Driving from SF to Portland during winter storm - which route ?
 

I need to drive from the San Francisco area to north of Portland (Vancouver, WA) this weekend. Snow is forecast, and I cannot use chains on my car. So, based on reading other posts, I plan to go north on 101.

My question is which is the best route to take to I-5: 199, 42, 38, 126, etc., etc.? Or, in your experience, should I just stay on 101 until closer to Portland?

By the way, I can take several days to make this trip - just don't want to wait until next week to begin the trip.

I would be very grateful for any advice.

If 199 is open and time is a factor, I would take 199 to I-5. Otherwise, I would drive 101 to Reedsport, because 38, which follows the Umpdqua River, is my favorite east-west drive between the coast and I-5.

HTTY

What HTTY said. But if you want to take an extra few hours, you could just continue up 101 to Tillamook and cut over SR 6 right into Portland. Less scenic than the Umpqua gorge, but less boring than I-5 from Drain into Portland.

Whatever route you choose, have a backup plan as well. Tripcheck is a good place to check on all the road conditions for Oregon.

I normally really like hwy 6 as was mentioned, but with the amount of rain we have had in the last 2 days, and with upcoming forecast, that is one route that I would double check. Not that it happens frequently, but this route is prone to washouts.

Wondering why you can't use chains on your car.

Agree with HTTY and hwy 38 from Reedsport. Not so much for the scenery, which is nice, but more because there's little elevation gain in following the Umpqua, so less chance of encountering any of that white stuff. Which is not the case with hwy 6. The local forecast last night was for 6" - 12" of snow in the Coast Range the next couple of days.

"Wondering why you can't use chains on your car."

There is not enough clearance between the tires and the frame of the car to allow for chains, according to all the dealers I've asked. Great design, eh?

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I have TripCheck bookmarked on my laptop, so I'll be checking before any turn-offs from 101.

If it is stormy and you want to see the ocean rage, book a room with balcony at Fireside in Yachats (have dinner at a local hangout--The Drift Inn).

HTTY

HTTY, great suggestion - will keep it in mind!

I drove this route a few years back over Thanksgiving weekend as a storm came in from the Gulf of Alaska. It was horrible. 199 especially was really dangerous with sleet and some snow but none of the drive was enjoyable. And that was the weekend that the Kim family got snowed in near the Rogue River.

According to a weather forecast I saw today, the brunt of this weekend's storm will hit around Crescent City and the highs will be in the 40's. It won't be much fun. I'd wait until Monday to start this trip since the forecast is showing just showers instead of 90% rain.

I'm betting that "Z-Chains" would fit your car. It's a very low profile, cable style chain. Should be able to find them at PEP Boys or NAPA Auto Parts.

Thanks, passerbye, I'll check into "Z-Chains"