Questions about best route to escape Oregon right before Thanksgiving:

[MTVR]

It appears likely that we will be moving from Portland Oregon to Waco Texas on or shortly after November 20th.

My wife would like to head down I-5 south into southern California and then cut across, to minimize our chances of snow, as opposed to heading out I-84 east through the Columbia Gorge.

But that means that we'll have to deal with the Siskiyou pass. I've driven it several times over the last 35+ years, but almost always during the summer, and it's been about 15 years since the last time I did that. I've only done it once during winter- it was during a snowstorm back in '84, and I was driving a new Cadillac.

I grew up driving in the snow, but my wife will be driving too, and our other vehicle will be a U-Haul truck towing a car trailer with her BMW on it.

I know we have some members here that are truck drivers- can you guys please educate us a little on our escape route?

I did order a set of four new Oshkosh military surplus 16.00R20 tire chains, and they should arrive in time for us to test fit them before we leave.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Not familiar with northern California, but have driven I-10 to I-8 into San Diego in January. No snow and the slopes were easy - there is a train line running parallel with I-10, just to the north about half a mile. Because of the wildfires in Cali. that route might have some other dangers, other than snow.

 

[simp5782]

Just take the route your truck did. I-5 to the barstow Bakersfield highway across to i40 at Barstow. I40 east to needles, the hwy 95 south to i10 at Quartzsite,AZ.

I- 10 is much less hilly than i40 across AZ and NM.

The 55mph California speed limit sucks but you won't be able to get much past that. It plans to be a dry winter anyway so any route you should. Be fine

 

[MTVR]

Thank you so much, Wes...

 

[MTVR]

Is a detour to Joshua Tree National Park worth it?

 

[simp5782]

There is much more help along that route. I don't know many folks in Californiabut @Castle Bravo and @M35A2-AZ are around Phoenix. Jacks military truck parts in Tucson. @Elk1111 and @Southern Krawler are around las Cruces, el paso area. @Slate is a Ozona, TX between el paso and San Antonio

 

[simp5782]

Is a detour to Joshua Tree National Park worth it?

Its a nice drive. Shouldn't be any tourist. The hills going down into palm springs are pretty steep.

 

[MTVR]

There is much more help along that route. I don't know many folks in Californiabut @Castle Bravo and @M35A2-AZ are around Phoenix. Jacks military truck parts in Tucson. @Elk1111 and @Southern Krawler are around las Cruces, el paso area. @Slate is a Ozona, TX between el paso and San Antonio

God bless you, man- that was going to be the subject of my next thread...

 

[MTVR]

At the other end, we're looking at taking the 10 to the 20 to the 6 into Waco- is that okay?

 

[simp5782]

At the other end, we're looking at taking the 10 to the 20 to the 6 into Waco- is that okay?

I20 is pretty rough from Monahans to near abilene. Take a few extra spares. Oil field country isn't nice to the roads. Its an ok drive though and there is a good bit of traffic along that route as well.

 

[NDT]

Welcome to Texas you will love Waco and the area around it.

 

[MTVR]

Welcome to Texas you will love Waco and the area around it.

I think so. All the barbecue and Mexican places look great- I got a Gut Pack as soon as I hit town. The real estate agent took me all over. I wanted to stay away from DFW, Austin, and the area around Fort Hood, and I think we did okay.

 

[MTVR]

I20 is pretty rough from Monahans to near abilene. Take a few extra spares. Oil field country isn't nice to the roads. Its an ok drive though and there is a good bit of traffic along that route as well.

I think I'd rather drive a few extra miles or pay a couple of tolls, rather than learn how to bust tires on the side of the road...

 

[simp5782]

I think I'd rather drive a few extra miles or pay a couple of tolls, rather than learn how to bust tires on the side of the road...

No tolls along any route you would take.

 

[frank8003]

Ah You got it made
When You get there and settle in don't forget to go fly around and see it all.

 

[silverstate55]

I-10 will beat you & your vehicles to death across New Mexico.

If you drive across I-84 through Oregon & Idaho down into Utah, I’ve driven it this year through snow storms (going to OR & WA for work contracts) and not only are the roads very very good but the snow removal is excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive across I-84 during wintertime to warmer climates.

I’d rather risk I-84 than to drive through kalifornia. YMMV.

 

[simp5782]

I-10 will beat you & your vehicles to death across New Mexico.

If you drive across I-84 through Oregon & Idaho down into Utah, I’ve driven it this year through snow storms (going to OR & WA for work contracts) and not only are the roads very very good but the snow removal is excellent. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive across I-84 during wintertime to warmer climates.

I’d rather risk I-84 than to drive through kalifornia. YMMV.

So will any road across new Mexico. Seems all the potholes are where the right side tires are supposed to be in the road

 

[MTVR]

Wow- good thing my wife's BMW will be on a trailer...

 

[MTVR]

So...any idea where I can pick up a spare 16.00R20 Michelin on the way?

 

[MTVR]

I'm reading that the Siskiyou Pass is not as dangerous going southbound as it would be if we were going the other direction.

What about Cabbage Hill? Is it more dangerous in one direction than another?

Our MTVR has only about 3,000 miles on it- the brake shoes look like new. And it will be lightly loaded- our box only weighs about 3,000 pounds at this point.