Vancouver, BC - Las Vegas (West Coast down, ID back up)

Hello all!

So at the end of May I'll be embarking on my first big road trip. We'll be starting in Vancouver, BC. Through Portland OR, Weed CA, San Fran CA, Bakersfield CA then Vegas NV. On the way back up I'll be doing the drive by myself, so a straight shoot from Vegas to Boise, ID, then back home to Vancouver. The places in bold are overnight stops. So I have a few questions but I'll just quickly lay out our estimated itinerary.

May 27 - Van - Portland (stopover at the incredible Powell's bookstore)
- Portland to Weed (staying overnight)
May 28 - Weed to Sa Francisco (stopping for lunch, a little looking around)
- San Fran - Bakersfield (Staying overnight)
May 29 - Bakersfield - Vegas (Staying 3 nights)

June 1 - Vegas - Boise (staying overnight)
June 2 - Boise to HOME!

So questions
1) Taking this route down we will go through the Cascade Mountains and even though it's late May I have heard of there being random snowstorms through there. I will obviously keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer to our departure date but just wondering if anyone had any experience?
2) On my way back I was hoping to take the 93 all the way from Vegas to Boise as opposed to the 15. What are the advantages/ disadvantages? I had heard that there's a stretch around Yakima that is over 300MI without a gas station. My tank holds about 600-700km worth but I'd rather know going in when the last place I can get gas would be.

The trip to Vegas itself is on par with the road trip part of our excitement; we want to see a little on the way down but are only planning the few stops to break up driving intervals (I drive stick, my friend does not, therefor I'll be doing all the driving) Is there anything else I should be aware of? This will be my first huge road trip, first time doing one through the states (I'm an Aussie national with Canadian PR) I'm excited but very aware that it's a long trip, especially my drudge home doing two 10 hr days.

I am a member of an immigration forum that helped me get PR so I'm a huge fan of all things forums. They are the most underrated sources of information on the internet!

Thanks guys!

Welcome to RTA!

I too enjoy forums and sharing information. It sounds like you have some good ideas for a trip here, but there are a few things I'd like to caution you about.

First, going from Vancouver, BC down to the Weed, CA area in one day. It's well over 660 miles, which is more than we usually recommend for a day's drive because it will take you more than 10 hours WITHOUT a stop at the bookstore that you're interested in. Ten hours is about what commercial drivers are allowed to drive in a day and then must go 8 hours without being behind the wheel. It will take you more time to maneuver yourself through Portland, find parking, and then find your way back to I-5. So be careful there, and consider stopping earlier than Weed.

On the second day, you have a similar problem, but the mileage isn't the issue. It's 520 miles from Weed to Bakersfield WITHOUT a stop in San Francisco. To stop in the city for lunch, you will A) have to go at least 50 miles out of your way, B) Find very expensive place to park your vehicle which will probably NOT be right next to where you want to eat, and C) traverse a lot of traffic. If I planned something like this, my husband's first question to me would be, "Is this really worth it?" If it's worthwhile, then perhaps you could cut that day's drive a little shorter, too, because Bakersfield to Las Vegas is about a 5-6 hour drive (just short of 300 miles).

Hopefully someone here will be able to answer your question about the service-less area you mentioned. It's not something familiar to me.


Donna

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I agree with Donna about your plans for your drive down, and actually, I think you're really pushing it to try to drive back in 2 days as well. To get from Vegas to Boise via US-93 is about 630 miles. That's a long day on the road on the freeway, and you'll be on slower going 2 lane roads for most of the day. I can assure you it will take you far more than 10 hours. Its going to be a good 12-13 hours on the road, minimum. I-15 is about 100 miles longer, but the drive times will end up being fairly close because you can go faster, and stop less often on the freeway. Anyway you look at it, it really is too far to drive in one day, and expect to still have the energy another 11+ hours to Vancouver the following day.

