Corpus to seattle (El Paso, Corpus Christi, Portland: hotels, college, car)

[Sarahann109]

Hi,
I am driving from Corpus Christi to Seattle Washington. I am driving a small car during the winter months, and I am not sure which route is the best. I need the best route that avoids all mountain passes. TIA!

[Treasurevalley92]

Check the weather a week, a few days, even the day of your trip and decide based on that.

Driving up 25 on the front range is often clear, but that depends. It can get messy around Cheyenne.

The other option is New Mexico, I'm not as familiar with the rough patches.

I 84 can get rough up NW of Ontario. It depends.

Look up a few options, and watch the weather. Make sure your car has emergency gear, sleeping bag etc.

[utsci]

There is no way to avoid all mountain passes.

I would avoid 40 through Flagstaff. Avoid 395 in CA in the winter. Avoid Salt Lake City.

Take I-10 all the way to Las Vegas. There will be mountains in AZ, but you are in AZ so not likely you will encounter snow. Then head up 95 to Reno. It is flat but be cautious if it is cold, wet windy. There is not much in the middle of NV but the highway patrol is very good in the rural areas between LV and Reno. Go west on I-80 to Sacramento. You will go over Donner Summit but unless there is a snowstorm, any car can make it over. They keep it very well maintained in the winter. Then head up I-5 towards Seattle. You will go uphill again around Shasta. Again, it all depends on the weather. Have contingencies.

You will need to keep up on the weather. No matter how good a route is "usually" there is always exceptions due to weather. If it's not looking good the night before, stay another day. If the weather starts to turn while on the road, find a place to get off and find a hotel early, rather than late...while it's still light out. Get plenty of rest. Carry plenty of water and food. When our daughter did the trip many times as a college student she carried the Hotties hand warmers and warm clothes in case of a break down, if she had to stay in an unheated car until help arrived.

We have done this trip frequently, and from CC to Reno 3-4 times each year. Good places to overnight are El Paso the first night. Then Las Vegas. Reno or Sacramento. Medford or Portland. The whole trip is about 35-40 hours in good weather. There are shorter routes but there will be more mountains and fewer truck stops and hotels along the way. We shoot for 10 hour days.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by utsci

There is no way to avoid all mountain passes.

I would avoid 40 through Flagstaff. Avoid 395 in CA in the winter. Avoid Salt Lake City.

Take I-10 all the way to Las Vegas. There will be mountains in AZ, but you are in AZ so not likely you will encounter snow. Then head up 95 to Reno. It is flat but be cautious if it is cold, wet windy. There is not much in the middle of NV but the highway patrol is very good in the rural areas between LV and Reno. Go west on I-80 to Sacramento. You will go over Donner Summit but unless there is a snowstorm, any car can make it over. They keep it very well maintained in the winter. Then head up I-5 towards Seattle. You will go uphill again around Shasta. Again, it all depends on the weather. Have contingencies.

You will need to keep up on the weather. No matter how good a route is "usually" there is always exceptions due to weather. If it's not looking good the night before, stay another day. If the weather starts to turn while on the road, find a place to get off and find a hotel early, rather than late...while it's still light out. Get plenty of rest. Carry plenty of water and food. When our daughter did the trip many times as a college student she carried the Hotties hand warmers and warm clothes in case of a break down, if she had to stay in an unheated car until help arrived.

We have done this trip frequently, and from CC to Reno 3-4 times each year. Good places to overnight are El Paso the first night. Then Las Vegas. Reno or Sacramento. Medford or Portland. The whole trip is about 35-40 hours in good weather. There are shorter routes but there will be more mountains and fewer truck stops and hotels along the way. We shoot for 10 hour days.

I-10 does not goes to Vegas.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by C24L

I-10 does not goes to Vegas.

Presumably he means Take I-10 to go to Phoenix and take 93 to Vegas? But yeah you are right, I-10 doesn't go to Vegas.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by utsci

You will need to keep up on the weather. No matter how good a route is "usually" there is always exceptions due to weather. If it's not looking good the night before, stay another day. If the weather starts to turn while on the road, find a place to get off and find a hotel early, rather than late...while it's still light out. Get plenty of rest. Carry plenty of water and food. When our daughter did the trip many times as a college student she carried the Hotties hand warmers and warm clothes in case of a break down, if she had to stay in an unheated car until help arrived.

I can't repeat this enough. One time my folk and I spent and extra 3 days in Cheyenne because of snow, but that is better than getting stuck.

Donner Pass in California is ticky. If it's clear its no big deal, but one time I got stuck there for an extra 8 hours because of snow. 395 can be a good alternative if headed north.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by Treasurevalley92

Presumably he means Take I-10 to go to Phoenix and take 93 to Vegas? But yeah you are right, I-10 doesn't go to Vegas.

I was thinking that too.Thanks...

[utsci]

Originally Posted by Treasurevalley92

Presumably he means Take I-10 to go to Phoenix and take 93 to Vegas? But yeah you are right, I-10 doesn't go to Vegas.

Ooops, yes, 93 out of Phoenix to LV.

Our daughter drove this route every winter from CC to NV without problems. But she always had contingencies. Driving anywhere north of 40 in the winter will always be a wait and see game.