Road Trip Question

[Kiren]

So DH and I are looking at taking DSS down to DLR next November and we are going to drive to save money. We are planning on taking two full days to drive down and arriving on the third day. We are trying to figure out where we should stop and any hotels that would be good. We will be going down from Victoria on BC Ferries through Vancouver and down the Oregon Coast. Any help would be awesome!

 

[bumbershoot]

Going down the coast, add more days. It's slower and it's going to be more scenic. So unless you want to ignore all the scenery, add time so you can actually experience it. Also, go prepared for weather and delays.

 

[bcla]

Would the Sidney-Anacortes ferry save time? I guess one issue is that it's only twice a day. Maybe just Black Ball Ferry to Port Angeles? If you're trying to get down in a hurry, then that would mean bypassing Seattle.

As far as places to stop at, I really enjoyed McMenamins Edgefield just east of Portland, Oregon. They have a hotel as part of the complex, but that might be too early along your trip if you're looking to make good time. Maybe on the return trip. It's good for lunch and maybe a beer for whoever isn't driving. Heck, the entire McMenamins chain is interesting and all over the PNW.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/Edgefield

Medford, Oregon or Yreka, California is a good pit stop if you're looking at 10-12 hours of driving time. Redding would be pushing it for one day. You could probably make it all the way down to Southern California on the second day if you're willing to pull 10 hours a day driving

Places along I-5 are Pea Soup Andersen's in Gustine, and Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant near Coalinga. The latter is known for the smell of the nearby Harris Ranch feedlot, where tens of thousands of cattle are awaiting their future as hamburger and steak.

How much driving are you willing to do each day?

 

[jammyjam25]

I don't know if I'd want to do an Oregon coast drive in November. Weather could be an issue and much of the road is 1-lane highway. It's not as scenic but I'd personally take I-5. I do the drive from Seattle-Anaheim on my trips and it takes approximately 19 hours. We usually drive 12-13 hours the first day stopping near Sacramento and then finish the drive the next morning and get to Anaheim midday.

That being said, if you do go the Oregon Coast route, Cannon Beach is a lovely place to stop for a bit. I agree with another poster that Yreka would be a good stopping point for the evening.

 

[Kiren]

I should of clarified. We aren't planning on driving down the coast. We are taking the I-5? The main highway that runs down through Oregon and California. We basically can do 12 hours the first day but we don't want to be arriving to DLR too late the second day. Rather have maybe an hour or two of driving on the third day so we can get there, drop off our stuff and head to the parks!

 

[bcla]

I should of clarified. We aren't planning on driving down the coast. We are taking the I-5? The main highway that runs down through Oregon and California. We basically can do 12 hours the first day but we don't want to be arriving to DLR too late the second day. Rather have maybe an hour or two of driving on the third day so we can get there, drop off our stuff and head to the parks!

12 hours of driving might put you around Yreka. From there it's maybe 8-9 hours drive to Los Angeles. I'd say maybe down to Valencia/Santa Clarita would be a good point.

As for the ferry, I guess Black Ball or WSF would give you less driving time, but they don't run as often as BC Ferries.

 

[Kiren]

That's precisely why we are taking BC Ferries. 7AM departure vs. 1030 on Black Ball. Gives us more driving time. We don't want to drive into too late at night because we will have a 7 and half year old who sometimes gets antsy on the drive home haha! Thank you so much for your help!

 

[bcla]

That's precisely why we are taking BC Ferries. 7AM departure vs. 1030 on Black Ball. Gives us more driving time. We don't want to drive into too late at night because we will have a 7 and half year old who sometimes gets antsy on the drive home haha! Thank you so much for your help!

I guess they don't have the 6:10 AM departure in November. Washington State Ferries has even worse times if you're looking to leave ear. Still - I see about a four hour drive time from Port Angeles to Portland but two hours longer from Tsawwassen.

Still - I liked Edgefield a lot, although I didn't have a child the last time I visited. They're very kid friendly there however.

 

[Aladora]

That's precisely why we are taking BC Ferries. 7AM departure vs. 1030 on Black Ball. Gives us more driving time. We don't want to drive into too late at night because we will have a 7 and half year old who sometimes gets antsy on the drive home haha! Thank you so much for your help!

One thing to consider about taking the Vic/Van ferry is the border crossing. The benefit of the Vic/Port Angeles route is that you deal with immigration before you get on the ferry and customs on the Port Angeles side is super fast.

