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 each of the other conditions). I'm learning how the rig handles, slowly.We'd like to head from Vancouver down to California, likely sometime between December and March. I understand that the weather can vary from wet and rainy to heavy snow, depending on elevation and location.Can anyone provide some guidance as to whether either of the two routes is preferable for a new trailer driver (or even smart to do at that time of year), or if there is an alternative route that might be preferable?Thanks -Almost Retired!

Vancouver Canada, I take it? December to March is sort of a long stretch, but assuming some mid point, I'd do I-5 to Portland then cut over to 101 for the rest of the trip if you want to avoid snow. It'll be wet and maybe windy, but it's a beautiful drive and traffic isn't at all bad that time of year.

Watch the weather!If you have the time the coast route is great. Yes, it can be stormy, but that is one thing we like.The pass over the Siskiyou Pass can be nasty from Ashland, Oregon to down around Redding, CA.I would also cut over down near Grants Pass to US 101. It has a little short narrow stretch just before US 101 but no that bad.

Guaranteed on the coast you will have wind and rain. While itmis possible to see snow on the beach it is not as likely as snow delays over the Siskiyous. Take 101 and enjoy the weather and scenery.

Wow - that was fast! You folks are on it!!Yes - from Vancouver, Canada (so have lots of experience driving in mountains - we have a few crazy passes of our own up here). Doing so in the snow with an RV on the other hand doesn't exactly excite me. :EI don't mind taking our time as long as I can let faster drivers past us here and there as possible. We were thinking of heading down to Redding, which would mean that if we took 101, we'd cut off 101 to Redding on Hwy 299. How is this for driving? (I'm a bit nervous with the trailer as it's "big" for me at this point, but I'm pretty sure that I'll eventually get over that. OK - I hope that statement is true!)

I grew up in Western Washington, and have family down in Eugene Oregon. I lived up in Forks Washington and Long Beach Washington. I've towed up and down I-5 and 101 many times. I would not take 101, I would watch for a weather window and stay on I-5. You can go all the way to Medford and watch for a good weather forecast then head south. Once over the Siskiyou's you'll have one more area near Mt. Shasta. Then you'll drop down into Redding. VFrom Vancouver to Redding is 734 miles. Two days driving and you're there.

WA-OR-CA - Hwy 101 or I-5 in winter? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

korbe
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
If I was taking that trip, the route would depend on whether the purpose was to get from point A to point B, or if the journey was to be part of the equation. If I just wanted to get there, I would take I-5 and watch the weather. If the journey is important, I would get over to 101 and then get back to I-5 from hwy 20 near Ukiah.
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
299 is horrible. Best route is I5 to Longview,WA, and follow the signs to the coast. 101 south to just north of Ukiah and cut back to I5 on CA20. This gives you the best of the coast plus the redwoods
RVcrazy
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
I wouldn't come in at Redding from 101. I'd go down 101 till Hwy 20 near Eureka & cut over. Check the weather for Redding if you decide to do it instead. I don't think you will like it!
Bull_Rider
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
I grew up in Western Washington, and have family down in Eugene Oregon. I lived up in Forks Washington and Long Beach Washington. I've towed up and down I-5 and 101 many times.

I would not take 101, I would watch for a weather window and stay on I-5. You can go all the way to Medford and watch for a good weather forecast then head south. Once over the Siskiyou's you'll have one more area near Mt. Shasta. Then you'll drop down into Redding.
V
From Vancouver to Redding is 734 miles. Two days driving and you're there.
almost_retired
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
Wow - that was fast! You folks are on it!!

Yes - from Vancouver, Canada (so have lots of experience driving in mountains - we have a few crazy passes of our own up here). Doing so in the snow with an RV on the other hand doesn't exactly excite me. :E

I don't mind taking our time as long as I can let faster drivers past us here and there as possible.

We were thinking of heading down to Redding, which would mean that if we took 101, we'd cut off 101 to Redding on Hwy 299. How is this for driving?

(I'm a bit nervous with the trailer as it's "big" for me at this point, but I'm pretty sure that I'll eventually get over that. OK - I hope that statement is true!)
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2014
Guaranteed on the coast you will have wind and rain. While itmis possible to see snow on the beach it is not as likely as snow delays over the Siskiyous. Take 101 and enjoy the weather and scenery.
enblethen
Nomad
Oct 30, 2014
Watch the weather!
If you have the time the coast route is great. Yes, it can be stormy, but that is one thing we like.
The pass over the Siskiyou Pass can be nasty from Ashland, Oregon to down around Redding, CA.
I would also cut over down near Grants Pass to US 101. It has a little short narrow stretch just before US 101 but no that bad.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
Vancouver Canada, I take it? December to March is sort of a long stretch, but assuming some mid point, I'd do I-5 to Portland then cut over to 101 for the rest of the trip if you want to avoid snow. It'll be wet and maybe windy, but it's a beautiful drive and traffic isn't at all bad that time of year.

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WA-OR-CA - Hwy 101 or I-5 in winter?

18 Replies

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