Traveling through 1-90 (roughest, home, buy)

[kc2sweet4ne1]

We are moving from Washington to the east coast. We don't know when we are going yet, as we have to wait for our home to sell. If by chance we end up traveling in winter, we'd like to know how bad the weather is up over the mountains during these months. Are the passes passable?

[brokencrayola]

It all depends on the time of year. During the winter the passes can be closed or very bad, you never know. You absolutely need to have tires with very good tread on them and bring a set of chains. Many passes require chains in the winter over this way.

[rambrush]

The state of montana has a great website with web cams so you can see what the road conditions are if its snowing etc. Just like washington if you are comming over snoqualmie pass.

[kc2sweet4ne1]

On average, is it possilbe to drive them comfortably?

[jimj]

Yes but it depends on exactly where you are going. Having been a cross country truck driver in my younger days I can tell you that depending on how bad the weather is would dictate which route I would take. If it's bad you may want to drop down to I40 since the weather changes the lower you go. I've seen it so bad that we went the southern route (I15) and then cut up to avoid the worst of it.
The last time we went from NW Montana to NC it was winter and I'll tell you it was no fun going by little big horn, ice everywhere.

[kc2sweet4ne1]

That's good to know that we could go south for better weather. I just want to try to plan ahead. I-90 seemed like the straightest route!

[orygun]

I have been over Lookout Pass a million times now and several for moves during winter months. The first time was rough, was right after a snow/ice storm, but we made it, UHaul towing a car and all. Good tread, chains available. Watch the webcams. Lookout Pass is usually the roughest I think unless something near Butte is worse. You might have to delay a trip over the pass if a storm runs through but they are pretty good about trying to keep it clear.

[jimj]

It's true, I90 is the straight route but may take longer or be more dangerous due to weather so not worth the "savings". No matter what route you take carry chains, if you buy them at a major parts store most times they let you return them if you don't open them.
Let us know if we can be more help and good luck!

[kc2sweet4ne1]

Thank is great stuff!

What are the worst times to travel? I suppose December would be worse than October. Which interstate toward the south might be a better alternative?

[rambrush]

If you drop down to I-40 and across you will possibly hit nasty weather in Flagstaff and over. ADOT fires up the plows early to stay ahead but get over whelmed at times.

I-10 is nice but way south for you but it comes trough phx - tucson into El paso and then across texas but generally not much snow on that route.