Moving from Rhode Island to Oregon

[AZBuck]

The route you've posted takes into account the suggestions that many of the posters here have given you. It avoids most tolls (especially important with your multi-axle rig), and should be scenic and relatively stress free.

There are still a couple of final elements to worry about. One is timing. To make this an enjoyable trip, you'll need at least seven days. That will give you time for a few short breaks each day to get out and walk around, and/or to just sit out any nasty weather you encounter.

The other thing to think about is accommodations. While most highway-side motels will have some provision for pull-through parking, not all will. So you should have some methods (GPS, AAA Tour Books, chain directories) that list motels along your route so that you can call ahead to check as you work your way down the road. You probably shouldn't make reservations days or weeks ahead, flexibility will be a key in this trip, but rather start calling when a couple of hours out and are pretty sure of where you want to bed down that night.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.

AZBuck

[Midwest Michael]

Rather than cutting north on I-39 from Bloomington, IL and joining I-90 in Rockford, you'd save some miles, and one toll, by sticking to I-74 all the way to Iowa, and use I-80/I-680/I-29 to join I-90 at Sioux Falls, SD. Of course, there is nothing wrong with your route, if you'd like to go through WI and MN.

But again, I wouldn't commit to any route yet, as it's too early to tell what the weather will be more than a week from now.

[glc]

I fully agree with Michael.

[Timmerton]

Rather than cutting north on I-39 from Bloomington, IL and joining I-90 in Rockford, you'd save some miles, and one toll, by sticking to I-74 all the way to Iowa, and use I-80/I-680/I-29 to join I-90 at Sioux Falls, SD. Of course, there is nothing wrong with your route, if you'd like to go through WI and MN.

But again, I wouldn't commit to any route yet, as it's too early to tell what the weather will be more than a week from now.

The only reason I plan on going north into Wisconsin is to see some family along the way. And hopefully the weather DOES cooperate, but I realize that anything could happen so I'll have to plan it day by day. Thanks for the suggestion though. If I did go that way I'd be able to drive by Davenport, where I was born, which would be kind of neat. I'd rather go to Wisconsin though. :)

[glc]

If the weather and road conditions permit, you could do both - take US-61 from Davenport to LaCrosse.

[Timmerton]

If the weather and road conditions permit, you could do both - take US-61 from Davenport to LaCrosse.

Ahh, unfortunately I might need to make two stops in WI along the way. One in Madison and then La Crosse after. There are some health related issues with a family member at play, so there is a sense of urgency in seeing them.

[glc]

Well, you could take US-61 to US-151 to get to Madison from Davenport if you have the time.

[Timmerton]

Hey all,

The trip has gone very well in general. I only paid $3 in tolls, thanks for the tips on that. Right now I'm in Coeur D' Alene. I planned on getting to Spokane today, but I ended up hitting the mountains west of Missoula right as the sun was setting. The roads were very icy for a lot of it, so with the curves, grades, darkness, and ice, it was a terrible combination.

I'm hoping the rest of the way to Bend will be smoother.

Regarding fuel additives...temps have been so cold here I had to use a winter mix cetane booster. Starting the engine took a little coaxing at zero degrees, but got it done. Had I not used anything, my understanding is that the fuel could have gelled up.

Mpg average between 7-8 depending on grades and wind. I'll have to tally up my receipts at the end to figure out the final mpg. But I'm spending a lot more on diesel than I was expecting. At least prices have gotten cheaper the further west I get.

On the bright side, I think hotels are way cheaper in the off season!

[Mark Sedenquist]

Starting the engine took a little coaxing at zero degrees, but got it done. Had I not used anything, my understanding is that the fuel could have gelled up.

Yeah, that can be interesting. Hope you find some warmer weather tomorrow. Although we are experiencing a serious winter storm in the western states right now.

Thanks for the updates.

Mark