Hello Road Trippers, I'm new to this wonderful site and will take me a while to catch up to the previous posts, so I apologize if this is a question that already exists on this forum somewhere.

I need to drive my elderly mother back home to Florida for a life or death medical necessity, so time is of the essence here. Looks like we will be hitting the road mid-February and I am absolutely terrified at the thought of crossing mountain passes in the middle of winter, which is expected to be a bad one out west this year (thanks, La Niņa). Hence, I am seeking advice for the safest, not necessarily the quickest or most scenic routes, this is not a sightseeing trip unfortunately this time.

Departing from Portland, Oregon in a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (which is going to be serviced this Friday for a full safety check) heading to Miami with mom, one small dog and one cat.

From what I've gathered on advice to previous posts, the coastal route is suggested. I would like to head down the Pacific Highway and stop in Los Angeles for a few days, avoiding I-5 preferably. But I'm being told by well-meaning California friends that I-5 is more closely monitored and plowed frequently as it's a major corridor. I also know that when I moved to Oregon from FL I got lucky and crossed Grants Pass on a sunny postcard blue-sky day in mid-December, and the next day there was a major snowstorm which closed I-5 with stranded motorists having to abandon their vehicles. I will do anything to avoid Grants Pass this time of year, or any snowy mountain pass.

Is hugging the coast safer? What conditions can I expect? What is the safest way to drive if I hit heavy fog/snow and can't pull over? I just bought a Midland mobile CB radio to monitor the NOAA channel, am putting together my emergency kit with flares, food, blankets, etc. and sure hope we don't have to use it.

I will limit driving no more than 5 hours per day due to diminished daylight, safety is my biggest concern here, slow and steady wins the race!

As soon as I figure out how to use the Map Wizard I will try to plan out the route and where to stop overnight, but figured I'd ask as probably one or many of you have already done this trip.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thank you!!