Seattle to Portland in January, scenic route?
Dec 11th, 2015, 08:10 PM
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Seattle to Portland in January, scenic route?
We'll be leaving Seattle mid-January and have some time to kill before we need to be in Portland at the beginning of February. We'll be traveling in a GMC Safari AWD, towing a 19' vintage Airstream trailer. We know it won't be much of a view since it's January, but still want to check out the coast and mountain views if we can. Any recommendations or tips for this time of year?
Dec 11th, 2015, 09:29 PM
#2
Sorry -- but IMO Jan. is not a time to be doing a camping/vintage airstream trip in the mountains or on the coast. If the long range forecasts are even close to accurate this winter will be extremely stormy.
Dec 11th, 2015, 09:29 PM
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I used to drive that every wk or two and in March especially I don't think there is any 'scenic' route. Its better to get into Portland and spend a day along the Columbia River Gorge. You could divert from I-5 at Longview and go thru Astoria and down to Seaside or Cannon Beach but that would only be if you could overnite on the coast for a day or two before heading to Portland.
Dec 11th, 2015, 09:32 PM
#4
Ouch
The usual way between Seattle and Portland is a 3 to 4 hours drive(incl. stops) down a boring freeway past random towns and farms.
When you say "some time to kill" exactly what do you mean? A leisurely day? A month? a few days?
There are 2 general alternatives, depending on your preference and, in January and early Feb. for alternative 2, your driving skill in snow.
Alternative 1 - The coast:
Go via the coast. Highway 101 along the coast is for the most part remarkably unscenic ... it is mostly through scrub forest, poor farming areas, and along side big, unremarkable bays ... never (or rarely) in sight of the coast. That description is fairly accurate regardless of whether you drive along the Olympic peninsula or via Olympia thence to the coast, thence to Astoria and Portland. If one were to drive it straight through one could do it in a day, but 2 or more would be preferable
... But ...
There are lots of spur roads that extend from hwy 101 to the real ocean coast, both in the Olympic Nat. Park and further south like to Ocean Shores, or Westport, or the Long Beach peninsula. Most of them I'd not bother unless I was spending a day or two or preferably more for each such side trip.
Warning: the Washington ocean coast (with a few notable exceptions) is not as *spectacular* as the Oregon coast. Many would prefer to drive I-5 quickly to Oregon, then go to the Oregon coast west and south of Portland.
If that suits your fancy, then many on here would be willing to make lots of detailed suggestions.
Alternative 2 - The Cascade Mountains and East Side
In February the Cascades will (hopefully) still be covered by *feet* of snow. All of the secondary roads will either be closed or impassible driving a trailer. All of the major roads will most likely be open (I-990 east from Seattle, US 14, or I-84 from the east side through the gorge to Portland. Like I say, be open (they do sometimes close during heavy snow ... more often close to trailers)... and some days they will be free of snow .. but figure your chances of having snow and or ice *on* the road are great. (Incidentally, US 12 has a number of major washouts this week ... repairs and reopening are going to take awhile, no date set.)
A very nice trip is over the Cascades from Seattle via I-90, or over the Cascades via US 12 from south of Chehalis, both to Yakima, thence over more mountains to the Columbia River Gorge and through it via I-84 or WA-14 to Portland. In early February you are likely to have snow and or ice *on* the roadway the entire way, or just as likely, have plowed or sanded roads the whole way, or just as likely, clear roads.
If one tore through the whole way with hard driving it would be possible to do it in one day, but you should plan on 2 days or more.
Side trips to Rainier would be possible, but with even more snow problems. Side trips to St. Helens would likely be impossible due to snow.
If that suits your fancy, and *only* if you are comfortable pulling your trailer through ice or snow then many would be willing to make lots of detailed suggestions.
Lots of 18 wheelers and lots of people drive cars, and a few trailers, drive the highways on that route during all but the worst snowstorms ... but all those people are used to, and good at, driving in snow and/or ice.
Weather:
In late Jan. and early Feb. on the coast (Alternate 1) its likely to be rainy and chilly and damp .. lots of clouds, maybe lots of wind. You could run into snow a bit, but not usually. And you could luck into a few sunny, breezy days, but don't plan on it.
In late Jan. and early Feb. in the Cascades (Alternate 2) it's still mid winter. You have equal chances of having snow storms or rain, or bare roads or snow covered roads or icy roads or just clouds blocking the view of the mountains. But the view is great if you hit a day where the weather is good. It's likely to be near freezing - a little above or a little below below.
Once to are east of the summit, say from Cle Elum to the Columbia Gorge, it is likelier to be colder and sunnier (but could be snowy or rainy).
It's not an ideal time to go that route unless you enjoy mountains and snow.
The usual way between Seattle and Portland is a 3 to 4 hours drive(incl. stops) down a boring freeway past random towns and farms.
When you say "some time to kill" exactly what do you mean? A leisurely day? A month? a few days?
