Moving From Washington State to Florida

[Quinn Varos]

As the title suggest, I am moving cross country again. This time in something much larger (32' MH) than when we moved the first time (1997 F150 with a 6x12 U-Haul trailer). Only difference this time is I would like to avoid having to go through the mountain as much as possible. The original idea was to go down I-5 through Oregon and California and get down to I-10 going east, but I would also like to avoid Cali as much as possible as well. Anyone have any suggestion on a good route to get around all that? Thanks if you do.

[Gooma]

Your going to have to go through the mountains.

[Quinn Varos]

Originally Posted by Gooma

Your going to have to go through the mountains.

I do realize that but I want to go trough the lowest point possible and does not have a drop off on one or both side. I have issues with heights and that even extends to roads/mountain passes. You should have seen me going through Montana and Idaho. Living where i do now and my current job, I have to go through Stevens and Snoqualmie passes and if I had to choose which one I go through, Snoqualmie would win every time due to no drop-off on either side.

[George Schweikle]

Get one of the truckers mountain guides. These list all grades and amount of slope. https://mountaindirectory.com/

Originally Posted by Quinn Varos

As the title suggest, I am moving cross country again. This time in something much larger (32' MH) than when we moved the first time (1997 F150 with a 6x12 U-Haul trailer). Only difference this time is I would like to avoid having to go through the mountain as much as possible. The original idea was to go down I-5 through Oregon and California and get down to I-10 going east, but I would also like to avoid Cali as much as possible as well. Anyone have any suggestion on a good route to get around all that? Thanks if you do.

[HighDesert]

If you want to avoid California, then your only option are to cross the Cascades either in Washington, or Oregon. If you come down I5, you can cut over to Bend, Or by Salem on Hwy 20, to US97 South to below LaPine and take Hwy 31 to Reno, then onto US 50 to Fernley, Nv and pick up US 95 south to Las Vegas to I 10. You will be going through the Santiam Pass, but it is not bad and the road is good. There will be another climb up west of Sisters, but again, good road, and lots of passing lanes for others to get by you. From there on, its realtiviely flat driving and a whole bunch of nothing from Fernely to Vegas.

[Quinn Varos]

Originally Posted by HighDesert

If you want to avoid California, then your only option are to cross the Cascades either in Washington, or Oregon. If you come down I5, you can cut over to Bend, Or by Salem on Hwy 20, to US97 South to below LaPine and take Hwy 31 to Reno, then onto US 50 to Fernley, Nv and pick up US 95 south to Las Vegas to I 10. You will be going through the Santiam Pass, but it is not bad and the road is good. There will be another climb up west of Sisters, but again, good road, and lots of passing lanes for others to get by you. From there on, its realtiviely flat driving and a whole bunch of nothing from Fernely to Vegas.

This seem like a good way. Hopefully the grades are not bad and no drop offs on either side of the road. I do not want to white knuckle the steering wheel.

[Tridot]

What's wrong with I 5 to I 84 to I 80 to 1 25 to I 40 to I 22 to I 20 to I 75 ? That is not the way I would go but it is Interstate all the way.

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Tridot

What's wrong with I 5 to I 84 to I 80 to 1 25 to I 40 to I 22 to I 20 to I 75 ? That is not the way I would go but it is Interstate all the way.

I think the suggestion of an all-interstate route to someone avoiding steep grades and scary dropoffs is a sound one.

But how about avoiding Raton Pass on I-25 south of Denver? He could instead continue east on I-80 in Cheyenne, to St. Louis. Or go south on I-25 in Cheyenne to Denver, and then take I-70 west from Denver to St. Louis.

Actually, I might prefer the northern route, because you avoid Denver, where your options are to take the expensive toll road around, or go through town, which is always a headache traffic-wise unless you hit it just right.

This route would also be all interstate, and by my calculations about 300 miles shorter than the proposed route squirreling through Oregon on two-lane highways.

[twogypsies]

Eastbound on I-84 in Oregon east of Pendleton has a steep 12-mile climb (Cabbage Hill, Emigrant Hill, Deadman's Pass, Meacham Summit)

I'd recommend just taking I-5 or 99 south to Bakersfield; pick up 58 east to Barstow then 247 to Yucca Valley to Palm Springs and weave your way to I-10 east.... not a scenic route, for sure and you don't have to get into the LA mess. Probably longer but other routes take you over some hills (mtns.).

What time of year are you going? For California we love Hwy 395 instead of I-5.

[Tridot]

The descent into Raton is not real bad but, downhill is sometimes tricky. Continuing on I 80 is a good way. The climb out of Pendelton while long, has lots of lanes and there are no drop offs.

[Quinn Varos]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Eastbound on I-84 in Oregon east of Pendleton has a steep 12-mile climb (Cabbage Hill, Emigrant Hill, Deadman's Pass, Meacham Summit)

I'd recommend just taking I-5 or 99 south to Bakersfield; pick up 58 east to Barstow then 247 to Yucca Valley to Palm Springs and weave your way to I-10 east.... not a scenic route, for sure and you don't have to get into the LA mess. Probably longer but other routes take you over some hills (mtns.).

What time of year are you going? For California we love Hwy 395 instead of I-5.

The trip begins the first week of April. with plans to be there around the 14th, with maybe 1 or 2 stops along the way.

[Dan_Frisbie]

Florida is full.
Maybe Northern California? (No mountains to go through…)
;-)

[Quinn Varos]

Originally Posted by Dan_Frisbie

Florida is full.
Maybe Northern California? (No mountains to go through…)
;-)

Sorry, family has voted. Florida it is.

[Dan_Frisbie]

Originally Posted by Quinn Varos

Sorry, family has voted. Florida it is.