Forum Discussion

thankdog's avatar
thankdog
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017

West Palm Beach to Portland by way of Vegas?

Hello fellow RVers

Yes I must be nuts but we only have 5 weeks for vacation and 5 days of it has to include a stop in Las Vegas for an event. We have a 2012 40' Discovery and tow a 4 door Jeep. We travel with 4 dogs (2 are oldies) and 2 adults. We don't hike but love photo ops and history.

Leaving from West Palm Beach around March 20-ish we have to be in Vegas from March 29 - April 2. We want to stop in NO for 2 days on the way west (nice CG near the French Quarter we like). Other than those two 'must do' stops we are looking for a cross country adventure.

National Parks and views, history and kitch, Route 66, quirky sights, etc - we prefer State Parks to camp in overnight rather than private CG's since many have pet limits, pet restrictions, and the State Parks tend to be affordable and give you plenty of space. We tend to mind our own business and keep quiet when camping. The dogs are quiet and just need places to walk them safely. We are not opposed to the free overnight sleep spots as well.

Driving over and thru mountains is always a concern, low bridges, tight turns - weight management, towing, engine overheating, etc....

I planned out a tentative trip on Roadtrippers but looking at it I think much of the Northern/Western portion wont be doable that time of year and the trip would likely take months to do instead of weeks. Help!

All input will be taken seriously from you folks with experience. This will be the longest biggest trip we have taken thus far. (in the RV - we are experienced roadtripping in the car)

Thank you for all your help in advance - Lynn


ETA how can I upload a screenshot of current 'itinerary' map we are considering?
Roads and Routes
  • thankdog's avatar
    thankdog
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2017
    Thanks for the tip on the Clark County Shooting Complex to stay in - however - two of our dogs are terrified of gunshots so that wont work for this trip sadly. We will need a place with FHU for one night on either side of our event. Camping in a parking lot with 1000 others the 3 nights in the middle. Not going for the Strip just this event. Any other recommendations for the nights on the bookends are appreciated!

    Just found Furkot website which is working much better for me than Roadtrippers or GS planners. Plugging in all of your suggestions from this thread! THANKS!!!
  • cire's avatar
    cire
    Explorer
    Jan 05, 2017
    I winter in Las Vegas and taken the route to Portland many times and many ways. Our favorite and most scenic route is 93 north to Ely, 50 east to 305 (excellent roads). I-80 (i hate interstates) to Winnemucca. North to Burns, OR, north again to I-84. I-84 to Portland. Beautiful travels on this route with a bonus of being the shortest.

    If a snow storms are coming through wait it out in Winnemucca or if your in a hurry a person could take I-80 west to I-5 (again, I hate intestates.)

    The best way to Las Vegas is take your favorite way to I-40. I-40 west to Kingman, 93 north to LV.

    Best (also the lowest cost) CG in Las Vegas is the "Clark County Shooting Complex". At bitter north end of Decatur Blvd. in LV. Not listed in CG guides. $20 a night with outstanding security (a big issue in LV). No need for reservations, 80 FHU sites. About 30 minutes to the strip (ugh).

    Happy trails,
  • clarkster's avatar
    clarkster
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    thankdog wrote:
    Also - instead of a Portland route - in order to avoid possible difficult snow issues we could alter the trip to see anything else really - possibly skip Portland and skip Balanced Rock in Idaho - save for a summer trip and focus on Southern Utah and take a different route heading back East? We are open to any adventure! We could even head west to California for a bit b4 heading east?


    Actually you can go anywhere you want......as long as the ATM card is loaded up.

    Keep in mind that many mountain campsites in the West don't normally open up until late April due to the snow pack.
    Northern CA, The Sierra mountains and OR are getting hammered with snow this winter.
  • thankdog's avatar
    thankdog
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    Also - instead of a Portland route - in order to avoid possible difficult snow issues we could alter the trip to see anything else really - possibly skip Portland and skip Balanced Rock in Idaho - save for a summer trip and focus on Southern Utah and take a different route heading back East? We are open to any adventure! We could even head west to California for a bit b4 heading east?
  • thankdog's avatar
    thankdog
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    What are your thoughts regarding a Grand Canyon stop on the route and CG ideas?
  • BizmarksMom's avatar
    BizmarksMom
    Explorer
    Jan 04, 2017
    From Las Vegas, take 95 north to I-80. I-80 east to Winnemucca. Then 95 north again to I-84. I-84 west through the Columbia gorge straight in to Portland. This takes you around the mountain range that might still be snowed in.

    95 is a good road the whole way. The longest stretch of nothing I can think of on 95 is from McDermitt to Jordan Valley - abt 90 miles. There is a gas station / cafe (fantastic chili) at the 70 mile mark, but don't count on it being open.
  • Durb's avatar
    Durb
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2017
    Cross off Crater Lake National Park due to snow. I've been on I80 from Reno to Sacramento in a snow storm. In my mind the road should have been closed as visibility was near zero for miles. Donner Pass is 7,000 feet. Very nice road and scenic drive if dry weather is in the forecast.

    Interstate 5 is a very pretty drive from Redding to Portland, not so much Sacramento to Redding. There are RV parks all along the I5 route including some nice Indian casino RV parks. Sounds like a fun trip.
  • thankdog's avatar
    thankdog
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2017
    Thank you all - taking notes as you send ideas and suggestions :-)
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    Jan 03, 2017
    In Vegas, we like LV Motorcoach resort-- a few bucks, but top of the line place. Easy access to the strip.
  • clarkster's avatar
    clarkster
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2017
    I would suggest you take the most southerly route to get to Las Vegas.
    This means more than likely, I-10 to El Paso TX, Tucson AZ and north to Phoenix.
    Then take Hwy 93 north all the way to Las Vegas.
    This highway crosses over the Colorado river at Hoover dam on Lake Mead
    Just off hwy 93, 50 miles south of Las Vegas is the Lake Mead National rec area called Willow Beach on the Colorado River.
    http://www.willowbeachharbor.com/
    It is operated by a private concessionaire.

    The more northerly routes will traverse mountains ranges and passes that may be impacted with snow.
    Early spring storms are always a possibility in the Western mountain ranges.

    Slightly east (50 miles) on I-15 from Las Vegas, is the state park Valley of Fire.
    Full hookups if you want. Outstanding desert landscapes.
    http://parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire-state-park/

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