vancouver to anaheim

[joann_vm]

Hi! My family and I are planning to drive from Vancouver, Canada to Anaheim California in mid December til the end. Would it be really scary to do long driving along the mountains as we haven't experienced driving far during winter seasons. Please give advice and the routes to take. Thanks.

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the R.T.A. forums.

As with everywhere the weather is unpredictable at this time of year but thousands of people travel safely each day. Interstates are a priority to keep clear of any snow or ice and the worst you should expect is a few hours delay. I am unsure if getting from A-B is the priority for you, in which case I-5 is the direct route, or whether it is part of a Road trip where you want to get off the beaten path and do some exploring? If it's the latter then how long have you got planned for your journey and what interests you?

Make sure your vehicle is checked over and that your fluids are topped up and that your tyres are in good condition and that the air pressures are correct [including the spare].

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

The point of a RoadTrip is to enjoy the process of getting from one place to another. So if driving from Vancouver to Anaheim in a particular manner is going to cause you to be uncomfortable, don't do it that way. At just over 1200 miles, this might be a two day trip for someone who is very comfortable with long days in the saddle, or a three day trip for someone who wanted to take it at a more comfortable pace and see a thing or two while they were at it. For you, even four days wouldn't be out of the question. Then you only have to cover a little over 300 miles a day. You could do that in two sessions with a three hour jaunt in the morning, a nice lunch somewhere, a hike around some attraction or other, and then a three hour session in the afternoon. I'd hardly call that kind of pace 'long driving' days. I-5 which will make up the vast majority of your driving is not a particularly mountainous drive in any event. You will be following the Olympic and Willamette Valleys in Washington and Oregon and the Central Valley in California. You will have a significant section of mountain driving between those two areas as you cross the Siskiyou pass through the Cascades. But you'll be on an Interstate highway which will have limited curves and grades, and you are free to stop as often as you feel necessary for you to maintain your comfort level. So relax, take a deep breath, take your time, and enjoy!

AZBuck

[Carol White]

We often head over to the Oregon Coast Hy - Hwy 101 in the winter just to avoid driving over the Sisk. Summit. It can be a bear and the drive along the southern Oregon and northern California coasts is wonderful. Nice little beach towns to stop in and, of course the route takes you right through the Redwoods National Forest (and the park with a small detour). You can then join back with I-5 north of San Francisco.

I recommend cutting over to the coast near Roseburg - I believe it is Hy 138. It is one of the lowest of the coast range passes and nice road.

Carol White
author of "Live Your Road Trip Dream"

[Eris]

Not wishing to put a damper on your travels but planning and awareness of weather conditions in the winter months should be a high priority. I’m reminded of the tragic death of James Kim who got lost with his family in southern Oregon two years ago while making their way by car to California from Portland. They just took a wrong turning, got stuck in snow and he perished when he attempted to walk out to get help.

From personal experience I am well aware cell phone reception can be hit and miss in such areas.

Watch the weather forecast and road conditions - if detrimental stick to a beaten and well used path.

[Mark Sedenquist]

They just took a wrong turning, got stuck in snow

Actually, the Kim family made a series of mistakes that led to the dreadful and deadly results -- Most of us are familiar with the theory of “six degrees of separation,” by which Kevin Bacon could theoretically network with the pope. I’ve modified this concept into my own “three degrees of decision” rule. It’s been my experience that it takes only three missteps to transform a mildly entertaining adventure into an unmitigated disaster. I wrote about this in a MSNBC column in January, 2007 if you are interested in my theory....

Watch the weather forecast and road conditions - if detrimental stick to a beaten and well used path.

And I totally concur with your statement -- too often in this Xbox-world, beginning roadtrippers can think they can overcome weather and natural conditions just like they can in a virtual world -- but weather and "Mother Nature" can rarely be "handled" in that way. Preparation and thinking and acting smart is always critical on road trips.

Mark

[glc]

A tip - whatever route you take, if the "chains required" sign is up, find a place to stop and check the weather.

[Eris]

I like the consequential theory that mishaps don’t happen in one go – usually anyway – and it probably supports my notion that although we may start physically from the same place we are all mentally in a different place. From those well equipped to others who are an accident waiting to happen.

Can’t help myself, I’m a planner - probably goes back to my days in the Boy Scouts where the motto was “Be prepared”. However, I do try to talk to myself from time to time to kick over the traces and to go with the flow - unexpected experiences can be fun.

I’ve certainly embraced the potential of the internet for seeking out knowledge – my difficulty is sometimes deciphering good from not so good information.

Because of the shared knowledge and sensible moderation I find this place a very good source for advice. Just like the advice about the chain up sign above.