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mmccray100's avatar
mmccray100
Explorer
Sep 25, 2014

Best Route from Bryce Canyon to Bend, Or then Portland, Or

Hello All,

I'm currently Workamping for Ruby's inn at Bryce Canyon National Park. I plan to leave on Oct 19. I'll make a multi-day stop at Bend, Oregon, then on to my end destination, Portland, Oregon.

My question is which route to take to lessen the chance of snow (a 4-letter word!) and Ice. I'll be driving my 36" Dolphin towing a Kia Soul on a dolly.

I know there are several possibilities for the Bend to Portland leg, but probably only 1 for the Bryce to Bend leg. I've had a lot of experience driving on snow and ice, but in a car, not 50' of motorhome and car.

I have driven Hwy 26 from Portland to Bend in a car, but that was 30 years ago. I've not driven the other potential routes... West from Bend to I-5? North to I-84? Maybe Hwy 26 is the better choice? I'm not concerned about miles or time of travel. I've got a very flexible plan to be in Portland sometime the first week of November.

Better to listen to experience!

Thanks,

Mike
Roads and Routes

10 Replies

  • jorbill2or's avatar
    jorbill2or
    Explorer II
    Sep 27, 2014
    In October I seriously doubt you'll have a problem. My DW makes the Bend Trip almost every month From the Portland area ( in a Car however) and seems to prefer the Salem/Bend crossing. A look at the weather a day or two before will make your decision ALL the major routes are very MH friendly. Where in Portland you are going will make a difference 26 the east/north end and 20/22 the south/west end, all things equal. If Ice is possible the advice already given to travel between 10 and 4 is good! Have a safe enjoyable trip!
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2014
    We currently (for 2 more days) live in LaPine, south of Bend. We prefer Hwy 58 over to Eugene (from Crescent). It's wider, VERY well maintained and groomed in snow season, and lots of passing lanes. Others will say the passes to the north, however, we consistently have seen they have more snow than hwy 58. Hope you're coming soon....Mt. Bachelor got its first snow in the last day. :) :)

    Oh -- one rule we have.......go over the passes AFTER 10:00 AM and before 4:00 PM........before and after that, you'll find the pavement freezing.
  • dennis1's avatar
    dennis1
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2014
    Did you tnink maybe should should use Google map. Bryce canyon to Bend then Portland.
  • paulj's avatar
    paulj
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2014
    Bryce itself is the most likely place in Utah to get snow - unless you head due west to Cedar Breaks (or the NE corner). And in the Oregon mountains, rain is more likely than snow. Most of the rest is the high desert of Nevada and SE Oregon.

    Google Maps suggests its usual 3
    - I15 to SLC, I84 to Ontario, US20 to Bend
    - I15 south to Vegas, US95 (more or less) to Oregon, US20 from Burns.
    - an in between route using US50 across part of Nevada.

    I don't think there's much difference in snow/ice chances on these.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2014
    mmccray100 wrote:
    I'm not concerned about miles or time of travel.
    Since you're not concerned about miles, heading to Portland from Bend via I-84 would avoid all passes on that leg. But of course the tradeoff is the likelihood of lots of wind there in the Columbia Gorge.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Sep 26, 2014
    Who knows? Likely hood depends on weather on the days you travel. Hwy20 keeps you off of Cabbage hill and Ladd canyon. Both of which can be nasty in winter. Best suggestion I can offer is check weather on your intended route for the 10 days prior to travel and pick the best option. Or plan to come this way during the summer
  • mmccray100's avatar
    mmccray100
    Explorer
    Sep 26, 2014
    I lived in Portland for 30 years, 1971-2001, so I'm very aware of the weather in Portland and the Willamette Valley. My only concern is traveling the mountain passes.

    I don't think I will see any snow other than, maybe, at higher elevations.

    I-15 to I-84 is a likely possibility in that it keeps me on the Interstates for most of the trip (just for this trip.. I prefer to stay off the Interstates.)

    Bend to Portland requires traveling over Mountain passes. Of course Snow can fall at any time in the mountains, but what's the likelyhood of that in mid to late October?

    Fingers crossed, lol

    Mike
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Sep 25, 2014
    Bryce is in UT right? I84 to Ontario US20 to Bend US97 to Madras US26 to Portland. Current conditions in Central Oregon. 50's and rain. Forecast for the next 10 days basically the same

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