ludmilla97

I'm moving from NJ to Portland, OR with a very old dog who cannot fly (and a cat as well)...call me a masochist. I have a 2006 BMW330i which has rear wheel drive, and thus, requires 4 top of the line snow tires to even make it up my slightly inclined driveway with a light snowfall. It does okay with the snow tires but is still not a car anyone would actively choose to drive in snow. My trip has to begin at the end of November--early December. There's really no choice about that. I'm not going to put my buddy (the dog) down just because he's an inconvenience. So, I'd really like some good advice on the southern route whereby I can avoid mountains/snow at all costs. I lived in the SF, CA area years ago and did my time with chains up in Truckee in the Sierra Mountains. That was back when I was a youngster. I'm a 66 year old woman now without the kind of stamina needed to be fooling around with chains and the like. Does anyone have any advice on the safest route to take in early December for such a trip? I'd so appreciate any help at all as I'm a total novice at long road trips. Thank you in advance.

clarkgriswold

In this country of tornadoes, floods, twisters and blizzards, you'll need a couple of backup routes, too. Either check the weather two days ahead on your chosen route all along the way, or have a friend at home check it for you and keep you informed.

How many hours a day of driving do you think you'll do?

ludmilla97

As many hours as I possibly can but I don't like driving in the dark any longer. So, I'm hoping to start after rush hour and just drive right on through with stops for the dog as often as needed. I'll go on as long as I can once it's dark. There's no way I'll drive more than 8 hours per day. I'm guessing this is going to be a long trip...a week at least.

janisj

I'd give it 10+ days -- since you are traveling alone . . see the posts on your other thread too.

Bobmrg

I-10 is your best bet. Forget about driving in snow.

ludmilla97

Thanks to all of you!

clarkgriswold

I would plan it in 7 hour days. From your starting point pick a 7 hour destination, and every day check the weather on the route to see if you have to divert in a different direction.
1. N.J. to Roanoke
2. Roanoke to Nashville (81S to 40W)
3. Nashville to Little Rock 40W
4. Little Rock to Wichita Falls, TX (30W)
5. Wichita Falls to Artesia NM (82W)
6. Artesia NM to Tucson AZ
From Tucson you still have three 7-hour days of driving ahead. Check the weather (or check-in with fodor's) and if it looks good for the next 3 days, head straight up 95 to Portland. If that's too risky or already has had snowfall , continue on 10W as you approach Los angeles, spend the night in Ontario CA. In the morning after 9:15am, traffic should clear around Los Angeles so you're safe to leave Ontario heading for 210W to 5 North up through Sacramento by 4:30pm or so...if you get up to Willows or Redding you'll have 7 to 8 hours drive to Portland on the final day.