Road Trip Mission of Mercy

Hey all, I'll spare the details but have to rent a van and take a road trip from the Boise area to Lakeport CA for a family member next week.

I want to avoid large cities and with the following route I only have to go through Redding:

-> Ontario OR 20 west
->395 S to 299 W
-> 139S to 299 W
->I5 S to CA 20W to Lakeport

My question: Does anyone know if the roads are generally free of snow and driveable from 395 to I5? Will it be a tough drive or reasonably do-able?

I know, worst time of year to travel but it's a bit of an emergency.

 

Ah yuck, I've gone across upper Nevada and up to Boise from Sacramento. Cutting over thru Oregon is not a good time for snow. I would think going any non Oregon route would be better/minimal snow.

 

Thanks, it's been fairly mild this year but I want to avoid Reno if I can. Not seeing another way around unless via Mexico.

 

Some live stuff to assist you.

https://dot.ca.gov/travel

live cameras

https://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm

 

Either routes it probably going to suck, I would prepare snow chains/cables or pay premium prices at the check points.

Excluding your reason to avoid big cities. If I was making that run, I would probably go 95 -> 80 -> 20. Only because if you needed help i feel like your chances are better there. Also that's more of a straight shot with less curvy roads.

Which ever routes you decide, I wish you safe travels.

 

This website is good tool for snow levels.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1045012.html

 

Yeah that's the usual route, it was the Tahoe summit I wanted to avoid more than anything . . . . and yeah the phones are dead for like 4 hours out there. Left Monday AM, loaded the van and got out of there Tuesday AM home by Tuesday night. 1367 miles without excessive speeding.

I brought chains, chocks, tools, all the usual stuff.

It's a beautiful desert drive though , the reflections on Lake Abert were nothing short of stunning. The grades weren't too steep and only a few slow spots through the whole trip. All roads clear, we got lucky with this unseasonably mild winter. I am done driving for a while LOL