Oregon in Late March

As long as you're booked three months from now, I'd plan ahead and take US101 north, stopping to look at everything as you head north. Malibu shouldn't be missed and the California coastal areas are beautiful. Cross the Golden Gate bridge and visit Pier 39 in San Francisco. Then head north and stop at Klamath Falls and visit the Ancient Redwoods before heading into Oregon. When you get to Florenc take Hwy 126 inland to Eugene. Enjoyable drive and the roads are good. You shouldn't run into any snow that way...rain is another matter.....if you have a macerator, try to get spots 1,2 or 3 and you won't have to move to dump....not much to do in the area unless you're a Ducks fan..:W...there are two covered bridges driving tours that are worthwhile. Be sure to stop at Northwest RV, (2 locations in Eugene) They bought all Monaco parts and have two warehouses full of "stuff" to look at. We found their prices very reasonable....enjoy the trip....Dennis

P.S. If you need a list of good places to stay along this route, ask....D

HWY 101 is no problem at all with a 43 foot coach.

HWY 101 to 38 to Coburg. Take the route all the time. 38 smother road than 126.

Pogoil.

I think the main thing you need to know is make sure your windshield wipers are in good shape for all the rain you will run into.

We live on the California side of the Siskiyou pass. Drive it often and friends drive it every day for work. Chains are needed if there is snow however thats really only a few days each year.

Do what the rest of us do. Take a look at the pass and read whats needed. Click on 1-5 just south of Ashland..

Clicky

Hey Trap,
We will be heading up that way maybe a few days later. We will be following a 5er of a friend, that lives in Clamath Falls but we plan to stop somewhere along the coast and go fishing. As far as chains go. I am not putting them on period. I'll wait the snow out first. I've seen what happens when they are not put on just right, and its not pretty. Hope to see you down the trail. Macktee

Trap wrote:
We are booked in for factory service in Coburg, Oregon on March 24. We will be coming from the Desert Hot Springs area. Was wondering what would be the best route to take. The I-5 through California, the I-101, or go up through Nevada and through Bend, Oregon

Also have heard that I would need Chains for the Coach, which would suck, cause I would only have to drive one day in Oregon in March. Won't be leaving Oregon until after the first week in April

Also what can we expect weatherwise while in Oregon

Thanks Trap

If you want any local info during your stay send me a "private message".

donn0128 wrote:
As you head north on I5 check Tripcheck for the latest road conditions over the Siskiyous. Look at the cameras and you will see how traffic is doing. If it looks bad, simply stay a night in Redding and unless the weather is terrible it will only last a day.

Ditto ... I live in Springfield and whenever we head south we check out the cameras + the temperature is shown.

Trap wrote:
We are booked in for factory service in Coburg, Oregon on March 24. We will be coming from the Desert Hot Springs area. Was wondering what would be the best route to take. The I-5 through California, the I-101, or go up through Nevada and through Bend, Oregon

Also have heard that I would need Chains for the Coach, which would suck, cause I would only have to drive one day in Oregon in March. Won't be leaving Oregon until after the first week in April

Also what can we expect weatherwise while in Oregon

Thanks Trap

Depends on if you're in a hurry or would like to stop and smell the roses. We have taken 101 along the whole coast of CA, Oregon, and part of WA state and will have to say that the OR coast has been one of the greatest highlights for scenery, since we've been RVing. Can't say much about the weather, even in July, but it was a wonderful drive and not much for mountains for trouble in winter. Now, getting to where you're going from the coastline, might take a little planning along with the locals and the weatherman as consultants. Leave early and get there early if you can, I'd say.

Yes you are required to carry chains esp if the roads are snow covered and if that's the case you get stuck you can be fined .. If it's clear however I've never seen or been personally stopped to check if I have them. Not saying you should not have them but .... ;-) I vote I 5 and check for good weather the day you go over the pass unless you really like the scenic coastal route ( slow)

We are booked in for factory service in Coburg, Oregon on March 24. We will be coming from the Desert Hot Springs area. Was wondering what would be the best route to take. The I-5 through California, the I-101, or go up through Nevada and through Bend, Oregon

Also have heard that I would need Chains for the Coach, which would suck, cause I would only have to drive one day in Oregon in March. Won't be leaving Oregon until after the first week in April

Also what can we expect weatherwise while in Oregon

Thanks Trap

As far as Oregon weather........some say it is raining or it it is getting ready to.

As far as Nevada, Tonopah is at the same elevation as Lake Tahoe (6000 feet) and does get snow so be careful to watch for a weather window. Most of the time by March any snow is gone in a day or so as the bulk of winter is over. If you get to Klamath Falls you can easily get over to IR 5 near Medford and then proceed north. That eliminates the mountain pass between north of Klamath and Eugene (SR58) and the passes on IR 5 between California and Oregon. US 395 between Bishop California and Reno has a stretch that is about 8000 feet elevation. I would avoid this area if the weather is not cooperating as any weather will almost always be snow in March, not rain.

Another option is to take IR 5 to Williams or anyplace where you can easily cut over to US 101 and go north from there. The chance of any serious snow in March will be shortlived if at all.

But, perhaps the best option would be to take IR 5 and watch to be sure the passes are open at the Oregon/California state line and cross at that time.

Sometimes you can rent chains and if you don't use them return them for a refund.