Moving from Seattle to Fresno. (moving truck, rental, truck, moved)

[tropicalidream]

I am going to be helping my mom move from Seattle to Fresno, CA. I was wondering if anyone had taken that route before (I-5 through WA, OR, and CA, then 99 to Fresno) and how it would be in the winter months. I've heard that it can be very unpredictable and that chains are needed if it gets snowy, especially in OR (mountain passes). We don't have chains and I personally do not feel comfortable driving a moving truck with chains through snowy mountains (as I'll be driving the moving truck!). When is the best time to go through (as soon as possible)? We were planning on January, but that's probably not possible. When does the weather usually clear up allowing for easier/safer driving? Any input would help! Thanks.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by tropicalidream

I am going to be helping my mom move from Seattle to Fresno, CA. I was wondering if anyone had taken that route before (I-5 through WA, OR, and CA, then 99 to Fresno) and how it would be in the winter months. I've heard that it can be very unpredictable and that chains are needed if it gets snowy, especially in OR (mountain passes). We don't have chains and I personally do not feel comfortable driving a moving truck with chains through snowy mountains (as I'll be driving the moving truck!). When is the best time to go through (as soon as possible)? We were planning on January, but that's probably not possible. When does the weather usually clear up allowing for easier/safer driving? Any input would help! Thanks.

Though not that exact same city-pair, I have done the NW to Cali move in a rental truck and in that season.

Basically, the only parts that are problematic are: (1) the Siskiyou Pass, about 15 miles south of Ashland OR and for which there is a significant elevation gain, and (2) the area around Dunsmuir CA, near Shasta. What I did is check weather.com for a few days on either side of my move date and also view the 10-day forecast for (1) Ashland OR, (2) Yreka CA, and (3) Dunsmuir CA. Also, the website has the radar view where you can see if there is any off-the-coast systems coming in. If you see Ashland in the 45-50 degree range, then you might make it through without chains, allowing for a 10 to 12 degree drop for the mountain pass. It worked for me.

Also, keep in mind that the more problematic area is south of Ashland OR and north of Lake Shasta CA. This is about 125 to 150 miles out of your total trip. The other parts should be hassle-free, except for rain.

Another far-fetched option is to take 101 down the coast from mid-Oregon on down and then cut back in around Mendocino CA....though that will be SLOW.

Have a safe trip. And why is mom moving to Fresno?

[tropicalidream]

I moved here and she wants to be by me. Thanks for the great advice!

[seahawksweetie]

We did that move from San Diego to Seattle. Here are the links I used to check out the weather conditions in the passes. There are 3, each from CA, OR adn WA, and some provide webcams of how the roads look so you can see how it is going.

WSDOT - Statewide Mountain Pass Map

TripCheck - Road Cams, Road & Weather Conditions in Oregon - ODOT

Mountain Highways

Also, if you happen to have XM radio, not sure if you do, then you can access the Emergency channel on there to listen for bad winter conditions.