Suraj

Hello,

we have about 10 days of holidays during christmas and are planning on driving
from seattle to san diego (i know it is long but we don't mind taking breaks in
between and doing it relaxed way)

wanted some information regd the same:

1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some all
wheel drive truck etc?

3. how long would it take approx?

4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days to do
this.

5. also, will mt rainier and mt helens be open to drive in dec?


thanks for any information.
suraj

Kay Lancaster

On 23 Oct 2003 21:27:40 GMT, suraj <> wrote:
    >
    > wanted some information regd the same:
    >
    > 1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

Mostly, yes. There are some high passes that may require you to have
chains on the vehicle, and some road (including I-5, the main interstate
highway) that is closed during storms. If the road is closed, you don't
go anywhere.

An alternative route might be US Highway 1 or 101 -- beautiful and
sometimes quite treacherous. Same sorts of problems, though it's more
likely to be mudslides rather than snowstorms closing the road.

Have you ever driven in snow and ice? Siskiyou Summit on I-5 isn't the ideal
spot to have to learn. I've been through there in December when it was
clear and dry. I've also been through there in December when it was icy
enough that I was fairly apprehensive... and I've been driving on snow and
ice for 30+ years without an accident.

    > 2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some all
    > wheel drive truck etc?

Snow chains have to be carried even if they're not needed. Know how to
put them on... they can save your life. Some vehicles are allowed to use
studded tires in Oregon and Washington states... they'd be heck to ride
on in S. California, and possibly illegal there.

Some of the tire dealers have a policy where you can buy chains to fit
the vehicle, and return them in unused condition for a full refund.

Sites for you to review:
http://www.tripcheck.com/Winter/winterindex.htm
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/road/mnts/mntbas.htm
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm

Whatever you're driving, make sure it's in top notch mechanical shape
before you leave. Pay particular attention to the heater, air conditioner,
windshield wipers and tires. All can be critical for winter driving.

    > 3. how long would it take approx?

If you drive steadily and don't stop except for minimal breaks and a reasonable
night's sleep, about 2 days on I-5, one way. Not recommended. I've done it.
No fun. Add more time for any storms.

    > 4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days
    > to do this.

Lots of places. What are you interested in?
See for instance:
http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
http://www.traveloregon.com/
http://www.byways.org/

If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los Angeles, and
then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
rent a car on that end.

Coast Starlight is part of the Trails and Rails program of the National
Park Service, too.

Kay Lancaster

Alohacyberian

"suraj" <> wrote in message
news:bn9h4c$k75$...
    > we have about 10 days of holidays during christmas and are planning on
driving
    > from seattle to san diego (i know it is long but we don't mind taking
breaks in
    > between and doing it relaxed way)
    > wanted some information regd the same:
    > 1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?
    > 2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some
all
    > wheel drive truck etc?
    > 3. how long would it take approx?
    > 4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days
to do
    > this.
    > 5. also, will mt rainier and mt helens be open to drive in dec?
It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've done it
many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your chances of
needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you plan
to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains as
you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the elevation
of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't spend
much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste of
money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
December driving.

Bbooth202

Kay:

The Coastal Starlight goes straight through to San Diego. It only stops in Los
Angeles for less than an hour to change the train personel.

BBOOTH
Who lives in San Diego and has taken the Coastal Starlight from San Diego to
Los Angeles.

Hatunen

On 24 Oct 2003 02:42:06 GMT, Kay Lancaster <>
wrote:

    >On 23 Oct 2003 21:27:40 GMT, suraj <> wrote:
    >>
    >> wanted some information regd the same:
    >>
    >> 1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?
    >Mostly, yes. There are some high passes that may require you to have
    >chains on the vehicle, and some road (including I-5, the main interstate
    >highway) that is closed during storms. If the road is closed, you don't
    >go anywhere.
    >An alternative route might be US Highway 1 or 101 -- beautiful and
    >sometimes quite treacherous. Same sorts of problems, though it's more
    >likely to be mudslides rather than snowstorms closing the road.

And it can be quite dreadful rainstorm weather along US-101 (US-1
lies along the east coast). California Hwy-1 is incredibly scenic
but not a good choice in rainy weather, but US-101 is pretty good
although there can be snowy conditions at some higher points, and
these conditons will exist due to the same storms causing rain
along the coast.


************* DAVE HATUNEN () *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

Alohacyberian

"Bbooth202" <> wrote in message
news:...
    > Kay:
    > The Coastal Starlight goes straight through to San Diego. It only stops in
Los
    > Angeles for less than an hour to change the train personel.
    > BBOOTH
    > Who lives in San Diego and has taken the Coastal Starlight from San Diego
to
    > Los Angeles.
And it is notorious for not keeping to its schedule or being ontime. KM

Suraj

    >Lots of places. What are you interested in?
    >See for instance:
    >http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
    >http://www.traveloregon.com/
    >http://www.byways.org/
    >If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
    >taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los Angeles, and
    >then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
    >a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
    >http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
    >San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
    >rent a car on that end.

Thanks for the information. We planned on this one. our original plan was to go
one way on amtrak and then the return way drive. hence wanted the details.

however, we found out that during the holidays and for the days i wanted, there
isn't any availability for standard bedrooms on amtrak for startlight. now
thinking go one way on air and return driving. i love driving and have very
less experience driving in snow. but want to.

how difficult is it to travel 2 days in the coach? (non bedroom seats) those
are available.


thanks,
suraj

Suraj

    >It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've done it
    >many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
    >dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
    >prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your chances of
    >needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you plan
    >to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains as
    >you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the elevation
    >of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't spend
    >much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste of
    >money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
    >passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
    >depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
    >driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
    >December driving.

thanks for the information.

so we can't even visit helens and rainer in seattle in december? is it that
bad? anyway, what is the recommended way to visit them during december 20-25
time frame? are they open at all?

thanks,
suraj

Keith Willshaw

"suraj" <> wrote in message
news:bnc3fp$3r6$...
    > >Lots of places. What are you interested in?
    > >See for instance:
    > >http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
    > >http://www.traveloregon.com/
    > >http://www.byways.org/
    > >
    > >If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
    > >taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los
Angeles, and
    > >then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
    > >a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
    > >http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
    > >San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
    > >rent a car on that end.
    > Thanks for the information. We planned on this one. our original plan was
to go
    > one way on amtrak and then the return way drive. hence wanted the details.

Be sure you know about any one way car rental charges,
they can be quite high. Personally I'd drive one way along
the coast and back by the Inland route up the Freeways

Keith

Keith Willshaw

"suraj" <> wrote in message
news:bnc3k5$3r6$...
    > >It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've
done it
    > >many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
    > >dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
    > >prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your
chances of
    > >needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you
plan
    > >to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains
as
    > >you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the
elevation
    > >of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't
spend
    > >much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste
of
    > >money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
    > >passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
    > >depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
    > >driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
    > >December driving.
    > thanks for the information.
    > so we can't even visit helens and rainer in seattle in december? is it
that
    > bad? anyway, what is the recommended way to visit them during december
20-25
    > time frame? are they open at all?

You should be able to get into the lower levels of Rainier via the
Nisqually entrance but you'll need tyre chains. Mount St Helens
is impossible. The roads are closed from late October to May

Keith