From Oregon to Florida

[ScottGese]

My wife and I are planning to go to Florida next November or December. We want to avoid winter passes so are thinking about taking the coast Hwy. to Los Angeles area, Get on Hwy. 10 and take it all the way to Florida. Has anyone taken all or part of this route in Winter? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

 

[Rollin Ollen]

My wife and I are planning to go to Florida next November or December. We want to avoid winter passes so are thinking about taking the coast Hwy. to Los Angeles area, Get on Hwy. 10 and take it all the way to Florida. Has anyone taken all or part of this route in Winter? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

We lived on the West Coast of Canada for many years and have traveled that route numerous times. We have also stayed on I 5 from Portland to Redding and encountered SNOW around Grants Pass a couple of times so we now avoid it. Our latest trip began January of 2024. From Vancouver, we took I 5 to Tacoma then over to Westport and highway 101. You, of course, will be started further south. Highway 101 was in good condition all the way to Crescent City, California and beyond. From Crescent City we stayed along the coast to Fort Bragg. Depending on your rig, I would NOT recommend following our trail. Highway 1 from Leggat to Ft. Bragg is a terror!! Normally, we head inland to Redding and continue south on I 5 and then onto the 210 to Redlands where you pick up I 10. We did not encounter any road issues other than highway 1. Be aware, as you near the LA area there is a stretch of road called "The Grapevine". It is a considerable grade and it is said that there could be snow at the top. We have never seen any. There was ongoing road repairs to I 10 in Arizona especially in the Phoenix area. Perhaps they are complete now but, if not, signage was good and we did not encounter any serious delays. I don't remember any other issues. I think we may have hit some rough pavement in Louisiana but I'm not sure.

A side note: If you are not in too much of a hurry, I would strongly recommend following highway 1 and 101 along the coast starting from San Francisco. We love the journey. The views never get old. You pick up highway 101 at Ventura and it will take you to 210 and on to Redlands.

Safe travels.

Darrell

 

[Rich W.]

Really depends on the rig. The coast hwy through CA is a winding hilly slow road and even in 35’ coach some of the turns are a challenge. It is slow going and takes a lot longer and will take you out of your way if your goal is to hook up with “the 10” causing you to traverse a lot of LA. And if you got on it north of SF, it would take you right through the middle of that mess. It’s wonderful from Bodega Bay to Union Landing (nice private park at Westport on the beach) and up to Leggett, but not if you’re trying to get somewhere. Also that stretch from Leggett to Union Landing is a bit of a skills check - slow going and lots of tight turns and narrow with no shoulder.

My advice would be to save the Northern Ca coast hwy for a trip where that is the destination (it’s a wonderful area and I love going there) and use I-5 to get to 210 to 10 and then mosey on, unless of course you’ll be hitting the 210 any time during the day on a week day. Then it’s much better to take 5 to 58 at Bakersfield, to 247 to 62 and then hit Palm Springs on the 10.

You can also just take 58 to Barstow and head south on 15 to 210 but you can still hit a lot of traffic that way if your timing is off. 247 to 62 to 10 is all good road, pleasant, minimal traffic, and scenic (if you like desert). It also puts you in the Neighborhood of Joshua Tree which is a great place to stop if it works out with the travel plan.

You can experience some snow on both the Grapevine and 58 between Bakersfield and Barstow but it’s usually minimal and manageable. Unlike 80, 50, and the other Sierra passes. Watch for a weather window and head on out. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Just read Darrell’s post which reminded me of the stretch of I-5 between Ashland and Yreka. That is definitely also snow country so plan for a weather window there too. The alternative is to get on 101 somewhere north of Medford and get into Ca that way, but getting back to 5 on 299 is no picnic either. 101 all the way down to to Bay Area is ok, but then you’re stuck traversing that mess. I’d just stick with 5 and work around the storms.

 

[Raydawg]

We travel each year to our kids home for the holidays in SoCal from Whidbey Island, Washington.
We have left as early as the 3rd week in November, and return in the first or second week in January....
It has taken as long as 3 plus days getting home because of the weather, but that was a freak year with snow all the way down to the coast from Northern California up to Whidbey Island.
I have found I-5 the best way to travel because they spend the most energy on keeping it open.
I travel when I have a window of better weather, and only travel in daylight, and I find the biggest threat is fog, not snow.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Are you both retired?

If so why such a long trip during questionable weather?

When I was cruising, there was a time to set sail, everything else was either dangerous, or an uphill battle.

If that wasn't an answer, then, planning trips also require annual weather patterns if pleasure is the goal.

 

[Raydawg]

Are you both retired?

If so why such a long trip during questionable weather?

When I was cruising, there was a time to set sail, everything else was either dangerous, or an uphill battle.

If that wasn't an answer, then, planning trips also require annual weather patterns if pleasure is the goal.

Exactly..... if you are not on a tight schedule you have a lot of leeway and with todays ability to access information that affords you the ability to "plan" your best shot at traveling. Its not just winter weather and cold freezing roadways, its also wind and heavy downpour on flat interstates that can be a real PITA and dangerous to boot, and those conditions can pop up anytime along the 10.
Also, so many good apps that you can plan fuel stops, rest, etc, that make traveling on unknown roads much easier too!

 

[RollingManCave]

My wife and I are planning to go to Florida next November or December. We want to avoid winter passes so are thinking about taking the coast Hwy. to Los Angeles area, Get on Hwy. 10 and take it all the way to Florida. Has anyone taken all or part of this route in Winter? I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

I have taken 10 from Daytona Beach through most of Texas. If you have not traveled it, it is a cool adventure. Not to sure about your time period with the winds but you get those up north too. Never driven into California except one time. Flew into Nevada with my nephew and rented a car to drive to Casa something. I was interested in a Macgregor 26m and toured the factory. Loved the weather but the traffic sucks in Jed territory. I use there airport sometimes for international travel. Lots of folks rent cars and drive them up to Minneapolis and Wisconsin. Seems every time I rent a car in those locations I get a California plate. Maybe the FBI should put some hidden cameras on the grill of a few of them to see what all the fuss is about. Enjoy your trip, drive safe and watch out for the White collar gang bangers.

 

[ScottGese]

We lived on the West Coast of Canada for many years and have traveled that route numerous times. We have also stayed on I 5 from Portland to Redding and encountered SNOW around Grants Pass a couple of times so we now avoid it. Our latest trip began January of 2024. From Vancouver, we took I 5 to Tacoma then over to Westport and highway 101. You, of course, will be started further south. Highway 101 was in good condition all the way to Crescent City, California and beyond. From Crescent City we stayed along the coast to Fort Bragg. Depending on your rig, I would NOT recommend following our trail. Highway 1 from Leggat to Ft. Bragg is a terror!! Normally, we head inland to Redding and continue south on I 5 and then onto the 210 to Redlands where you pick up I 10. We did not encounter any road issues other than highway 1. Be aware, as you near the LA area there is a stretch of road called "The Grapevine". It is a considerable grade and it is said that there could be snow at the top. We have never seen any. There was ongoing road repairs to I 10 in Arizona especially in the Phoenix area. Perhaps they are complete now but, if not, signage was good and we did not encounter any serious delays. I don't remember any other issues. I think we may have hit some rough pavement in Louisiana but I'm not sure.

A side note: If you are not in too much of a hurry, I would strongly recommend following highway 1 and 101 along the coast starting from San Francisco. We love the journey. The views never get old. You pick up highway 101 at Ventura and it will take you to 210 and on to Redlands.

Safe travels.

Darrell

Darrell
Thanks for the information. I'll map this out and see what it looks like. I've been on 101 south of San Francisco to the redwoods. It is beautiful. Can you recommend or warn about places to stay along the way?
Thanks again
Scott

 

[ScottGese]

Really depends on the rig. The coast hwy through CA is a winding hilly slow road and even in 35’ coach some of the turns are a challenge. It is slow going and takes a lot longer and will take you out of your way if your goal is to hook up with “the 10” causing you to traverse a lot of LA. And if you got on it north of SF, it would take you right through the middle of that mess. It’s wonderful from Bodega Bay to Union Landing (nice private park at Westport on the beach) and up to Leggett, but not if you’re trying to get somewhere. Also that stretch from Leggett to Union Landing is a bit of a skills check - slow going and lots of tight turns and narrow with no shoulder.

