Forum Discussion

RVcrazy's avatar
RVcrazy
Explorer
Mar 13, 2017

How late in fall on 81 & 40?

We want to avoid freezing weather and snow. How late in the fall can we count on this route...all the way to Barstow, Ca?
  • Fall temperatures in New England (and, of course, upstate New York and surrounding areas) are very unpredictable. You might have freezing nights, and you might also have Indian summer weather, perhaps within the same week.

    RVing in expected early to mid October temperatures is not generally a problem for most RVs. Turn on the furnace and disconnect the water hose at night and all is well. Of course, some RVs are better set up for cold weather use than others....
  • RVcrazy wrote:
    We are planning on being in New York by Oct 12, but it sounds like moving it back to Oct1 might be a good idea... Thanks!


    It sounds like you might be heading westbound from New England. If so, be aware that nearly all New England parks and campgrounds close by Columbus Day, which is October 9 this year. Some close even earlier than that.
  • We are planning on being in New York by Oct 12, but it sounds like moving it back to Oct1 might be a good idea... Thanks!
  • How far north are you starting on I-81? In the Adirondacks, you could easily encounter temperatures that dip below freezing at night at the start of October, depending on the year and location...and possibly sometimes before.

    I can recall one rather significant (several inches) snowstorm in Vermont one year on Columbus day weekend. Many leaf peeping tourists were stranded.
  • To avoid ALL freezing temps, you need to be through TN before 10/15.

    To avoid freezing temps that stay cold enough long enough to cause issues with RV plumbing, you need to be through TN before 11/15 at the latest.

    It's highly variable; we can get a cold snap and then be back to mild weather for weeks.
  • Most years you will be good through Oct. and probably Nov if you overnight in the low lands instead of above 5000 ft. I was in Flagstaff (7200+ ft) last year in late Oct without any freezing weather for the 4 nights I was there. However, you can get a abnormal storm so watch the weather as you go.