I-5 from Seattle to DL

jordansmomma

<font color=darkorchid><marquee>DebbieLouWho Wendy
Joined
May 3, 2006
Messages
4,641
I cant find my thread. But how are the roads on I-5 in December? from Seattle to Portland it will be night time driving. But from Portland to Redding it will be daytime driving. I have almost narrowed down my driving schedule to accomadate any mishaps that could happen.
 
I can tell you that driving from anywhere in Oregon to Redding in December could be hairy. (all high elevation mountain driving) You'll need to check with Oregon Department of Transportation and Cal-Trans in California a few days before and the day of your travel through the mountains. Also check weather conditions for southern Oregon and (the REAL) northern California areas. Both O-DOT and Cal Trans have 800 numbers for road conditions and chain requirements. The Calif. number is 1-800-GAS-ROAD. I don't know the Oregon one off hand.
Then again, you may be lucky and get great dry weather.........GOOD LUCK!!!
The Hilton Garden Inn in south Redding (South Bonnyview Dr. address) is right off I-5 and will have great rates if you plan on staying the night here before hitting the highway again.

Hope this helps!!!:banana:
 
Just a thought...If the weather is too treacherous when you leave, you could always cut over to HWY 101 in Eugene. We drove this route a couple of times, though not in the winter. The road is more windy and make take you a couple more hours of travel time, but I don't recall any real mountain passes. You do have to cross the Golden Gate in San Francisco and the traffic can be pretty bad, but we have always enjoyed this route.
 
:coffee: bumping...to watch this thread:goodvibes
I was also throwing around the idea to drive to Disneyland in December, but as a single mom, I'm a little scared of the possible driving conditions:eek:
 

The San Joaquin Valley in California can be pretty foggy that time of year, plus sometimes the weather over the Grapevine between Bakersfield and Santa Clarita can be closed due to poor weather. I've traveled the Grapevine 2 times in the same week when it was warm one day, and snowy the next. Definitely follow the road condition radio stations they will have listed along the freeway.
 
South Oregon is nasty at that time and so is Grapevine as stated before. Why drive when Southwest just released great fares for that time last week.You might be able to fly about cheap as driving depending on what you are driving? $239.60 total per person right now
 
I've done it in winter before and it's not too bad. Things change obviously and it might have just been a good time when I went, but the 5 is pretty major and is pretty well maintained in winter. Certainly less risky than something like going between eastern and western Washington.
 
I cant help you with the Portland to Redding part but I can help you with Seattle to Portland since we live right by Seattle and drive to Portland at least once a week in December in the evening expect a 3 hour drive without traffic the evening and december can bge real rough so I would say a 4 hour druve to 5 hours
Kaylie
 
Just a thought...If the weather is too treacherous when you leave, you could always cut over to HWY 101 in Eugene. We drove this route a couple of times, though not in the winter. The road is more windy and make take you a couple more hours of travel time, but I don't recall any real mountain passes. You do have to cross the Golden Gate in San Francisco and the traffic can be pretty bad, but we have always enjoyed this route.

Just please please please be careful, and have MAPS, lots and lots of good maps, if you're going to go west like that. Thinking of that family that got lost last year trying to cut over to the west like that. :(



I've done the December drive down to the Bay Area many times in years past, and it's NOT fun! I don't know if Oregon still allows triple-trailers, but if they do, that's heinous to be passed on a curvy stretch of road at night by one, two, three trailers... Hopefully they don't allow that anymore, but I don't know.

Even without the triple trailers, the weather can be very rotten, and in the mountains, no matter what time, it can be tricky. I never encountered the need for chains, and thank goodness b/c I never traveled with them, but I *could have* needed them at any time.

Even Seattle to Portland is iffy at night...it's a pretty boring stretch of road once you get past Olympia, and the speed increases to 70 (which of course means people go 80 with no problem), and did I menton it's boring?


I like driving, and I will drive that route...I just won't do it in one shot (to the bay area...I'd never drive to So CA in one shot, LOL) anymore! :)


All that said, we're taking Southwest for our trip rather than driving. With my particular three year old, it's just too long in the car (for him and with him, ha ha) for a drive like that. :)
 
Thanks, I would fly if I could get a good deal for 4 tickets. But if not it would be a lot cheaper to drive.
 
bring chains through ashland into California... I-5 is kept pretty clear, but can get messy through there!

--Lisa
 
we were throwing around the idea of driving as well in December but with the distance, cost of fuel, food and a hotel night each way there and home we were able to get a flight for $570 for the three of us and so it will be about the same in cost and less time to get to DL.
 
We have made the drive several times from Salem, OR to DL. We flew the last time but I saved lots of money to do that. Now with 5 kids I think we will be driving next year. We also drive straight through with little stopping. My DH does a lot of the driving. I-5 is really good except the part where you go from OR to CA. There is a small mountain pass there. Have chains- just in case- and don't drive it at night which it sounds like you aren't. Have a great time!
 
The Siskiyou(sp) pass is a crap shoot at that time of the year. Make sure you have chains and take your time if the weather gets crummy. If it is clear, it is a heck of a view.

Jackpirate:
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom