East Coast to West Coast travel route
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
East Coast to West Coast travel route
I am relocating to Seattle area from Boston and wondering what is best driving route for November, possibly December, timeframe. Is driving across Canada a possibility?
Or I could fly but I am worried about putting my dog in cargo hold of an airplane, does anyone have experience with this?
Or I could fly but I am worried about putting my dog in cargo hold of an airplane, does anyone have experience with this?
#2
The later you go, the higher the odds you'll encounter wintry weather, particularly in mountain passes. How much time do you have for the trip?
My basic suggestion would be to leave as early as possible, make sure your car is ready for winter, and stick to I-90. If the forecast is for snow/ice, just stop for an extra day in some dog-friendly motel and wait it out.
I suppose it would be feasible to head south, then across the country on a more southern route (even as far south as I-40, out to California, then up the coast, but that would add a thousand or more miles to the trip, and even the southern tier roads cross some high country (e.g. northern Arizona) which could see snow/ice.
I-90 has the lowest "highest" elevations among the various east-west interstates (namely, the Continental Divide near Butte, Montana, and Lookout Pass at the Idaho line) and it's also quite scenic, with several interesting places en route, such as the Badlands, Black Hills, etc. But take your time and don't be a hero in bad conditions. Remember daylight is short, too.
As for crossing via Canada, it's a lot longer, with more mountains and more 2-lane roads. Gas is a lot more expensive, too. On I-90 you see a lot of Canadian plates while crossing the continent; that tells you something.
My basic suggestion would be to leave as early as possible, make sure your car is ready for winter, and stick to I-90. If the forecast is for snow/ice, just stop for an extra day in some dog-friendly motel and wait it out.
I suppose it would be feasible to head south, then across the country on a more southern route (even as far south as I-40, out to California, then up the coast, but that would add a thousand or more miles to the trip, and even the southern tier roads cross some high country (e.g. northern Arizona) which could see snow/ice.
I-90 has the lowest "highest" elevations among the various east-west interstates (namely, the Continental Divide near Butte, Montana, and Lookout Pass at the Idaho line) and it's also quite scenic, with several interesting places en route, such as the Badlands, Black Hills, etc. But take your time and don't be a hero in bad conditions. Remember daylight is short, too.
As for crossing via Canada, it's a lot longer, with more mountains and more 2-lane roads. Gas is a lot more expensive, too. On I-90 you see a lot of Canadian plates while crossing the continent; that tells you something.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for your reply. If it was Spring or Summer I would be looking forward to the trip but as you said there is a high likelihood of snowy weather this time of year. I think I will have the ability to take my time and stop if I need to. Thanks.
#6
As long as you get a non-stop flight it should be fine (It is summer when I'd worry about a pet on the tarmac and in the hold)
I flew my Scotty from London to San Francisco and it was no problem. I didn't want to do it, but had no other choice. I'd never do it w/ connecting flights or in summer . . .
I flew my Scotty from London to San Francisco and it was no problem. I didn't want to do it, but had no other choice. I'd never do it w/ connecting flights or in summer . . .
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another suggestion. Train. Either Amtrak.com or Canada
http://www.viarail.ca
Have your car shipped to Seattle. Get a small roomette on the train. Boston to Chicago and then transfer to Seattle. Not sure what their policy is on either train about pets but you can always ask.
The cost may be higher but if you consider the wear and tear on your car, the gas expense, the possibility of being stuck somewhere for few days because of the weather, food expense, hotel/motel expense then perhaps it's not that much higher. If you get a roomette your dining is included in the price.
The joy of not driving 3K miles in December through some of the most treacherous mountain areas is an added bonus.
Good luck.
http://www.viarail.ca
Have your car shipped to Seattle. Get a small roomette on the train. Boston to Chicago and then transfer to Seattle. Not sure what their policy is on either train about pets but you can always ask.
The cost may be higher but if you consider the wear and tear on your car, the gas expense, the possibility of being stuck somewhere for few days because of the weather, food expense, hotel/motel expense then perhaps it's not that much higher. If you get a roomette your dining is included in the price.
The joy of not driving 3K miles in December through some of the most treacherous mountain areas is an added bonus.
Good luck.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I put a cat in the hold on a long flight once, and vowed I would never do it again. She was totally traumatized, probably through no fault of the airline or weather or anything else--it just sucks for them to fly that way.
