Driving in the snow; road conditions, commute (Portland, Bangor: ski resorts, home)

[elston]

I know that this question will sound silly and perhaps unanswerable....But.....

DP and I are wondering about driving in the snow! He used to live in Manhattan where he didn't need to drive, but he went almost every weekend to a farmhouse in Pennsylvania. Over the 20 years he was doing that, the weather never stopped him. I used to live in Central New Hampshire and remember on occassion, maybe 3 or 4 times each winter, there would be advisories that if you don't have to be on the road--STAY HOME, and most non-essential businesses would close. Because snow meant money to the ski resorts, they pretty much kept the interstate (RT. 93) open, come what may! That took a lot of plowing and much too much salt I am afraid.

My question is about driving in Maine in the snow. If you live in the towns around Portland, (Durham for instance) how many times would the snow prevent you from being able to get into Portland? How good are the road crews on getting the roads clear? We aren't thinking about the morning commute, but more like around 10 AM for a game of tennis!

I am fully aware that doesnt sound essential--but believe me, to my DP it does. We are having rain in southern California and he hasn't been able to play at his outdoor club for several days--so this is sounding much more important to him today. So commutes from New Gloucester, Durham, Gorham into Portland. What are we or what is he likely to encounter? (I will be at home putting another log on the fire and perhaps cooking a hearty soup!)

[Bydand]

While I cannot answer for day to day, day in and day out, snow removal down around Portland; I can say that every time I have been down there and they got snow it was clear and ready to go whenever you wanted to go anyplace. I do know that I have been all over the country, and have been in every single northern tier state during a snow storm. (A few states, many storms.) I have never seen a state clear roads better than Maine. Period-end of story. Not even the states you would think of as having lots of practice in clearing their roads can come close to Maine. Up here in the Caribou/Presque Isle area, we can bet a real blower of a storm and have it dump ungodly amounts of snow, in 2 days usually you are back to dry roads. Not clear of snow, but bare and DRY. These are most of the back roads as well. I have only been stuck in town here twice in 20 years and not been able to go to either Caribou or Presque Isle.

I would think Portland and surrounding areas will be fine 360 days of the year if they are like the rest of the state.

[boonelsewhere]

I am glad you asked the question, I was going to, but English is not that good, afraid it would not coming out right.

My question is about driving in Maine in the snow

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by boonskyler

I am glad you asked the question, I was going to, but English is not that good, afraid it would not coming out right.

Don't let that stop you. We'll figure out what you're saying.

[boonelsewhere]

thanks MW.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

During the ice storm of 98 I drove from Shawinigan, Quebec home to Maine at night. The customs folks at Jackman couldn't believe it. I was the only person they saw all night going either way. If I was driving a 2WD pickup I never would have made it. The only thing that stops me is visibility. If I can't see I don't go. If you have a good vehicle and good tires you'll be able to commute.

[BacktoNE]

Around Portland you should be fine as long as you have a reliable vehicle and good all-season radial tires. Most of Maine does a superior job at snow removal and, with all the traffic in and around Portland, your DP should be fine getting to the tennis club.

[elston]

Originally Posted by boonskyler

I am glad you asked the question, I was going to, but English is not that good, afraid it would not coming out right.

You are to be congratulated for attempting to learn English; and if you need something explained, just ask for help and we will try to help you understand!

[boonelsewhere]

on Bangor road (A1) from Ellsworth to Bangor in winter is the road clear enough to see the white shoulder line and would 2WD car is ok or must have 4WD to drive on

[elston]

Its the hydroplaning on wet highways out here, whenever it rains the highways are full of fender bender; people don't slow down and they jump lanes and because it rains soooooo seldom, there is a film of oil that rises to the surface of the roads and cars slip and slide. We pretty much stay off the roads if its raining because even if you are driving safely and anticipating your stops etc. some other driver can get you.

Your comments have been very helpful thanks (the rules prevent me from giving any more rep points!)