Driving from Chilliwack,BC to San Tan Valley, AZ first week of February best route?

We are driving down to San Tan Valley, AZ the first week of February and wanted to get some insight on the best route to take. We have looked at going I-5 all the way but are not sure how the weather will be then through the passes. The other option we looked at is going I-101 down the coast then over to AZ. We are travelling with two little ones so we would like a route that has things to see along the way, and does not require us to be in the Van for more than 6hrs a day. We are leaving Chilliwack on the 1st or 2nd of Feb and need to be in San Tan on the 6th.
Any tips or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
fourweeks

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The secret to winter time travel is to keep your route as short as you can, and as much on the Interstates as you can. That maximizes both your chances that the road will be open despite any adverse weather and your time-in-hand to deal with any conditions that exceed your capabilities. Fortunately for you, the shortest all Interstate route to San Tan Valley (I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is a southeastern suburb of Phoenix) is to take BC-1/BC-11/WA-9/WA-542/I-5 to Seattle, I-90 to Ellensburg WA, I-82/I-84 to Salt Lake City, I-15/US-89 to Flagstaff, and I-17 to Phoenix. Along the way you'll pass within visiting distance of Mount Ranier National Park, Bruneau Canyon and Sand Dunes, the Thousand Springs reach of the Snake River, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, the Great Salt Lake, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Grand Canyon National Park. At 6 hours a day on the road, in a few 2 hour long segments each day, you're looking at about 4 days to make the drive, so assume 5 and have a spare day to spend at attractions or sitting out bad weather. If your children are between around 5 and 15, be sure to ask at each national park and monument for any Junior Ranger Program they might have.

AZBuck

Thank you AZBuck, vey helpful information!

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Originally Posted by AZBuck

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Fortunately for you, the shortest all Interstate route to San Tan Valley (I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is a southeastern suburb of Phoenix)

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Yes, AZBuck, you are correct, it's a southeastern suburb. Think Chandler and Gilbert, and you're in the right neck of the woods. (We just had dinner in that area, this past Thursday evening.)



Donna