Traveling Next Spring (How Far South)

Possum · 10-22-2011, 01:14 AM

My wife and I want to go to our granddaughter's wedding on May 12, 2012 in Sault Ste Marie Ontario. We want to head south on I-5 far enough to get beyond the prairie snow. We will be leaving rainy but relatively warm Port Alberni and traveling due south to either Portland or Grant's Pas and then headed east toward I-75 to go north. How far south do we have to go to get to where its relatively safe to go east?

I don't mind driving in the snow if it happens but I would rather not just drive straight east through Canada.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 10-22-2011, 04:55 AM

You should be okay in May to travel east on I-80 or probably even I-90, maybe even I-94. Not to say, it won't snow though, but usally if it does it's not that bad and it won't hold you up to long. If it does snow, it's usually not that heavy that time of year and will clear off by the next day. It can still be chilly though. Last May it was in the 30's and low 40's into the middle of May even here in Colorado.

blackf3504dr · 10-22-2011, 05:37 AM

I 94 should be fine that late in the season. You mention going to I75 to go north, have you considered going through the U. P of Michigan across to Sault Ste Marie ?

CD · 10-22-2011, 09:19 AM

I think it would be rare to have any problems on I90 from April on. I would think the mountains of Co. would be more problem than Montana (higher)

Possum · 10-22-2011, 09:54 AM

I did forget to mention we want to be in the Soo for May 12 so will leave here May 1. I love the Yopperville route but being I lived back there for a long time I am a tad nervous about driving a motorhome on the south shore of Superior in early May.

Thanks for the information on the mountain heights, is there anywhere on the net that gives pass heights for the various routes?

CD · 10-22-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum

I did forget to mention we want to be in the Soo for May 12 so will leave here May 1. I love the Yopperville route but being I lived back there for a long time I am a tad nervous about driving a motorhome on the south shore of Superior in early May.

Thanks for the information on the mountain heights, is there anywhere on the net that gives pass heights for the various routes?

Downlaod Google Earth and you can get elevation at any point that you put your curser on. It will be at the bottom of the screen. I'm sure there are places where you can get pass elevations.

DFR · 10-22-2011, 07:32 PM

I live just outside Sault Ste Marie. That being said, I would not hesitate to make the drive across in May. Come across the northern tier to the Twin Cities in Minnesota and then pick up US 2 and drive across the Upper Peninsula. With the timeframe you are giving yourself, you would even have time to stop and explore the areas you're passing through.

Wayne MD · 10-23-2011, 12:02 PM

For winter travel, take I-5 to L.A Basin. Turn onto 1-10 or 8. Go to Florida. Stay until about July 3. Should be safe to travel North anywhere you want by then. I'd do that, I hate snow and ice driving.

Possum · 10-24-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne MD

For winter travel, take I-5 to L.A Basin. Turn onto 1-10 or 8. Go to Florida. Stay until about July 3. Should be safe to travel North anywhere you want by then. I'd do that, I hate snow and ice driving.

Hard to meet the May 12th time frame that way; but all good valid advise.

I have done the east - west US 2 route many times from the Soo end and from the Port Alberni end and thoroughly enjoyed it. The various little villages and towns all have their own distinct appeal and we look forward to traveling that way on our way back in late June early July.