Santa Rosa CA to Minneapolis MN

In my opinion, halfway decent all season tires should be fine for the Interstate most of the time. If the weather looks dicey, wait it out, like others have said. Front wheel drive cars do pretty well, and the DOT works to keep the Interstates pretty well clear since that's the way all the trucks etc. get through with food and fuel and whatnot.

I would take the most direct reasonable route, presumably I-80, unless conditions at the time dictated otherwise...and even then compare waiting things out with going well out of the way.

Even when I-80 is closed, it's never for long periods of time. Longest I've seen recently was over Christmas this past year, closed between Rock Springs and Laramie for about 2 days. Just come prepared, and budget for an extra night or two in a hotel in case you need it. You'd be fine in a car through there... biggest issue there is wind reducing visibility and making it tough on high profile vehicles and the road icing over, and tires don't help much with ice.

I'd also advise staying in Rock Springs over Rawlins if you do get stuck and have a choice. More hotels and more things to do.

Kelbri wrote:
We are planning to drive in order to bring our 3 dogs along. Flying would be much preferred. They are 3 smaller Shih Tzus (one about 25 pounds and the other 2 about 9 pounds each).

I'll have to look at the tires on the car. Pretty sure they are just all season radials. We would need to buy chains and put together the winter survival package mentioned. Lived in MN all my life but recently moved to Santa Rosa. Going back to visit family for the holidays.

Currently thinking about buying an AWD/4WD vehicle (GMC Yukon). We could drive that instead.

Thanks for all the suggestions/thoughts. Let me know if you have any other opinions.

I would call around and see what the cost would be board all 3 dogs while you are gone. Depending of the cost, it might be worth it when you compare the costs and time to drive V.S. not having to drive and the cost of fuel.