ambergma

HELP!! My two daughters will be driving from Las Vegas, NV to Washington, D.C. beginning Friday, December 20th. What is the best route for them to take to avoid snow and icy roads? Also, will it be possible for them to arrive home in Washington, D.C. on Christmas Day (12/25/13)?

Any suggestions on routes, places to stay along the way, preparation suggestions, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions...

ma

emalloy

Totally avoiding snow will depend on luck but with 5 days it is certainly possible even with a day to hole up if it does snow. The major interstates are generally very well cleared if there is snow, so I would stick to them when possible. The fastest way is probably to go up to 70 to cross the country, but more likely to have some snow. Taking 93 to 40 would probably have less and dropping down to 20 or 10 even less, but no guarantee.

Best of luck to them.

Katzgar

the further south the less chance of snow. have them drive I-10. 3,238 mi, 49 hours

Gretchen

Stay tuned to the weather channel is the only real answer. And the southerly route will "probably" be best.
Probably start heading a bit north from 10 toward Atlanta and I85/I95.

nytraveler

Little chance of snow but a much longer drive. Can they share driving chores - 49 hours (at best) in 5 days is an awful lot for one person?

Suggest they switch drivers every 3 hours - taking a 10 or 15 minute break each time to keep it bearable,

Ackislander

i'm Mister Always-Go-South, but really, looking at the Interstate Highway forecast on the Weather Channel website every morning could save them miles.

I 40 to I 81 is about the same length as I 70 and (amazingly) to I 80 but offers a reasonable chance of less horrible weather.

Ice is the danger on this southern route, but the spaces are less empty so there are more places to wait out bad weather. If they see it coming, they can go as far south as 10 but I 20 from Texas splits the difference.

Now I have to say it: unless this car has to be in DC, they ought to fly. It will be cheaper, safer, and thus less stressful to all of you. I am going to guess that if they started looking for a flight now, they could find one AND have the car trucked to DC for about the cost of fuel, tolls, food and hotels on the road.

As a former academic dean, I can tell you that the most stressful time of year for academics is the time when kids are making epic journeys to be home for a holiday. They drive too long and in bad weather and some of them die. It makes a terrible memory for the rest of everyone's else's life.

Sorry to be gloomy.

janisj

I 100% (actually 100000%) agree w/ Ackislander. If they are just visiting for the holidays, flying makes MUCH more sense.

And if they are moving back permanently (thus needing to have the car) flying and shipping the car makes most sense in winter.

janisj

. . . especially if they are young adults not used to winter driving conditions.