Moving Cross Country - need advice on route to take (Portland: live, safest)

[nbwa1234]

My husband and I are moving from Florida to Eugene Oregon during the 1st week of November. We are driving a 22" Truck and towing a car behind us.
We need to complete the trip in 5 days. What is the safest route you suggest to take?

THANKS!

[karlsch]

Unless you are really experienced driving the rig you described, when you enter Oregon, probably near Ontario, don't leave the Interstate to drive the two lane highways to get to Eugene.

It may be a few more miles, but take I-84 to I-5 (near Portland) and drive south to Eugene.

[Charlene1234]

I would suggest anything southern at that time of year. Avoid high elevation highways and anything northern. I-10 is a safe bet, I-40 may get some snow but probably just fine this year. Then go up I-5.

Stop in Louisiana and have some Gumbo if you go I-10! Then when going through Los Angeles, I would travel through after 9pm only. San Diego is bad, but LA is awful.... there's hardly any good time to drive through that city. You could go up through Las Vegas and up that way too, going through Bend, OR. It's a pretty drive.

Have a safe trip!!

[amplee]

I have pretty much the same question as the OP. We're moving from Austin in December and would MUCH MUCH rather avoid LA but are a little worried about winter weather taking the alternate route. We'd only be driving a car as the rest of our stuff would be shipped in a POD ahead of us. Here's our two options...


This one I'd rather avoid but am completely familiar with as I've lived all over California and have family in AZ and WA.



This route I'm completely unfamiliar with and would like a little advice for. We'll be traveling with two cats and the prospect of seeing some new scenery is nice. We'd like to avoid as much traffic as possible and want a mellow stress free drive. Can anyone give advice as to any mountain passages or severe weather areas we might encounter taking this route...

[Charlene1234]

At that time of year, I'd play it safe and deal with a little LA traffic for a couple hours.
In December you will be needing chains and possibly 4WD if you go through any higher
Elevation mountain passes like Colorado. Every year we hear of accidents where people
Go off the road or get lost... I'd stick to well traveled interstates. Traveling in snow is also
Very slow.

[haggardhouseelf]

This time of year (winter - basically anytime from Sept/Oct until probably May or June or even later depending on weather...) definitely take the LA way, stay as southern as you can and as low elevation as you can (try your best to not have to drive through mountain passes...) and STAY ON the main Interstate hwy.

I'm from TX and we've done this drive a lot. The safest way is to go through southern Cali. The Joshua trees are cool!

You'll have the rest of your life after the moves to go exploring our beautiful country. During a big move from state to state is not the time for getting yourself into trouble because you want to sight-see.

Good luck with your moves.

[Nell Plotts]

I agree, go west on the south-most route.

Instead of driving a 22' truck with your household goods and towing your car in the winter consider packing your goods in a POD or similar container and driving your car with pets. It could be a bit more expensive but you won't be nervous wrecks when you arrive. When we last used a U-Haul truck to move I swore "Never again!" It was a mechanical death trap. Based on that experience I don't think the vehicle could make a cross country trip without several break downs. If it does break down I think the unload and reload are on you.

[haggardhouseelf]

Does anyone knows if you need chains on I-5 going through Grants Pass/Medford area? We have never used chains but we have seen snow/ice in that area. It's higher elevation there. Perhaps we've been lucky...

[amplee]

Thanks for the advice. I have family in Phoenix, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara, so there is plenty of places to stop going that route. I just hate LA with all of my heart, but maybe I'll try passing through really late or really early in order to avoid that hell hole.

[Charlene1234]

The pass on I-5 between California and Oregon does shut down during major storms occasionally.
Check out tripcheck.com. It will tell you all the road conditions in Oregon.