Tom/Barb wrote:
Vancouver Island, -> ferry to Port Angles, 1 south to Olympia , 5 south to 12 east to 97 south to 395.
X2 and more on the Coho from Victoria to Port Angeles. Take the first ferry (You can stay in their lot (locked in) over night--phone them first to check.) Follow the 101 down Puget Sound (not the west coast). Takes you to the I-5 at the south end of Olympia.
Se fuel up at the Safeway while DW gets groceries at Port Angeles. You can easily make Portland same day. If you don't like the city traffic (We sympathise!) stop for dinner at the last rest area before Portland then carry on later. (After 7:00PM) You can overnight at Camping World at Wilsonville or a rest area shortly after CW. NOTE Our Garmin gives false very wrong directions for that CW.
There will be some freeway and city driving but you really can't miss them all. Once through Portland the worst is over traffic wise. Also, going inland too soon and you run the real risk of ice and snow.
We now head south in Mid October after being forced all the way to California when leaving in early November.
From Portland (follow the 205 bypass) you have the option of I-84 East along the Columbia River -- very nice drive. Further along it gets high and can be snow/ice. Check weather forecasts first.
The I-5 through Portland can be better than the 205 if you miss the worst of rush hour. (unless you are going to take the 84 East) If your GPS has Traffic info, follow it
This year we went south to Salem then east on the 22 through Bend to then on to the 95 and south to Winnimucca on the I-80 in Nevada. Nice drive there too. This would be a good option for making easting. Others have made suggestions for southbound highways that cross the 80, such as the 93.
We go all the way across to Utah before heading south and east to New Mexico and Texas enroute to Mexico so the rest our route won't help you much!
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