Heading to Washinton...state...

[steved]

Well, round two...



I was out there around Memorial Day... took I80/I90/I94/I90 across, the northern tier.



I'm thinking about a new route... possibly I80 into Salt Lake, then turn north on I84, and then pick up I82 for the ride into Richland. Anyone been that way before? Are those good highways to travel?



I still got to look at the weather, but barring storms I would like to see that territory.

 

[JLandry]

Been that way many times... all great roads. This time of year the worst weather you'd experience in eastern Washington is high winds.



Have fun,



John L.

 

[steved]

I'm more worried about Tornado Alley

 

[JApol]

I grew up along I-82 near Yakima. If you can do the Continental divide on either I-90 or I-70 you can do Manashtash ridge without a sweat and that will the the toughest hill. Wave to the north at my parents when you go past Exit 53 for Granger on I-82

 

[MountainMan1]

Take I-80W fuel in IN.

Near Omaha Use I-680 to I-29N... fuel is reasonable in Des Moines. I fuel at Flying J's. Fuel again at Souix Falls just before I-90. Take I-90W. There is a 50 mile short cut at Spearfish, SD using 85 and US 212 back to I-90 but fuel is lowest in Gillette, WY. Next fuel is Billing, MT the Butte, MT do not fuel in Belgrade, its a franchise and always high. Next lower fuel is Post Falls, ID then the lower fuel in WA is Tacoma... all Flying J's.



The short cut saves 50 miles the samme amount you lost not using I-94 near Chicago. But fuel is usually higher in those northern tier states. Surely look at the above link and do your math.



High winds from the west and south are across SD, MT, WY and WA. Sometimes I wait until the sun goes down to make miles when towing high profile and light. I would avoid I-80 across WY for that reason in the summer.



Pretty much the above route will be windy in SD almost for sure but you never know. Watch the weather wind maps, look at the high and low fronts, put them in motion so you can see where and when you can make your move. Remember highs fill lows, long term wind is created from high to low!



Check out Wall Drugs in SD... plenty of RV parking behind the stores by the rail road tracks.



Have fun, try to drive 58 to 60 mph, that'll save fuel and reduce stress. Be safe!



Peter - W7LUS

 

[TRLRTRSH]

Watch your speed in WA, those suckers don't mess around.

 

[Grizzly]

Been there both ways. I liked I-80 to I-90 to Ritzville then US-395 to Richland. More scenic. Besides, I'll avoid SLC like the pledge.

 

[Gene Arnold]

Steved,



When I tow my trailer I like to take US 30 at the 66 mile marker just west of Little America, Wyoming. Highway 30 is a good road, no bad pulls, and the scenery is beautiful most of the way until you connect with I-84 in Idaho. I usually plan for a fuel stop at Cokeville, Wyoming Flying J and spend the night free in their spacious parking lot. The best part of that leg is a stop at Lava Hot Springs State Park, Idaho (about 85 miles frome Cokeville). Just the ticket to soak away the road stress! This route takes you past Kemmerer, Wyoming, site of the original J. C. Penney store, fossil beds, etc. , Montpelier, Soda Springs, and Pocatello, and Massacre Rocks, Idaho. The miles are about the same as the interstates, but since I don't drive the speed limit on the interstates I cover the ground at about the same pace.



Should you keep to the interstates you will also be going through some very beautiful country!



By the way, I try to avoid Flying J at Rock Springs due to their horrid RV access. Rawlins FJ at mile marker 209 is good and Willard, Utah at mile marker 60 is as well. On US 30, Cokeville is about the best I've ever used anywhere.



Gene

 

[JLandry]

When I tow my trailer I like to take US 30 at the 66 mile marker just west of Little America, Wyoming.

Good suggestion.



We're headed down to Denver from Seattle in September with our travel trailer in tow and might try that route. Sounds fun.



Thanks!



John L.

 

[RVTRKN]

Stay on I84 to the I5 and you will go through the Columbia River Gorge 50 miles before Portland Or. were there are some awesome sights and stops with waterfalls and head Nth on I5. Theres a great RV park by Kalama Wa. were the Kalama river meets the Columbia River about 40 miles from Portland. There you can use the RV park as a base for a trip to Mt St. Helens, and if you like fishing, all you have to do is step out of your RV and fish. But they don't allow sewage hookup if your RV is on a RV space on the bank of the Kalama River. I highly recommend a trip to Mt St. Helens and plan on a whole day. They have three observation areas but make the last one your priority and then work down hill to the others.