Mountain driving in the winter (Tacoma, Snoqualmie: buying, to live in, legal)

[mconzemius]

I am planning a move from Nebraska to Tacoma in late December. Am I crazy to think that I'll be able to drive through the mountains in my Ford Windstar minivan? Any information/thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[scirocco22]

If you are specifically asking about Washington mountain passes, mconzemius, then we have had a good thread where we discussed the laws and chain usage, etc.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...h-west-wa.html

You do want to have chains with you no matter if you have to use them or not. It's probably a good idea to practice putting them on and taking them off so you'll be familiar with the procedure if you're not already.

Here's the Washington guidelines from the above thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/448221-post18.html

Oregon:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/448253-post19.html

[mconzemius]

Thank you for the information!

[DBM]

mconzemius,

I'll echo what Scirocco22 said about general chain usage -- you should have chains in you're going to live in Washington. If your question is really about the one-time trip from Nebraska to Tacoma, however, as long as you keep to the major interstates, you will generally be OK. If you are worried about the Cascades in particular (I-90 over Snoqualmie), you can take I-84 through the Columbia Gorge and then up I-5 to Tacoma. There are no mountain passes on that route (at least on that portion), and the roads would be relatively similar to what you're used to in Nebraska (windy, sometimes icy, but no passes).

Enjoy the drive. Way back when, my buddy and I took a two-week road/ski trip in a Ford Aerostar van, driving and sleeping at night and skiing during the day. It handled great in the snow, and I imagine your Windstar is OK, too.

[Fat Freddy]

Here's a link to the Washington Dept of Transportation.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/

You can get up to date road conditions as well as see traffic cams all over the state.

[springshades]

Honestly, snoqualmie pass (I90 through the Cascade mountains) is not horrible for the most part. If there happens to be a system that dumps a lot of snow at once, you can have problems there, but the pass is only at about 3000 feet, so those sorts of systems are rather few and far between. Taking chains would of course be a great precaution.

My tips would be to keep an eye on the weather in advance of your trip, do NOT take a higher pass through those mountains (stick to an interstate), and in particular, plan your trip for the best route through the ROCKY mountains. I imagine if you're going to have a problem it will be through the rockys and not through the cascades. The passes I've taken through there are much higher and more difficult to navigate than Snoqualmie through the cascades.

If you take I-80 through Wyoming (your most direct route), you're going to have to deal with a monstrous 8500+ foot pass over the rockys. If you go that way, you'll really want to be aware of the road conditions. Haven't taken I-70, but I imagine it would be a bit of a nightmare during winter. Your choice will probably be between I-80 and I-90 (farther north but a lower pass through the rockys) depending on which has better road conditions at the time you go.

[mconzemius]

Thanks everyone for your responses.

I plan to drive I-80 to Wyoming. I have driven this route 2 times, so I'm at least a little familiar with the drive. I've considered driving further west before heading north..but, I'm not familiar with that drive and I'm not familiar with what mountains, etc will be that way. I will drive I-80 to Cheyenne, then head north on I-25 until I hit I-90 near Billings, MT. Then, continue on I-90 through to Washington. I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that avoids the rocky mountains. So, the snoqualmie pass is the only mountain range I'm really concerned about with that route. I will make sure to get some chains before we head out from Nebraska though.

I might also add that I will be traveling with 3 small children (ages 4, 2 and 6months), which is CRAZY enough without the weather factor! I will not continue on the trip if the roads are not safe enough. If I have to sit it out for a few days, I will.

[scirocco22]

I was just going to suggest what you stated in the last sentence of your post above.

If you have internet access at the last place you stay before heading over the pass, you can monitor the conditions and if they are bad you can always wait it out for awhile ...most of the time it's only a few hours, if that, on Snoqualmie before they get the roadway plowed and cleared.

You can also use the state's toll free line: 1-800-695-7623 (ROAD) from any state or within state, you can also use the new, voice-recognized system by dialing 5-1-1.

As springshades has mentioned, Snoqualmie Pass is just a hair over 3,000 ft. so it's relatively low and on a heavily traveled interstate where the roadway is kept clear most of the time. Heavy truck traffic makes it essential that the roadway be monitored closely 24 hours a day. Although it's always emphasized by the D.O.T. that conditions change rapidly, usually you'll be able to get a feel of what type of conditions exist by monitoring the state's site and the local weather forecasts. Usually, Snoqualmie will be just fine and no chains will be required. I'd almost say to forget buying chains but it probably wouldn't be a good recommendation to make for safety and legal reasons. One thing you can consider, buy chains somewhere in Eastern Washington at a retailer where you can return them for a full refund if they are not used. Most places that sell chains offer that policy.

[springshades]

Going your route, you're going to hit bozeman pass (just under 6000 feet) and lookout pass (about 4500). The place where you are most likely to have a problem is bozeman pass which is near bozeman, mt, so be sure to keep track of the weather conditions there. I also remember hitting the continental divide at something over 6000 feet when I went that way though it wasn't called a "pass".

You're stuck taking some sort of pass over the rocky's unless you go all the way south to Texas I think. However, of all the ways, your route is probably the best. Just be very careful around bozeman pass and the continental divide as those two places are pretty steep and twisty. I would actually disagree about waiting until Eastern WA for your chains as you'll want them for Montana. Chances are you won't even need them in Washington. Snow is kind of rare in Washington in December (seems to come in January/February for the most part). If you want to be able to return the chains, just buy them from a store that is in Washington too. I'd bet you can even get chains at sears or walmart.

Once you get past those parts though prepare for a treat as Western Montana is an absolutely gorgeous place. Keep an eye out for Wallace, MT. It has an amazingly cute downtown area. I really wish that I had taken the time to visit on my way.

[cowboy_71]

There are several "passes" between Montana and Washington on I-90 and yes Does cross the "Rocky Mountains"
Bozeman Pass is one yes, but not the worst by far.its actually relatively small.( kind of a long hill and not twisty at all)
Then there is "Pipestone Pass" just before Butte (6453 ft) a little hairy at times in the winter .Then ya got a few "hills" here and there between Butte and Missoula Mt. After that ya will hit "lookout Pass" at (4725ft) at the Idaho Border. And as far as "winter-snow" type driving goes it just depends on how well accustomed to it you are.. There are times in the winter in Montana and Idaho and wyoming you can experience "white-out" conditions.it can get "iffy" travelling but for the most part the Interstate is pretty safe. Just to add, i use to live in Montana and NEVER used chains once in my life there, no one that I had ever seen used chains there either. It just wasn't something that was normally done. Although carrying chains with you would be a safe thing to do. Like others have said just keep an eye on the weather forcast in every state you'll be travelling thru and plan accordingly.. Good luck and be safe.