February trip Bakersfield CA across I-40 to east coast

[MarkieBob]

Anyone take a trip like this in February? Plan to stop in Branson, Memphis, Nashville, then down to Savannah GA & up coast to WA dc via outer bank islands. Then loop back via Niagra Falls, west.

Snow? Other weather issues? Other concerns? Has anyone done this? Thanks folks!

[jplante4]

We did I-40 from Chicotah OK to Ft Smith AR, then I-49 to US412/US65 to Branson MO in mid-March last year. We saw no indication of snow or adverse conditions other than the occasional severe weather watch on our phone. We were south of I-10 in Feb and we had a couple of tornado watches during the time period. It's best to stay flexible on where you need to be when.

[NJRVer]

Niagara Falls in Feb.?
I did that.
The most bone chilling cold I ever encountered my whole life.
The falls were almost completely frozen. just enough exposure to throw mist on the sidewalk so that they had somebody clearing ice 24hrs a day for about 1/8mile stretch.
Wind chills were around 20 below.
Really cold next to the water.

This was on the Canadian side.

[Thom02099]

You've got a whole bunch of answers in your other post in this forum. Looks like the only thing different is coming back via Niagara Falls NY, which didn't state in the previous message, only east coast.

[hukillrc]

If you are going to Branson for the shows you might not find many open this early since March is when most start the new season.

[2gypsies1]

MarkieBob wrote:
Are there mountain passes,etc. to worry about with snow on I-40?

Personally, we wouldn't drive a RV if the road has snow. Sit and wait it out. We did it once and that was more than enough for us. Also, some places require you to put on chains.

[brooks379]

The only Mt. pass you might have to worry about would be the Mt. just before Flagstaff, AZ . You might run into a whole lot of snow going to Niagara Falls that time of year but one good thing about NY is they can get 2 foot of snow and it is business as usual....no big deal . NY will really get the plows out and every big snow storm in NY I have ever been in the next day the roads were dry and dusty. Buffalo, NY Erie, PA Cleveland, OH area is the snow belt capital of the country !!! They can sure get a lot of snow and cold weather that time of year.

[MarkieBob]

Are there mountain passes,etc. to worry about with snow on I-40?

[brooks379]

I drove those routes for many years making a living on the road. It might be snowy or it might be sunny and dry, you might have to sit a day waiting out a snow storm but most of the time it is good going. I don't care what time of the year it is there will be thousands of other travelers on I 40 going the same direction you will be going.

[Travelon]

"Then loop back via Niagra Falls, west.

Snow? Other weather issues? Other concerns? Has anyone done this? Thanks folks!"

You must be kidding about coming back thru Niagra Falls near the end of winter. Even dropping down to 80 will be iffy at that time of year.

Safe warmer travels,

Travelon

[OutdoorPhotogra]

I've attempted that trip in January with flexibility. I ended up dropping down to I-10 in AZ due to road closures from snow and ice. LA was a planned stop so no big deal but if I wanted MO or TN it would have been frustrating.

[Second_Chance]

I have lived in cities along I-40. There can be nice stretches of weather in February... or you can get stranded. I would move it south to I-10.

Rob

[doxiemom11]

Have seen advice given to others that I-40 can be iffy in winter and to drop down to I-10. Have not personally done this trip. It will be cold in Branson, not that warm in Memphis or Nashville either at that time of year. We have wintered south of I-10 in MS at the coast and we had highs in the 40's and low 50's with 20's and 30's at night.