RallyFanmx

Hello. My wife and me are making this trip from Seattle to SF on the last week of October. I did a search on the site and got great tips, just have a couple of questions:

-Should snow be a concern? I'm thinking of driving to Portland and perhaps the Columbia Gorge, then south to Coos Bay and Brookings, overnight there and go to Redwood NP, perhaps a couple of days; then make our way south.

I figured to stay on the coast, and use the I-5 only when needing to make better time.

Any tips will be welcome!

Fodorite018

Snow should not be an issue that early. If you have the time, I would cut over to the coast around Portland and take that all the way down. So much to see along here, but of course much slower than I-5.

Rastaguytoday

I agree with mms on cutting over at Portland. Nice trip down.

It could snow, but hell could also freeze over. With weather, you never know.

It will start to be brisk that time of year.

RallyFanmx

Thanks! Will keep it in mind

tomrgr

Unless there is a freak storm, you'll be fine. Maybe some frost in parts (e.g., Grants Pass) but you should be okay. I've done the trek in the dead of winter and was fine. Worse case, you'll have to alter your route, but yeah, you should be fine.

Gardyloo

How long do you have?

If you're not on a dead run (and I assume you're not if you're taking the coast) then start with a scenic but slightly roundabout route. From Seattle cross the Cascades on I-90, then head to Yakima on I-82. Follow US 97 south from the Yakima Valley over Satus Pass to the Columbia River at Maryhill, then approach the Columbia Gorge from the east, using the Washington side of the river as far as Hood River, then the "historic" Columbia Gorge highway after that.

The east side of the mountains will be drier, there will still probably be some autumn color in the vineyard areas of the Yakima Valley, then the landscape turns very "old west" as you pass through the Yakama reservation and dry-pine forest south of Satus Pass. If time allows, stop for an hour or so at the interesting Maryhill Museum - www.maryhillmuseum.org - right on the river. The orchard country around Hood River might also still have some color, but regardless it's an ideal way to travel from Seattle to the Gorge. It takes maybe 2 hours at most more time to get there than via I-5, but the payoff in interest and scenery more than compensates.

After Portland, my usual route is to take I-5 (yes, boring but quick) south through the Willamette Valley to Oregon Hwy 38, which cuts off just south of Cottage Grove, and travels to Reedsport through the beautiful little Umpqua canyon. Just before Reedsport keep a lookout for elk grazing in the big wildlife refuge on the south side of SR 38 - they're usually plentiful in the fall.

My usual overnight spot on the south-central Oregon coast is Bandon, which has (IMO) the most attractive "old town" area, a number of good hotels/motels, and a couple of very good restaurants.

South of the border, our favorite overnight area in the redwoods is Ferndale, a cute Victorian-era town south of Eureka. From there don't miss the Avenue of the Giants byway off US 101 - worth the trip on its own.

The weather will probably be wet at least for part of your drive, but that's what makes the trees grow so tall. It's a lovely late-autumn drive.