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

Carry chains for sure. Stop at any Les Schwab tire store and buy a set. They have a no use free return policy just to be safe. BTW, Oregon does have a law, chains or traction devices required for winter travel. They also say to carry in mountains. You may only need them from just north of Redding to Myrtle Creek, possibly as far north as Eugene.

donn0128 wrote:Carry chains for sure. Stop at any Les Schwab tire store and buy a set. They have a no use free return policy just to be safe. BTW, Oregon does have a law, chains or traction devices required for winter travel. They also say to carry in mountains. You may only need them from just north of Redding to Myrtle Creek, possibly as far north as Eugene.Thanks for the info. considering the 101 down the coast.

I-5 typically can be rainy and foggy in the winter with the exception of Siskiyou Summit south of Medford, OR. Time your trip. Once in awhile there is a cold front in the PNW and they can get some snow. It is usually cleared off I-5 quickly.If you have 4wd you will almost never need chains. It is still a good idea to carry them in winter. If you need chains on a 4WD vehicle the Highway Patrol will close the roads in most states.You can get by with a pair of chains on the outside rear wheels. Towing a trailer in snow is almost always a bad idea.

Washington, Oregon and many other states have the same or very similar chain placement.WA chain placementThere is no way on trip to go without going over passes that require you to carry or install chains. WA & OR require chains to be installed on vehicles over 10,000 pounds when traction tires are required on autos.Going south on I-5 is about the best choice. Yes, watching weather is necessary.Are you going single or pulling trailer? If pulling trailer you need a set of chains for the farthest rear braking axle as well.

101 is definitely doable. But, be aware where you might not have snow, and even that is no guarantee, you will encounter lots of rain and wind. That can make for some really ugly driving.

Olympia Wa. to Phoenix Az. In Dec. | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Dec 21, 2016
Glad you made it safely!
lightning_drive
Explorer
Dec 20, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 19, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
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
Nomad
Dec 17, 2016
I sure would not like to go through the Blue Mountains right now.
Baker City is showing -13 degrees
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
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
Explorer
Dec 17, 2016
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

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