Community Forums

wolfe10 · 01-04-2021, 06:14 AM

Be willing to make last minute changes in route because of weather.

An excellent site for weather:

https://www.ventusky.com/?p=41.7;-11...temperature-2m

You can look at many factors (precipitation, temperature, wind, etc) out as far as 10 days. Obviously, the further out, the less accurate, so check back as you get closer.

brobox · 01-04-2021, 06:31 AM

Great site for traveling Brett. It in my travel folder, thanks.

bsaldeen · 01-04-2021, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snlluck

Anyone have route advice from Seattle area to Texas and recommendations for places to stay along the way? We are leaning towards I-5 down to LA to limit mountain passes. We don't have a tow and plan to drive during daylight hours only.

Don't have specific route advice for you, but some suggestions that might help along the way...

First, look into getting a TSD Logistics fuel card. It allows you to pay directly at the pump at major truck stops (Loves, TA, etc), pay, and get on your way. Otherwise you are usually going inside, waiting in line, etc. Plus you save a few cents per gallon off the pump price. There's a similar program for Pilot/Flying J--not as good a deal as TSD but it's not a bad idea to have both in your arsenal.

Avoid fueling in California as long as you can! Diesel is about a buck a gallon higher there than the rest of the country. (source: AAA)

We use Harvest Host stops when possible driving across the country. There are usually no hook ups, but they're great for a quick stop. You can alternate HH stops with campgrounds to dump the tanks, fill the water, etc. Often they're not far off the highway, have easy in-out with big parking lots, etc.

I think it's a good plan not to drive at night; it's not much fun, especially in traffic or if you encounter road construction. Pulling into campgrounds at night can be tricky.

A lot of people avoid heavy rain too--not because of the driving aspect but it raises havoc with the electrical connections underneath the rig (the wiring isn't weather sealed as much as you'd expect).

Enjoy the trip. Austin's a cool place. We were just in Fredericksburg a few weeks ago--worth a side trip. (Stayed at a Harvest Host winery...)

alank · 01-04-2021, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmcgc

Im in agreement that Seattle to Bakersfield, Phoenix, Tucson, El Paso is the safe route that time of year.

Last time I was on I40 it was pretty rough west of Memphis, it seems like they have been working on it my entire life.

We travel the west side of Memphis quite often, just there at Christmas, it's all new now. Has been for a few years, but I do remember when it was a rough piece of I-40.

As for fueling in AZ, if you don't have the discount cards, (Loves/Pilot) and pull into the ruck lanes, there's a special tax on commercial vehicles, (trucks) that the clerk will take off when you fuel a diesel recreation vehicle. You have to go inside to request the removal of the tax on your pump.

F4Gary · 01-04-2021, 11:03 AM

Oops, just noticed you are heading to Austin.
I still recommend going over Tehachapi pass to Needles and then south to I-10 all the way to just past Junction,Tx (take the bypass around the north side of El Paso) then take 290 through Fredericksburg to the Austin area.
Spend some time in the Fredericksburg/Stonewall area. Plenty of nice RV parks around there.

bmcgc · 01-05-2021, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerViz

I live in Ocean Shores and have traveled south several times at this time of the year. To avoid passes, I hit 101 in Astoria and take it to LA. From There you can work your way to I-10. It is a beautiful drive down the coast and a nice way to take your time. Harris Beach State Park in OR is very nice and has spots big enough for your rig. San Francisco RV resort is a great place to stay and play in SF. There are a ton of RV parks along the way too, just call ahead to make sure you can fit. There are a couple of KOAs (like in Willits) along the way too. Pismo Beach is fun out on the dunes. It is our preferred route and you don't have to mess with all the trucks on I-5. If you don't have RV Parky, download it and you can see all the parks along the route.

I have a good friend who lives in Ocean Shores. Beck is their last name.

101/1 is a beautiful drive, I have done it many times from Astoria to the Modesto area. Its 40-45mph in a big rig and lots of small towns along the way.

On the Wasington side there are some nice parks on the Long Beach Peninsula. Seaside is a nice little ocean front town with a nice boardwalk on thh beach.

Sunset Bay State Park just South of Coos Bay OR is beautiful, then cut across to Bandon on Seven Devils road and spend a day there.

If you stop everywhere interesting and spend a day, it will take all week to get through Oregon.

GeezerViz · 01-05-2021, 08:36 AM

"101/1 is a beautiful drive, I have done it many times from Astoria to the Modesto area. Its 40-45mph in a big rig and lots of small towns along the way."

