Olympia Wa. to Phoenix Az. In Dec.

[lightning_drive]

Looks like I will need to drive my F550 back from Olympia Washington This Dec.
seems I5 is the flattest route but I believe there are a couple mountain passes.
Any suggestions from those that have made the trip in the dead of winter?
If chains are required do they go on all 4 dually drive wheels or are the 2 outside good?
Checking weather is a given.
I carry 50 gallons of diesel and plan to top off before heading up any pass just in case I need to pull over and keep the truck running for heat.
Hoping for mild weather for a few day window. 22 hr drive broken into 2 days is the plan.
thanks for any input.
Mike

[enblethen]

Glad you made it safely!

[lightning_drive]

ORbiker wrote:

lightning driver wrote:
I want to thank all of you for your input. I left Olympia after having breakfast with my son and his young family.
I hit the weather window right on the money. No rain or snow during the entire trip. Appears the snow then rain came in Today.
Made the 22 hr drive with 2 3 hr naps in 28 hours.
Home safe and sound.

That's one way to do it. " with 2 3 hr naps"

I guess they call you Lightning Driver for a reason.

Well That and I drive a 1994 Ford Lightning for a daily driver and my son and I drag race a stupid fast 94 Ford Lightning.

I would have taken more time but am on Grand jury duty and had to be back so there was the min 16 jurors.
Doing my civic duty to keep our citizens safe from the the criminal hordes infiltrating our great land.

[ORbiker]

lightning driver wrote:
I want to thank all of you for your input. I left Olympia after having breakfast with my son and his young family.
I hit the weather window right on the money. No rain or snow during the entire trip. Appears the snow then rain came in Today.
Made the 22 hr drive with 2 3 hr naps in 28 hours.
Home safe and sound.

That's one way to do it. " with 2 3 hr naps"

I guess they call you Lightning Driver for a reason.

[lightning_drive]

I want to thank all of you for your input. I left Olympia after having breakfast with my son and his young family.
I hit the weather window right on the money. No rain or snow during the entire trip. Appears the snow then rain came in Today.
Made the 22 hr drive with 2 3 hr naps in 28 hours.
Home safe and sound.

[ORbiker]

I live in the Eugene area. The roads are dry. The main roads in the Albany were dry yesterday, but the back roads were white.
I-5 all the way from Seattle thru Oregon should be dry pavement.

[gonetothedogs1]

I am facing the same situation. I am holding off until Monday 12/19 when temps are supposed to be above freezing. I live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington and will take 101 down at least into the Fort Bragg area before I cut across mountains and can connect to I-5 and points east from Bakersfield. Heading to Tucson. I was in Oregon City yesterday and the roads were fine, but I understand Eugene and Salem were dicey, so, I will take the slower, wetter route along the coast.

[lightning_drive]

Roy&Lynne wrote:
Personally I would take I 84 to Boise and then 93 south, especially if you only have 2 days Just be prepared to stop and hang out if weather comes in on you. Right now, going I84 you have less chance of hitting rain than on I 5

Roy
I will look into that route. I've done the I5 in the past as well as the Nevada route. Maybe heading through Boise will be a nice change of pace.

[enblethen]

I sure would not like to go through the Blue Mountains right now.
Baker City is showing -13 degrees

[Roy_Lynne]

Personally I would take I 84 to Boise and then 93 south, especially if you only have 2 days Just be prepared to stop and hang out if weather comes in on you. Right now, going I84 you have less chance of hitting rain than on I 5

[lightning_drive]

Using Trip check for was, Or, and No. Ca. this morning. Summits appear clear. Hoping I found a weather window for the drive from Olympia to Phoenix. Flying into Seattle this afternoon.

Want to thank you all for advice and pointing out resources for planning the drive.
Mike

[lightning_drive]

ORbiker wrote:

enblethen wrote:
look at "tripcheck" for Oregon. Main problem would be the siskiyous near Ashland Oregon

Hot true this time.

Portland to Eugene received an ice and snow storm. Some people going home last night in the Portland area had a hard time getting home. I heard from fellow workers up there that the 6 mile drive took 4 hours.

Last night and part of today was "chain required" on I-5 from Albany to Wa.

The moisture is done, but it's going to be close to freezing through the weekend.

I'm watching the weather too. I live in the Eugene / Springfield area. I need to go to Albany and Corvallis for work tomorrow. Then to Oregon City (next to Portland) on Saturday for a Christmas gathering with the grandkids.

Stay tune to this channel for updates.

thanks OR

[ORbiker]

enblethen wrote:
look at "tripcheck" for Oregon. Main problem would be the siskiyous near Ashland Oregon

Hot true this time.

Portland to Eugene received an ice and snow storm. Some people going home last night in the Portland area had a hard time getting home. I heard from fellow workers up there that the 6 mile drive took 4 hours.

Last night and part of today was "chain required" on I-5 from Albany to Wa.

The moisture is done, but it's going to be close to freezing through the weekend.

I'm watching the weather too. I live in the Eugene / Springfield area. I need to go to Albany and Corvallis for work tomorrow. Then to Oregon City (next to Portland) on Saturday for a Christmas gathering with the grandkids.

Stay tune to this channel for updates.

[enblethen]

look at "tripcheck" for Oregon. Main problem would be the siskiyous near Ashland Oregon

[lightning_drive]

OK wa. Or. Guys. I'm getting a little concerned. Leaving Olympia Wa. 12/18 in the morning and seeing Portland is about to get hammered with snow. Any insite into what I5 is looking like?
2WD F550 No Snow tires. Chains onboard but would hang around a motel then put em on and keep driving. What are you guys hearing?