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jidro's avatar
jidro
Explorer II
Jan 08, 2018

AZ to WA avoiding steep hills

Hello. I am driving my RV from Tucson, AZ to Ocean Shores, WA. I have done this trip a few times, but never with a 31 ft travel trailer. I always take I-10 to I-5, a straight route from Arizona to Washington. I remember passing through steep hills in Siskiyou mountains (northern CA and southern Oregon) and I think was Angeles Forest near LA. Can you recommend the best routes to avoid steep hills for my travel from AZ to WA. I don't mind going a longer route, as long as I can avoid steep hills. As you can see, I am newly retired and new to RVing. Thank you in advance.
Roads and Routes

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  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2018
    Weather is a big deal this time of year.
    I'd do direct Vagas, and stay on the dry side as long as I could, weather permitting.

    The high country of Ca is due for 1 to 2 feet of snow this week.
    that means that the coast will be wet. and of course 1-5 will be too. but rain is better than snow.
    I'd be stocked up and ready to lay up for as long as a week.
    If the high country gets snow, 101 is the best alternative it will not be snowy long. But the Shasta area will.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2018
    Just curious why you want to avoid steep hills.
    I just take them head on.
    Gear down going up and gear down going down.
    I've been all over the Rockies.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Jan 08, 2018
    I-10 to I-5 north to Weed, and then 97, to 81 west to I-5 again.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jan 08, 2018
    Welcome! Rather than avoiding climbs and descents, better to develop the skills that each require. They are not hard or many. You’ll miss so much of this beautiful country by not learning.

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