Driving to Idaho

[RockSquash]

I am driving to Coeur d' Alene Tuesday, Dec 21 2010 from Crescent City CA.
Crescent City is on the coast of the California Oregon border. There should be quite a bit of snow so I am looking for recommended routes.

I have a 4wheel drive pickup with chains. I was planning on 97 up to Bend OR, but north of that I am unfamiliar.

Anyone know this trip? I would consider slightly longer routes for the scenery, maybe one route there and a different back to see more. Safety is most important though, wife and toddler will be along for the ride.

[bisjoe]

I have done the trip north from there several times. You might make a stop at Sisters, OR, very scenic little town if the weather is good. Not worth the trouble if not, 26 can get pretty nasty. After Bend, Redmond and Madras there's very little to see. Pretty much high desert all the way to I90, with some straight, flat roads. Once you hit 90 and head east you'll start to see more forested
terrain. There's enough travel on the 97 and 90 that the roads should be kept in good shape unless there's a nasty blizzard.

[RockSquash]

Washington's website says 97 has a moderate problem:

"US 97 Both Directions -
Traction Tires Required on Satus Pass,
US 97 in both directions, from milepost 20 to 32."

How is cutting east at the WA/OR border on either 30 or 14, then on to 395?

[redwood66]

Which route did you take?

I moved to Post Falls from Crescent City and we always drive 199 to I5 to 205 to I84 to 395 to I90. Fastest for me.

[RockSquash]

Originally Posted by redwood66

Which route did you take?

I moved to Post Falls from Crescent City and we always drive 199 to I5 to 205 to I84 to 395 to I90. Fastest for me.

We when up around Crater Lake to 97 > 84 > 395 > 90 for the trip North. For the return trip I decided to avoid Bend and the snowy roads. We used your route except we went through Portland. I imagine 205 would have been faster. The 84 from 97 to Portland, through the Dalles, was fantastic. It was an easy drive and it was really really beautiful. I will definitely use that route from now on just for the scenery.

[JeepinPanther]

I went up from Oregon into Washington then strait over east though Idaho into Montana..that bit though Idaho into Montana was weird flat grass, flat grass, flat grass, flat grass, more flat grass BOOM MOUNTAINS AND TREES!!! the transition was that quick. Somone could nod off in the car for a few minutes and wake up thinking they'd been asleep half the day it was so dramatic.

[Musicinabottle]

AAA is always a great source for finding the best routes to a place. They always give you the mileage too.

[Nuke]

How was your trip?

[RockSquash]

Perfect. The drive went great. We got just enough snow to enjoy but not cause problems.

My wife and boy enjoying Idaho....

[Nuke]

A fireman!