Driving Dallas to Seattle 1/29/09 - best route?

[tankratt]

Colorado and Wyoming will close the highway down with little to no notice for weather. and the motels, if you can get one triple the rates ( I got stuck in rawlins for 3 days and at 100 a night) They call in saeson rates when the hiway closes, and if no rooms you are snoozin in a car at night and in wyoming that can get chilly with a 40 mph wind blowing ( no joke, not gusts but blowing) Make sure you have a case of water with you and leave your tools at the back of the truck in case you need your shovels or whatever incase you have problems, it gets cold.

[joe stixpuck]

I posted the same type of question last month, and saved a lot of time, money and worry by taking the most universal advice. Go across via I-40 into SoCal, then head up I-5 all the way to Seattle.

My trip was from Seattle to St. Louis, and the most direct route was I-90. I was also considering a trip south to stop and see friends along the way and take either I-80 or I-70 cross country. So I asked in all the forums for those states what they'd advise. Even with a good forecast, at least a few folks always said the one way not to go wrong was take the route that I ended up travelling.

The forecast went sour the day I took off, and if I'd not headed straight south when I did, it would've added at least 3 days onto the original time. And I was driving an SUV, and am pretty experienced in driving during Northern, Midwestern and Eastern winters. I drove 700 extra miles and am SO glad for having asked for--and following--the advice!

Have a safe trip, and make sure to take many of the recommended emergency supplies already posted no matter what route chosen, but especially if you choose to travel more directly.

[Seattle_Mike_42]

ok, i leave tomorrow. that last post did it. i am going to go thru california and add the 500 miles. i know there is at least 1 winter system happening in Dallas area right now so forget it. i'm grateful to you guys sharing your misery here. i'll still bring a shovel and water, i didnt think of that.

[joe stixpuck]

Glad to've helped you finalize the decision. Hope your trip has gone well! Happy trails.

[tcres]

Good luck and follow up when you make it to Seattle. I might do the trip again in the future just for fun. It would be nice to see how the drive through California is because I've driven most of it and down in AZ, NM and E. TX the drive is awful boring and long.

[Foreverking]

I drove from Seattle to Denver colorado. January is a crazy month to be trying any driving over passes. Utah and wyoming are terrible states, but cascades will scare the heck out of you once you get to Wa. I vote: take the 10 to NM, find your way to I5 in CA, Ore, Wa and you will have no issues or worries