Driving to California Thanksgiving Weekend
 

I'm driving with my wife and her sister from Olympia, WA to Santa Rosa, CA the day after Thanksgiving. It's already too late to cancel or postpone the trip without an Act of God deciding for us.

I'll be driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Diamante and am starting to second-guess having to go through the Siskiyous on I-5. I know cutting across to Hwy 101 means a longer driving day, but in general would that be a better winter route?

Thanks.

I wouldn't decide until the day before you leave. If there isn't a winter storm in the forecast . . Take I-5. If there is, then take 101.

The extended forecast for Yreka (which is as close to the Siskiyou summit as I can find - no data for Dunsmuir) is for temps in the 40s and sunny for next Friday. If you leave Olympia in the early morning you'd be in the Siskiyous around mid- to late afternoon, when things <i>ought</i> to be at their warmest. So I'd probably chance it, but as janisj says, keep a weather eye during the week.

If you opt for 101, I'd cut over at Reedsport (SR 38) rather than wait until US 199 at Grants Pass. US 199 crosses some fairly high country and if the Siskiyous are getting snow it's not uncommon for there to be some on US 199 (or indeed on I-5 near Grants Pass) at the same time. By going I-5 > SR 38 > US 101 I'd guess you're adding around 2 to 3 hours' travel time to Santa Rosa from Olympia. The unpleasant part might be the stretch between Crescent City and Eureka in the dark - 2 lanes, twisty, with humongous trees waiting to stop you cold should you sin. That and traffic through Eureka Strip Mall Hell on Black Friday. Oy.

I agree that you should learn road conditions before you decide your route and that Reedsport is a good place to connect with 101 (the drive from I-5 to 101 on OR-38 is exceptionally scenic).

However, if I were to drive 101, I would break up the 790 mile trip with an overnight stop in Brookings, staying at Best Western Beachfront Inn with an ocean view to perhaps watch a storm at sea.

HTTY

Once you are in Oregon stop somewhere south of Salem and call 511 http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/AT511.asp
Up to date highway conditions are available 24/7.
On tripcheck.com you can see frequently updated webcams.