There is no place anywhere in the US where you'd be 300 miles between gas stations, and that's certainly not the case around Yakima, which is right along an Interstate highway. Having said that, US-93 is one of the most empty highways in the US, and that is a road where you will go long distances between opportunities to fill your tank. You should plan to fill up as you leave Vegas and make sure to fill up again in Ely, as you'll have very limited other options until you get to I-80 at Wells, NV.

What is the purpose of this trip? I just can't see the sense in exhausting yourself in back to back days of driving all day, with only minimal time for essential stops. It won't be a holiday. It won't be a break. It will be hard work all the way (especially with stick shift) and you will be exhausted at every destination and when you get home.

Have you allowed time for the unexpected? Only today I was delayed for some two hours with a flat tyre.

Unless it is an essential trip for a specific purpose (in which case try to find more time), I'd suggest you limit yourself to a destination closer to home, more achievable and with a greater degree of enjoyment and relaxation. Then it is more likely to be a trip you'll remember... for all the right reasons.

Lifey

All 3 answers are spot on. I have made many trips to Ca. I live a little south of Seattle, and make Redding, Ca. my overnight stop. And I'm more than ready by then. As far as weather, and Mtns. going down I 5 you don't go over the Cascades you go through the Siskiyous in the very southern Oregon-Northern Ca area. I would not be worried about snow by then. You "may" get some rain, but more than likely you'll see temps in 70's( degrees F.)

Thanks for all your answers, this is why I love forums! We knew it was going to be tight so taking your advice we're going to start a day earlier and spread it out. We'll cut SF completely, this was more looking for somewhere to see on the way but we can stick more to a direct route. This way we have a little more time for looking around too. We'll stop every 2-3 hours for stretch/ bathroom breaks. I'll fill my gas from about the half way tank and no less each time. This way we have actually been able to squeeze a little sight seeing of Multnomah Falls in and spend a night in Camas, WA instead of trying to push down to Weed all in one day. I think including all stops on the way down spaced out over 4 days our itin looks something like:

Vancouver, BC
Bellingham, WA
Olympia, WA
Portland, OR
Camas, WA
Multnomah Falls, OR
Salem, OR
Eugene, OR
Grant's Pass, OR
Weed, CA
Red Bluffs, CA
Modesto, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Barstow, CA
Vegas, NV

Return:
Vegas, NV
Ely, NV
Twin Falls, ID
Boise, ID
Pendleton, OR
Ellensburg, WA
Bellingham, WA
HOME!

I'm looking into extending my trip home by a day as well, just to break it up a little more but not super worried, the worst part will be the border line up trying to get back into Canada! Hahaha. We've always had hectic, exhausting trips but being 24 I'm built pretty well to handle it. We crushed a NOLA/ Mississippi trip in 4 days and it's still the best trip I've ever had in my life. I'll have a day off when I get home to just sit around and relax from all the driving too so I am not too worried about that.

As for the border crossing coming home, would Sumas work for you? We found it better, 14 years ago, than the reported lines of people at Vancouver.


Donna

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Originally Posted by DonnaR57

As for the border crossing coming home, would Sumas work for you? We found it better, 14 years ago, than the reported lines of people at Vancouver.


Donna

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Haha! That's funny, that's our crossing as we live in the mountains of Mission. Sumas was the border I crossed to get my PR! It's definitely the best crossing but I made the mistake of landing as a PR on a Sunday morning when everyone was coming back home! At least I'll be driving back through on a Monday =D

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Originally Posted by benjis_monikuss

I'll have a day off when I get home to just sit around and relax from all the driving too so I am not too worried about that.

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If that's the case, then the really is no reason to push your body to its physical limits by trying to drive back from Vegas in just 2 days. Being young does not may your body more able to handle fatigue, and frankly, no one is "built for" being on the road 12+ hours a day. Being young only means you are less likely to pay attention to the danger signs, and you'r brain will let you "think" you're just fine, even when you should not be on the road.

Take 2 and a half days for the drive back. It will be much safer, much easier on your body, and you'll still have most of the day back at home to rest and recover.

