need information about driving from seattle to san diego in december 2003

Hello,

we have about 10 days of holidays during christmas and are planning on driving
from seattle to san diego (i know it is long but we don't mind taking breaks in
between and doing it relaxed way)

wanted some information regd the same:

1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some all
wheel drive truck etc?

3. how long would it take approx?

4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days to do
this.

5. also, will mt rainier and mt helens be open to drive in dec?


thanks for any information.
suraj

On 23 Oct 2003 21:27:40 GMT, suraj wrote:

wanted some information regd the same:

1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

Mostly, yes. There are some high passes that may require you to have
chains on the vehicle, and some road (including I-5, the main interstate
highway) that is closed during storms. If the road is closed, you don't
go anywhere.

An alternative route might be US Highway 1 or 101 -- beautiful and
sometimes quite treacherous. Same sorts of problems, though it's more
likely to be mudslides rather than snowstorms closing the road.

Have you ever driven in snow and ice? Siskiyou Summit on I-5 isn't the ideal
spot to have to learn. I've been through there in December when it was
clear and dry. I've also been through there in December when it was icy
enough that I was fairly apprehensive... and I've been driving on snow and
ice for 30+ years without an accident.

2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some all
wheel drive truck etc?

Snow chains have to be carried even if they're not needed. Know how to
put them on... they can save your life. Some vehicles are allowed to use
studded tires in Oregon and Washington states... they'd be heck to ride
on in S. California, and possibly illegal there.

Some of the tire dealers have a policy where you can buy chains to fit
the vehicle, and return them in unused condition for a full refund.

Sites for you to review:
http://www.tripcheck.com/Winter/winterindex.htm
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/road/mnts/mntbas.htm
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter/
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm

Whatever you're driving, make sure it's in top notch mechanical shape
before you leave. Pay particular attention to the heater, air conditioner,
windshield wipers and tires. All can be critical for winter driving.

3. how long would it take approx?

If you drive steadily and don't stop except for minimal breaks and a reasonable
night's sleep, about 2 days on I-5, one way. Not recommended. I've done it.
No fun. Add more time for any storms.

4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days
to do this.

Lots of places. What are you interested in?
See for instance:
http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
http://www.traveloregon.com/
http://www.byways.org/

If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los Angeles, and
then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
rent a car on that end.

Coast Starlight is part of the Trails and Rails program of the National
Park Service, too.

Kay Lancaster

"suraj" wrote in message
...
we have about 10 days of holidays during christmas and are planning on
driving
from seattle to san diego (i know it is long but we don't mind taking
breaks in
between and doing it relaxed way)

wanted some information regd the same:

1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

2. do we need snow chains? would a normal car work? or should it be some
all
wheel drive truck etc?

3. how long would it take approx?

4. are there any places that we can visit on the way. I have about 5 days
to do
this.

5. also, will mt rainier and mt helens be open to drive in dec?

It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've done it
many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your chances of
needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you plan
to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains as
you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the elevation
of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't spend
much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste of
money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
December driving.
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website there are 3000 live cameras or
visit NASA, play games, read jokes, send greeting cards & connect
to CNN news, NBA, the White House, Academy Awards or learn all
about Hawaii, Israel and mo http://keith.martin.home.att.net/

Kay:

The Coastal Starlight goes straight through to San Diego. It only stops in Los
Angeles for less than an hour to change the train personel.

BBOOTH
Who lives in San Diego and has taken the Coastal Starlight from San Diego to
Los Angeles.

On 24 Oct 2003 02:42:06 GMT, Kay Lancaster
wrote:

On 23 Oct 2003 21:27:40 GMT, suraj wrote:

wanted some information regd the same:

1. is it safe to drive from seattle to san diego during winter?

Mostly, yes. There are some high passes that may require you to have
chains on the vehicle, and some road (including I-5, the main interstate
highway) that is closed during storms. If the road is closed, you don't
go anywhere.

An alternative route might be US Highway 1 or 101 -- beautiful and
sometimes quite treacherous. Same sorts of problems, though it's more
likely to be mudslides rather than snowstorms closing the road.

