Wintertime Cottonwood AZ to Florence OR

I5 north, cut over to 101 on 20 around clear Lake and head north. Very little chance of snow.

If I40 is clear I40 to the 101 and 101 north if I40 is bad and I 17 is good I17 to I10 an then 101. The key will be watch the weather and be prepared to either leave early or stay put for a few days and get to the 101 ASP

At that time of year I wouldn't allow one month to sitesee on that route. Just pick a good weather window and drive directly there, perhaps on 101. Stay in Arizona as long as you can in January, although Cottonwood isn't that warm either. Good luck.

cpd520 wrote:
Leaving AZ the first of January, need to be in Florence, OR the first of February. What will be the best route that time of year. I am not sure what to expect for road conditions, especially in the passes.

We will be taking our time and checking out the sites on the way. Really don't want to deal with snow and ice more that absolutely necessary.

What route will offer the best conditions that time of year? Anything worth checking out on that route?

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

With a month to travel just 1,400 miles you will have plenty of time to choose which days to travel.
Once you are closer to Oregon you could use Trip Check to assist with the road conditions.
Some days in the winter the Oregon passes are not a pleasure to drive and other days it's no big deal.
Florence, Oregon is a nice little town. There is a nice museum downtown.

If you take I40 to 58, Tehachapi pass could get snow. Along I-5, far northern CA and southern OR (Siskiyou pass) can get bad winter weather. Hence the suggestion to cut over to 101 on 20. You can also get over to 101 around the East SF bay area (580/680/etc.) As mentioned, you'll have plenty of time to hang back anywhere for a day or three in case of bad weather.

Since your map shows you've been to CA, NV, and OR, which route(s) are you already familiar with?

cpd520 wrote:

We will be taking our time and checking out the sites on the way. Really don't want to deal with snow and ice more that absolutely necessary.

Given this take 17 to 10 and over to 101 and up to Florence. Mid day through the LA and the bay area. Or you could take 17 to 8 and over to 5, 405 to 101. These routes provides for various interesting stops.

Sections of 5 have ice and snow potential and not much to see but otherwise shorter/faster.

cpd520 wrote:
Leaving AZ the first of January, need to be in Florence, OR the first of February. What will be the best route that time of year. I am not sure what to expect for road conditions, especially in the passes.

We will be taking our time and checking out the sites on the way. Really don't want to deal with snow and ice more that absolutely necessary.

What route will offer the best conditions that time of year? Anything worth checking out on that route?

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

When I look at that route - my thought is to head west and turn right - just before you get wet! Follow the coast up, avoid Snow - Passes and other issues. Having one son who was in College on the Left coast we did that a couple of times and while not warm it was still memorable and fun.

BOL,

I'd head over to Bakersfield, then up 99 to Sac to 5. Snow in the passes in Cal will be cleared ASAP. You've got the time to sit for a day or two if necessary. We are in the process of working our way slowly down from Crescent City to So Cal. In Sacramento right now. The north coast has been getting heavy rains & heavy wind with frequent storms. That's 101. We got a half an inch this morning with wind gusts in the high 30's. We'll move further south tomorrow when things settle down. They had 30' waves in Crescent City yesterday (101). The site on the bay we were at three weeks ago would have been interesting. It was probably evacuated. We were ready to move north to Brookings but at one point winds in the 40+ were predicted. They had snow closures on 299 the day after we came over it. Get a couple of good weather apps, and just take your time. Especially when waiting to head into Oregon, stay in Redding (we use Premier but JWG in Anderson is great also) until it's clear. Easy drive to Seven Feathers RV (phenomenal) then to Florence. One other thing . . . Try to limit your drives to between about 10 & 3 when temps are mildest. And if the Cenral Valley starts getting the heavy fog it can get, listen to the experienced RV's in the parks. That fog can be far more dangerous then wind, rain or snow.