That is more than likely what I will end up doing. Depending on my exhaustion levels I'll probably book a hotel on the fly a few hours out from Canada so that I could get home before noon. Who wants to drive 10 hours then face the possibility of waiting in a border line up? Hahaha

I knew this forum would be the death of me! I can't stop adding POI to our trip because of reading everyone else's threads! Hahahah. I think we are going to skip over to the 101 after Eugene and follow that down to about Eureka. Then we can see the Prehistoric Gardens (this makes me much too excited for someone my age), the Redwood National and State parks and the Trees of Mystery. Not to mention just the pure beauty we'll get to drive down for about 5 hours as opposed to our straight shoot... which after the bluff is a lot less scenic. We'd stay in Eureka instead of Weed then just jump back over to the I5 via 36 at about Red Bluff and continue on our original route. I think I need to step away from this site, I've already added an extra day and a half driving! Lol

If you cut over to the coast at Eugene, you're going to be adding a whole lot more than 5 hours to your trip, and that's if you don't stop at any of the places you listed. There's also no way you can get from Vancouver to Eureka in a single day (It's nearly 800 miles!)

There is no quick way to get between I-5 and US-101, as you're going over/through mountains on 2 lane roads. Cutting over at Eugene will take you about an hour and a half just to get to the coast, and using CA-36 to get back to I-5 will take you 3.5-4 hours. That's 5 hours of extra driving right there, and that doesn't factor in the extra time it takes to follow the coast. Taking US-101 will take you roughly twice as much time as I-5, where just the section of the coast you're looking at will likely take you about 7 hours all by itself.

Mind you, if you want to visit these places, that's great, just know they aren't a simple little detour. This addition basically adds a full day to your trip, just for the extra driving, and you'll need more time than that to see the places you've listed. I'd also say if you do go this way, then you'd be better off taking US-101 all the way back down to the Bay Area, rather than cutting through the mountains to get back to I-5.

Once drove route 36 from route 101 to Red Bluff at the I-5.

It was a long tiring time on a two lane road full of twists, turns and ups and downs. About 140 miles long and with a brief stop took 3.5 hours. You don’t need to be in a rush to take this road.

CA-36 between the coast and I-5 is a very tiring but beautiful drive. This will be half a day right there. If you stay on US-101 to CA-20 that would be a better bet.

As I said, I've added a day and a half to our trip. We would be doing Vancouver to Eugene and stay there, Eugene to Weed CA via the 101 route then stay there, fully aware this is a 550mi drive, then back on to what we originally had planned for the last 2 days.

If the 20 is better, maybe we will choose to stay around the Newport area as opposed to Eugene.

We really want to see the Prehistoric Gardens on the 101 and spend the night at the Hi Lo in Weed CA (famous pies), that why this is literally a detour.

Weed is on I-5, not 101.

With the places you have mentioned that you want to go, I'd just take I-5 all the way.

If you want to go through the redwoods, then you can take US-199 from Grants Pass to US-101. This will bypass Weed.

In other words - pick either Weed or the redwoods. You don't have the time to do both.

I'm making the rookie error of trying to fit too much into my given timeframe. I'll do the 101 some other time. We'll stick to our original route mostly, just broken up over more time. Having a safe road trip is the #1 goal and I feel like we'll get to see a decent amount along the way regardless.

Day 1
Vancouver, BC - Bellingham, WA - Olympia, WA, Powell's Bookstore Portland, OR - Multnomah Falls, OR - Albany, OR

Day 2
Albany, OR - Grant's Pass, OR - Weed, CA and see Lake Shastina.

Day 3
Weed, CA - Red Bluff, CA - Modesto, CA - Bakersfield, CA

Day 4
Bakersfield, CA - Barstow, CA - Las Vegas, NV

How are we doing? Are we getting any better at this? Then for my drive back;

Day 1
Vegas - Ely, NV - Wells, NV - Twin Falls, ID and see Shoshone Falls while there if I'm not exhausted.

Day 2
Twin Falls, ID - Boise, ID - La Grande, OR- Ellensburg, WA.

Day 3
Ellensburg, WA - Easton Lake State Park, WA for breakfast - Bellingham, WA to fill my tank with cheap US gas for the last time - HOME!