My advice would be to save the Northern Ca coast hwy for a trip where that is the destination (it’s a wonderful area and I love going there) and use I-5 to get to 210 to 10 and then mosey on, unless of course you’ll be hitting the 210 any time during the day on a week day. Then it’s much better to take 5 to 58 at Bakersfield, to 247 to 62 and then hit Palm Springs on the 10.

You can also just take 58 to Barstow and head south on 15 to 210 but you can still hit a lot of traffic that way if your timing is off. 247 to 62 to 10 is all good road, pleasant, minimal traffic, and scenic (if you like desert). It also puts you in the Neighborhood of Joshua Tree which is a great place to stop if it works out with the travel plan.

You can experience some snow on both the Grapevine and 58 between Bakersfield and Barstow but it’s usually minimal and manageable. Unlike 80, 50, and the other Sierra passes. Watch for a weather window and head on out. Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Just read Darrell’s post which reminded me of the stretch of I-5 between Ashland and Yreka. That is definitely also snow country so plan for a weather window there too. The alternative is to get on 101 somewhere north of Medford and get into Ca that way, but getting back to 5 on 299 is no picnic either. 101 all the way down to to Bay Area is ok, but then you’re stuck traversing that mess. I’d just stick with 5 and work around the storms.

Rich
Thanks for the reply. I'll map this out as well. Just curious, I've never had my RV in snow conditions. Do you ever have to chain up? Can you recommend or warn of any places to stay along the way?
Thanks again
Scott

 

[ScottGese]

We travel each year to our kids home for the holidays in SoCal from Whidbey Island, Washington.
We have left as early as the 3rd week in November, and return in the first or second week in January....
It has taken as long as 3 plus days getting home because of the weather, but that was a freak year with snow all the way down to the coast from Northern California up to Whidbey Island.
I have found I-5 the best way to travel because they spend the most energy on keeping it open.
I travel when I have a window of better weather, and only travel in daylight, and I find the biggest threat is fog, not snow.

Thanks for the reply Raydog.
I'm curious how you handle snow conditions. Do you carry/use chains in snow conditions? As I've asked the others who commented, can you recommend or warn of any places to stay along the way?
Thank you
Scott

 

[ScottGese]

Are you both retired?

If so why such a long trip during questionable weather?

When I was cruising, there was a time to set sail, everything else was either dangerous, or an uphill battle.

If that wasn't an answer, then, planning trips also require annual weather patterns if pleasure is the goal.

Kevin
Yes, We're both retired. Why do most people go south in the winter? We love the Spring and Summer here in Oregon. It's the drab and dreary cold and rain we want to escape and that's November to March.
Thanks for your comment
Scott

 

[RollingManCave]

Rich
Thanks for the reply. I'll map this out as well. Just curious, I've never had my RV in snow conditions. Do you ever have to chain up? Can you recommend or warn of any places to stay along the way?
Thanks again
Scott

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[ScottGese]

I have taken 10 from Daytona Beach through most of Texas. If you have not traveled it, it is a cool adventure. Not to sure about your time period with the winds but you get those up north too. Never driven into California except one time. Flew into Nevada with my nephew and rented a car to drive to Casa something. I was interested in a Macgregor 26m and toured the factory. Loved the weather but the traffic sucks in Jed territory. I use there airport sometimes for international travel. Lots of folks rent cars and drive them up to Minneapolis and Wisconsin. Seems every time I rent a car in those locations I get a California plate. Maybe the FBI should put some hidden cameras on the grill of a few of them to see what all the fuss is about. Enjoy your trip, drive safe and watch out for the White collar gang bangers.

Thanks for the reply. "White collar gang bangers???" Haven't heard of this.

