Planning our trip home

[jimkate]

We are currently in San Jose, CA. We're beginning to make our plans for our trip home on March 9th. When we came down from Canada, we stayed on the I-5 from Spokane, WA all the way down to San Jose.

Going home, when we leave San Jose, we are thinking that we'd like to see some of the ocean. So we're thinking of going to Eureka first.

From Eureka, we want to get back onto the I-5. Once we get on the I-5, we'll go straight to Portland, OR, then on to Spokane, WA, then to Cranbrook, BC, Canada, and onward to home.

What's the best route to take to get back to the I-5 from Eureka?

Any 'best places to stay' recommendations along the way?

Any 'must see' recommendations along the way?

[1ciderdog]

There is a highway from Eureka to Redding, CA 299 I think. As a suggestion you can stay on Hwy 101 to Crescent City, CA then take Hwy 199 to Grants Pass and then continue up I-5. By taking 101 to Crescent City you bypass the northern California and southern Oregon mountain passes. You also see a lot more of the redwood forests. There are many state parks along the way you can overnight.

[Barbaraok]

Heavens, your going to miss some of the best of Highway 101. Stay on it clear up to Astoria, then head east to Portland and Spokane. Highway 101 in Oregon is absolutely beautiful. One of the best places to stay on your trip north up 101 is at Winchester Bay south of Reedsport. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Barb

[jimkate]

Is the 101 all the way up through Oregon a very slow route? Aside from the stopping to see the beautiful scenery, of course!

[TW]

Hi Jim, well, the BEST would be to stay a bit longer south. From AB to MB another artic front is coming down. I have not driven from the coast to I 5 in Winter, only I 5. The Interstate is kept in good shape and we never had a problem coming home. If you want to see the ocean, you might have to keep going until you are close to WA border. Keep the weather channel on at all times!!

Have a safe return trip
TW

[jimkate]

Thanks TW,

When we left home in Manitoba on Feb 3 to go down to San Jose, CA., we woke up at 6:00 A.M., cleared the snow banks in the yard from the snow storm of the night before, and followed the clear weather across Western Canada to Cranbrook, BC and down into the U.S.A. The bad weather closed in behind us as we traveled. Amazing.

We're hoping for good weather by the time we hit Canada for our run across the country. We're leaving San Jose on March 9th, and we need to be home by March 22nd at the latest. Our trip down took us a total of 5 days, but that was steady driving, 400 - 500 miles per day. We'd like to run at a bit more leisurely pace going home.

[pdq_bc]

Hi Jim

we did the reverse coming south the first of Feb....
- left vancouver
- I5 to Kelso
- crossed into Oregon at Kelso/Longview
- took US30 to Astoria
- 101 to Long Beach

if you have time, and as Barb noted; heavens, you are going to miss the BEST!
we LOVE the Oregon coast

regards, pdq

[JimM68]

I'm with Barb. Cruise 101 all the way up the oregon coast. Totally beautiful drive. slow and twisty in spots but very doable in the RV. Plan 1-2 days. Stop in Tillamook and eat some cheese.

[TW]

Just FILL UP b4 you come across the 49 th NORTH.
Gas prices went this morning here in Vancouver to can. $ 1.31 aLiter
DIESEL is a penny more or so. In the States it is around .80 cents a Liter.
And it's mainly Canadian Gas. I guess we pay for heating the NORTH!!!