Day 1 - 400 miles. 7 hours plus stops and border delay.
Day 2 - 300 miles. 5.5 hours plus stops.
Day 3 - 500 miles. 9 hours plus stops. Best place to cross from I-5 to CA-99 is through Stockton on CA-4.
Day 4 - 300 miles. 5.5 hours plus stops.

Day 1 - 500 miles. 9+ hours plus stops. This is taking NV-318 from Ash Springs to US-6 to Ely. There are no services whatsoever on this route from Alamo to Ely. Taking US-93 through Caliente and Pioche is 50 miles longer.
Day 2 - 500 miles. 9 hours plus stops.
Day 3 - 250 miles. 4.5 hours plus stops and border delays.

I personally would see Shoshone Falls in the morning of Day 2, then only drive to Kennewick that night. Stop at Lake Easton for lunch instead of breakfast on Day 3. This will make the drive times 7 hours and 6.5 hours. If it's still early enough when you get to Kennewick, you can press on to Yakima - about 1.5 hours.

Yup, you got pretty much the same info as me. I'm still tinkering with the return trip. I don't mind doing the 500mi days, trying to stay under 550 as a max and I think my longest trip is 527ish.

Thanks for the info on CA 4, I'll definitely take that!

I'm going to fill my tank in Vegas on the way out of the city and planned on taking your suggested route through NV 318. I'll fill my tank in Ely then in Wells too.

If I do turn out to be too exhausted or the day is a lot longer than expected, I will definitely see Shoshone on the way out of Twin Falls. Same thing with Lake Easton. For my return trip those stops are more like estimates at this point. They are the furthest I'm willing to drive, if I'm too tired before I get to those points I will just stop at the first place I see along the way. For the second night I predicted my overnight to be anywhere around that Yakima/ Ellensburg area but could end up being anywhere from Pendleton depending on how I feel at the time. My ideal return trip would be the one I laid out as it would get me home at roughly midday on the last day of travel which still gives me most of a day to unwind and relax and catch up at home.

Luckily for us we still have 8 weeks left to get all the details ironed out haha

Yup, you got pretty much the same info as me. I'm still tinkering with the return trip. I don't mind doing the 500mi days, trying to stay under 550 as a max and I think my longest trip is 527ish.

Thanks for the info on CA 4, I'll definitely take that!

I'm going to fill my tank in Vegas on the way out of the city and planned on taking your suggested route through NV 318. I'll fill my tank in Ely then in Wells too.

If I do turn out to be too exhausted or the day is a lot longer than expected, I will definitely see Shoshone on the way out of Twin Falls. Same thing with Lake Easton. For my return trip those stops are more like estimates at this point. They are the furthest I'm willing to drive, if I'm too tired before I get to those points I will just stop at the first place I see along the way. For the second night I predicted my overnight to be anywhere around that Yakima/ Ellensburg area but could end up being anywhere from Pendleton depending on how I feel at the time. My ideal return trip would be the one I laid out as it would get me home at roughly midday on the last day of travel which still gives me most of a day to unwind and relax and catch up at home.

Luckily for us we still have 8 weeks left to get all the details ironed out haha

Las Vegas to Ely is 250 miles (400 km) - does your car have adequate fuel range? If it's going to be close, I'd top up in Alamo.

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Originally Posted by benjis_monikuss

Day 4
Bakersfield, CA - Barstow, CA - Las Vegas, NV

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It's always great when a member takes our suggestions to heart and modifies the scale of a trip. That being said, when you are so close to Death Valley National Park -- you really must go and at least drive through....

So from Bakersfield take CA-58 through Tehachapi (don't forget to stop for some fantastic German pretzels at Kohens) when you reach CA-14 head northeast towards Ridgecrest and then County 178 through the Panamint Valley. Stop for an iced tea and marvel at the Redwood Burl at Panamint Springs and then head back northeast on CA-178 for the drive over Emigrant Pass into Death Valley National Park. If time is tight you can continue on to Furnace Creek and out of the Park to Pahrump. From there, it is short drive "over the hump" to Las Vegas. If you have more time, there are lots of places to explore on the paved roads in the park.