 

[Raydawg]

Thanks for the reply Raydog.
I'm curious how you handle snow conditions. Do you carry/use chains in snow conditions? As I've asked the others who commented, can you recommend or warn of any places to stay along the way?
Thank you
Scott

Always carry chains, and I have a 4X4 truck, HOWEVER, I have never used them only because I pay attention to the weather and drive only after the road crews clear the roads and only in daylight.
You can pretty much make it from Oregon, over the pass, through Shasta, and into Redding without much ado if you get that window. I think January and February you get the most snow as it has accumulated and makes it colder, November is a snap, snow is usually pretty much gone after a event. Stay to the main roads, and take your time to enjoy it, we only pass once through this life.....

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Darrell
Thanks for the information. I'll map this out and see what it looks like. I've been on 101 south of San Francisco to the redwoods. It is beautiful. Can you recommend or warn about places to stay along the way?
Thanks again
Scott

You don't say what kind of rig you have nor do you list your starting point or how you like to travel. It would be easier for us to know a little more info so we can be a little more precise. We like to travel about three to four hours a day. We full time so rarely are we in much of a rush. We will travel further if we are trying to out run some weather but more often, we would just stay put until a storm passes.

Anyway, this was our route south from the west coast starting in Oregon. Without a doubt, one of the nicest places we have stayed is the Winchester Bay Resort located just a little south of Reedsport Oregon....but since you live in Oregon, you are probably aware of it. In Crescent City we stay at the Lighthouse Cove RV Park. It is nothing special but we like overlooking the ocean and they have long pull throughs so for us, it's an okay overnighter. If we plan to visit friends (or see the city of SF) our next stop is usually the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah. Again, nothing special but a good overnighter with pull throughs. If heading to I 5 we used Green Acres in Redding. Again, just because it is close to I 5 and has good pull throughs. Our next stop on I 5 would be Flag City RV Resort near Lodi. A resort it is not, but again, convenient and a pull through. In Bakersfield the only place we stay is the Orange Grove RV Park. Without a doubt, in our opinion it is the nicest in the area plus, one gets to harvest some Oranges right off of the trees in season. From there we use Lake Cahuilla Regional Park near La Quinta in the Coachella Valley. It is a bit off of I 10 but it's also not along the expensive strip. If we arrive during the week we spend two days here just to take a break. It is warm and the place is not too busy so it's quiet and reasonably priced compared to the strip. Next is Desert Gold about 15 miles east of Quartzsite just off of I 10. It is clean, quiet and not crowded like everything else around Quartzsite. There are lots of opportunities' to boondock in the area but we find them to be busy and a bit on the dirty side. In Tucson, we stay at Gilbert Ray Campground. There is lots to see and do in the area. Very close by is the Sonoran Desert Museum (a bit of a zoo and botanical gardens) as well as Old Tucson which is a movie set used to make Westerns etc. The Pima Air and Space Museum is also worth a look. We stay at a friends place in Wilcox but there are RV Parks in the area. If you do stay near by and if you like wine (this is Arizona's wine country) DON'T try any!! We went for a few tastings with or friends and were very disappointed (but we didn't tell them that .

We have never "just" traveled I 10 through New Mexico and Texas. We have always side tracked to see the sites so if you are just dead heading to Florida you are on your own but if you plan on being away for the winter, there are just so many sites to see along the way, one should really take in some. White Sands, Roswell (okay, Roswell is pretty hokey but at least you can stroke it off of your bucket list) and Carlsbad Caverns is an interesting side trip. Hill Country in Texas is a must in our book. San Antonio and Austin are worthwhile side trips. Lots to see and do in New Orleans. We stay at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego. It's close enough to the Quarter but also other attractions like Jean Lafitte Preserve (to see gators). So much history in the area we have been back a number of times.

This is getting a bit long. If you would like specifics for along the gulf I can let you know where we have stayed but for the most part we just wonder. We have six months before we have to be back in Canada so we kind of just go where the wind blows us. I don't like to be in any one place for more that a week or two.

If I can offer any thing more, I am happy to oblige. safe travels!
I have added a Google Earth screen shot showing our travels over the last 7 years of full time traveling.


