Can you drive from Oklahoma to Oregon without going over mountains?

Question

I'm moving to Oregon in January from Oklahoma and I am worried about getting over the mountains in the winter. What is the best way to get to Oregon with the least amount of snow? We figured we'd go through Arizona, but are worried about actually getting to OR from California. Thanks

Answer 1

The direct answer to your question is no, you can't drive to Oregon from any direction without going over (snow covered) mountains. That said, the information the other answers gave is correct. You can also come into the state from the north or the east, but both involve other mountain ranges that are far more likely to be cosed due to snow that I-5 is.

I recommend that you locate some places along the route that offer free Internet access - such as where the public libraries are if you don't have a laptop computer to use in a hotel room. Then keep an eye on the weather forecast for the next day or so to see if snow is expected. What will surprise you is that in January and February there are always a couple of weeks where the temperature is very warm - as high as the 70's some years. No snow to worry about then! Another website you want to know about is http://www.tripcheck.com. This site gives you road conditions throughout the state and includes the northern part of California too. Take a look at it now as we are having a cold snap - about the worst that you might find if driving - so it's a good time to look at what conditions would be like if things were cold. You will see I-5 is most likely open - probably down to only one lane - but open at the California border. Also watch how long it takes for the pass to open up again fully and to have almost no snow on it.

And welcome to Oregon - I think you'll love it here - I do!

Answer 2

. I have driven this route many times. Just get on I-40 and head west. If you stay on I-40 , you will go through the highest point, or at least the area with the most snow at Flagstaff Arizona. I have been there in December, January, Feb. and March. Yes their can be snow, but the roads are kept clean, and the road is in very good condition. The actual part of the road, where you go over a pass at Flagstaff, is not a big deal. Relax. The next highest, and a bit steeper is the pass just west of Mohave Calif., near Tehachapi. Again, not much of a chance for snow, as it is desert, but the road, though smooth, and a double lane, is a bit steep. What are you driving? Or what are you pulling? Regardless, I have traveled a lot, and the best route is I 40 West, , at Barstow, take the last exit off off I-40 to 58 West, and head towards Kramer Junction, which is just a few miles from Mohave. If you do not need fuel take the new freeway around Mohave, West to Tehacapi, over the hill to Bakersfield, ( you are following the route of the folks during the Great depression days). Stay on 58 to 99 north at Bakersfield. You can stay on 99 untill you get north about 200 miles to either French Camp road, just north of Manteca, or to Hwy 12 at Lodi, then take either one of these west to I-5. Take I-5 north to OREGON.; As I said, I have many, many thousands of miles driven on these routes, and these are the shortest, and actually the least chance for snow. Again , the roads are kept clean. You can pick up some drifting snow, although rarely across parts of New Mexico, and eastern Arizona. But this is the best route. Pick up a set of snow chains, just in case. The only other place I can think of you might hit a bit of snow is from Mt. Shasta north into Oregon, but the roads are maintained. Do not attempt to go north up the east side of the Sierra Nevadas, as this is empty land, with all the high passes closed during the winter. Come over to 99, and 5. Good luck, and if you need any other info, write me.

Answer 3

Once you get to southern california, I-5 goes north up the central valley without hitting too many mountains, a few near bakersfield,(Grapevine), then pretty flat until north of Redding, 600 miles north, that would be an easy way, but north of Redding, this time of year, there WILL be snow, take chains.Call California road conditions 800 number, 1-800-GAS-ROAD.Good luck.