Dallas, TX to Olympia, WA..3/22/12 -3/25/12

[Meemee]

Hi all. I am new to this site and forum. What is the best driving route from Dallas, TX to Olympia, WA this time of year? I am renting a full size car today (one way) and will be traveling with 1 other driver and an 8 year old. We plan to leave around noon today or 5am tomorrow morn.

Planning 1 overnight stay the first day; 2 if needed. What/where are some good options for lodging? We have always flown to Washington so this will be the first time driving and unfortunately driving is the only option and the trip a must.

Of course, I am looking for the best path to help minimize hazardous driving conditions (for me...snowy/icy roads and mountain passes). Yesterday, I did look at transportation cams (www.cotrip.org) and noticed that New Mexico/Raton Pass-Walsenburg @ I25, @ I70@Vail pass, and Johnson/Eisenhower tunnel show to have icy patches for several miles. I’ve noticed I-25 & I-70 in route suggestions in several threads for Dallas to Seattle trips on the internet.

Please Help!Suggestions/recommendations/advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thank You! Meemee

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

We plan to leave around noon today or 5am tomorrow morn. Planning 1 overnight stay the first day; 2 if needed.

Does this mean you are planning to make this trip with just one or two overnight stops? If that's your plan, the weather is the least of your concerns. This is a 2200 mile trip, and even in perfect conditions, you need a minimum of 3 overnight stops to do this trip safely, and even that is going to be a speed run. Trying to do it in 2 days isn't even possible (its going to be about 40 hours of driving alone), and doing it in 3 days with just 2 drivers would be very dangerous both for your family and everyone else on the road.

As far as routes, I-25 to I-70 would not be a route I'd consider for a speed run. I'd take I-35 to I-70 to Denver, then I-25 to I-80 to Utah, and I-84 to I-82 to Washington. If you can leave around noon, then good stopping points could be around Wichita, Cheyenne, and Twin Falls ID. If you must make the trip faster than this, then driving isn't an option you should be considering.

[Meemee]

Thanks so much for responding. Yes, the plan was 1 overnight stay, 2 if needed but we don't need to be there until next Tuesday so 3 overnight stops is certainly not a problem. I appreciate your advice as we have not done this before. I will plan the Denver, Utah route.

[Southwest Dave]

So pleased to hear that ! You should treat it as marathon and not a sprint, so don't try pushing too far during the first 2 days or you will get burnt out, that's when you are vulnerable and can end up ptting yourself in harms way. Follow Michaels recommendations for spacing your days evenly and enjoy the ride !!

I would check out the weather and road conditions before travelling and before making a final decision on route. Early am starts are when you should be extra cautious of road conditions. Having been through the coldest part of the night and the least travelled time, this is the time roads are usually iced up, if they are going to be.

One other thing, try and stop for the night on the 'other side' of town, so when you are heading out in the morning, you are heading away from the incoming rush hour traffic.

Have a safe trip !!

[glc]

I-80 across Wyoming is notorious for bad weather and high winds - you may want to look at taking I-25 all the way to I-90. Keep an eye on wyoroad.info. This does add about 50 miles.

If weather and road conditions permit, it's faster to take US-287 to Amarillo and Dumas, then US-87/US-64 through Dalhart to Raton. This cuts off about 85 miles.

If you take I-35, you want I-135 out of Wichita to I-70.

This is a full 4 day trip.

[Meemee]

One other thing, try and stop for the night on the 'other side' of town, so when you are heading out in the morning, you are heading away from the incoming rush hour traffic.

Thanks for your response and suggestions. I especially like the 'other side' of town. Very helpful.

[Meemee]

[QUOTE=glc;127749]

I-80 across Wyoming is notorious for bad weather and high winds

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Thanks glc. We did go across Wyoming and it was VERY windy most of the way. I could definitely feel the difference once we got into Utah.I appreciate your response. It definitely helped prepare us for the trip.