Best and worst routes across the Mountains ?
The RV is a 23 foot 1974 GMC geared for cruising on flat interstates. PLanning an epic summer trip to the west coast, Grand Canyon, Bay Area, maybe portland and then Yellowstone. That give...
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Any of the Interstates will be fine. You'll have some steep grade on I-5, and more on I-84. All doable, just keep right and turn on the 4-way flashers if you're going slower than the prevailing traffic. It helps faster traffic realize how slow you are, and gives them time to get over.
Do be careful with GPS re-reroutes, especially in Oregon and Washington. If a freeway closes for any reason, GPS apps will sometimes re-route you to a Forest Service road, and even if it's open, it might not be remotely suitable for a motorhome.
Be aware that some US-routes are far worse for larger vehicles than some State Routes. For example, US-20 eastbound out of the Willamette Valley will take you up 25 miles of narrow road with curves as slow as 15 MPH, and a good long 7% grade, all with a single passing lane, 2 slow vehicle turnouts, and 2 more very short stretches of 2 lane marked for passing. OR-22, about 25 miles north, it far more gradual, with more passing areas, and decent shoulders.
Do be careful with GPS re-reroutes, especially in Oregon and Washington. If a freeway closes for any reason, GPS apps will sometimes re-route you to a Forest Service road, and even if it's open, it might not be remotely suitable for a motorhome.
Be aware that some US-routes are far worse for larger vehicles than some State Routes. For example, US-20 eastbound out of the Willamette Valley will take you up 25 miles of narrow road with curves as slow as 15 MPH, and a good long 7% grade, all with a single passing lane, 2 slow vehicle turnouts, and 2 more very short stretches of 2 lane marked for passing. OR-22, about 25 miles north, it far more gradual, with more passing areas, and decent shoulders.
