Moving west

Ok you guys have convinced me that the northern route might not be the best.So what other routes would make sense around the 20th of October?

There is nothing challenging about driving up a hill at 30-35 MPH and there's no reason to disconnect anything. Just get in the truck lane, make the drive up the hill at the right speed to maintain the right torque and engine temp and you will get to the top just the same. Getting to the top of the hill at 35 or 55 is only a difference of a few extra minutes. Cars flying by me happens every day on every road I travel so cars flying by on a hill would not be any different.

First warning, there are long distances between fuel stops when you get further West, so plan your stops out to not push it. If it is windy, your mpg will suffer and your range will get shorter.

I'd also do I-94 to I-90 because most of the area is lower elevation with only some places steeper and nothing as steep as WY or CO. I'd allow at least a week and preferably two. There is a lot to see, and if the weather is nice, it will be worth the stops. Don't forget the days will be shorter.

Avoid traveling at night/early morning in MT/ID/WA and maybe most of the trip. There are lots of big animals that cross the interstate. Hitting one would ruin your trip for sure.

No guarantees about the weather in the passes. I wouldn't be as concerned about the flatter areas unless there is freezing rain. As others noted, wait it out if caught and be sure to look at the forecast before leaving. Not all RV parks are open later in the year.

The passes in MT/ID are probably the most challenging. I regularly see trucks/rvs going 30-35 up some of them. I don't think you'll want to be that person as other vehicles fly by, so consider how much you are carrying. Do think about taking the car off the tow dolly to pass the mountains if you have two drivers and have chains for each.

The speed limits are quite high in MT at 80, so if you want to go slow, watch out for people going very fast. It's even 75 for part of ID. The speed limit slows to a more common 70 in WA.

If it were me, I would use I80 until it runs into I90 and stay with it from Chicago West. Last time I dove into Oregon's chain laws, there was no "Season" for carrying chains. You could get tagged anytime of the year, and yes they WILL stop you and check for chains. Usually the LEO will have some common sense, and you can explain why you are not carrying chains in July.

You are only required to carry chains during a season where chains are required and if you are trying to drive in weather where chains might be required. If I head toward Eisenhower pass in January and there is not a flake of snow on the ground and there is no forecast of weather upcoming when I hit the bottom of that hill, there is no requirement to have chains on board (despite the requirements to have chains on board due to inclement weather). Even if this is a "legal" requirement, there is exactly ZERO chance that you would be stopped on dry roads with blue skies if you try to make the 11,000 foot pass East of Vail. I have done it while outrunning a snow storm I left behind in Glenwood Springs. I left Glenwood Springs in a blizzard which had just begun and I was pretty sure I could beat it to Vail. The DW was NOT HAPPY during the snowy part of the drive but as I anticipated, we drove out of the storm and got up the hill without incident before the storm had time to get there. The roads were dry and the skies were clear. Who do you think is going to stop me or the other 1,000's of cars/trucks/RV's making the same trip? This is a common sense issue (the DW said I had no common sense leaving Glenwood Springs in a blizzard!). If you drive in snowy weather then you need the things you need in snowy weather. If you come upon somewhere during the Winter where chains are required but there is no weather that would create any possibility that you could become a liability then you can breathe a sigh of relief and just continue on your drive.

As someone already pointed out, out here you are required to carry chains. I have always had them but have never had to put them on. I just avoid traveling when the weather is questionable. If that is not an option then I would "practice" putting them on before you have to try it in bad weather.

Upstate New York to Seattle that is quite a move. No matter how it takes it will be an adventure. I hope you enjoy your new surroundings. Seattle is a beautiful place. Because of all the water and the bridges it can be a traffic nightmare. I always wanted a downtown condo so I did not need a car. Those days are long gone.
Jesseannie

We all have different tolerances. We will string together 3 days in a row of 500 plus miles if we have to. Usually do. Our final day this year was 650 miles to get home. We had "horse to the barn" syndrome. :)

However, there is no "fun" involved at all. The second and third day are painfully long.

If you're making time, I'd shoot for 400 mile days. If you want to feel leisurely, 300 mile max. We had a string of 250 mile days this year and that is addicting if you can afford the time.

I live in Wyoming, about 4 miles from I-80 as the eagle flies, about 6500' elevation. We typically have our first snow of the year the week of Sept. 30, so you definitely should plan for weather delays - if you get through without them, you can spend some time sightseeing. Motor homes do not do well in snow; I have driven in it and gotten there safely, but every time was a nerve-wracking experience and could have had a less positive outcome. Even if it doesn't last, poor visibility and slick roads make for lousy driving conditions until it is over. Also watch for high wind warnings, our Wyoming winds regularly blow semis over and you don't want your MH to become one of our blown-over statistics. I-80 is a pretty easy drive, just one high pass (8100') and only the western side is steep, but it's a largely boring drive most of the way and the Rawlins area is notorious for problem weather.

When living in Northern Idaho right off I-90 we always had our first snowfall by Oct 16. But it was very lite and did not stay long. Heavy snow really never occurred until Dec or January.