I would look into the idea of the train; normally, I dislike Amtrak for long trips, but in the winter it might well make sense.
Best of luck!
I would look into the idea of the train; normally, I dislike Amtrak for long trips, but in the winter it might well make sense.
Best of luck!
#10
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<The joy of not driving 3K miles in December through some of the most treacherous mountain areas is an added bonus. >
Most of those 3K miles are not in the mountains at all. And interstates are not really routed through the most treacherous areas. Plus the train between Minneapolis and North Dakota is notoriously late due to the heavy freight traffic going to the oil fields.
I would just plan on driving as far as Chicago on the fastest route, it is unlikely you'll hit any major winter weather before then. At that point you have several options - I-94, I-90, I-80...it depends on what the forecast for the next several days is saying. 94 gives you the fewest options for bypassing weather, 80 has the most available re-routes.
Most of those 3K miles are not in the mountains at all. And interstates are not really routed through the most treacherous areas. Plus the train between Minneapolis and North Dakota is notoriously late due to the heavy freight traffic going to the oil fields.
I would just plan on driving as far as Chicago on the fastest route, it is unlikely you'll hit any major winter weather before then. At that point you have several options - I-94, I-90, I-80...it depends on what the forecast for the next several days is saying. 94 gives you the fewest options for bypassing weather, 80 has the most available re-routes.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My understanding is that only service animals are allowed on Amtrak - not pets - but do check. But, then you can take a limited amount of things with you.
I would just do the trip by car - leaving plenty of time to allow for bad weather - and being sure the car is in good shape and you carry everything you need with you for bad weather.
I would just do the trip by car - leaving plenty of time to allow for bad weather - and being sure the car is in good shape and you carry everything you need with you for bad weather.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But, then you can take a limited amount of things with you.
I would just do the trip by car - leaving plenty of time to allow for bad weather - and being sure the car is in good shape and you carry everything you need with you for bad weather.
Like I said, I'm not sure about pet policies on Amtrak, but if the OP chose my suggestion why couldn't she just pack up her car anyways and have it transported by a truck. Lots of wear and tear on a long trip like this, ga$, motels/hotels, food expense, looooong drive? OP would not have to carry much, just some luggage for the trip.
Again, it's just a suggestion.
I would just do the trip by car - leaving plenty of time to allow for bad weather - and being sure the car is in good shape and you carry everything you need with you for bad weather.
Like I said, I'm not sure about pet policies on Amtrak, but if the OP chose my suggestion why couldn't she just pack up her car anyways and have it transported by a truck. Lots of wear and tear on a long trip like this, ga$, motels/hotels, food expense, looooong drive? OP would not have to carry much, just some luggage for the trip.
Again, it's just a suggestion.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,304
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is a link to Amtrak's pet policy.
http://tinyurl.com/kxxqsgw
None of the routes that are allowing small dogs as carry-on pets would take the OP to Seattle. So unless she has a service dog (which doesn't sound like the case) she would need to drive or fly.
http://tinyurl.com/kxxqsgw
None of the routes that are allowing small dogs as carry-on pets would take the OP to Seattle. So unless she has a service dog (which doesn't sound like the case) she would need to drive or fly.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also there is/was a pet only air transportation only, meaning they get to chill out in their little cages in the main cabin, but it's pets only so the OP would have to arrange different transportation.
Don't know if they are still in business but it was very big just few years ago.
The OP should investigate that option as well.
Don't know if they are still in business but it was very big just few years ago.
The OP should investigate that option as well.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We drove across from DC to Seattle using the northern route and did not have to put the chains on until we reached LaGrande, OR. But one experience is pretty useless for your purposes. Time permitting, I would take the most southern route...south of I-70. The pass on I-70 is way too high for me.
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you to everybody! Lots of good ideas. I'm going to check out the train policy. As for a service animal, my dog might qualify as she has the temperament and personality and I have a condition which may be considered a disability although I have not tried to do anything official. That designation might take too long. Sadly, I will most likely have to leave most of my "stuff" behind and perhaps ship only the most necessary items. I'll check out putting my stuff in the car and then shipping the car also. Talk about putting chains on my car is a bit scary but I remember when people used them regularly in the winter...wow that dates me.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Brandon_Lee
United States
4
Oct 5th, 2015 09:22 PM
gbritfl
United States
14
Nov 17th, 2008 10:51 PM