58 to 97 to 395 to 15 the end of October?

paulj wrote:
'higher passes' - is this north or south of Reno?

By the way, a lot of people heading south to Vegas and beyond, take I84 across Idaho, and US93 through Nevada. Usually that's talked about as an alternative to I15 through SLC, but it also bypasses the higher lands along the Nevada/California border.

South of Reno.

'higher passes' - is this north or south of Reno?

By the way, a lot of people heading south to Vegas and beyond, take I84 across Idaho, and US93 through Nevada. Usually that's talked about as an alternative to I15 through SLC, but it also bypasses the higher lands along the Nevada/California border.

Regarding the 395 portion, around the end of October the higher passes my become a little "iffy" based on weather patterns. At least at that time of year you will not get the icy situation - normally.

I think you'll be fine, but what I would do is check with ODOT before you leave and make you decision then. You can always take Hwy 20 and as I remember that is a good road. 58 is beautiful but narrow.
We took Hwy 31 out of La Pine and went over to #395 in March and had a few flakes of snow but it was a good road, little traffic.
#395 also might be really iffy around Mammoth Lakes area, but again, watch the weather, and if its bad when you get to Reno, you can always swing over to the 95 through Nevada and head south on it. We are leaving a month later and our routes will be determined by what El Nino will have planned.

From Albany you can head east and pick up 22 toward Sisters and Bend. A bit slow, but a nice peaceful drive. This avoids any more of the I5 nonsense. On 97 you have a few choices. LaPine state park or about a hundred miles further is Collier Memorial State Park. Or, for a real change of scenery from LaPine you could head SE toward Lakeview.

Crater Lake is the high point on this route

We were thinking K Falls to Lakeview on 140. We plan on staying in private RV parks close to the highway if we go this route. We will be leaving from Albany, OR, so Gresham is not our first choice. If we can't comfortably figure on 395, we will most likely go I5 to Bakersfield, CA over 58 to I40 & then down 95 to Yuma. Thanks!

Any time after Labor day weekend you should expect snow in the Cascades. Highly unlikely, but then again I have seen snow early and very late in the season. Just be aware that overnight lows can and usually are below freezing, and most campgrounds will be closed or have no facilities open.
BTW how exactly are you going to connect to 395 from 97? SE from Klamath Falls to Alturus or north out of LaPine to Lakeview?

Quick edit.
If your coming south on I5 I highly suggest cutting east on I84 and take the second Gresham exit south and pick up 26 over MtHood thru Madras and 97 south.