I'd highly recommend you stay off Hwy 1. It is not fun in a big rig. While Hwy 1 is beautiful, there are a few tight turns that are a nightmare (and actually sections are closed to big rigs) Hwy 101 is perfectly fine with a lot of nice views.

buddy110 · 01-05-2021, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Larry

I think you are using good judgement to go around the mountains at this time of year and particularly when you are fairly new to driving your rig. You are using your head to go around this time. Save the big mountains for after you are fully acquainted with your jake brake system on your coach and you have handled smaller less impressive climbs and descents. I have driven from the Oregon - Washington border from my home and back in Shreveport LA once a few years ago. As I remember I essentially traveled south east from the Columbia River to the Amarillo area and east on I-15, 10, and 20. I dont believe that I encountered major mountains on that route. OF course the sooner you get south the sooner that you will have to worry about inclement weather conditions. You say you are not in a hurry so if you encounter bad weather, just stay where you are and give the weather and the road crews times to get everything under control. I dont personally like driving in any conditions that involve salting the highways.... my problem is not the snow, my problem is that I dont want a lot of heavy salt being thrown up on my undercarriage. I try to avoid salt at all costs. It will really go after your chassis.

Gary

I agree completely. We left NY Xmas day en route to LV. We took 81-40 in order to avoid 95, which is always a traffic disaster. We encountered salted roads in Virginia, pretreated roads in Amarillo and salt again in Flagstaff. I washed the undercarriage, engine bay and penny bay, all of which were salty. I would avoid mountains as much as possible, and go further south through Yuma taking rt 10 or 8 towards Austin from there. We head to Yuma from LV Friday and will take that path to Austin. Best of luck with the new coach

teamwally · 01-13-2021, 10:04 PM

We've done the NW to SW a few times every year. I strongly recommend skipping I5. Ptld is a nightmare, the southern half of Oregon is nothing but twisty windy long grades with semi trucks obstructing every lane. Then from Medford on its the Siskiyou Pass, long grades, snow. No where to pull over. From Redding south it is not a pleasant drive, all things California in one super long stretch. We've made the run from Corning, Ca to Bakersfield in a very long day. Never felt safe. I head out from Seattle to I84 along the Columbia river to Pendleton Or, spend the night at Wild Horse Casino then up the hill. Continue down 84 to either SLC or via Twin Falls to LasVegas. Pretty drives and lots of spots to spend a day or 2.

DeeGee · 01-14-2021, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerViz

"101/1 is a beautiful drive, I have done it many times from Astoria to the Modesto area. Its 40-45mph in a big rig and lots of small towns along the way."

I'd highly recommend you stay off Hwy 1. It is not fun in a big rig. While Hwy 1 is beautiful, there are a few tight turns that are a nightmare (and actually sections are closed to big rigs) Hwy 101 is perfectly fine with a lot of nice views.

Please check the California DOT for roads that are not legal in your RV. There are many sections that are not suitable or legal for something the size of an Entegra. You can download maps that cover the router you're thinking of to be able to check if you can do it. In northern CA, especially, Highway 1 is lovely but has turns a long RV cannot handle.

DeeGee · 01-14-2021, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdgoldie

Can’t help with the route but if you do go 287, Wichita Falls has a very nice campground for a day or two stay.

Where might that be? My wife grew up in Wichita Falls, and so I know darn well I'll end up there visiting, sooner or later. The closest we have been so far is Sanger, about an hour and a half away.

hdgoldie · 01-14-2021, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeGee

Where might that be? My wife grew up in Wichita Falls, and so I know darn well I'll end up there visiting, sooner or later. The closest we have been so far is Sanger, about an hour and a half away.

It’s right in town...Wichita Falls RV Park. We hadn’t been expecting much but it was a nice overnight spot - and would be good for longer stays too. A plus for us, they have a really cute doggie area. My notes say not fenced but nice for walking the pups. Long sites, no problem with staying hooked up if you want, well kept park. Didn’t check out any of the facilities there, for us it was just an overnight, but we would not hesitate to go back.

Craneboy302 · 01-16-2021, 09:32 PM

We go south most every year but of course this one. Have Tired several Routes. We live west of Seattle & go south down I-5 to Portland & east on I-84. It is 1/2hr less to go over the pass but it not worth the hassle. At Twin Falls Id turn south on hwy 93. Stop in Jackpot so she can loose my money. Stay a couple days in Vegas if I have an money left. Down 93 to I-40 & south to LHC for a few days. Then I-10 east to Tx.
I wouldn’t go into CA for all the money they can give me. 55 mph limit if towing, too much traffic, bad roads, HIGH fuel prices.

brobox · 01-17-2021, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craneboy302

We go south most every year but of course this one. Have Tired several Routes. We live west of Seattle & go south down I-5 to Portland & east on I-84. It is 1/2hr less to go over the pass but it not worth the hassle. At Twin Falls Id turn south on hwy 93. Stop in Jackpot so she can loose my money. Stay a couple days in Vegas if I have an money left. Down 93 to I-40 & south to LHC for a few days. Then I-10 east to Tx.
I wouldn’t go into CA for all the money they can give me. 55 mph limit if towing, too much traffic, bad roads, HIGH fuel prices.

I was born and raised in CA, we plan our routes the same way when we travel. We use to go go into No CA, but that is usually an in and out from the north or east. It's a shame they ruined that states so bad, I won't even go back home to visit. Last trip in was 09, won't go back, traffic being the worst of the reasons.