Is anyone familiar with these roads between Bend, Oregon and Couer d'Alene Idaho in regards to any major difficulties pulling a 36' fifth wheel over them? Ochoco Hwy (Hwy 26); John Day Hwy (Hwy 19); and Long Creek Hwy (Hwy 402)We love backroads but don't want to get caught in the middle of nowhere with a low bridge or road curves that don't allow our size rig. Also wondering about any major climbs or descents that we should be aware of. We have an exhaust brake but prefer knowing ahead what we're getting into. We'll also be taking Hwy 395 and Interstates 84, 82, and 90 after Hwy 402. From Idaho we're going to Glacier NP and up into British Columbia to Jasper and Banff NP then SW to Vancouver and the State of Washington but still trying to select roads for that part of our route. We'll be leaving July 1st so any input provided would be appreciated.This is only our second long trip with our rig since we retired. The first one was mostly in Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. We're trying to see as much of the western states as we can, while we can!Thanks!

From Bend 97 north to I84 to I82 to 395 to I90 is the fastest and shortest way. All good roads

I'm not familiar with the Idaho stretch, but both 26 and 19 in Oregon are good roads, mostly two lane. You shouldn't have any trouble with your fiver. Do try to make time to stop at the Painted Hills, a few miles off 26 near the town of Mitchell. Though a native Oregonian, I saw them myself last year for the first time, and it's an unbelievably beautiful sight!

I'll add the painted hills to our itinerary. They look beautiful. We have similiar-looking hills where we live. Do you recall any steep grades? I'm thinking we should get a book or software that provides grades and low clearances on highway but don't know which to get. Right now just relying on the forum and anything else I can find out on the internet. :)

I didn't encounter anything I had to struggle up. Nothing like some of the passes in the Cascades etc. Can't recommend any computer software etc., but I absolutely swear by the Benchmark series of Atlases if you're a paper map user. Only available for the West, but unbelievably detailed! linkCostco usually has them if you're a member/interested...or of course since they're published in Medford, you could probably pick 'em up if you happen to go that way.

I like to use Google Maps. With terrain mode on it shows the contour lines. I estimate grades by asking it for the distance between two contour lines. Zoomed in far enough I can see every corner. With streetview I can see the actual road.This is an area of low mountains, with roads following river valleys where possible. OR207 has some switchbacks as it crosses these mountains on the way north to I84. Those at 20 mph curves but aren't a problem for 18 wheeleres or logging trucks. As far as I know, Oregon does not have state highways like the California ones with length restrictions.I see on GM that 402 is labeled as 'Old West Scenic Bikeway'.Check the John Day Nat Monument. It has several units in this area.John Day NM map Clear map of the major (state) roads in the area.Print maps with good topography detail are Benchmark and DeLourme Atlases.

Traveling Oregon NE to Couer d'Alene | Good Sam Community

dennysbabe
Explorer
Jun 05, 2013
We love the back roads and don't mind taking our time on a 2-lane road as long as it doesn't have a lot of traffic that wants to get around us. We have somewhat of a schedule to keep but no reservations anywhere so that we can "slow down and smell the roses" where we find them. I appreciate all the suggestions and will keep them all in mind, especially the campground recommendations. A great big thank you to everyone!
paulj
Explorer II
May 31, 2013
TUCQUALA wrote:
With your rig, I would not recommend 207, 19, or 402. Very winding, narrow, lots ups and downs, though not extreme elevations. Last time we drove in a Volvo from Heppner to Mitchell, it was very tiring!!
...

Several years ago we camped at Bear Hollow Cty Park on OR19, then drop south on 19 to 207. There wasn't anything particularly tiring about these roads where they followed the John Day River. OR207 then turns north toward Heppner, and crosses a pass, with some switchbacks on the way. In a small SUV the drive to Hermiston took most of the morning (126 miles in about 3hrs - 40 mph).

However the OP was planning on taking OR402 to US395. On Google Maps terrain mode that looks straighter, following a river more of the time.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
May 31, 2013
We pull a TT from Coeur d Alene to Sacramento a couple times a year. I5, Hwy 97, I84, Hwy 395, and I 90. Easy Peasy!!There are places to pull off the road in several spots, even Exit 109 on I84-to the John Day Dam.
Heading to Glacier from CDA is also a breeze. We head out on I 90, then turn north at Exit 33 in Montana. There are two nice parks in St. Regis, Mt. Then just head North through Kalispell, Mt. to the park. Also easy.
Important items are; reservations for Glacier, bring hike gear, use the park shuttles, bring cameras! The mountain sheep actually seem to try boarding the busses.
Enjoy.
TUCQUALA
Explorer
May 31, 2013
With your rig, I would not recommend 207, 19, or 402. Very winding, narrow, lots ups and downs, though not extreme elevations. Last time we drove in a Volvo from Heppner to Mitchell, it was very tiring!!

Good bets would be 97 to I84 as already suggested, or take 26 to 395 and up to Cda.
Lowsuv
Explorer
May 31, 2013
Good choices
Ochoco Hwy (Hwy 26);
John Day Hwy (Hwy 19); and
Long Creek Hwy (Hwy 402)
i live in bend and have been over those roads repeatedly .
2 lane US highways prevail in Oregon anywhere East of the mighty Cascade Mountain range .
in my jaded opinion the poor saps who live where the freeways are the only choice to get there are really missing out .
you will enjoy the drive .
i do , every time .
dennysbabe
Explorer
May 30, 2013
Awesome! Thanks to everyone for their input. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I continue planning the trip.
crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
C.d'Alene to Glacier- north on 95 to Us 200 just north of Sandpoint and around the north end of Lake Pend O;Reille (following up the Clark Fork River - the route of pioneer fur-trader David Thompson). Near HOpe ID take a short detour into Sam Owen cg. In the day area, on the lakeside of the bath house, is a great display on the history of David Thompson's fort (Kulyspill) built near here. By the way - Sam Owen is a beautiful USFS cg to spend a night or two! Wife and I were hosts there for two seasons.

Rte 200 will eventually hit US 93. turn north and follow it to Kalispell and on to Glacier N.P.

Sort of home country for us. Enjoy it!!
John
ReferDog
Explorer
May 23, 2013
I will 2nd donn0128 rt.
paulj
Explorer II
May 23, 2013
I like to use Google Maps. With terrain mode on it shows the contour lines. I estimate grades by asking it for the distance between two contour lines. Zoomed in far enough I can see every corner. With streetview I can see the actual road.

This is an area of low mountains, with roads following river valleys where possible. OR207 has some switchbacks as it crosses these mountains on the way north to I84. Those at 20 mph curves but aren't a problem for 18 wheeleres or logging trucks. As far as I know, Oregon does not have state highways like the California ones with length restrictions.

I see on GM that 402 is labeled as 'Old West Scenic Bikeway'.

Check the John Day Nat Monument. It has several units in this area.
John Day NM map Clear map of the major (state) roads in the area.

Print maps with good topography detail are Benchmark and DeLourme Atlases.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
May 22, 2013
I didn't encounter anything I had to struggle up. Nothing like some of the passes in the Cascades etc.

Can't recommend any computer software etc., but I absolutely swear by the Benchmark series of Atlases if you're a paper map user. Only available for the West, but unbelievably detailed! link

Costco usually has them if you're a member/interested...or of course since they're published in Medford, you could probably pick 'em up if you happen to go that way.

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