Spokane to Corburg Oregon

fr8rplt wrote:
Hey Bobged your right 97 it is my bad. Still a beautiful drive and many parks public and private alond the way. I grew up camping on the East side of the Cascades.
Tom

Hey, no problem. I have those brain "you-know-whats" like that all the time myself. Prior to living in Carson City for the past three years, we lived in Hayden, ID, for 7 years. Would always use 97 through Bend on our way to visit family in CA. You're right, it's a beautiful area along that drive. Highway is excellent also, so it's a very relaxing drive.

Thanks all, you've givien us some great tips ans ideas

Hey Bobged your right 97 it is my bad. Still a beautiful drive and many parks public and private alond the way. I grew up camping on the East side of the Cascades.
Tom

Executive wrote:
Kinda depends on what you're looking for:

We crossed the River at the Hood River bridge because there were warning signs along Wa. 14 of low clearance tunnels. As you head west, be sure to cross the Bridge of the gods, if for no other reason but to say you did it. Just before Portland, pick up Interstate 305 south. It bypasses Portland altogether and will bring you over to Interstate 5 and south....

Good luck...Dennis

Just hope you don't meet another large rig coming the other way on either of these bridges - very narrow - trucks appear to be scraping the side to avoid traffic from the other direction.

Also - I-205 is the Portland bypass. Better than I-5 but the traffic can be very heavy at times.

And - it's Coburg - named after the quaint Bavarian town known as the Royal Stud Farm of Europe (in which my wife was born).

Kinda depends on what you're looking for:

We took Hwy 2 out of Spokane over to Grand Coolee Dam, then south to Soap Lake and picked up 90 to Seattle. Tour Grand Coolee Dam and the Dry Falls area. Several State Campgrounds along that route suitable for big rigs. We also stayed at Soap Lake and enjoyed the theraputic effects of the lake. Was the choice of movie stars in days past. Moses Lake is upscale if that's your thing. You can pick up Interstate 90 there. If you head over to Seattle, stop by Snoqualmie Falls. Not to be missed. Out of Seattle, head south on Interstate 5 to Lexington. Turn West across the Lexington bridge to Washington 411 and head south. You'll meet up with Washington 433 just north of the Lewis and Clark Bridge. An awesome bridge, cross the bridge and turn right onto US 30. Stop at the top of the hill for a Kodak Moment overlooking the bridge. Take 30 across to Astoria. Climb the Column for beautiful pictures of the Columbia river and surrounding area. Head south on US101 to Florence and then East on Oregon 126 to Eugene...we did this trip two years ago. September will have the kids back in school and you shouldn't have trouble finding spots along the coast. If you decide this route, I can give you campgrounds suitable for your rig.

For a more direct route, take I-90 south from Spokane and US 395 south out of Ritzville. Once you get to the tri-cities area, there's a KOA there but nothing fancy, just expensive, stay on US 395 to Plymouth. Stay at the COE park alongside the Columbia River. FHU sites right on the river @ 20/night/10 with a geezer card. From there you have two choices. Washington 14 along the north side of the river or I-84 on the Oregon side. We chose Washington 14. Easy drive, less traffic and more to see. We stayed at Memaloose State Park. Plenty of room for a big rig. Be sure to stop at the Bonneville Lock and Dam and watch them move the barges and boats up the river. We crossed the River at the Hood River bridge because there were warning signs along Wa. 14 of low clearance tunnels. As you head west, be sure to cross the Bridge of the gods, if for no other reason but to say you did it. Just before Portland, pick up Interstate 305 south. It bypasses Portland altogether and will bring you over to Interstate 5 and south....

Monaco has on-site facilities, water/elec with a dump station. If you have a macerator, try to get sites 1 or 2. A 50' hose means you don't have to move your rig. :B

Good luck...Dennis

If you have the time, stay off the Interstates when you can. I drive often between the Tri-Cities and Eugene, if was going to scenery and not rushing it I'd take Hwy 14 (WA side of the Columbia River) to Hwy 97 South (don't go further on Hwy 14), take Hwy 97 south, you'll get some amazing views of the Cascade Mountains. From there you can cut across to I-5 by taking Hwy 126 all the way or cutting of at Hwy 20.

From Spokane you can go down to Hwy 395 but it might as well be an Interstate. I think I'd go south on 195 and head to Palouse Falls SP then down 260. You'll see a lot of the scaring done by the Ice Age floods through there.

Thanks everyone, we're liking the idea of 97 south down to Redmond and across.
Great bit of info on the head wind, may save that route for the return trip.

BobGed wrote:

fr8rplt wrote:
What everybody said to I84 but take 95 south to Bend Or then 126 to Springfield to I5 to Coburg. Very senic and good roads- mostly two lane. When in Coburg try Coburg Pizza Co. Really good pizza.
Tom

I agree, but I think you mean Hwy 97 to Hwy 126.

Yes it is Hwy 97, to the Mckinsey hwy 126, and I agree as well. That is a beautiful hwy into springfield! Done it once, and have always said I gotta do that again! Loved it! Not the fastest way, but a very beautiful way. Of course the Columbia Gorge is pretty, and the fastest way, but always a serious head wind going west down the gorge. You will loose mpg along there with your foot in it all the way. Be sure to take the 205 cut off to bypass most of Portland although 205 can back up as well, but many fewer lane changes than going to I5.

fr8rplt wrote:
What everybody said to I84 but take 95 south to Bend Or then 126 to Springfield to I5 to Coburg. Very senic and good roads- mostly two lane. When in Coburg try Coburg Pizza Co. Really good pizza.
Tom

I agree, but I think you mean Hwy 97 to Hwy 126.

What everybody said to I84 but take 95 south to Bend Or then 126 to Springfield to I5 to Coburg. Very senic and good roads- mostly two lane. When in Coburg try Coburg Pizza Co. Really good pizza.
Tom