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Old 07-03-2015, 03:14 PM
 
4 posts, read 5,280 times
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Anyone have any experience commuting from Bend to La Pine? From what I've read it can get a little treacherous in the winter. Would the drive be a problem with an AWD vehicle?

Thanks!!
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Old 07-03-2015, 11:51 PM
 
Location: North Idaho
32,482 posts, read 47,425,133 times
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It's a nice drive in the summer. It is dangerous in the winter. People get killed on that stretch of road.

Most icy road wrecks involve 4WD, because people just can't understand that 4WD will not help the car to stop on ice.

AWD would be better than rear wheel drive. Best solution, though would be to live closer to work. If the job is in La Pine, live in La Pine. Rent is cheaper and real estate is cheaper to purchase. It's a pretty area. The only problem is if you have to commute back and forth to Bend in the winter.
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Old 07-05-2015, 03:46 AM
 
Location: Oregon, formerly Texas
10,004 posts, read 7,141,761 times
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AWD is fine on paved roads in the entire region and it's good on light trails when they're dry.

The main area to watch out for in the winter is that stretch behind Lava Butte. It's always shady there so it ices up really easily. Generally speaking it's colder as you go further south on 97, typically by about 10 degrees.

Quote:
Best solution, though would be to live closer to work.
With median house price at $315K and rising, rents for a 3br house around $1500 at the minimum to well over $2000, living close to work if your work is in Bend is out of the question for many. Ie: I just looked at CL and a 2000sf house near St. Charles rents for $1800. That would eat up most of the after-tax income of an early career nurse.
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Old 07-05-2015, 11:35 PM
 
Location: Bend Or.
1,126 posts, read 2,914,717 times
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What is difficult or not depends on your frame of reference. If you are used to driving in So Cal, it will be a problem. If you came from Buffalo, not as much.
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Old 07-06-2015, 09:33 AM
 
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I made the commute for three years without a problem. You do need to be careful going around Lave Butte as other posters have indicated because it is often shady and icy. An AWD, with snow tires (my preference), or studs, should serve you just fine. We seem to get get less and less snow so it's more an issue of iciness.
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Old 07-06-2015, 11:30 AM
 
Location: North Idaho
32,482 posts, read 47,425,133 times
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If someone works in Bend and can't afford to live in Bend, I would recommend Crooked River Ranch before La Pine. The commute is about the same and the roads are much better.

Weather in Crooked River Ranch is better than weather in Bend and much better than weather in La Pine. Rents and real estate prices are lower.

There is a growing business community in La Pine and I suggest that anyone who wants to live in La Pine, get a job in La Pine.
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