We are considering driving our MH from San Antonio, TX to Seattle, WA in order to jump on a cruise ship for a week. My concern is the route I should take from here to there in July of 2017. Southern route via AZ-CA-OR-WA or northern route up to Kansas? and then cut west.
My concern is whether or not my MH can handle the mountains we will probably have to go over. MH is 36-ft GM chassis with 7.4L Vortec gasoline engine. It recently just did very well in the smaller mountains around Chattanooga, TN on a 2 week trip to Nashville area (coming up from the south, via LA-MS-AL). Some inclines were kind of tough but the old girl held her own.
Has anyone made a similar trek like this one? Also, is there a good website to use to plan this trip using different routes?
Thanks for the info and good travels.
firstcirce said
05:08 PM Jan 4, 2017
We routinely travel from Nevada, to the Seattle area. We opt to go through Salt Lake and head north. No matter which way you go, you are going to encounter mountains. Taking it slow and easy is always the key, and down shifting as your engine begins to strain has worked well for us. We have never had a coach that would not pull the hills in the mountains as long as we down shifted and didn't worry about being passed by everyone else on the road. Enjoy the trip, but the Salt Lake City route will expose you to less traffic.
Good luck
Barbaraok said
11:08 PM Jan 4, 2017
There is no prize for getting to the top of the pass before everyone else. You go at the speed that feels comfortable to you. Actually climbing the Rockies from the east isn't as bad as you think, because it is a long slow pull up to 6000 ft or so as you come across the prairie. Passes in the Cascades (and Sierras) are often much a much steeper climb. You definitely DON'T want to come across AZ in the summer, so I'd recommend going north. How long do you have for this trip and what else would you like to see. We've done every one of the major routes going east-west or west-east and if you have time, I'd go clear up until you hit Highway 2 in Montana and then turn east, making sure to enjoy Glacier National Park as you go across.
Barb'
bjoyce said
09:30 AM Jan 5, 2017
I agree with everyone else and love Barb's comment, "There is no prize for getting to the top of the pass before everyone else."
We have driven from Texas to Washington state many times and our "favorite" route is to work our way to Lubbock (US83 at Junction and then US84). Then up through Clovis NM and eventually I-40 West into Albuquerque (lots to see and do here), I-25N a few miles and then NM550 up to the Farmington NM area or Durango/Cortez CO (Mesa Verde NP is a highlight). We eventually get to Moab UT (lots to do here). From Moab we head north and take US6 to connect to I-15 south of Salt Lake City. We take I-84 into Idaho (it goes through Boise and there are many places to see along the route) and Oregon. You have two choices off I-84 to get to Seattle, you can go all the way to I-205 in the Portland OR metro to take I-5 north, or take I-82 up to I-90 and into Seattle.
Barbaraok said
10:08 AM Jan 5, 2017
Love Bill's route except for Moab in July will be HOT, almost as hot as going across the AZ/CA desert in July. We did his route in Sept/Oct - perfect time.
NWescapee said
01:45 PM Jan 5, 2017
We're in the group who has made the trip from TX to WA a few times as well.
I agree with the comments that taking the southern route in July will be waaaay too hot. Instead of Moab in July, I'd be looking for a stop near Rocky Mtn National Park if you have time to explore, July is a great time of year to be there, I would have a hard time choosing between Rocky Mtn National Park or staying further south in CO and going through Durango, Mesa Verde, etc. Love them both and have spent a lot of time in each location before we were even full time.
We've found that fuel costs in CA are the highest of just about anywhere we travel so if you are just driving through, the other options mentioned above will save you fuel $$'s as well.
If you are comparing the east / west Interstates, with a gas MH, I think I-80 would be a bit easier than I-70 or I-90 through the Rockies. You will have grades / passes on all of them, just take your time, it's not a race. Follow the speed recommendations / limits for the truckers as you're on the descent!!
We are considering driving our MH from San Antonio, TX to Seattle, WA in order to jump on a cruise ship for a week. My concern is the route I should take from here to there in July of 2017. Southern route via AZ-CA-OR-WA or northern route up to Kansas? and then cut west.
My concern is whether or not my MH can handle the mountains we will probably have to go over. MH is 36-ft GM chassis with 7.4L Vortec gasoline engine. It recently just did very well in the smaller mountains around Chattanooga, TN on a 2 week trip to Nashville area (coming up from the south, via LA-MS-AL). Some inclines were kind of tough but the old girl held her own.
Has anyone made a similar trek like this one? Also, is there a good website to use to plan this trip using different routes?
Thanks for the info and good travels.
Good luck
Barb'
We have driven from Texas to Washington state many times and our "favorite" route is to work our way to Lubbock (US83 at Junction and then US84). Then up through Clovis NM and eventually I-40 West into Albuquerque (lots to see and do here), I-25N a few miles and then NM550 up to the Farmington NM area or Durango/Cortez CO (Mesa Verde NP is a highlight). We eventually get to Moab UT (lots to do here). From Moab we head north and take US6 to connect to I-15 south of Salt Lake City. We take I-84 into Idaho (it goes through Boise and there are many places to see along the route) and Oregon. You have two choices off I-84 to get to Seattle, you can go all the way to I-205 in the Portland OR metro to take I-5 north, or take I-82 up to I-90 and into Seattle.
I agree with the comments that taking the southern route in July will be waaaay too hot. Instead of Moab in July, I'd be looking for a stop near Rocky Mtn National Park if you have time to explore, July is a great time of year to be there, I would have a hard time choosing between Rocky Mtn National Park or staying further south in CO and going through Durango, Mesa Verde, etc. Love them both and have spent a lot of time in each location before we were even full time.
We've found that fuel costs in CA are the highest of just about anywhere we travel so if you are just driving through, the other options mentioned above will save you fuel $$'s as well.
If you are comparing the east / west Interstates, with a gas MH, I think I-80 would be a bit easier than I-70 or I-90 through the Rockies. You will have grades / passes on all of them, just take your time, it's not a race. Follow the speed recommendations / limits for the truckers as you're on the descent!!