WA-OR-CA - Hwy 101 or I-5 in winter?
I'm new to trailering - we have a 30' TT, pulled by an F-250. I've now hauled for maybe 500 miles or so, but have done a variety of mountain passes, rain, miserable roads and night (sometimes with eac...
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I 'motorhomed' the drive from So Cal to Redding during Christmas break for years. What applies there should apply further north. Keep a very close eye on the weather. That simple. All the major passes can be closed for snow during storms, so plan your travel accordingly. But those same major freeway passes are opened ASAP. Strongly agree about traveling between 10am & 3pm if marginal weather is possible. (And snow isn't the only thing. We hit wind strong enough on I-5 for me to sit at a rest stop for hours about a month ago near Weed. Two years ago, right after we left Redding a rain storm was predicted with 8" rains. And fog in Cal's Central Valley prohibits travel until it burns off in my book!)
If you want to go as far south as Redding on 5, there are many nice RV parks in the area. We use Premeir. 299 to Eureka is done by RV'ers all the time. It's a full day's drive for me. Mad River RV or Sounds of the Sea RV are the two we use once over to 101. You can leave the RV and go north on 101 a ways. Prairie Creek redwoods, with their elk, is worth a day trip. I agree with heading back to 5 via 20. (On your way thru central Oregon, Seven Feathers RV is just great. Dine at the truck stop, not the casino. Easy days drive to Redding.)
Depending on how far you are heading south, I much prefer 99 over 5 south of Manteca - which is where I make the transition. And I also use Tehachapi as opposed to Grapevine.
Take your time. Watch the weather. Do not be afraid to sit and wait it out.
If you want to go as far south as Redding on 5, there are many nice RV parks in the area. We use Premeir. 299 to Eureka is done by RV'ers all the time. It's a full day's drive for me. Mad River RV or Sounds of the Sea RV are the two we use once over to 101. You can leave the RV and go north on 101 a ways. Prairie Creek redwoods, with their elk, is worth a day trip. I agree with heading back to 5 via 20. (On your way thru central Oregon, Seven Feathers RV is just great. Dine at the truck stop, not the casino. Easy days drive to Redding.)
Depending on how far you are heading south, I much prefer 99 over 5 south of Manteca - which is where I make the transition. And I also use Tehachapi as opposed to Grapevine.
Take your time. Watch the weather. Do not be afraid to sit and wait it out.
