Los Angeles to Spokane next week!

[Gina81]

Hi, I'm moving from LA to Idaho with my whole family but we are staying in Spokane first. The good news is I got a job but it starts pretty soon and couldn't wait till winter is over. We could not afford to ship our cars ($1250/each) otherwise we would not be driving. I have no clue what route to take that's the safest considering the weather is not good. Was originally going to do Sacramento to Bend to Spokane but now with the weather I am considering going through Nevada. Any suggestions will be helpful. Thank you! And please help!

[glc]

Welcome to RTA!

I'd take Interstate highways/freeways as much as possible. Take I-5 to Portland to I-84, using I-205 to bypass downtown. Take that to I-82 to US-395, go through Kennewick, to I-90. Once you leave Kennewick, US-395 is freeway quality all the way to I-90.

If the weather is bad, just be prepared to get off the road and find a hotel till it's cleared up.

[Southwest Dave]

I would agree with the above and just make sure you check road and weather conditions before leaving and along the way. The key to safety and a reasonably comfortable journey is to give yourself enough time, with 2 cars and the whole family I would recommend 2 overnight stops which, if leaving early(ish) on day 1, would give you a short run in on day 3 to your destination at 500/550 miles the first 2.

[Gina81]

Thank you both for this route information. I especially appreciate the part about bypassing downtown Portland. So helpful!

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[CalOldBlue]

I agree with all the above; in the Winter, in general, you are better off on an Interstate. In your routing, the one thing I would keep an eye on is the route over the Siskiyous on I5 between CA and OR (specifically Ashland). Keep an eye on the weather forecast and the Oregon DOT website (https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Road...ns&curRegion=0) and Caltrans https://roads.dot.ca.gov/

One final thought, and this is likely overthinking things. If you drove from LA to (roughly) Weed/Shasta/Dunsmuir, and spent the night there, depending on conditions you could continue up I5 to Portland, or if the pass is closed but US97 is open you could take the Bend routing (or enjoy another day or two in beautiful downtown Shasta; try the original Black Bear Diner).

[DonnaR57]

CalOldBlue had a nice suggestion about a possible place to overnight. I will say, however, that there aren't a huge amount of places in Dunsmuir, and there aren't many eateries to choose from either. When we went through there and stayed in Dunsmuir, in 2017, we made a note to stay in Shasta City next time. More choices!


Donna

[glc]

I don't think I'd want to be out on US-97 in bad weather.

[CalOldBlue]

CalOldBlue had a nice suggestion about a possible place to overnight. I will say, however, that there aren't a huge amount of places in Dunsmuir, and there aren't many eateries to choose from either. When we went through there and stayed in Dunsmuir, in 2017, we made a note to stay in Shasta City next time. More choices!


Donna

Yep; but there are some interesting gems. Railroad Park Resort lets you sleep in a Caboose (or boxcar or cabin), and Cornerstone Cafe in downtown Dunsmuir has long been our go-to lunch option whenever we head north (not open for dinner). Beyond that, Shasta or Weed offer many more options.

And no argument on glc's comment... I would ONLY do 97 if I5 was closed AND ODOT and Caltrans said 97 was clear AND I was pushed for time. And I carry a PLB with me in case I get stuck where no cell coverage exists... so there is that.

Siskiyou Summit (I5) is actually LOWER than sections of 97, but 97 is in drier country. So it will depend. Do not under any circumstances stray off onto any road not an Interstate or US highway.

[glc]

It's not very likely that I-5 would close, but they may require chains unless you have a 4wd/AWD vehicle with "traction tires" and you still have to carry chains for at least 1 axle. If they are marked M+S or have the mountain and snowflake symbol, they qualify. There is also a minimum tread depth required.

If you are moving to Idaho, I'd buy chains anyway, just to have them.