We're looking at doing this same drive next March but I am really not sure if I can handle being in a car with DH for that long without wanting to push him out of it!

 

[Kiren]

One thing to consider about taking the Vic/Van ferry is the border crossing.

We get fast tracked through (Both military) And either way we are going to be a bit longer. Going to be the first time taking DSS out of the country and we won't have his mum with us.

I am really not sure if I can handle being in a car with DH for that long without wanting to push him out of it!

I did a road trip with DH when he was still DBF out to London. We drove for three days! And were stuck together for 2 weeks!

 

[Aladora]

We get fast tracked through (Both military) And either way we are going to be a bit longer. Going to be the first time taking DSS out of the country and we won't have his mum with us.

It's the lineup there you have to worry about...we were stuck in a line for an hour one trip.

I did a road trip with DH when he was still DBF out to London. We drove for three days! And were stuck together for 2 weeks!

DH and I ended up stuck at my mom's house alone over Christmas 1996...which meant we were stuck in the house during the blizzard of '96...it was almost the end of our relationship!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I can't help but wonder with the all the stops going in both directions (hotels and food), plus gas and then parking at the hotel or park if it isn't actually cheaper to fly.

 

[StormyCA]

Here's what I'd do:

From Victoria;

1st night; Redding CA (675 mi, approx 13 Hr) OR Mt Shasta CA (614, approx 12 hr)
Redding has any number of clean budget motels, Mt Shasta's a bit more expensive, not as much choice

2nd night; Lebec CA (from Redding 472 mi, approx 8 hrs; from Mt Shasta 532 mi, 9 hr)
There's a nice Motel 6 at Lebec, clean and not expensive

Distance from Lebec to DL is approx 100 miles, 2 hours (depending on LA traffic)


I used to live in Redding, we'd usually do the drive in one day or stay halfway at Santa Nella, but that left a long drive the second day (6 hrs-ish). These days I live near Sacramento and do the drive in one day (7 hrs) unless we decide to leave the night before. If we do that we stay in Coalinga, Lost Hills, or Lebec.

The drive times I've listed are strictly drive times without stops, so you may want to add in more time if you have to stop frequently. We prefer to make a big 'push' on mileage the first day, then shorter drives on subsequent days. If you want a more equal distance for days 1 and 2, you could consider Night 1 in Grants Pass OR. That would be 2 (approx) 10 hour days ending up in Lebec for night 2.

 

[GatorChris]

If you want a really nice stay in paradise and have the time to slow down, head to Avila Beach. That's right next to Pismo Beach. There's this totally rad place called Sycamore Mineral Springs and Resort. Every room has a spa that can fill up with hot natural spring water....and it is great. It's about 3-4 hours from DL. This might be a place to hit after you leave. Just head there and relax in a spa and at an awesome and less-touristy beach.

 

[bcla]

One thing to consider about taking the Vic/Van ferry is the border crossing. The benefit of the Vic/Port Angeles route is that you deal with immigration before you get on the ferry and customs on the Port Angeles side is super fast.

We're looking at doing this same drive next March but I am really not sure if I can handle being in a car with DH for that long without wanting to push him out of it!

But there can still be a line. I went to Victoria on Black Ball 30 years ago, but I remember waiting to be cleared by Canadian customs. We returned via the land border, and that wasn't too bad. Last time we went Sidney-Anacortes, and they had US customs on both ends. We still waited a while since we weren't first in line.

 

[Kiren]

Thank you everyone for your awesome suggestions! @StormyCA we are going to use your itinerary I think! DH seemed to like it!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Have you price checked flights out of Seattle?

 

[ParkHopper1]

Have you price checked flights out of Seattle?

Seriously. 2500 Miles in a 20 MPG car is gonna be $375 in gas plus $100/night hotel that is not a dive...that is $775 and four days on the road...then add food for four days. There has gotta be some SERIOS savings to make that drive worth while. There are $89 Southwest flight for THIS November SEA-SNA.

Taking a road trip as an adventure where you can tale your time and explore as you go is one thing...but make sure you run all the actual hard numbers if you are looking at it for cost savings.

 

[Kiren]

But we would still need to get to SEA with a 7 year old in tow. And for us to fly from Victoria it's approx. 1800 for the three of us. We are saving by doing this.

 

[chickapin parterre]

oregonian here.....what day do you plan to travel thru oregon and what time do you plan to arrive north of portland?