Forum Discussion

RoadXYZ's avatar
RoadXYZ
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2014

April or May travel - Spokane across to Ontario, Canada

Timeframe for a 4-month trip starting on or after May 1st, need help in deciding the best calendar date for travel to ensure avoidance of miserably cold or stormy weather on a northern route across U.S.

Routing : up to Spokane, across Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Rochester (Minnesota), Battle Creek, Michigan and up to Port Huron to cross over into Ontario, Canada.

Return : thru New York and on down to Richmond Virginia, over to Kansas and back up thru North Dakota and on back home in Washington State.

We will be using our 3/4 ton, 4-wheel drive Suburban to tow an 18 ft. travel trailer.

Trip has two-fold goal, to fill in 6 states left on our "Travel Map (Bucket List)" of states we have Rv'd in (excluding Hawaii & Alaska), while visiting with family members on what will most likely be our last opportunity to take a long road trip together as full time rv'ers. We live in one RV and use our 18 ft. travel trailer for pleasure/relaxing trips.
Roads and Routes
  • RoadXYZ's avatar
    RoadXYZ
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2014
    obgraham wrote:
    I've done that same route twice. There was still snow in the Montana/Idaho passes about May 10, if I recall, but not actively snowing that day. And it was pretty cold in Billings. After that you should be okay, but truly "warm" weather will be the exception in May.

    I might suggest going via Michigan Upper Peninsula, then down to Flint, and then Port Huron/Sarnia. Avoids the whole Chicago mess. (Unless you need to be in Battle Creek). Another trip we went well south of Chicago below Rockford, which was longer but more peaceful.


    Thank you obgraham ... we are in Pasco WA at TRAC RV Park .. we were especially wondering about the Montana, South Dakota area .. AND thank you very much for the suggestion of routing thru Flint, etc.

    I have mapped out that scenario and can see how much help that will be for us .. THANK YOU !
  • RoadXYZ's avatar
    RoadXYZ
    Explorer II
    Sep 20, 2014
    Thank you for all the replies .. it seems our Ontario Canada and Virginia sons are too busy with their jobs and lives to come West .. well, especially since their parents will travel East to see them !

    Last time it was a "circle around America" trip, but this time will be going from Washington over to Michigan, Ontario Canada, and down to Virginia, then back to Kansas to se my lineage of aunts/cousins, and north back thru the Dakotas, and Northern route home.

    Looking forward to it, and want to plan out the dates so that this time our sons can plan to take some time off while we visit instead of only seeing them on the weekends ...

    It is always so good to come to RV.Net for information and receive all kinds of helpful suggestions. Thank you.
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    I've done that same route twice. There was still snow in the Montana/Idaho passes about May 10, if I recall, but not actively snowing that day. And it was pretty cold in Billings. After that you should be okay, but truly "warm" weather will be the exception in May.

    I might suggest going via Michigan Upper Peninsula, then down to Flint, and then Port Huron/Sarnia. Avoids the whole Chicago mess. (Unless you need to be in Battle Creek). Another trip we went well south of Chicago below Rockford, which was longer but more peaceful.
  • RoadXYZ's avatar
    RoadXYZ
    Explorer II
    Sep 19, 2014
    Will be staying in family driveways where we can - Ontario and Virginia so far are the places are hoping to do that.
  • Yeti_plus's avatar
    Yeti_plus
    Explorer
    Sep 19, 2014
    Many of the parks in Ontario don't open for business until just before the May long weekend which next year is Monday May 18.If you plan on being in Ontario for that weekend, make sure to reserve a site. Weather can be summer like or almost winter like depending on the year.
    Sounds like an amazing trip.
    Brian
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    Sep 18, 2014
    I can only speak for the Canadian leg of your journey. Following May 1st you should have no weather problems. Might be some cool nights but freezing weather should be pretty much over.

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