Route Advice

collin · October 11, 2017

Will be headed to Yuma in early January from the Okanogan Valley in B.C. New to the area so not sure which would be the best route to take that time of year. as in avoiding snow and icy roads as much as possible. Towing a 30 ft travel trailer, 1 ton dually with an atv in the box of the truck.

Orvil Hazelton · October 11, 2017

Welcome to the SKP Forums. You'll find a wealth of knowledge and opinions here as well. From where you are, your best choice is to travel to I-5 and head South to I-8 near San Diego and then head east to Yuma. Once you decide exactly what you want to do, either I, or another SKP member can help you fine tune your route around the big cities. There are several spots where inclement weather can be a challenge, but all is workable. As always, oRV

Al F · October 11, 2017

12 hours ago, collin said:

Will be headed to Yuma in early January from the Okanogan Valley in B.C. New to the area so not sure which would be the best route to take that time of year. as in avoiding snow and icy roads as much as possible. Towing a 30 ft travel trailer, 1 ton dually with an atv in the box of the truck.

Why would you want to leave the "snowbird capital" of Canada?? When we were in the Okanogan Valley in 2016 we were reading about how the snowbirds from the central plains of Canada come to Osoyoos, BC for the mild winters. Actually the weather in Osoyoos did seem pretty mild for Canada. Most Jan, Feb day time temps well above freezing, and most nights in the 20's F or warmer along with most every day sunny.

Seriously, I-5 is the least risky route as far as weather goes. Just be prepared to spend 1-4 extra nights somewhere if there is snow in the couple of passes along the way.

collin · October 12, 2017

12 hours ago, Al F said:

Why would you want to leave the "snowbird capital" of Canada?? When we were in the Okanogan Valley in 2016 we were reading about how the snowbirds from the central plains of Canada come to Osoyoos, BC for the mild winters. Actually the weather in Osoyoos did seem pretty mild for Canada. Most Jan, Feb day time temps well above freezing, and most nights in the 20's F or warmer along with most every day sunny.

Seriously, I-5 is the least risky route as far as weather goes. Just be prepared to spend 1-4 extra nights somewhere if there is snow in the couple of passes along the way.

I was thinking that as well, I-5 that is. Was also wondering if I would be smarter/safer to head West thru Portland and take the 101 down to a point where I can move back over to the I-5 around Redding CA ???

Barbaraok · October 12, 2017

You take Highway 101 all the way down to the bay area where it joins I-580, take Richmond Bridge over the bay (no toll going east), then I-80 to I-880 to join Highway 101 south of San Jose and follow that on down until you run into the LA area. Then the fun begins as to which way would be easier for you. I-450 to I-5 to San Diego, then I-8 to Yuma. Or some others might have a better way. Problem with I-5 is the Siskyous and Grapevine in the winter.

Lou Schneider · October 12, 2017

I-5 goes through several smaller mountain passes between Eugene, OR and the big Siskiyou Pass at the California border. It's a major transportation corridor and it's usually kept clear and open with bare pavement all winter, in the worst case you may have to hole up in an RV park for a day or so while an active storm blows through.

US 101 is a nice but slower drive along the Oregon coast. Hwy 126 from Eugene to Florence, OR is a good way to get there. 101 then turns inland at Eureka, CA. It doesn't get snow, but beware of storms blowing in from the Pacific Ocean and be prepared to hole up and wait one out.

In either case, plan your trip so you drive during the day, not at night when the roadway can re-freeze.

In the Los Angeles area, Highway 58 over theTehachapi Mtns east of Barstow or the Grapevine Pass on I-5 into Los Angeles are usually kept clear and dry, again it's just a matter of watching the weather and stopping for a day during an active storm.

Al F · October 13, 2017

On 10/11/2017 at 8:11 PM, collin said:

I was thinking that as well, I-5 that is. Was also wondering if I would be smarter/safer to head West thru Portland and take the 101 down to a point where I can move back over to the I-5 around Redding CA ???

US-101 is a great scenic drive, lots of ocean overlooks to pull off on to view the ocean and beaches. Great walks from many on the overlooks.

It is a "scenic" drive. If you start in Astoria and try to drive to the CA border in one day, some 300+ miles you will have a miserable drive. Plan on a long, long 10-12 hour drive with stops for quick lunch, potty beaks and fuel stops. Take 7-14 days for the trip, taking you car/truck to the overlooks and other scenic spots it is wonderful.

Many of the scenic overlooks are difficult for rigs with a total length of 40-70 feet.

The coast has winter storms with rain and high winds. Winding along the coast with a 25-40 mile cross winds is not fun. You don't always have the strong winds, but there are times it happens. Probably more often than snow and ice on the pass on I-5 in southern OR.

However if you have your RV in a place out of the wind, driving your car/truck to the coast to see the 20 foot or higher waves crashing on the rocks is fantastic.

scouserl41 · October 14, 2017

101 is a beautiful drive but SLOW. If you happen to be in a hurry stay on 5. When you plan your trip make sure you get to the LA part early on a Sunday morning for the best chance of avoiding traffic. You don't want to be anywhere near LA during rush hours (which last all day!!).

Cut East on 215 over to 15 on the North side of LA then keep on 15 all the way to San Diego. That whole 5/15 corridor from La to San Diego is a mess during the week so Sunday is your best day for travel.

You don't have to go all the way into San Diego to get on I8 to Yuma, take 52 and 125 across to Santee/El Cajon that cuts off a lot of city traffic and you get on I8 in the El Cajon area East of San Diego. The exit off I15 for 52 isn't easy to see so let your GPS do the work. Watch for the split in I15 Just North of San Diego and don't get caught in the right lanes.

There's even a nice boon docking spot at the Viejas Casino just east of where you get back on 8 near Alpine (There's another at the Golden Acorn casino but Viejas is much nicer).

Don't fill up in San Diego just have enough fuel for abut 200 miles. Fuel is way, way cheaper in Yuma and it's 170 miles from El Cajon to the gas stations in Yuma (I know because we lived in San Diego before we went FT'ing).

Enjoy the ride.

BnB

Twotoes · October 14, 2017

I lived in San Diego for 35 years. If I were you I would not take I-5 or I-101 thru Los Angeles any time of the day. If you are on I-5 heading south when you get to Hwy 58 go east past Backersfield. Continue to Hwy 395 south and merge onto I-15 south. Follow that to I-10 east towards Palm Springs. (Or take I-210 to I-10 to Palm Springs) Next take Hwy 111 south to I-8 east to Yuma and you will avoid all the So Cal traffic including the San Diego traffic. Not as scenic as 101 but a lot Les traffic. I have taken this route many times in a Class A a 5th wheel a car and a motorcycle. There is a Pilot/Flying J at the junction of 58 and 395 as well as one at the junction of 395 and I-15 if you need to top off but the fuel in Yuma is cheeper than Calif. There are several nice campgrounds in Backersfield and one on 58 in Tehachapi if you need to stop for a night.