Grants Pass decision

Check tripcheck starting a few days before you plan to travel. Remember I5 can get nasty from just south of Eugene. Personally I would cut over to Reedsport and drive 101 to CA20

We have left late Dec. the last few years, staying on I-5 over the mountains and had no problems,
if it is late in the day we stop at Canyonville Casino for the night
There has been snow at the side of the road. but the road crew keep the lane clear

Actually, if you're going over the mountains, check Tripcheck the NIGHT before you leave. :) If a storm is coming in, hold off. We'll be doing the same thing. We'll be in the Roseburg area and leaving about the 2nd week of Dec. We're thinking we'll head back to 97 thru Eugene (hwy 58). It's a route we're very comfortable with. Then we'll head down to Lakeview, and then on down to Winnemucca.....that route has few mountains (less snow). We came back the first of February thru that route. :)

As for RV parks......ANY of the routes will have RV parks available. :)

All depends on the weather. As previously suggested check weather a few days before to make your choice.

You will need to check the Weather.com once you are near the date that you plan on traveling. Going to the coast, you will avoid any snow, but might have morning fog until noon, and the afternoon fog can start at noon and last all day.

Normally I5 is open. But it can close for a few days at a time, afterall it is around 4,500 feet. But with good planning and being able to stay in sunny but normally warmer Grants Pass for 2-3 days, you will find that there will be a 3-4 day opening where you can get from Grants Pass to Redding without any snow or rain.

There are a few nice RV parks along the Rouge River. The most snow that I got in Grants Pass from 1971 to 1975 was 1" of snow in 1974. Normally it will not get nearly the snow that Washington will get. We had very few snow days as a child. . . .

Good luck!

Fred.

donn0128 wrote:
Check tripcheck starting a few days before you plan to travel. Remember I5 can get nasty from just south of Eugene. Personally I would cut over to Reedsport and drive 101 to CA20

Here's a link to Tripcheck.

Plenty of CGs in Southern Oregon. One of the nicest is 7 Feathers. Have been to but not stayed overnight at the adjacent rest area.

As 101 CGs will tell you when it snows on I5 they get busy.

I would continue on 5 unless the road closes. OK I might also wait out a storm but continue second day after it passes. I assume if your primary route is 5 then just take it for the reasons you chose that route.

Nothing wrong with 101. Just go that way if you choose.

When you see all the trucks pulled out and laying up, do the same. go when and where the weather will allow. I've seen the coast miserable too.

I have seen ice on 101, enough to make it as bad as I 5