Driving from Iowa to Seattle in January (Davenport, Sioux City: 2011, live in)

[jhammond22]

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Today, 07:43 PM
jhammond22
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Driving from IA to WA in January
I am driving from Davenport, IA to Seattle, WA in early January and searching for the best routeto traverse the plains and mountains, given the likelihood of snow/ice Any advice will be appreciated.

[LPerkins33]

I-80 West, I-29 North, and then I-90 West the rest of the way. Will be the fastest but could see some nasty weather along the way but at that time of year you really can't avoid it.

[Fearringtonflash]

Originally Posted by jhammond22

#1
Today, 07:43 PM
jhammond22
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
1 posts, read 0 times
Reputation: 10



Driving from IA to WA in January
I am driving from Davenport, IA to Seattle, WA in early January and searching for the best routeto traverse the plains and mountains, given the likelihood of snow/ice Any advice will be appreciated.

My advice--head south on I-29 or I-35, thence south to Houston, and then to California on I-10 and up I-5 to Seattle.

[LPerkins33]

Originally Posted by Fearringtonflash

My advice--head south on I-29 or I-35, thence south to Houston, and then to California on I-10 and up I-5 to Seattle.

I hope this is a joke. That'd take over 2 days to drive.

[Stevie]

I have never been to Seattle, but looking at a map, apparently the quickest way to get there is to take I-80 westbound to I-680 interchange. Take I-680 westbound to I-29. Then take I-29 northbound up to I-90 in Sioux Falls (not Sioux City ) and take I-90 westbound all the way to Seattle.

However, I realize that weather would be an issue so I used my map program and found a route that's farther south. Take I-80 westbound to the I-84 interchange (not far from Salt Lake City). Get on I-84 westbound there and take it all the way to the I-82 interchange in northern Oregon. Take I-82 westbound all the way to the I-90 interchange in central Washington. Then take I-90 westbound all the way to Seattle.

I've never been on these routes but I figured that a route further south would be a little safer during January's weather. I've also heard that the Pacific NW gets mild winters, so as you are heading northwest on I-84 and I-82 towards Washington, the roads may not be so bad regarding snow, ice, etc. I would get an interstate highway map of the U.S. so you can see where these routes are because it may be a bit confusing with just words.

Hope this helps and have a safe trip!

[Fearringtonflash]

Originally Posted by LPerkins33

I hope this is a joke. That'd take over 2 days to drive.

Only partly joking. Yes, it would take a day or two longer, but you would avoid possible winter storms, etc. It would probably take 4 days, but it would probably take 3 to drive the Northern route, unless you were planning on going straight through non-stop and having several drivers. Anywa good luck!

[GraniteStater]

Be prepared for very cold temperatures.
Have a winter survival kit in the trunk of the car to be safe.
Carry an ice scraper as well.

[GraniteStater]

Snowfall is common in Iowa during January but they maintain the highways very well for the most part. The thing that I would NOT recommend is traveling during blizzard conditions. Delay travel plans if at all possible if high winds and snow are falling. Those conditions can lead to very dangerous weather for driving.

[paulina]

I am from Seattle and you need to be really careful about I-90. Seattle may have mild winters but to get there in january you need to cross the Rockies which means snow. you need to make sure your car can handle it (snow tires or chanis are a must - depending on the snow level the police won't even let you pass) and be prepared to stop and not move if a winter storm hits. Even if you go a little further South through Salt lake it is still the Rockies. I would call AAA and ask them for advice. If I was making this trip I would delay till after winter or follow the previous suggestion and go the southern route through NM and AZ and up I-5 in CA. Not sure what your timeline or money situation is but if you want the least hassle this is the way to go. have you thought of shipping the car and flying?

[OceansVII]

I've driven it several times (live in Portland and grew up in Iowa). Take 80 to 84 in Ogden UT - then stay on 84 to Portland, then 5 to Seattle. Worst part of the trip is (all of) Wyoming because of the high elev - and the first 75 miles into Oregon after crossing from Idaho. Take a cell and chk in at Cheyenne for road conditions. You'll be fine.