Mark

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Originally Posted by glc

Las Vegas to Ely is 250 miles (400 km) - does your car have adequate fuel range? If it's going to be close, I'd top up in Alamo.

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I'm fortunate enough to drive a '13 Honda Civic with a 50L/13.2g tank I get around 600-700km/ 435mi full to empty, 28mpg city and 36 hwy. My cardinal rule on this trip is to avoid having any less than 1/2 tank of gas, even with good economy, running out of gas is still my biggest fear lol. I'm going to add a backup list of gas stop towns in between gas stops just to put my mind at ease.

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Originally Posted by Mark Sedenquist

It's always great when a member takes our suggestions to heart and modifies the scale of a trip. That being said, when you are so close to Death Valley National Park -- you really must go and at least drive through....

So from Bakersfield take CA-58 through Tehachapi (don't forget to stop for some fantastic German pretzels at Kohens) when you reach CA-14 head northeast towards Ridgecrest and then County 178 through the Panamint Valley. Stop for an iced tea and marvel at the Redwood Burl at Panamint Springs and then head back northeast on CA-178 for the drive over Emigrant Pass into Death Valley National Park. If time is tight you can continue on to Furnace Creek and out of the Park to Pahrump. From there, it is short drive "over the hump" to Las Vegas. If you have more time, there are lots of places to explore on the paved roads in the park.

Mark

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Thanks Mark, everyone on here offers tried and true opinions, I'd be silly not to take the advice I'm given! And it's funny that you mention that, as I've been delegating my weekends to the planning of this trip, today I zoomed in dragging my google map around my route and started looking at Death Valley. We will definitely have the time that day as we only have plans for Vegas that evening. I'm going to mention that to my partner in crime, but she hasn't done much to reign me in so far haha. I am literally going to copy and paste your directions into our 'Road Trip' file, that sounds like an awesome little detour! What brilliant suggestions!

As Mark states, Death Valley is too good to miss, when you are sooooooo close. Even if it is only a drive through with a stop here and there for a photo. There is nothing like it on the planet. It is amazing.

Your trip certainly sounds great and your excitement is understandable. However, we are just as excited for you and would love to hear how you got... how it all went. Sure hope you will be able to take some notes and share some of your photos with us.

Lifey

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

As Mark states, Death Valley is too good to miss, when you are sooooooo close. Even if it is only a drive through with a stop here and there for a photo. There is nothing like it on the planet. It is amazing.

Your trip certainly sounds great and your excitement is understandable. However, we are just as excited for you and would love to hear how you got... how it all went. Sure hope you will be able to take some notes and share some of your photos with us.

Lifey

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I definitely want to see Death Valley, we'll just have to look at our timeline for the day. I plan on documenting this trip very well, I've never done anything like it and will definitely post once I'm back and settled and pull everything of their devices. I'd like to keep some kind of journal/ timeline of all of our stops etc as well as getting some fantastic photos!

Out of curiosity do you know where I can get gas on that route, I was planning in going from Bakersfield - Barstow to gas up- Las Vegas.

There is plenty of gas in Ridgecrest and Pahrump. Another option to Mark's recommendation is take CA-178 all the way from Bakersfield.

If you don't want to get below 1/2 tank, top off your tank in Alamo. It's 150 miles from there to Ely, with no gas stations at all.

178 does look more scenic? Going through some forests and a lake. I have some more research to do apparently haha

And don't get too paranoid about the 1/2 tank of gasoline issue. There are only a few stretches of highway anywhere in America where 1/2 tank of fuel (especially in your car) won't provide plenty of fueling options. I routinely drive sections of the Mojave Desert with less than 1/2 tank. The only exception is when I am about to drive off-highway -- then I try and leave the pavement with a full tank.

Mark

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when you reach CA-14 head northeast towards Ridgecrest and then County 178 through the Panamint Valley. Stop for an iced tea and marvel at the Redwood Burl at Panamint Springs and then head back northeast on CA-178 for the drive over Emigrant Pass into Death Valley National Park.

