Driving Cross Country?

Question

I am driving across the country from New England to Oregon at the end of the month for a job. Since it will still be January and the middle of winter I am not sure what route is best to take. I am considering just driving straight across making it the shortest distance or going south where I know more people to stay with and the weather may be better. Going south may add a few days to the trip, but may make it more predictable.

If anyone has driven cross country in the winter time and has any advice, I would very much appreciate hearing it. If you have driven across country during a different time of year I would also love to hear your advice.

Answer 1

Personally, I'd go straight across. I do quite a bit of rural winter driving and I simply check weather reports along my route twice a day. I use Verizon and there's pretty good coverage across the country. The mountains can be a little spotty, both for weather and cell service, but it's doable. The weather man still isn't 100% accurate, but he's better than he was 30 years ago. And never wait until the last gallon to fill up. Have some spare food and water, and maybe a blanket, in the car too.



Or you can go south and just check out the country. It's a loooong way out of your way, but if you like road trips it might be fun!

Answer 2

The weather can get bad in the winter. In the open plains, snow and high winds are a problem and in the mountains it's snow and ice. It is not always bad, but probably will be some bad places. In the plains and west, sometimes the Interstates close. They put gates across the road, and you may be stuck until it gets cleared.



Going across the south may be better, but they can have some nasty ice on occasion. It is a lot farther to take I-10 to Los Angeles, but going up the Pacific coast it is usually warmer. I had bad experiences in March and December this past year on I-80 in Wyoming and I-84 in Oregon. I'm not driving that way in winter anymore.

Answer 3

Those mountain passes out west would be a real adventure this time of year.

As mild as our winter has been here in New England, they've been getting tremendous snow in the mountain states this year.

I'd go south.