Best route from NM to OR this winter

[Mark Sedenquist]

US 395 is gorgeous anytime of the year, but Nevada is a Basin and Range state and I would recommend US-95 all the way to the Oregon Outback before heading SW to Medford. Less travelers, but still gorgeous country and you could always head west on US-50 if the weather looks rough.

Lots of nice hot springs in the Oregon Outback.

Mark

[HeadedWest]

Hi Mark! Thanks for your response. I have a couple questions- can you clarify what you mean by Nevada is a Basin & Range state as it pertains to my question? I'm not sure if you're talking about winter weather or scenery? And what do you mean by the Oregon Outback? I think you're talking about the high desert in eastern Oregon... Anywhere specific? Were you suggesting I take US-95 from Las Vegas up the western side of NV and then up into SE Oregon, near the Steens mountains? Like up to Burns and then back down to Klamath Lakes? I'm hoping to make this somewhat of a scenic drive if I can, as long as it doesn't take me too far off course or into bad weather, but I can adjust as needed on the drive. I did see there are some wildlife refuges around that area that looked interesting. And I know there are a lot of migratory birds at Klamath Lakes in the winter, which I'd love to see. I've never driven through Utah or Nevada, and never been to eastern Oregon, so I'm curious about all these places. I figured I'd try to hit some pretty spots along the way if I can, weather permitting. Making a road trip in February through the Rockies in a La Nina year might not be feasible. We'll see. I have never driven across country so I'm unfamiliar with any of these routes except I-5. So I appreciate all the info! Thank you.