Safe trip to Midwest….in winter..

[ZeeBabar]

I am flying off on Monday to Orange County, LA to get a rear wheel drive Porche Cayman, drive it back to St.Louis.

The fastest way seems to be on I-40 to Memphis, I-55 N to home. However, people warn about snow possibilities.

Is there another way avoiding snow? Further south? Should I just risk it, check into a motel and keep with I-40? I have 4 days, leave Orange County on a Tuesday, get home as late as Saturday. Any more scenic route?

Thanks for your advice.

[AZBuck]

Depending on your driving habits, mostly how many hours per day you are comfortable driving, staying 'farther south' would add as much as half a day to your trip. That would be from roughly three-and-a-half days to four, which you might find acceptable. However, there is no guarantee that such a route would mean no snow or ice. Indeed, if there is any frozen precipitation on a southern route, those areas would be far less prepared and equipped to handle such weather. To be fair, first priority usually goes to keeping the Interstates open, but still that's a lot of roadway to plow and/or salt. And if they salt, you may not want to drive your new(?) Porsche on such roads. Then there's the fact that you have to end up in St. Louis no matter what, and that's where your chance of snow or ice is greatest.

All of the above is to say that there are many factors that go into the decision you'll have to make, some of which you won't know until just before you set out on the drive. If you do decide to stay south, I wouldn't use I-40 which gets to significant elevations in sections, but rather I-10 to west Texas, I-20 to Dallas/Fort Worth, I-30 to Little Rock, I-40 to (almost) Memphis, and finally I-55 to the St. Louis area. Note that while there may be shorter routes that remain that far south, the stated route is all Interstate, and can be done in four days at a little over 500 miles per day. But I'd schedule five days if at all possible just in case you need to sit out some bad road conditions. Also, I would not make lodging reservations, leaving where to stop each night up to the weather and your own comfort level.

AZBuck

[glc]

If the weather is good, you can cut off 50 miles and half an hour by taking US-67 out of Little Rock to STL.

[DonnaR57]

If the weather is good, though, I'd take I-15 up to I-40, then at OKC find I-44 which takes you right into STL.


Donna

[ZeeBabar]

Depending on your driving habits, mostly how many hours per day you are comfortable driving, staying 'farther south' would add as much as half a day to your trip. That would be from roughly three-and-a-half days to four, which you might find acceptable. However, there is no guarantee that such a route would mean no snow or ice. Indeed, if there is any frozen precipitation on a southern route, those areas would be far less prepared and equipped to handle such weather. To be fair, first priority usually goes to keeping the Interstates open, but still that's a lot of roadway to plow and/or salt. And if they salt, you may not want to drive your new(?) Porsche on such roads. Then there's the fact that you have to end up in St. Louis no matter what, and that's where your chance of snow or ice is greatest.

All of the above is to say that there are many factors that go into the decision you'll have to make, some of which you won't know until just before you set out on the drive. If you do decide to stay south, I wouldn't use I-40 which gets to significant elevations in sections, but rather I-10 to west Texas, I-20 to Dallas/Fort Worth, I-30 to Little Rock, I-40 to (almost) Memphis, and finally I-55 to the St. Louis area. Note that while there may be shorter routes that remain that far south, the stated route is all Interstate, and can be done in four days at a little over 500 miles per day. But I'd schedule five days if at all possible just in case you need to sit out some bad road conditions. Also, I would not make lodging reservations, leaving where to stop each night up to the weather and your own comfort level.

AZBuck

Thank you! The I-10 to west Texas, I-20 to Dallas/Fort Worth route seems the safest but I am told it’s sort of boring. The I-40 seems attractive thru Arizona. I am thinking I will decide on the day of departure what route to take, go the I-40 route if the weather in Flagstaff or in Albuquerque and route I-40/is safe on Wednesday and Thursday. Is that a good idea? Once I had seen clear weather in Denver and Colorado Springs and headed there only to find I-70 requiring chains and bad weather thru the passes. So, still concerned.

[DonnaR57]

When traveling in winter, it is ALWAYS best to keep track of the weather before departure and then during. Have alternatives available, including the ability to sit it out and wait at a motel.

I-40 can be very beautiful, particularly in Arizona and New Mexico. Oklahoma, not so much, but there are a few stops that could be interesting. The only issue with I-44 is that in OK, it's toll -- about $10 total ($5 between OKC and Tulsa, and then another $5 after Tulsa).

BTW, Orange County has a toll road or two. It will tell you before you get on, as its a cashless system.


Donna

[Lifemagician]

..... but I am told it’s sort of boring. .....

You may like to read this page from RTA, it has many good poiints, the #1 being there are no boring places.

Lifey