Need advise on Hwys. out of La Pine (Eugene, Medford: job, housing)

[WindStorm]

Hello Everyone!

This is my first thread to start so I am really excited, however, I am in desperate need of knowledgeable advice. My family and I will be moving to Oregon in the next 3 to 4 weeks and my husband's job will require a lot of driving. His district will cover Eugene over to Bend and down to Medford with a lot of towns inbetween.We are looking at La Pine due to the great price of housing and the proximity to connecting highways for his district. My question is how are the following roads in winter:
Hwy 58 from Eugene to Hwy 97 (to La Pine)
Hwy 97 from La Pine to Klamath Falls
Hwy 97 to Hwy 138 to Hwy 62 to Medford
Hwy 97 La Pine to Bend to Redmond

I apologize that there are so many roads in question but I am concerned for his safety. We have 3 small children so I am very busy and already on constant high alert without having to be worried about him constantly too. Thank you so much to anyone that replies.

[PNW-type-gal]

Hwy 97 is a major north-south road and will always be plowed and sanded. It does get ice and snow, although not major amounts. Deer and on-coming traffic are probably a bigger hazard - it's mostly two-lane, with no divider.

The roads over the Cascades are a different story, as they DO get major amounts of snow. Highway 58's summit is Willamette Pass, at about 5,100' - the good thing about that highway is that it's usually pretty well-plowed, and the summit is close to the eastern end, meaning you spend less time driving at higher elevation.

And AWD or 4WD vehicle with good snow tires and chains would be required for that drive on a regular basis.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

The roads over the Cascades are a different story, as they DO get major amounts of snow. Highway 58's summit is Willamette Pass, at about 5,100' - the good thing about that highway is that it's usually pretty well-plowed, and the summit is close to the eastern end, meaning you spend less time driving at higher elevation.

And AWD or 4WD vehicle with good snow tires and chains would be required for that drive on a regular basis.

Front wheel drive would get you there just fine. One of the most sure footed winter vehicles I ever owned was a Dodge Daytona. I just put studded snows on it in the winter, and went everywhere. I crossed the Santiam Pass in that car as they were closing the highway behind me. I never spun a wheel. I have driven Stagecoach and Canyon Creek passes on I-5 in a Buick Park Avenue, passing spun-out 4wd vehicles.

I also drive a 2wd pickup. When things get ugly, I just load a few hundred pounds over the rear axle. Once again, I can drive any road under any conditions that would pass a 4wd. I carry chains, but have never used them. A second set of rims with good winter tires will get you over the mountains with no problem.

4wd tempts people to overdrive and overextend. 4wd lets you go better, but it doesn't turn or stop any better than 2wd. Many times I have had 4wd vehicles pass me in snow, only to find them upside down in the ditch a few miles down the road. The Kim family was driving a Subaru with awd last winter, got stuck in the mountains, and he died, because he relied on 4wd instead of good sense.

[wohelo]

Yep, I agree with other posters here...no need to go all out 4W drive. But, learn slowly how to drive in snow and ice -you really need to look out for the other guy. I had chains on driving up the pass from the valley to go skiing at Mt. Bachelor and a car lost control (driving to fast and then hit his brakes on a turn) and crashed head on into my car.
I also have to caution you to 97 especially just outside of La Pine- alot of accidents.