We are a military family relocating to the east coast. I would greatly appreciate any advice on the best (and safest) route to take across the country. Thanks so much!

Best and safest route is the one that has no snow on.

If everything seems clear, just take I-90 all the way to Chicago. How to get through Chicago depends on time of day. Standard way is to take the I-294 Tri-State Tollway, but at night, you can also go through Chicago downtown on I-90.

You really want to time yourself to go through Chicago late at night to avoid traffic. Otherwise, consider going a little further and take I-39 south and then I-74 East through Indianapolis.

Whatever way, you'll take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-70/76) through Western PA, and then follow I-70 and then I-270 to DC.

Just be very flexible. Traffic is light in the winter time, especially out west, so if you have a time constraint, drive as much as you can when the pavement is dry. And watch the weather channel every night at your motel, and listen to the radio, in case you need to change your route.

This site will assist with road conditions.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm

Make sure you have a survival kit in the vehicle, allow extra time in the case you get stranded a day or so in one of the small towns along the way. It is not uncommon for the Interstate to be closed and gated with WX warnings posted.. In the part of the country you will be crosing you will be without cell phone service a part of the time. You will be good friends and on a first name basis with the people on the Weather Channel before you get to the east coast.

Also keep this in mind. Weather system moves from west to east. Though they go at a slower speed than a vehicle, they don't stop for the night. Which means they'll also take 6-7 days to get across the US, not too much slower than you're likely to do so.

It's therefore best to leave Seattle far after the last system comes through, and right before the next one arrives. This way, you'll definitely stay ahead of the next one, and shouldn't be able to catch up to the last one. You'll then see dry road all the way through.

Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it.

Fair winds and following seas....and I hope you have a safe trip..

Somebody else ask a similiar question not to long ago and the route kept getting pushed further south as they were on a timeline. After this latest storm I agree may as well take your chances with the snow instead of possible ice storm. If you don't have an absolute time to be there I would limit night driving.

Where on the East Coast? Would that affect your decision?

I am from Western PA, and must admit that the turnpike is not well maintained and usually under construction. As with out west, once you get into the mountains, the temperature drops 10-15 degrees, and where there wasn't any snow at lower elevations, the mountains have snow.

Also, in the Balt. Wash. Metro, I-270 is a horrible road. You will want to time your arrival in the area according to rush hour. (7-10AM and 3-7PM) Stay away from the beltways unless you like sitting in traffic. I could be more specific if I knew exactly which area is meant to be your final destination.

For example, if you are heading to Ashburn, VA, you would take Rt 15 South at the I-270 split. But if you are heading toward Annapolis, you would keep going on I-70 to Rt 29 south, then Rt 100 or Rt 32 east to I-97 south.

Make sure you have good snow tires "just in case." And PLEASE, take it slow if you are not used to driving in snow. You never know when "black ice" will be under the snow.

Have a safe drive!!

Yes, the PATP across Western PA is not an easy road to drive with its tight curves, lack of shoulder in the median, heavy truck traffic and lack of rest areas.

However, when weather is nasty, it's better than I-80 (steeper hills, higher elevations, several long icy bridges) or I-68 (even steeper hills, traffic too light - snow can accumulate quickly).

Don't know if you're still checking this thread, but it looks like you'll be fine if you leave Seattle morning of the 24th. There may be some fog over the Cascades, but that's about it. Should be clear through 26th to Chicago.

If you go too fast, though, you may catch up to the tailend of the previous storm. So, check the weather channel enroute every night and adjust your progress accordingly.

Also, there's snow forecast every day for 27-29th in Western PA. You may want to consider going further south and take I-64 through Kentucky and West Virginia, then I-79 to I-68. But that's also a mountainous road with light traffic, so unless you're sure PATP has much worse snow, you may not want to divert.

Best Route would be as far South as you can go without it being too out of the way. I'd go I-90 from Seattle to I-82, I-82 to I-84, I-84 East to I-15, I-15 South to I-80 (Salt Lake City), I-80 East to I-29 (Omaha), I-29 South to I-70 (KC), I-70 East to I-64 (St. Louis), I-64 East to I-81, I-81 North to I-66, I-66 East to D.C.

I've done this move and while you've probably got it scoped out by now, offer a few ideas.

1) Farther south is not necessarily better -- in the middle of the country. Road crews in the north handle road clearing better and often have more stable weather rather than the freezing/thawing/freezing in other areas. But closer to DC, rkwan's option makes good sense.

2) Build in flex time.

3) In the DC area, 270 isn't all that bad. I live about a mile away. Avoid it between 7-9:30 a.m. on your way into town and you'll be OK.

4) There's no good way around Chicago.

5) Strictest interstate speed limits seem to be in Wis.

6) Pa. Turnpike is no fun at all.

Think long and hard before you follow bkluvsnola's suggestions. I-80 up the hill from Evanston, WY to Rock Springs is a long, hard slog unless driving conditions are perfect, and you dance around the Continental Divide on the way to Cheyenne.

Since you are leaving Seattle, you already know about Snoqualmie and will have current information. Your next hurdle will be the 6000-foot pass east of Butte and then it is clear sailing all the way on 90.

Go to www.accutraffic.com to keep up with weather and road conditions.

My youngest son is getting married in the Seattle area and wants to drive back to his Air Force Base in South Carolina. They would be heading out January 6th and would have 5-6 days for travel. What would be the best route for them to take?

Many thanks!