| Author | Message | ||
| dragon (24.237.134.29) Rating: N/A |
We depart on the ferry from Sitka to Bellingham to make our 2000 mi trek to pick up our rig and start fulltiming again. Since the house is sold everything goes with us now (probably too much)so have aquired a 79 Bronco and attached my car hauler (20') from our last rig to carry all our stuff. Since we mostly hang out in the southwest corridor the best cross country routes are still a mystery to me. At least the easiest one to get over the Rockies. Living where I do now I have never been able to drive this truck more than an hour at a time and while it's been flawless so far I'd like to strain it as little as possible. My proposed route goes to Seattle then over Snoqualamie pass then I'm undecided as to go the upper route through lower Wyoming or to drop down to SLC and stick to 80 which is what I need to be on in Ill. distances both ways seem pretty close so flatest route wins  So I would appreciate any input on routes etc any of you frequent travelers may be willing to impart. MY wife is following in her Subaru with the 2 cats so if I get us lost or stuck she could get a little peeved ;)...dragon... | ||
| niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
whats your final destination? niles | ||
| TWO DOGS (63.185.81.250) Rating: N/A |
I'd do 80 | ||
| Bob (Bobb) (65.88.96.76)
Rating: N/A |
I-5 from Bellingham to I-90, I-90 to Sioux Falls, then south to meet up with I-80 at Omaha. Total miles Bellingham to Atkinson, 2103.. When I'm planning such trips, I use a mapping program such as Microsoft Streets and Trips.. lets you see other things along the way that might interest you.. the route I suggested is both the shortest and quickest route.. Bob | ||
| Lee Bradley (140.178.95.109)
Rating: N/A |
For the flattest route, I would take I-5 to I-205 to I-84 on to I-80. Lee | ||
| niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
spokane to I-80 east - you can run wide open across Montana , wyoming and SD - make up enough time to stop @ Devils Tower and the Crazy Horse Monument (please inform us of the progress) niles | ||
| niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
sorry thats I-90 , my bad niles | ||
| niles (4.4.112.82) Rating: N/A |
One other thing - if you make that (I-90) drive in your bus watch out for strong cross winds - they can be unpredictable and extremely hazardous niles | ||
| Lorin David McCleary (Wacoastmci) (148.78.243.122)
Rating: N/A |
Agree with Two Dogs and Lee's routing above. Did the drive you describe, only from east to west, last summer. I believe that the routing Lee described is the quickest, and certainly flatter than I-90. I used 90 as I had to stop in Spokane on the way back and didn't want to backtrack, but would have preferred I-80/I-84/I-205/I-5. The downside of I-80 is lots more traffic than 90 thru the midwest and you don't get to stop in Rapid City to see the Black Hills! My 2cents worth. David | ||
| dragon (24.237.134.123) Rating: N/A |
Sorry to be so dense but I can't find anything on the maps at that end for I-205. Is that a secondary number for the I-90 to I-82 to I-84 cutoff from Seattle over Snoqualamie? No sightseeing till I'm fueling on diesel so the lower route it is. Rig has been setting at the dealers for 2 months waiting for us to tie up loose ends so until my butt hits the air ride seat I will have a one track mind ;) thanks for all you input guys you have been a wealth of info over the months. Comp gets packed in 2 days will post a followup as soon as I get reconnected to net ...dragon... | ||
| Henry Draper (67.168.33.213) Rating: N/A |
dragon, 205 takes you around Portland. They're suggesting you catch I-84 from 205--east of Portland, and head east. So from Seattle, head south toward Portland (not east toward Spokane) and catch 205 just north of Portland, and proceed eastward. Hood River, on I-84, is a great place to watch folks windsurfing and kiteboarding. (I know you're saying you're not going to be diverted, but I'll mention it anyway!) Henry Draper | ||
| Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (65.74.65.65)
Rating: N/A |
Dragon, we took US 2 from Everett clear to eastern Montana two years ago, and it was very easy to cross the Rockies. I didn't map it, but it looks as though it might even be a bit shorter than the interstates. No 70 mph limits that I remember, however. For what it's worth. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 Suncatcher | ||
| Rodger in WA (64.70.24.58) Rating: N/A |
The I-5, I-205 to I-84 route is pretty flat but you won't like the road surface or heavy traffic with lots of semis, from Seattle through Chehalis, WA. I live near Chehalis, WA and hate that stretch of I-5. It will be more hilly, but I-90 out of Seattle to I-82 at Ellensburg, then I-82 to pick up I-84 in OR would be shorter and faster. I think the only real upgrades you'll encounter on I-90 will be going through the Cascades. I-82 will be relatively level with a gradual downgrade after Yakima, WA to I-84. On I-84, you'll have to climb the infamous Cabbage Hill over Emigrant Pass east of Pendelton,OR. That's a few miles of almost continuous 6% upgrade. After Cabbage Hill, I don't recall any major grades along I-84 to I-80. | ||
| TWO DOGS (65.179.193.115) Rating: N/A |
I'd follow the speed limit signs going down cabbage with your loaded trailer...that is a bad hil (!) | ||
| dragon (24.237.134.74) Rating: N/A |
Thanks Two Dogs thats the exact kind of info I was hoping for for both routes. I always travel at or below speed limits on downhill runs so no worries there and I'll have my dual trailer brakes (hehe had to respell that one ) hooked up somewhere between Bellingham and Seattle | ||
| bowlingshoegiverouter (63.185.64.132) Rating: N/A |
speed limit down cabbage is 25 I think...DON'T try to get in a hurry going down (!!) | ||
| Lee Bradley (216.126.128.53)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Rodger, You must have blanked out the hills on I-82 between Ellensburg and Yakima; probably with good reason, those are the nastiest three grades up and down around these parts. I use the Canyon Road; two lane and lots of curves but relatively flat. |