MPond wrote:
Routes - I haven't travelled on most of these routes. For example, from Ogden, UT to Grand Teton - is this the best route?
You mention from Ogden to Grand Teton but your map shows Provo. Is Provo what you meant? Last Fall we did your route from Provo to Grand Tetons - through Heber City to I-80 to Evanston to 30 to 89 to the Tetons. It's a good drive with a big RV - and very scenic. Starting this from Provo will definitely bypass the Salt Lake congestion. Just before getting into Jackson will be a major grocery on the left - good for stocking up before the Tetons/Yellowstone. For fuel, good stations for big rigs in Afton, Thayne or Alpine - before Jackson.
Driving through Yellowstone to get from Tetons to West Yellowstone - it's much shorter to go through Yellowstone than to go around. Any reason not to do this?
Definitely continue through the Tetons and into Yellowstone. That southern part of Yellowstone is not congested.
The DW and I are in general agreement all the way through the Oregon Coast. From there we have 2 route options back to Southern California: Inland, with stops as Crater Lake & Lassen Volcanic National Park. Coastal, with stops at Crescent City, CA (or possibly Brookings, OR) & Mendocino, CA.
From Banff, don't bother getting to the coast of Washington. It will add a lot more time and you'll be seeing a lot of beach areas in Oregon. Getting over to Portland and then continuing down 101 is the best. You have a long trip planned!
If you want to do the Crater Lake/Lassen route we would suggest coming down 101 in Oregon and then cutting in at Reedsport on Hwy 38 to 138 to Sutherlin, then I-5 south to Roseburg and pick up 138 east to Diamond Lake and down to Crater Lake. Then 62/97 to Klamath Falls and into California/Lassen. It's all good road.
Or....continue on Oregon 101 all the way down into California. Since you live in Calif. you can always do shorter trips to cover some of northern Calif, too.
