Possible odd question for those who have driven down from OR or WA

[specialks]

Okay, so we have always traveled by plane but I am considering saving some money and driving down from Seattle for our trip in December. Here is my question for those of you who might have done this I-5 drive... are there any mountain passes or winter driving roads on the I-5 from WA to CA?? I am a little worried about the OR stretch.

TIA!

 

[sonnyjane]

Big time! We got stuck for two days in Grant's Pass in OR before the OR/CA border when we drove from Anacortes, WA to SoCal in January of last year. We had to stay in a hotel one night because the roads were closed, and the next day we had to buy chains at a local gas station, as there was a police checkpoint set up and only 4WD vehicles or those with chains were allowed to continue!

 

[Escape2Disney]

There are two spots where people get stuck. The first is the one mentioned by the previous poster. The other is near Weed, CA. Both can be brutal that time of year.

 

[Dobie]

The Dobies drove down from Washington in April, 1986 and the grapevine (just north of LA) was closed due to snow.

 

[specialks]

Would taking the 101 early on be possible? Do you think the 101 has winter driving conditions too?

 

[sonnyjane]

Would taking the 101 early on be possible? Do you think the 101 has winter driving conditions too?

Yikes, I would still stick to the 5. The 101 has lots of twists and turns and doesn't have as many lanes as the 5, so if you're stuck behind, say, a slow tractor trailer, guess what, you could be stuck behind them for a LONNNNNNNNNG time. The 5 might get more snow at times since it's more inland, but it is also far better maintained as far as plowing goes. For example, during that blizzard I mentioned above, while the 5 was open for chains and 4WD only, the 101 was completely closed (we found out from a trucker that was also stuck in our hotel). Even in sunny weather, the 101 adds HOURS to a commute (we have done the full coastal drive from SoCal to NorCal), so in bad weather, I'd imagine it'd be horrible!

ETA: You can check the conditions of the roads ahead of time on www.TripCheck.com (for OR) and http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi (for CA) so that you can better prepare for the trip.

 

[DLovinFam]

Yep, that's why we only drive when it's summer. We are from Portland. Otherwise we will fly.

 

[specialks]

Good to know. Looks like we will be flying as usual. My girls would love to see the Redwoods and I would love to check out SF but it looks like I will have to wait for another trip another time...

 

[farmgirljen]

My Dh travels that whole stretch from Corvallis OR to Sacramento during Nove./Dec/Jan. and he has been stuck on the siskiouis several times- it gets nasty. Fly...drive during the summer, spring or fall...be like the Geese and fly south for the winter,lol!

 

[MCSfromWA]

We have driven from Seattle in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. After our last winter trip (December/January 2007) I am reluctant to drive down in the winter again. There was snow throughout the trip down -- though we were fortunate that the roads were open and we came through the passes just AFTER the chain requirement was lifted. On our trip home, we drove up 1 and 101 because the snow in Northern California and Southern Oregon was problematic. Oh -- and there were wind and rain storms in Southern California that closed the Grape Vine. It was one, scary, trip. The scariest part was when we decided (on the advice of the locals) to take the road from Crescent City to Grants Pass (199). Yikes! It was snowing and it got heavier and the hairpin curves and lack of space to put chains on even if we wanted to made me decide that in the winter time I want to fly from now on.

On the other hand -- prior to that experience we have had relatively little trouble with the mountains. You just have to plan to take your time and that the road might be closed between Redding and Ashland due to white out conditions. If you plan on extra time, it isn't a problem.

Good luck on making your decision!

 

[blabbermouth]

Good post. We are thinking of going first week in October. Should that be early enough to miss the snow?

 

[Somegirl]

The Grapevine was closed for bit last week due to snow, so even at this time of year you can run into "winter" weather.

 

[reynmagsmom]

Good post. We are thinking of going first week in October. Should that be early enough to miss the snow?

in oregon you should but with our weather patterns you can never be sure, just check out road conditions ahead of time!!

 

[briggscreek]

Big time! We got stuck for two days in Grant's Pass in OR before the OR/CA border when we drove from Anacortes, WA to SoCal in January of last year. We had to stay in a hotel one night because the roads were closed, and the next day we had to buy chains at a local gas station, as there was a police checkpoint set up and only 4WD vehicles or those with chains were allowed to continue!

LOL, I live in Grants Pass. It actually doesn't happen very often around December, but there are a few spots here in Oregon that can get ice and snow.

 

[DLovinFam]

Good post. We are thinking of going first week in October. Should that be early enough to miss the snow?

I forgot.... We actually *did drive down to Disneyland early fall 2000. (first week of October) We were in a motorhome and had no trouble at all.

 

[blabbermouth]

I forgot.... We actually *did drive down to Disneyland early fall 2000. (first week of October) We were in a motorhome and had no trouble at all.

Thanks! We do have a 4x4 suv so there's a bit of extra reassurance.