Community Forums

Ohana5 · 05-23-2011, 05:05 PM

Hi there,

We are newbies trying to get to WA state for my gramma's birthday. We have about 10 days and are wondering what's going to be the best route from El Paso to WA. Should we go to California and drive up the interstate? It's longer and has mountain passes, but it's interstate. Or should we go up through New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, etc? Probably two thirds of that route would be interstate driving. We'd love to hear your opinion.

Rick and Leslie
2001 Winnebago Chieftain

TW · 05-23-2011, 06:07 PM

When we lived in El Paso or visited later our friends from Canada, we liked to drive different routes.
I love the following route:
I 10 to Phoenix
I 17 to Flagstaff
US 89 into Utah until Highway 20
Highway #20 to I 15
I 15 North until I 84 to Portland, OR
I 5 or any other point b4 to get into WA (whereever that is)

TW (5 years in El paso)

Dick1142 · 05-23-2011, 06:15 PM

I have driven from the Portland OR area thru El Paso. Took I-5 and 99 to Bakersfield, then cross country to Las Vegas, cross country to I-10, then east. Only mountains to speak of were in northern Calif, and they aren't much on I-5.

TW · 05-23-2011, 06:23 PM

Oh, remember: CA is full of potholes (moneyholes)

Ohana5 · 05-24-2011, 09:53 AM

Thank you for the advice. We think we'll head up through New Mexico, etc. Should be a nice drive.

pvrick · 05-24-2011, 09:12 PM

Where in Washington are you going. I would look to travel up through Vegas, Jackpot and Twin Falls. Use US highways rather than interstate. Not as beat up, much less traffic and i think have nicer scenery. If you want to go through Calif, try driving up US 395 on e side of mountains to Pendleton and up that way. Depends where in Washington you are headed.

Beautiful country. Enjoy the trip.

Ohana5 · 05-25-2011, 12:34 AM

We wanted to go to both the west and the east side of Washington, but we think we'll just go straight to eastern Washington now and then drive our van to the western side. Thanks for the additional route idea- we'll look into that.

CD · 05-25-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohana5

We wanted to go to both the west and the east side of Washington, but we think we'll just go straight to eastern Washington now and then drive our van to the western side. Thanks for the additional route idea- we'll look into that.

I ran some routes on MSstreets & trips. Since we don't know where you are going, I used Spokane & Seattle. The longest route is through LA to Seattle.(1952mi). The shortest is to Spokane through Missoula, Mt.(1580mi). My choice would probably be through Salt Lake & Pasco, Wa to either Spokane or Seattle.(1630mi Spokane or 1700mi Seattle).
Have a good trip.