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koochi's avatar
koochi
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014

Spokane Wa. area to Yuma or Tucson avoiding snow in January

We are Heading down to visit in both Yuma and Tucson sometime after Christmas in our 34' class A. This will be our first big trip in the big rig! We did take our small class c to the Oregon coast in September a few years ago, and also have been to Vegas -but in an SUV with good winter tires. I'm nervous about snowy roads and mountain passes, and would love to hear from some experienced snowbirds please! We are not in a serious time crunch, in fact we are not even sure yet where we should stay along the way, or in Tucson! The whole thing is a bit overwhelming so any advice on routes and stops would be welcome, thanks!
  • The shortest/fastest route on Google Maps is US395 SW to I84, I84 SE to Twin Falls ID, US93 straight south. On this route there may be snow across Washington (there is now), a grade over Cabbage Patch Hill, and high desert across Nevada.

    A close second is I90 east to I15. This is an all freeway route. The highest passes are on the ID/MT border, around Butte, and on the MT/ID border.

    I84 west to Portland, and I5 south avoids that inland cold, but at the cost of several extra hours of driving. Plus heavier traffic in California.

    US97 and US95 are other options.
  • When we travel not only do we look at the weather forecast where we are at, we also look ahead to the weather where we are going. We have avoided some serious storms by staying where we were at because further down the road it was bad.
  • We have traveled south after Christmas several times. I would recommend I-5 and watch the weather for a good time to cross the Siskiyous. We usually take US97 to I-84 and I-205 around Portland to get on I-5. That pass south of Ashland is the most likely place for snow. Rolling Hills Casino is a good stopping place. I would stay on I-5 until SR46 at Lost hills CA. Head east on SR46 to US99 then South to SR58. Check out the Orqnge Grove RV Park just east of Bakersfield. Head east on SR58 to Barstow where you can take I-40 east into AZ AZ95 (NOT US95 in CA) on the east side of the Colorado River is a good road through Lake Havasu and Quartsite south to Yuma.
  • Your homegrown mountains and snow will be as bad as anything further south. I assume by 'spokane area' you are starting in Alberta or eastern BC.

    Start scanning the state DOT websites to become familiar with mountain pass conditions - WSDOT, Tripcheck (oregon), etc.
  • Your going to hit snow anyway you go so if I were you I'd watch the weather forecasts and make a break for it when you see a few days that look clear and bright. Before you go stop by Les Schawb and get some chains and a little block of instructions on how to put them on. I believe that Les will take them back if they are unused, but don't quote me on that as we never took ours back. Also have a good weather radio.

    I've heard there are some real horror stories about taking I 84 in winter so I'd take 395 to I84 west and go south to I205 and then I5. I 5 shouldn't be bad except for the Siskiyou's and like the person said above, if you can get to 7 Feathers, its a great place to stuck at, and wait out any bad weather.

    The I90 option to I 15 also an option, but I have no experience with I15 at all above Salt Lake City.
  • Head west to I-5. Cle Elum should be about the worst of it.
  • koochi wrote:
    We are Heading down to visit in both Yuma and Tucson sometime after Christmas in our 34' class A. This will be our first big trip in the big rig! We did take our small class c to the Oregon coast in September a few years ago, and also have been to Vegas -but in an SUV with good winter tires. I'm nervous about snowy roads and mountain passes, and would love to hear from some experienced snowbirds please! We are not in a serious time crunch, in fact we are not even sure yet where we should stay along the way, or in Tucson! The whole thing is a bit overwhelming so any advice on routes and stops would be welcome, thanks!

    Before starting out on your trip to Ariz:
    1. buy an Emergency Road Side Service plan. I have had the Good Sam ERS plan for 20 yrs. and have good experiences when I needed to use it. There are others but stay away from ERS plans like AAA.
    2. Buy the Good Sam "Travel assist program". They will provide medical assistance in the event of a serious medical incident where you can't drive. They also fly you to a Hospital in your home town. If needed they will have a professional driver drive your rig back home.
    3. have your tires checked, replace if in any doubt then have your bearings serviced.
    4. Use a weather application like Weather Bug", "the National weather Channel" and "Wind Alert". Put them on your computer and your iPhone. Approx. 30 days before departure date, start printing out the weather forecasts for at least 10 days in advance. Set your departure date when your weather reports present the best weather conditions for your trip. Recheck your forecasts every morning once you are on the road. Make a list of possible locations from Oregon to Yuma, about 300 miles apart that you can park and stay if you run into bad weather.
    5. Places I would stay:
    a. 7 Feathers RV/Casino in Cannyonville
    b. Rolling Hills RV/casino park in Corning ca.
    c. "A Country RV Park" on highway 58 at Bakersfiled Ca.
    d. Pick any RV Park in Indio, I stay at the Elks Lodge but you have to be a member.
    e. Out of Indio head south to El Centro, Ca.
    f. El Centro to Yuma:)
    If you more specific information, send me a private email.
    Dick
  • There is a possibility of snow no matter how you go. We have gone through Tri-cities through Pendleton, Boise etc and it was a bad trip the snow over immigrant pass was really scary. Last year we went eat on I-90 and then south from Butte we encountered snow that way also.
    My recommendation is to check the long range forecasts pick a time and go on the I-90 route. Only travel when you are comfortable. There are lots of rest stops along the way if it gets bad stop. Don't push it.
    Worst case is you stop at a motel and "hole up" until the snow passes.
    The nice thing is once you get South of Salt Lake City the weather gets noticeably warmer and you will start to relax.
    jesse
  • Welcome to RV.net!
    I would watch the weather. Then go east to Butte,MT and go down I-15.