Safe Cross Country Drive

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by stillkit

Continue on I-84 to Umatilla, OR, then up I-82 to the Tri-Cities. The only real mountain pass you'll have to cross this way is Cabbage (or, Immigrant Pass) between LaGrande and Pendleton, OR. It's 6 miles of 6% downgrade, but they do a fair job of keeping it sanded with cinders. Just before LaGrande, you go down Ladd Canyon, but it's usually cindered after awhile.

To give the OP an idea of the topography on this part of the route, I think the only runaway truck ramps in Oregon are located as you come down that slope toward Pendleton. There's one of the big revelations for people driving 70 through Colorado who have never done so: they see that sign RUNAWAY TRUCK RAMP 5000' and realize that if they see a semi in their rear view mirror doing 80 and accelerating down the hill, he's not insane. He's lost his brakes, and he can't stop that thing or even slow it down on his own, and the only thing for it is to clear the track and pray for everyone.

OP: if you go the I-84 route through Idaho, there is a good cafe in Bliss, ID (east of Boise). Go south into Bliss and look next to a Stinker Station. By that time you will be familiar with Stinker stations, as you will have crossed most of Idaho. Also, stillkit is right about the wind. Out here that is no joke. I joke sometimes that I'm "ready for some WSWF mayhem", WSWF meaning World Steering wheel Wrestling Federation. Wife has a Prius and the wind out near Prosser plays ping pong with her car.

[andreapsherman]

I guess my question is similiar. I will be driving from Boston to San Diego the first week in Dec. AAA sent me maps and having me use 80. I am a woman and I will be traveling alone with my pug in a 2004 Jeep. I am thinking 10 would be safer, but what is the best way to get to 10 from Mass. OR is 80 ok in Dec? Thanks

[StealthRabbit]

Again, keep an eye on the long range forecast and stay away from moisture.

I would plan to use 10 if 'dry' is a priority and drop down as close to the east as reasonable.
Probably 84 to 81 to 40(Nashville) to 30 (Dallas) to 20 to 10 (El Paso). You can cut off the dog-leg to El Paso and go through Carlsbad (SE NM) if you have extra time. (It won't be faster, just more scenic)

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Again, keep an eye on the long range forecast and stay away from moisture.

I would plan to use 10 if 'dry' is a priority and drop down as close to the east as reasonable.
Probably 84 to 81 to 40(Nashville) to 30 (Dallas) to 20 to 10 (El Paso). You can cut off the dog-leg to El Paso and go through Carlsbad (SE NM) if you have extra time. (It won't be faster, just more scenic)

Personally, if avoiding winter weather is a priority, I'd go I-81 to Knoxville, TN, then south on I-75 to Chattanooga and south on I-59 to Birmingham AL. There, you can pick up I-20 all the way to Kent, way out in west Texas, where it junctions with I-10. Stay on that to Casa Grande, AZ and take I-8 right on into San Diego. You should avoid any winter weather that way, though it can get ugly from Dallas west to Tucson. After that, you'll be alright any time of year.

If it looks bad, take I-95 to Petersburg, VA, then I-85 south to Atlanta, then follow I-20 west and so forth. It CAN get icy along that route, but it's uncommon once you get to North Carolina.

As for going via Carlsbad? Yes, that's not a bad road, but you have to go down the pass next to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas. It's about 6 or 7 miles of 6% grade, which is no problem for a car, but the wind blows up there year around. And, it blows HARD. In addition, if it's not snowing anywhere else in Texas, it's snowing there and across the highlands into El Paso.

That's not to say it doesn't snow or ice over on I-20/10. It does, especially west of Odessa/Midland and particularly so around Van Horn, but it's not anything a New Englander can't handle, except for the fact that you're not likely to see a snow plow or salt truck anywhere along either route.

[andreapsherman]

Thanks so much for the advice. I prefer dry and warm but I am used to snow and ice being from NE. Also I have 4 wheel drive. Driving alone just makes me a little nervous

[lchoro]

There's not much service or traffic between Guadalupe Natl Park and El Paso. If you detour that way, you should have enough gas to go at least 150 miles by the time you pass by the park.