from Kelso Wa several times usually leave here around 5 am and get to Santa Nella Ca which takes about 12 hours with a few stops for potty breaks and food and although it is a long drive which i do all the driving i dont find it to be too much.... have been going with my kids since they were 7 and 8 and they r 16 and 17 now!! i have made the trip in march, april, june and sept... worst trip was march heavy rain and some snow in the passes but was not bad enough that it delayed us any...sept is perfect time and happens to be my fav....have a wonderful trip and just take your time...
thats my motto and it has always worked for me.....

Thanks ! That is what it's all about. Having fun and enjoying ourselves !

 

[kajcwman]

Has anyone ever driven up the coast from Disneyland?

Although it wasn't to/from Disneyland, I've done the coastal route a couple of times.
The first was from Portland to Loma Linda, CA. Hit Hi101 in Lincoln City, and stayed on 101 till reaching the PCH. I drove the PCH till I got to Ventura Co. then headed inland to visit my brothers. The other time I stayed on 101 from LA till I got to the northern Oregon coast, then headed inland back to Portland.

I love 101 in northern CA and especially in Oregon. The worst part of the PCH is that it took me 3 days to get to LA. The best part was driving on the Golden Gate Bridge.

These trips were taken before I got married. DW does not share my love of the road. We drove to DL a couple of years ago, and stayed on I5 all the way down. She insists we fly from now on.

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

We have done the road trip several times. Twice from Salem Oregon (took us 17 hours on I-5) and twice from Bend Oregon (took us 15 hours on 99 and I-5). But we always stop in Redding for about an hour or so to pick up some booze at Costco and hit In-and-Out burger.

We went 101 from Disneyland and it took FOREVER and some of the corners made me car sick.

This year we are going in October again (hopefully no snow this time) but with our little boy who will be about 8 months old. So instead of going non-stop we will be driving to Santa Nella and staying the night. We will have Mickey's Trick-or-Treat that night so I hope we get in at a decent time to give DS a nice break before he has to ride in the stroller.

As for drive vs. fly...as long as our overall gas bill is not more than $800 (the cost of airfare) which would mean gas would need to be over $6 a gallon. But as airfare goes up that breakpoint goes us as well.

Luckily my Mom will be traveling with us so she will help with the gas as well.

 

[dalepool]

Are you traveling via car, van, or motorhome? I personally would allow more time. Maybe skip the Portland visit until the way home. If traveling with small children or even teenagers you are going to need to have exercise stops. On I-5 I think it is exit 13-- take the I-205 exit that will let you by pass downtown portland area. ( both of the right hand lanes are able to exit to I-205) It will reconnect to I-5. It is not complicated at all.

Be sure to check for road work. There is work being done along I-5 about 8-10 miles before the I-205 exit. There was alos mention of work on I-5 in Sacramento. It was encouraged for ppl to use 99 thru there.

Take some time traveling so you are not to tired when you get to Disneyland.

Have a wonderful trip -- drive safe

Patty

 

[reynmagsmom]

i disagree with the 205 route as it can add 1/2 hour to an hour depending on road construction..... if you follow the I5 south signs although sometimes confusing it is a very easy route as long as you pay attention for a first timer anyway....

As for 101 i hate that route only because it is so time comsuming and again lots of road construction while I5 has construction also not nearly as bad as 205 and 101 is the worst as well as having winding, curving roads with speeds much lower than I5....
i love to drive and did most of my learning to drive on freeway and hwy 12 through white pass....so for me it is fun and the trip down is always better because of the excitement of going to DL and by the trip home im just so glad to be getting back to my own bed i get excited for home too....
whatever route you decide on just take your time and enjoy yourself i mean hey your heading to DISNEYLAND... man i wish i were!!!!!

my daughter and i are thinking of a november trip as i have never seen Dl all decked out for xmas so we will see how that pans out........

 

[Vacation Dad]

From the border it should take close to 24 hours of driving time, but whether it will be 23 hours or 25 hours depends on traffic and your driving speed. At the time you are going through Seattle I would think the traffic shouldn’t be too bad. Although you may have some traffic problems in Portland, I don’t think that getting through the town is as bad as some have mentioned. There are plenty of bridges around Portland, but if you just follow the I-5 South signs you will be fine.