best winter route for cross country drive (routes, trip, weight)

[kc2sweet4ne1]

We are moving from Washington to North Carolina, but plan on stopping in Rhode Island to visit family before heading south to NC. The problem is that we just put our house on the market and obviously have no idea when it will sell.

If by chance it ends up selling in the winter months, what is the best, least amount of snow way to go?

[downtownnola]

If possible, I would avoid I-80 through Wyoming and western Nebraska... that stretch of highway sees alot of snow, and is often closed due to blizzard conditions. Perhaps you can head south all the way to I-10 and stay in warmer areas that see less extreme winter driving conditions?

[southernlady5464]

Do what my husband did, go thru NM, OK, and the rest of the southern states. You really do NOT want to go the plain states that time of year...blizzards are hazardous to your health. Liz

[Crew Chief]

If you must go through WY in the winter, U.S. 30 is often a better choice than I-80; less wind and snow accumulation on the highway... But, yes, I-40 should be a reasonable compromise, although it can get snow- and ice-covered in stretches during the winter, as well... But if you stop at the Big Texan Restaurant in Amarillo, TX and have that 72oz. steak (with all the trimmings), it should give you enough extra weight to get plenty of traction for the trip...

[ellemaew]

It's going to add a LOT of miles to your trip going down south and then back up north, but if you want the best chance of avoiding snow, do go the southern route. We drove from California to Charlotte, NC the end of January - it was right at the tail end of the really cold spell. We had frost most mornings - it had just snowed the day before in Van Horn, TX (it was well on its way to melting when we go there), but we had sunny weather and dry driving almost the entire way. We took Interstate 5 down to southern Cali, then came across on Interstate 10, then picked up Interstate 20 in Texas ''til we picked up Interstate 85 east of Atlanta on into Charlotte.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by ellemaew

It's going to add a LOT of miles to your trip going down south and then back up north, but if you want the best chance of avoiding snow, do go the southern route. We drove from California to Charlotte, NC the end of January - it was right at the tail end of the really cold spell. We had frost most mornings - it had just snowed the day before in Van Horn, TX (it was well on its way to melting when we go there), but we had sunny weather and dry driving almost the entire way. We took Interstate 5 down to southern Cali, then came across on Interstate 10, then picked up Interstate 20 in Texas ''til we picked up Interstate 85 east of Atlanta on into Charlotte.

Good post and advice, Ellemaew! The trucking company I drive for prohibits us from using I-70 West of Denver to the I-15 junction (unless we have to pick up/deliver along that route) from October 15 to April 15. And we're trained professionals! I-10 and I-20 really do have an interesting sort of beauty; I always enjoyed running them while listening to weather reports about how bad it was farther North!

[Heading West]

Crew Chief, Given your experience -- would you (or anybody else) care to give me the safest yet most direct route between New York City and Albuquerque that has a good chance of avoiding bad winter weather. Thanks

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

If you must go through WY in the winter, U.S. 30 is often a better choice than I-80; less wind and snow accumulation on the highway... But, yes, I-40 should be a reasonable compromise, although it can get snow- and ice-covered in stretches during the winter, as well... But if you stop at the Big Texan Restaurant in Amarillo, TX and have that 72oz. steak (with all the trimmings), it should give you enough extra weight to get plenty of traction for the trip...

I love taking US 30 over the I80 when winter is here. I even point that one out to my clients at work as they travel east from here and it's come in handy for them.

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Heading West

Crew Chief, Given your experience -- would you (or anybody else) care to give me the safest yet most direct route between New York City and Albuquerque that has a good chance of avoiding bad winter weather. Thanks

I-95 to I-78 to I-81 to I-40 West into ABQ would probably your best bet. Granted, I-40 is subject to ice/snow but somewhat less than more Northern routes. As others have noted, Flagstaff Mountain (I-40 in AZ) can have very changeable weather, especially in the Winter!) Have a good trip!

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

I-95 to I-78 to I-81 to I-40 West into ABQ would probably your best bet. Granted, I-40 is subject to ice/snow but somewhat less than more Northern routes. As others have noted, Flagstaff Mountain (I-40 in AZ) can have very changeable weather, especially in the Winter!) Have a good trip!

This has most certainly been a good start to plenty of areas getting some major snow. Here in SE Iaho we wound up with seven inches yesterday!