wa to fl in dec via I-5 to I-10

[sledfisher]

Hi all, so in the middle of dec ,we are planning on leaving WA and ending up in FL.figured I would take the southern route of going down I-5 to I-10 then staying on I-10 till FL,just woundering if anybody haddown this trip in around the same time frame and what did they encounter,things like weather,traffic,friendly areas,not so friendly so and so. would like here what you ever you have to share

[Roy_Lynne]

Last winter we had to go to a funeral in San Antonio. Due to time, we had to take the shortest route. We went to Les Schwab and bought chains (cause they let you return them if they are not used). We went the Yakima route to I84 and the only snow we hit was south of Pendleton, but the interstate itself was dry and clear. From there it was fine and we had no issues at all.
The reason I probably wouldn't do I5 now is because of the fires. I'll bet most campgrounds are filled with fire homeless folks, so when we leave next week, I am thinking about going as far south as Eugene on 5 and then cutting over to 395 as far as Reno and then go thru Nevada.

[prichardson]

Try to time your travel so that you transit the Lafayette, LA to Baton Rouge, LA section of I-10 early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. There are 2 road construction areas before the basin bridge and eastbound chokes to one lane off the Mississippi River bridge at Baton Rouge.

[sledfisher]

thanks for the replys,will keep a eye on weather.not going to do much driving early till im in the clear.

[Alan_Hepburn]

We did I10 from Phoenix to Jacksonville back in February 2015 and we had rain or drizzle almost every day. After driving through the stuff one day we spent the night in Ft Stockton, TX and the office staff reminded us that the temperature was going to drop into the high 20's overnight, so we made sure we unhooked the water line overnight. The next morning we got ready to leave only to find out that our jacks were frozen to the ground! Took about an hour with a heat gun to get them all retracted!

Ft Stockton RV Park is great, by the way - their cafe serves some fine food!

[Big_Katuna]

Go to a Basque Restaurant while in Bakersfield.

[CA_Traveler]

I'll likely take this route 5/58/395/15/210/10 this Sunday stopping at Orange Grove RV Park in Edison just east of Bakersfield. That puts me in eastern LA on Monday. 😞 But no matter I'm sure with the holiday there will be lots of traffic everywhere.

Actually take 5/46/99/58/etc.

[CA_Traveler]

BTW I've been successful traveling at 62 MPH in CA with the toad. KNOCK ON WOOD, KNOCK ON WOOD ... :B

62 is a rather common truck speed which helps. Not to many truckers exceed 62 as being commercial they don't want a ticket. 😞

[CA_Traveler]

There are a number of routes from Lost Hills that are within 20 miles of each other. The longest is 5/58/395/15/210/10. If you take 58/40/95 that adds 50 miles and CA 95 can be a little slower or as DW says "we're on the roller coaster again". But there are a variety of places to see along the Colorado River.

Regardless plan to be low on fuel when you reach AZ and pay much less per gallon.

[NMDriver2]

I avoid LA by using 138 near the top of the Grapevine over to I-15 and then down to I-215 to I-10 it avoids most of LA's traffic, and is generally faster while adding 4 miles to the drive.

We have already had a couple of 22 degrees for 6 plus hours, nights here near El Paso on I-10 so the advice to watch the weather is important. Snow and ice on I-10 is not unusual especially near Sierra Blanca, TX (translates as white mountain 😉 ) and catches most drivers unprepared.

[CA_Traveler]

You can avoid LA by taking 46 to Bakersfield and 58 east. Then there are several routes down to 10. Longer than 5/210/10.

[Second_Chance]

West Texas can see some single-digit lows along I-10 in the winter. Sometimes the highs won't get above freezing, either. Just to keep in mind for your fresh water system.

Rob

[donn0128]

If the weather is iffy the OP could cut over to 101 around Drain. Chances of snow on 101 are pretty minimal.

[ItsyRV]

So many variables coming down the 5 from weather, detours, wildfires and LA, that my advice is take it slow and expect all the problems. This way if they happen, it's all expected and part of the plan. But, if nothing happens, you'll be very happy.

As for I-10, the only parts you need to plan for is from Palm Springs CA to San Antonio TX. Lots of long empty (not lonely) stretched with services spaced apart. Plan your trip with stops and services taken into consideration.

Now, this is the most important item to pay attention to: The "THING" is not something you need to stop and see. Despite all the signs and hoopla, drive on by!

[enblethen]

I would keep an eye on weather.
South on I-5 can be a real bear over the Siskiyous. Starts around Ashland, OR and can continue to Redding, CA.
You may think about I-90, I-82, I-84 to I-15 in Utah. Yes, there is or could be more mountains to cross. Or I-90, I82, I-84 to Twins Falls, ID then south on US-93.
With the fires and the like in CA, it could be more difficult.
Yes, make sure you "carry" chains. I for one would stop well before needing to install them. OR is only one of the northwest states that require them. Traction devices
Vehicle combinations over 10,000 must follow this.
Over 10,000 pounds