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This is Mark's back yard and he knows DV well, but I have to ask if the section of road through Wildrose towards Emigrant pass would be suitable for a Honda Civic as it's described as 'Rough', narrow and windy. Otherwise I would continue on 190 from Panamint Springs to Furnace Creek.

You will also find Ballarat Ghost town along the Panamint Valley road.

Oops. Yes, I meant to say Towne Pass which is on the main highway into Death Valley -- it is on CA State Highway 190. The Wildrose road is a beautiful drive -- mostly paved -- lots of washouts over the years -- but it can't be driven at anything approaching highway speeds -- and given the time parameters I would recommend that first-timers stay on the state highway and explore Death Valley in that way.

Towne Pass is still gorgeous -- it is used to test air conditioning systems on new cars each summer!

Good catch SW Dave!

Mark

What about going in from Ridgecrest on the Trona Road to Panamint Valley Road to 190?

George, that is the route I've suggested in post #22.

CA-58 to CA-14 (past Red Rock Canyon State Park) to CA-178 to Ridgecrest to Trona through the Panamint Valley to CA-190.

There are lots of alternative smaller roads -- for instance leaving CA-14 at the Randsburg Red Rock Road and stopping by Randsburg for a few mintues. (See here for ideas at Randsburg) and then either follow US-395 into Ridgecrest to refuel OR take the Trona cut-off to CA-178 past Ridgecrest.

The Trona Pinnacles are worth seeing -- especially if you liked the movies filmed there, (Planet of the Apes) but it takes about 2 hours to make the trip.

The area is dotted with historic old ghost towns and mines. Here's a short article about the nearby Ruth Mine.

Mark

Wow, this all sounds so fascinating. My friend is on board so I was thinking of kind of combining a few suggestions?

I'll take the 178 from Bakersfield and go through Isabella Lake area then cut north on the 14 and follow it into 395 (because I shouldn't take the 178 through Ridgecrest, is that right?). Then head east on 190 near Coso Range all the way through Pahrump then 160 into Vegas?

You CAN take 178 through Ridgecrest, which becomes Trona Road. Take that to Panamint Valley Road to 190. This takes you around the east side of China Lake, 395 takes you around the west side. Either way is good, Trona is less traveled. It's probably slower because you would have to go through downtown Ridgecrest. If you are looking for food, fuel, or lodging that would actually be a good thing.

As said above, you can take 178 which is a nice drive with a remote feel once you get through Trona. What you must do is take a left fork onto Panamint Valley road and not keep right on Trona Wildrose Road as that is where you will find the unmade rough road through Wildrose canyon area.

Here is a detailed map of Death valley to help you picture it.

You guys are awesome!

Don't be too worried about that "left fork" It's really hard to even see the road to Wild Rose Canyon on the Panamint Valley Road. It is sign posted when you are north-bound -- but it's very clear which road is the "correct road" the better pavement goes northwest.

And to clarify -- when you reach CA-190, the Panamint Springs Cafe and Motel will be to the left (west) of the junction about 1/4 mile. If you have TIME to stop and thirst -- it's well worth a quick stop. Great historic photos and characters hang out there. Then you will get back on CA-190 going east (past the Panamint Valley Road) and on to Towne Pass and Death Valley.

If you don't have time to spare -- you would simply turn RIGHT (east) when you reach CA-190 when you are northbound on Panamint Valley Road.

One more thing to watch.... The US Navy jets routinely use this valley to fly below the radar and you can often see them -- so keep your eyes peeled. Speed limit is a sane 55 on this road -- due to surface conditions -- but some of us old roadtrippers have been known to open it up a bit here -- Just remember most cars were never designed to catch air on the bumps....

I'm definitely taking your advice on the café; I'm a chef so I'm all about the delicious food and beverage stops if we get to. That's cool about the jets, I hope we see some!

I wouldn't characterize the food as being especially delicious -- but the Redwood Burl bar is quite beautiful -- Far from any naturally occuring Redwood tree forest!

Mark