Community Forums

Wbonsell · 05-08-2015, 04:58 PM

Need to travel from Bend Or to Portland in a month or so. Been looking at "Mountain West Directory" but confused as to whether I should take 97 direct to I84, 97 and then 197 to I 84 or 20 west toward I5...

Traveling in a non banks 454 pulling a 2400 Miata. Will sacrifice total distance for easier climbs.....thanks.

twogypsies · 05-08-2015, 08:43 PM

We've taken 97 north to 26. No issues.

luckyd · 05-08-2015, 09:44 PM

84 is a great flat highway. 4 lane all the way

busguy · 05-09-2015, 12:03 AM

No way I would take 97 to I-84 or 20 to I-5. Way too far out of the way (the former especially).

We've not travelled over 26 but last summer we took Route 20 and 22 from Bend though to Salem and wouldn't hesitate to travel that route again in any size vehicle.

There was a couple of small passes (on 20) but the section of Route 22 between the junction of Route 20 and just before Detroit Lakes was one of the most enjoyable roads I've ever driven in our RV. This section of road is how all roads should be built. Smooth pavement and the corners are slightly banked or sloped to the inside of the turn. I rarely had to touch the brakes it was so smooth. The road tightens up a bit (nothing serious just a few more twists and turns) for the few miles around Detroit Lakes but then is great again pretty much all the way in to Salem.

wengayle · 05-09-2015, 01:07 AM

Agree with busguy. Live in Salem travel 22 to 20 all the time to Bend in the coach. We even do in the winter for snowmobiling. Summer is a piece of cake. No chains to throw on.