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McKenna · 02-28-2014, 08:45 AM

We are newbies here. Bought our 2014 FR3 30DS for our relocation from Lancaster, CA to Spokane, WA. Traveled out of state via auto several times to Florida, etc, but not in RV. Can anyone provide us with a SAFE, easy route from CA to Spokane? We sold our home here in CA and MUST hit the road on March 9, 2014. I've looked at several routes, but being new at all this, we need some experienced input as to highways, avoid mountain passes, low bridges, etc. Thank you all!

laj · 02-28-2014, 09:04 AM

take I-5 to portland oregon, then take 84 east, jump on 82 north hermiston, then to tri-cities, get onto 395 through tri- cities all the way to Spokane. nothing low to worry about the entire route. a little pull, gradual, once crossed Colombia river, then it's granule uphill from tri-cities to Spokane with a couple minor grades. piece of cake, nothing to worry about

lanerd · 02-28-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laj

take I-5 to portland oregon, then take 84 east, jump on 82 north hermiston, then to tri-cities, get onto 395 through tri- cities all the way to Spokane. nothing low to worry about the entire route. a little pull, gradual, once crossed Colombia river, then it's granule uphill from tri-cities to Spokane with a couple minor grades. piece of cake, nothing to worry about

X2... we've taken this route a couple of times with our previous 36' motor home and toad.

Ron

laj · 02-28-2014, 09:36 AM

just wanted to change one thing. take 205 off I-5 to 84. will save going downtown, but either way is great.

wb7auk · 02-28-2014, 09:57 AM

Have made the trip many times over the years and as stated above I-5 but some
times I use 97 from California thru Oregon.

Melvo · 02-28-2014, 02:42 PM

Used to live in Lancaster and grew up in WA state. Made the route quite a few times. I second the use of 97 to get to Spokane, both have some grades but 97 is a road less traveled.

BobGed · 02-28-2014, 03:04 PM

I lived in Coeur d'Alene, ID, (about 35 miles east of Spokane) and would travel to CA at least twice a year to visit grand children.

I will third the Hwy 97 route, weather and road conditions dependent. It is one of my favorite roads, but things can change fast in that part of the country.

A good over night stay is Crown Villa in Bend, OR. https://crownvillarvresort.com/

McKenna · 02-28-2014, 05:09 PM

Failed to mention we are heading to Las Vegas after we depart Lancaster, CA and want to head into Utah, Idaho then Spokane. Is the I15 N to the 84 into Boise and then on up to the latter portion of the 395 ok for newbies in the 30ft Class A? We just don't want to get stuck on Mountain roads, tight twist, turns or steep grades LOL!! ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL to new to this! Thanks to everyone. Will be looking for alternate route other than I 5. Please advise.

wb7auk · 02-28-2014, 05:16 PM

Where are you going in Utah? that might get interesting.
15 to 84 to 395 is a very good road only a few hills but nothing to worry about.

wyorancher · 02-28-2014, 05:22 PM

Take 1-15 all the way to Butte, MT, then westward on I-90. DW was born in Quartz Hill. Family farmed in Rosemond. Lancaster was a great area years ago. One thing you will encounter in March while heading north is that many of the RV parks are closed until the end of April. We end up at truck stops during those months. We found after leaving Vegas that Nephi Utah has a Pilot Flying J at exit 222. Pretty popular stop over. They have a "low clearance app" but as mentioned if you stay on an interstate you won't have any problems. If you are leaving in March you may want to invest in a set of cable chains. Or just stop if the weather gets bad. Go over the passes during mid day.

McKenna · 02-28-2014, 10:22 PM

Lancaster, Vegas, St. George Utah, Provo Utah, Idaho, Spokane...what an experience! Relocating! Whew! Thank you for the directions!

McKenna · 02-28-2014, 10:26 PM

We will check RV parks/Resorts well ahead of schedule..as far as chains..yikes! We will sit it out if we have to..to new to attempt chains!

wyorancher · 03-01-2014, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McKenna

We will check RV parks/Resorts well ahead of schedule..as far as chains..yikes! We will sit it out if we have to..to new to attempt chains!

I drive over the continental divide in Wyoming at South Pass, west on I-80 to I-15 and south a lot in the winter. Even on I-90 across Montana in the winter. You will be lucky to find any RV park open. Not like the year around parks in SoCA. I just got back from a 4 month trip and this has been the worst winter I have seen in Wyoming. Snow is one thing but you really have to watch out for the cross winds which can be very dangerous. 65 mph cross winds are no fun. We hunkered down at truck stops between big rigs to block the wind. the purpose of hunkering down at truck stops is if you are hunkered down for 4 or 5 days you will have food, fuel, propane and possibly even a dump station. We also were lucky and had wifi. I have a set of bus cable chains for the outside rear dual. Never used them but carry them just in case. Also carry a good shovel when traveling in the winter. I winterize below 10 degrees, flush commode with rv antifreeze and carry bottled water for cooking and coffee. I winterize because if I have a break down a lot of damage can be done before you can get heat back into the RV. JMHO.

BTW: Spent over 4 hours yesterday plowing out my drive and down the road so we could get out to the main highway. This morning looks like I'll be out on the tractor again.

73s AC6CV

McKenna · 03-01-2014, 07:18 PM

is there much worry about the above on the I-5 North of Los Angeles into Portland? Or from Portland to Spokane? We may change routes to make it more direct. Is there a good website to locate low bridge warnings or any other RV warnings that may relate to us driving a Class A? Sorry for all the questions...