And it can be quite dreadful rainstorm weather along US-101 (US-1
lies along the east coast). California Hwy-1 is incredibly scenic
but not a good choice in rainy weather, but US-101 is pretty good
although there can be snowy conditions at some higher points, and
these conditons will exist due to the same storms causing rain
along the coast.


************* DAVE HATUNEN ) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *

"Bbooth202" wrote in message
...
Kay:

The Coastal Starlight goes straight through to San Diego. It only stops in
Los
Angeles for less than an hour to change the train personel.

BBOOTH
Who lives in San Diego and has taken the Coastal Starlight from San Diego
to
Los Angeles.

And it is notorious for not keeping to its schedule or being ontime. KM
--
(-:alohacyberian:-) At my website there are 3000 live cameras or
visit NASA, play games, read jokes, send greeting cards & connect
to CNN news, NBA, the White House, Academy Awards or learn all
about Hawaii, Israel and mo http://keith.martin.home.att.net/

Lots of places. What are you interested in?
See for instance:
http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
http://www.traveloregon.com/
http://www.byways.org/

If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los Angeles, and
then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
rent a car on that end.

Thanks for the information. We planned on this one. our original plan was to go
one way on amtrak and then the return way drive. hence wanted the details.

however, we found out that during the holidays and for the days i wanted, there
isn't any availability for standard bedrooms on amtrak for startlight. now
thinking go one way on air and return driving. i love driving and have very
less experience driving in snow. but want to.

how difficult is it to travel 2 days in the coach? (non bedroom seats) those
are available.


thanks,
suraj

It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've done it
many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your chances of
needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you plan
to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains as
you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the elevation
of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't spend
much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste of
money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
December driving.

thanks for the information.

so we can't even visit helens and rainer in seattle in december? is it that
bad? anyway, what is the recommended way to visit them during december 20-25
time frame? are they open at all?

thanks,
suraj

"suraj" wrote in message
...
Lots of places. What are you interested in?
See for instance:
http://www.tripcheck.com/General/linkstourism.htm
http://www.traveloregon.com/
http://www.byways.org/

If you don't have a specific reason to travel by car, consider
taking the train -- the Coast Starlight travels this route to Los
Angeles, and
then you can pick up one of the commuter trains to San Diego. It's
a beautiful trip, and a whole lot less stress than winter driving can be.
http://www.amtrak.com/trains/coaststarlight.html
San Diego has a reasonable public transit program if you don't want to
rent a car on that end.

Thanks for the information. We planned on this one. our original plan was
to go
one way on amtrak and then the return way drive. hence wanted the details.


Be sure you know about any one way car rental charges,
they can be quite high. Personally I'd drive one way along
the coast and back by the Inland route up the Freeways

Keith

"suraj" wrote in message
...
It's very safe to drive from Seattle to San Diego in the winter, I've
done it
many times and never had a mishap or a problem or a situation I'd call
dangerous or even hazardous. I've never used chains or 4 wheel drive. The
prettiest way to make that drive would be along the coast and your
chances of
needing tire chains are less than one in ten thousand; however, it you
plan
to travel on I-5 there is an extremely slim chance you might need chains
as
you head south out of Ashland until you begin descending from the
elevation
of Mt. Shasta. But, again, chains are rarely needed and you shouldn't
spend
much time worrying about it. An all wheel drive vehicle would be a waste
of
money and those vehicles get much worse fuel economy than to ordinary
passenger cars. It will take you approximately 25 - 48 hours driving time
depending on which routes you select. Figure 4 or 5 days of leisurely
driving, but do take Mts. St. Helens and Mt. Ranier off your lists for
December driving.

thanks for the information.

so we can't even visit helens and rainer in seattle in december? is it
that
bad? anyway, what is the recommended way to visit them during december
20-25
time frame? are they open at all?


You should be able to get into the lower levels of Rainier via the
Nisqually entrance but you'll need tyre chains. Mount St Helens
is impossible. The roads are closed from late October to May

Keith