Traveling from Victoria, BC to Farmington, NM

[Ev2210]

We are planning a trip with our 28' TT in late August early September, our tow vehicle is an F150' with tow package, V8. We will be travelling from Victoria, BC, Canada to Farmington, NM.

Has any one done this trip, we are trying to decide the best route for us to take. Diagonally through Twin Falls and then on to Salt Lake. Or go down I5 and then east on I40 to Gallup then north.

Would love some input on what to expect. We are concerned about the area around Price, Utah, we have heard it involves quite a lot of climbing. As this is our first long trip with our new TT we don't want to take on a route that could be stressful.

[Ron_Butler]

All good suggestions. Have been over most of the suggested routes and you shouldn't have any issues. Get a copy of Western Mt. Passes book. Gives excellent descriptions of all of the western state passes and will give you an idea of what to expect.

Driving mountain passes is no problem if you just follow common sense. Pay attention to what gear you are using going up the pass. That is the gear, or one gear lower, that you will want to use on your descent. Once you start down, start slow, use your 4 way flashers for warning. Its always better, IMHO, to go slower than you think you need to go, rather than having to use your brakes too much. Use your lower gears to help keep your speed down. Don't ride your brakes. If you need them, use them hard as you approach and before you get into a curve.

Enjoy your trip, some beautiful country that you will be going through.

[RedRocket204]

If you are not aware and you like to fish, you owe it to yourself to do some fly fishing on the San Juan at the tail waters of the Navajo reservoir. Some amazing trout fishing to be had there and only takes about 50 minutes for the drive from Farmington.

[winnietrey]

As a quick after though, if you do take I-5, try the 205, around Portland. Still not great, but better than I-5, straight through. And try and avoid rush Hour. Lots of twisty bridges and lane changing on I-5

Far more stressfull than any grades you might encounter on various routes. In my opinion

[winnietrey]

We have done this, and similar trips a number of times. My thought is going through Seattle, is not fun. But Portland is horrible. I would avoid Portand.
Also I-5 is pretty long and boring, and those California hills and curves on I-5 are no fun either. ( no biggie, but not all that great)

I might suggest, I-5, to I-405, 405 to I-90. cut off through Kenniwick to I -84 and then down through Saltlake.

That is the route we prefer anyway. But again Portland is tough

[fritzrs]

Hi Milo, Last year we stayed at KOA in Cortez, CO. Excellent location, lots of elbow room, good views and a nice breeze to keep it cool. While there we spent a day driving the loop at Mesa Verde N.P. Well worth our time. Even walked down into the cliff dwellings, highlight of our trip to 4-corners. Second day visited BLM Anasazi (Indian) Hertiage Center 27 miles NW of Cortez. Another excellent day. They have a world class Anasazi Museum.
Be Safe, Enjoy Life...

[Ev2210]

milo wrote:
Ev2210 ..want to send you a PM but I can't ...I'm not on your Buddy list

Hi Milo. I have added you as a buddy.

[rarintogo]

Which cliff dwellings are you thinking of? Where you stay will depend on which dwellings you go too. I was raised in Albuquerque, but now live in the Seattle area. We go "home" as often as we can. If we are in a hurry, we go from Seattle to SLC, Moab, Durango and then Albuquerque, and in your case Farmington which is close to Durango. There are many ways to go if you want to take your time. After going through SLC last year, my husband decided he hated that route. Probably because the RV park we were going to stay in the SLC area was terrible and we left. 🙂 Soldier Summit is the pass between SLC and Moab. It is a beautiful drive. I hope you have a great time on your trip. I hope that you can take your time and explore the SW. So very different than up here in the NW. I forgot to add it will be very hot that time of year. With any luck, the rains will come back there and they can get over the terrible draught they have been having. I miss the summer monsoons of the SW.

Joy

[milo]

Ev2210 ..want to send you a PM but I can't ...I'm not on your Buddy list

[Ev2210]

milo wrote:
Good evening EV2210. We may pass each other. DW and I will be heading the opposite direction as we'll be leaving Farmington and heading to San Juan island the middle of August. We've been up there the last 8 summers. Don't know which route we'll take yet, but a direct route is from Seattle down to SLC on the Interstates, then over to Price Utah down to Green River thru Moab to Cortez down to Shiprock then east on into Farmington. Happy travels.

Milo

Thanks Milo. Do you have an RV park in the area you would recommend. We are considering the KOA closest to the cliff dwellings. Is this a good spot? Or do you have others you like.
Enjoy the San Juan's, truly beautiful area.

[Ev2210]

Thanks folks. I am concerned about the passes, are they steep and long haul, or gradual. It's our first extended trip in our new TT and we want to have no issues.
Our TV is a Ford F150 with towing package and we are towing a 28" Coleman. We are most concerned about the area around Price, have been warned about the passes.

[milo]

Good evening EV2210. We may pass each other. DW and I will be heading the opposite direction as we'll be leaving Farmington and heading to San Juan island the middle of August. We've been up there the last 8 summers. Don't know which route we'll take yet, but a direct route is from Seattle down to SLC on the Interstates, then over to Price Utah down to Green River thru Moab to Cortez down to Shiprock then east on into Farmington. Happy travels.

Milo

[Tom_Barb]

I'd do I-5 south to I-84 to SLC and then I-15 south, and then any number of roads thru the red rock country to the 4 corners area.