acrosscanadafan

I haven't been able to find much information about driving across the rockies in spring time...
I drove from southwestern ontario, to vancouver island (ferry involved of course!) in the beginning of September 2012.
Due to inconvenient circumstances, I need to head back to Ontario, ASAP.. I have a good set of all season tires on my 1999 toyota camry. Purchasing new snow tires out here, isn't at all in my dwindling budget.
I understand that global warming has been influencing early melts, and early springs for the past few years, but I can't seem to find any recent information.
Ideally, I'd like to start the drive the 2nd weekend in april..
I'm looking for someone who has recent first hand experience with this stretch of the highway at this time of year.
I'm not expecting a carefree, leisurely drive, but I'm not into risking my life either.
I'm not a speeder or a careless driver...
Northern Ontario will be a whole different story, but if I can make it across the mountains, I can stay with family in Alberta until the rest of the highway has melted a bit more.
If you consider this stretch of the rockies impassable without snow tires in mid-april... when do you suggest the earliest I could try?

ltt

yes it's doable. just keep your itinerary somewhat flexible so that if a storm hits, you can just wait it out a day. don't attempt the coquhalla if it's snowing. only drive during daylight hours.

ron

Since you obey the speed laws, shoudn`t you also obey the law that requires the use winter tires or carry chains until the end of April on the highways you will be using?

acrosscanadafan

I didn't know that they are required on the transcanada, or any highways getting there from vancouver... I've seen those signs here in Sooke, VAN ISLAND (before winter came), but I don't recall seeing any on the drive here, and will be driving the same highways back...
If you could be more specific ron, I'd appriciate it.

ron

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/SeasonalDriv...er_chains.html

Click on South Coast Region and Southern Interior Region maps. I don`t believe there are any highways past Hope where the winter tire law does not apply.

Sam_Salmon

Just Go!

tomfuller

Would you consider driving to Seattle and then across the US through Chicago and to Detroit crossing back into Ontario in Windsor? The gas prices might make it more economical.

Borealis

Yes! You'll be fine!! No winter tires required. Have driven several times, even in February, without winter tires, no problems.
Of course, use common sense. The are occasional storms that may start out with rain and end with snow, so keep your eye on the weather forecasts.
As ltt mentioned, the Coquihalla is more of a worry than the Rockies. That road is at a high elevation and closer to the coast where wet weather and fog are much more likely.

ShelliDawn

If winter tires are out of your budget, have you priced out chains?

acrosscanadafan

THANK YOU EVERYONE!
I've done some more research, and will be headed back soon with some chains in the trunk, as they are most affordable!

I would have driven through the states, but accidentally let my passport expire, and time and money is very tight!

Thanks again!!

Claudelebel55

How about driving across the rockies in October or early November. Is that doable without snow tires ?

Claudelebel55

Just came across this at

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/canad...ins-roads.html

Just a heads up. Having vehicles equipped with winter tires (on all wheels) or carrying chains is now mandatory on mountain highways in BCbetween 1 October and 30 April. This would effect driving on most highways in the province except those on Vancouver island and the lower mainland, and to virtually all ski resorts.

elbegewa

The above information is partly incorrect.

Winter tires (either full winter tires with the snowflake symbol on them OR mud & snow tires with M&S on them) are required in BC, on mountain highways, between Oct 1 and *MARCH 31*. See http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tr...res-and-chains.

That said, in the mountains one can come across snow or, worse and more likely - black ice, in April in the mountains.

For excellent winter travel advice, see http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g1...r.Driving.html