Winter driving from Arkansas to Washington State during December (best, overnight, flights)

[PSYscout]

I am taking leave and the wife and I are driving home for christmas because its cheaper than boarding the dogs and paying for flights. We are wondering what the safest most direct route would be. Any advice would be a help. We drove out via Puyallup, spokane, billings, cheyenne, lincoln, kansas city and down to feyetteville when we moved here(Arkansas). This being the most direct route I dont know if it would be the best for december driving? But the southern route through albequerque, and up through California adds like 9 hours, seems to me the faster more direct route is more of a gamble; but the sure thing adds a whole day of driving....any suggestions?

Thanks

Dave

[annerk]

I'd look at the weather a few days before you are planning on leaving and making a decision then. Either way make sure you have survival gear in the car including blankets, water, and energy bars.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by annerk

I'd look at the weather a few days before you are planning on leaving and making a decision then.

^^THIS.

Look for the weather patterns...
but if you go through the mountains you'll need to budget far more than 9 hours of delay time.

[Hemlock140]

I agree too, it can vary greatly. Even coming up through CA can be a mess as you have to go through the Siskiyou mountains and I have been stuck there for 3-4 hours one winter when a truck jackknifed. The problem is that once you commit to a route the weather can change before you get to the next overnight stop.