Community Forums

bubbiebecker · 07-08-2018, 03:20 PM

We are planning a trip from southeastern PA to the Seattle area. We can't leave until mid September when I will officially become retired and we need to arrive by the end of the first week in November for a family gathering.

I'm concerned about driving through mountain passes in October when you can get hit with bad weather but a southern route is a lot longer and could be pushing it timewise. We don't like to drive more than 5-6 hours a day max (less is better) and prefer to avoid multiple consecutive long driving days. Any experience you can share on possible alternate routes, driving on those northwestern interstates through Montana and Idaho at that time of year, and good stops along the way will be appreciated.

BuzzWolfAR · 07-08-2018, 03:33 PM

To avoid snow that time of year, your need to drop down to I40. It is the northern most interstate that will be snow free. You can pick it up in either Oklahoma or Texas.

450Donn · 07-08-2018, 03:44 PM

Watch the weather. I80 or I90 should be snow free until mid November. You might see some flurries, but if your not in a hurry its pretty easy to wait out any snow.

MSHappyCampers · 07-09-2018, 09:50 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Hope the trip goes well!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

twogypsies · 07-09-2018, 10:05 AM

Mid-Sept. I doubt you'd have any issues and if some snow it will melt by the next day. We've been in the northern mountain states through October with no problems. Returning in November I'd recommend that you drop down to a more southern route even if more miles. Have a great trip... and retirement!

**TonyDi** · 07-09-2018, 11:24 AM

Going from PA down to TX and then back up to WA is really going out of the way to just avoid a potential for bad weather.

If you don't drive for many miles just monitor the weather radio channels for storms in your travel area. If they are forcasted delay you departure. Any snow at that time of year will be minor and melt quickly.

Taking a southern route, like going down It I-40 will add 1000 miles to the trip, possibly 3-4 additional travel days and higher fuel costs. If you have to "wait it out" because of inclement weather you'll come out ahead.

Honwing · 07-09-2018, 03:50 PM

Will be leaving Seattle on September 22nd and headed to Forest City Iowa. Have never had trouble traveling I-90 in September and October. Done it a dozen times at least. With the crazy weather it doesn’t mean something could Park you for a couple of days.

Searching_Ut · 07-09-2018, 04:15 PM

As has been mentioned, any storms that early in the year generally affect the mountain passes a day, two tops. We generally have camped in the northern Rockies through October just about every year and have never yet encountered a situation where the road closed due to snow that early, and only a few times where we saw snow that accumulated. If it does, it has always melted off very quickly. On thing you will find are many campgrounds are closed for the year starting as early as mid sept. Fortunately, the number of campers goes down so it’s never been an issue for us.

Have a great trip, and congratulations on the retirement. We retired last year and are quite enjoying it.

F4Gary · 07-09-2018, 04:37 PM

I don't think it will be an issue, but make sure your RV can handle some nighttime cold temps.

MtCamper · 07-10-2018, 09:22 PM

Here in NW Montana, winter car arrive whenever it wants to but you can usually count on being safe until at least Oct 20 or so. On rare occasion, that early snow will stay around but the first snows usually melt off in a couple of days. I'd suggest you come west thru South Dakota and the Black Hills. Then swing north to Billings and up I-90. Three major passes until you get to Spokane but they usually keep the interstate open without issue. Remember, you're retired. You don't have to be on the road by 7:00. Snoqualmie pass can be a killer anytime after mid October, but they are pretty good at predicting major weather and you can always swing south and come down the Columbia Gorge then north. Keep an eye on the weather maps and enjoy the adventure.

Mr_D · 07-10-2018, 09:33 PM

Shouldn't be much of a problem in the passes until Oct. Then just watch the weather reports and hit the passes mid afternoon.

bubbiebecker · 07-12-2018, 06:54 AM

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. We've agreed on a compromise. We still want to head south and drive through Shenandoah which is always beautiful, then stop at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Then we'll make our way west and pick up I-80. It's a bit longer than a more direct route but shorter than a straight southern route. We'll allow plenty of extra time in case we get stopped by weather.

BTW, we have never been known to be on the road by 7am and we're certainly not going to start now!

MapleKing · 07-12-2018, 08:25 AM

I agree with just watching the weather. That time of year should be fine. I went out to Oregon last December and had no issues. I just looked for a window of time when the weather was clear and only wind-up seeing some snow for about 10 miles and that was it. Coming back we had clear blue skies until we got to Pennsylvania so no worries in the Rockies.