Darrell

 

[ScottGese]

Always carry chains, and I have a 4X4 truck, HOWEVER, I have never used them only because I pay attention to the weather and drive only after the road crews clear the roads and only in daylight.
You can pretty much make it from Oregon, over the pass, through Shasta, and into Redding without much ado if you get that window. I think January and February you get the most snow as it has accumulated and makes it colder, November is a snap, snow is usually pretty much gone after a event. Stay to the main roads, and take your time to enjoy it, we only pass once through this life.....

Thanks for the reply.

 

[ScottGese]

You don't say what kind of rig you have nor do you list your starting point or how you like to travel. It would be easier for us to know a little more info so we can be a little more precise. We like to travel about three to four hours a day. We full time so rarely are we in much of a rush. We will travel further if we are trying to out run some weather but more often, we would just stay put until a storm passes.

Anyway, this was our route south from the west coast starting in Oregon. Without a doubt, one of the nicest places we have stayed is the Winchester Bay Resort located just a little south of Reedsport Oregon....but since you live in Oregon, you are probably aware of it. In Crescent City we stay at the Lighthouse Cove RV Park. It is nothing special but we like overlooking the ocean and they have long pull throughs so for us, it's an okay overnighter. If we plan to visit friends (or see the city of SF) our next stop is usually the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah. Again, nothing special but a good overnighter with pull throughs. If heading to I 5 we used Green Acres in Redding. Again, just because it is close to I 5 and has good pull throughs. Our next stop on I 5 would be Flag City RV Resort near Lodi. A resort it is not, but again, convenient and a pull through. In Bakersfield the only place we stay is the Orange Grove RV Park. Without a doubt, in our opinion it is the nicest in the area plus, one gets to harvest some Oranges right off of the trees in season. From there we use Lake Cahuilla Regional Park near La Quinta in the Coachella Valley. It is a bit off of I 10 but it's also not along the expensive strip. If we arrive during the week we spend two days here just to take a break. It is warm and the place is not too busy so it's quiet and reasonably priced compared to the strip. Next is Desert Gold about 15 miles east of Quartzsite just off of I 10. It is clean, quiet and not crowded like everything else around Quartzsite. There are lots of opportunities' to boondock in the area but we find them to be busy and a bit on the dirty side. In Tucson, we stay at Gilbert Ray Campground. There is lots to see and do in the area. Very close by is the Sonoran Desert Museum (a bit of a zoo and botanical gardens) as well as Old Tucson which is a movie set used to make Westerns etc. The Pima Air and Space Museum is also worth a look. We stay at a friends place in Wilcox but there are RV Parks in the area. If you do stay near by and if you like wine (this is Arizona's wine country) DON'T try any!! We went for a few tastings with or friends and were very disappointed (but we didn't tell them that .

We have never "just" traveled I 10 through New Mexico and Texas. We have always side tracked to see the sites so if you are just dead heading to Florida you are on your own but if you plan on being away for the winter, there are just so many sites to see along the way, one should really take in some. White Sands, Roswell (okay, Roswell is pretty hokey but at least you can stroke it off of your bucket list) and Carlsbad Caverns is an interesting side trip. Hill Country in Texas is a must in our book. San Antonio and Austin are worthwhile side trips. Lots to see and do in New Orleans. We stay at Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego. It's close enough to the Quarter but also other attractions like Jean Lafitte Preserve (to see gators). So much history in the area we have been back a number of times.

This is getting a bit long. If you would like specifics for along the gulf I can let you know where we have stayed but for the most part we just wonder. We have six months before we have to be back in Canada so we kind of just go where the wind blows us. I don't like to be in any one place for more that a week or two.

If I can offer any thing more, I am happy to oblige. safe travels!
I have added a Google Earth screen shot showing our travels over the last 7 years of full time traveling.
View attachment 28062

Darrell

Darrell
Our starting point is Brownsville, Oregon. Four miles from I-5 and straight across from Newport, Oregon on the coast. Currently driving a 25 ft. Jayco class C but it's old and I plan to upgrade to something newer before we go. Trying to decide if I should stick to a class C or try a class A.
Thank you for this post. It'll help me plan things out. I have relatives just North of San Antonio and will be stopping there for a few days.
How do you like full time traveling?
Scott