Tri-Cities WA to San Diego, Labor Day Weekend

You might consider 97/31/395 south. That way you will avoid most of the horrid traffic except Reno. Pretty much a straight shot south

I'd fly. Better yet, stick junior on the plane so mom and dad can stay home and enjoy the weekend.

Take 395 south.

Thanks, going isn't an option nor is avoiding the Labor Day weekend.

That said looking at 395 might work but appears to be a slower route (according to google at least. Concerned about the fires, I'll need to check that.

Y-Guy wrote:
Thanks, going isn't an option nor is avoiding the Labor Day weekend.

That said looking at 395 might work but appears to be a slower route (according to google at least. Concerned about the fires, I'll need to check that.

395 is definitely a beautiful drive. Plus you'll finally be able to see all of the spots you've read about for so many years in the Toy Hauler forum.

Our daughter was backpacking in the Sierras and the fires chased her out. Even though there's smoke everywhere, I'm pretty sure there haven't been any closures on 395 itself. You can check that on the CA DOT website.

Holiday traffic will be an issue, but 395 will probably be less crowded than other major routes. Will Friday and Monday be travel days for you? Those will be the rough days.

Having driven US95 in SE Oregon it's hard to imagine traffic being a problem in the north. Closer to Southern California, all passes into the LA basin will be heavy at the end of Labor Day weekend.

Thanks Dave, Friday is a travel day, we'll head out after work Thursday then do he bulk of the drive on Friday and finish up Saturday. Not looking forward to Friday no matter what route we take. Monday I will stay in the LA area when the other two fly home then I'll work my way north on Tuesday.

paulj, thanks from I84 did you take 395 the whole day? wonder if going down 97 makes sense, but that's probably worse traffic around Bend.

I expect Labor Day traffic will be heaviest leaving major cities on Friday, and coming back on Monday. Sounds like you'll be avoiding the worst or going against it. While traffic in and out of Portland and Seattle is heavy, it probably doesn't affect the TriCities area, does it?

US97 has a divided bypass through Bend, so I wouldn't expect traffic problems. Most of 97 is straight and flat, even 4 lanes in places.

95 and 93 in Nevada are remote.

I just drove 95 in Oregon (through Jordan Valley) which is about as remote as you can get. I've done parts of 395, but not all. I expect on Friday most of the traffic on 395 will be heading north into the mountains.

Finding a place to stay Friday night as you approach the LA area might be hard, since the out bound people will be seeking that as well.

Another option is to take 95 past Bend, and then 31 SE to 395, and one into California. 395 passes through Reno, but it is new interstate 580 to Carson City, so even a Friday it should be fast.

If you stick with 95 to US6 you'll avoid the more mountainous parts of 395.

Imagine, for example if you leave Pasco Thursday evening. 2-3 hrs of driving will get you to Baker or Ontario OR, where it should easy to find a motel.

Friday 10 hrs on 95/395 will get you to Bishop CA, where it could hard to find lodging.

Saturday looks like an easy 5 hr to San Diego.

I've driven EW across Nevada, with a Tonopha to Big Pine leg, but that was via 168, without any lodging options along the way (we'd motelled it in Caliente NV, and camped in the mountains west of Big Pine).

if it was me i would take 95 and drive at night as it is going to be hotter than blazes no matter which way you go.

I've gone all of the various ways from South East Idaho to the Mojave desert.

I find 95 less boring than 93, personally. The route I normally take is 95 to 6 to 395. 395 takes you to I15.