There are 2 general alternatives, depending on your preference and, in January and early Feb. for alternative 2, your driving skill in snow.
Alternative 1 - The coast:
Go via the coast. Highway 101 along the coast is for the most part remarkably unscenic ... it is mostly through scrub forest, poor farming areas, and along side big, unremarkable bays ... never (or rarely) in sight of the coast. That description is fairly accurate regardless of whether you drive along the Olympic peninsula or via Olympia thence to the coast, thence to Astoria and Portland. If one were to drive it straight through one could do it in a day, but 2 or more would be preferable
... But ...
There are lots of spur roads that extend from hwy 101 to the real ocean coast, both in the Olympic Nat. Park and further south like to Ocean Shores, or Westport, or the Long Beach peninsula. Most of them I'd not bother unless I was spending a day or two or preferably more for each such side trip.
Warning: the Washington ocean coast (with a few notable exceptions) is not as *spectacular* as the Oregon coast. Many would prefer to drive I-5 quickly to Oregon, then go to the Oregon coast west and south of Portland.
If that suits your fancy, then many on here would be willing to make lots of detailed suggestions.
Alternative 2 - The Cascade Mountains and East Side
In February the Cascades will (hopefully) still be covered by *feet* of snow. All of the secondary roads will either be closed or impassible driving a trailer. All of the major roads will most likely be open (I-990 east from Seattle, US 14, or I-84 from the east side through the gorge to Portland. Like I say, be open (they do sometimes close during heavy snow ... more often close to trailers)... and some days they will be free of snow .. but figure your chances of having snow and or ice *on* the road are great. (Incidentally, US 12 has a number of major washouts this week ... repairs and reopening are going to take awhile, no date set.)
A very nice trip is over the Cascades from Seattle via I-90, or over the Cascades via US 12 from south of Chehalis, both to Yakima, thence over more mountains to the Columbia River Gorge and through it via I-84 or WA-14 to Portland. In early February you are likely to have snow and or ice *on* the roadway the entire way, or just as likely, have plowed or sanded roads the whole way, or just as likely, clear roads.
If one tore through the whole way with hard driving it would be possible to do it in one day, but you should plan on 2 days or more.
Side trips to Rainier would be possible, but with even more snow problems. Side trips to St. Helens would likely be impossible due to snow.
If that suits your fancy, and *only* if you are comfortable pulling your trailer through ice or snow then many would be willing to make lots of detailed suggestions.
Lots of 18 wheelers and lots of people drive cars, and a few trailers, drive the highways on that route during all but the worst snowstorms ... but all those people are used to, and good at, driving in snow and/or ice.
Weather:
In late Jan. and early Feb. on the coast (Alternate 1) its likely to be rainy and chilly and damp .. lots of clouds, maybe lots of wind. You could run into snow a bit, but not usually. And you could luck into a few sunny, breezy days, but don't plan on it.
In late Jan. and early Feb. in the Cascades (Alternate 2) it's still mid winter. You have equal chances of having snow storms or rain, or bare roads or snow covered roads or icy roads or just clouds blocking the view of the mountains. But the view is great if you hit a day where the weather is good. It's likely to be near freezing - a little above or a little below below.
Once to are east of the summit, say from Cle Elum to the Columbia Gorge, it is likelier to be colder and sunnier (but could be snowy or rainy).
It's not an ideal time to go that route unless you enjoy mountains and snow.
Dec 12th, 2015, 05:22 AM
#6
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The only rational way to drive from Seattle to Portland in mid-January is straight down I-5.
If you have the good luck of a clear day, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Rainier as you drive out of Seattle.
You will have a good view of our State Capitol as you drive through Olympia.
The area around the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is beautiful, and there are a couple other short scenic stretches as you drive on from there to Portland.
Once in Portland, you will be near two highly scenic areas: the Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast.
HTtY
If you have the good luck of a clear day, you will have spectacular views of Mt. Rainier as you drive out of Seattle.
You will have a good view of our State Capitol as you drive through Olympia.
The area around the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is beautiful, and there are a couple other short scenic stretches as you drive on from there to Portland.
Once in Portland, you will be near two highly scenic areas: the Columbia River Gorge and the Oregon Coast.
HTtY
Dec 12th, 2015, 06:58 AM
#7
Here are the free or cheap places to park the trailer in the Columbia River Gorge or on the Oregon coast.
https://freecampsites.net/#!Oregon&query=region
You may want to try the parking lot of the casino near Tillamook.
https://freecampsites.net/#!Oregon&query=region
You may want to try the parking lot of the casino near Tillamook.
Dec 12th, 2015, 07:38 AM
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We make this drive every single week, and have for years, as we live in both areas. All the advice so far is spot on. It is typically 3 hours city to city, and not particularly scenic. The I-5 route is your best bet with a trailer. Just add your extra time to either end instead.
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