Community Forums

RunawayJim · 11-09-2016, 02:20 PM

Was wonder what everyones favorite route would be. I'm most concerned with limiting the amount of elevation that we have to go over. My uncle winters in Yuma and from Olympia they go straight down I-5 and over. The only thing about that, that concerns me would be traffic into/out of L.A. We are going to be staying about an hour north of Phoenix this winter. Going over Flagstaff is an option and I've done that in a car before but was curious about other routes. Right now I'm thinking I-5 to 84 to 15 to 93. So basically Oly to Boise to Salt Lake to Vagas to Phoenix. Any thoughts or recommendations would be a great help.

Thanks

Tyler

twogypsies · 11-09-2016, 04:18 PM

I think the best way for winter would be I-5 to Bakersfield, CA then east to I-40 to Hwy 95 in either California or Arizona at the border and down to Yuma. I feel AZ95 is more scenic. You won't be getting into the major Los Angeles traffic because you won't be going that far south.

Where are you staying north of Phoenix in winter? It gets cold up that way!

jmcannonball · 11-09-2016, 11:02 PM

I-5 to I-210 bypass north and east around LA. Have done it many times with no traffic problems.

Possum · 11-09-2016, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcannonball

I-5 to I-210 bypass north and east around LA. Have done it many times with no traffic problems.

Agreed about this choice of routing. We got caught in a small snow squall on the way south last January and had to over night near Weed CA. Our last CA stop was in Blyth and the we went to Quartszite and the down to Yuma. Really nice scenery all along that route. We came home the way you posted your planned trip down.

NowAndLater · 11-09-2016, 11:41 PM

I would take the 58/395 into Barstow and then the 40/95 into quartzite. Probably a few more miles but better than going through LA like you're saying. 58 is boring, 395 is nice, 40 is boring. 95s is a pretty ride coming to the 10.
If you don't want elevation stear clear of Flagstaff.

RunawayJim · 11-10-2016, 01:30 PM

[QUOTE=Where are you staying north of Phoenix in winter? It gets cold up that way![/QUOTE]

We are staying in Black Canyon City.

twogypsies · 11-10-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunawayJim

We are staying in Black Canyon City.

Ahhh.... it's not 'too' far north. Enjoy!

alpinedrvr · 11-10-2016, 08:44 PM

You could also go from Oly to Boise and instead of going to SLC go as far as Twins Falls ID and head south to Jackpot to Ely to Ash Springs and then Vegas. You can stay at the Kicking Horse Casino in Pendleton OR then Cactus Pete;s in Jackpot. There is the Prospector Inn in Ely that has a RV park for about 18/night and then there are a couple of RV parks in Ash Springs NV or if you are lucky you might get into Paranaghat (sp?)Lakes where they have free camping in a beautiful spot for any sized rig. Then you could go to Main Street Station in N Vegas for around 19/night and then you are on your own!

Depending on when you go there are some higher spots east of Pendleton and from Jackpot to Ely...check your weather. The benefit of this route is that there is far less traffic then I-5 and once you get into NV the roads are straight and smooth for the most part and very little traffic...much less stressful!

dix39 · 11-10-2016, 10:57 PM

I would only like to add that if the traffic on I-15 from SLC to Provo is anything like it was last Summer around 4-6 PM, I would avoid it. I would prefer LA, Denver, or just about any other place we've been, because although the congestion is similar, it is much shorter than 40-50 miles we drove through there.

If you go later, in mid Winter, there will be the possibility of snow in Southern OR and Northern CA on I-5.

Just my 2c.

Steve

Possum · 11-10-2016, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dix39

If you go later, in mid Winter, there will be the possibility of snow in Southern OR and Northern CA on I-5.

Just my 2c.

Steve

We left Vancouver Island BC last January 15TH ?? and it was pouring rain.
Drove through Washington and it was pouring rain.
Drove through Oregon and it was pouring rain.
Got into California and it snowed. Go figure.

RunawayJim · 11-10-2016, 11:19 PM

Thank you all so much. We checked this post driving though Vancouver, WA and decided to keep heading south straight down I-5 due to your suggestions. Really glad we did too!

Well, we made it to Medford. Overnighting at the wally world. Going to head to Bakersfield tomorrow and stay the night. Then flip a coin on which route to take into Phoenix.

cheers
TSW

Polyian · 11-11-2016, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunawayJim

Thank you all so much. We checked this post driving though Vancouver, WA and decided to keep heading south straight down I-5 due to your suggestions. Really glad we did too!

Well, we made it to Medford. Overnighting at the wally world. Going to head to Bakersfield tomorrow and stay the night. Then flip a coin on which route to take into Phoenix.

cheers
TSW

If you have Passport America there is a great RV Park in Bakersfield, Desert Palms, for $15 a night, nice pull through's with new concrete pads and red stone patios, palm trees, clean pool and laundry and best of all they allow washing of the rig and toad so you can get rid of all that Wa and Or I5 crud.. It's about 6 miles east of Bakersfield on 58. I just stopped there a couple of weeks back.

Possum · 11-11-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyian

If you have Passport America there is a great RV Park in Bakersfield, Desert Palms, for $15 a night, nice pull through's with new concrete pads and red stone patios, palm trees, clean pool and laundry and best of all they allow washing of the rig and toad so you can get rid of all that Wa and Or I5 crud.. It's about 6 miles east of Bakersfield on 58. I just stopped there a couple of weeks back.

Curious to know which route you take off the Island? Schwartz, Sidney or Victoria?
Is it a problem getting an A with a towed onto the Coho for the Port Angeles run.

1ciderdog · 11-11-2016, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunawayJim

Thank you all so much. We checked this post driving though Vancouver, WA and decided to keep heading south straight down I-5 due to your suggestions. Really glad we did too!

Well, we made it to Medford. Overnighting at the wally world. Going to head to Bakersfield tomorrow and stay the night. Then flip a coin on which route to take into Phoenix.

cheers
TSW

I don't think I read a suggestion for out of Bakersfield to head on I-40 east past Kingman and then down 93 to Phoenix.