Portland, OR to Tucson

[JGrving]

Looking for some input on which route to take. We are leaving the Portland area March 3rd or 5th/2023. We had planned on taking the CA route but with all the snow, we are now thinking a route through Boise and Salt Lake. Pretty new to towing. Towing a Cougar 24SAB with a ‘21 Ram 2500 Hemi 4.10 gears. Any input is appreciated.

Edit: Just realized I didn’t indicate that our destination is Atlanta, Georgia.

[JBM3M]

You will have "less" traffic on the Salt Lake route. Frankly I avoid CA, gas is much more expensive.

[JGrving]

Originally Posted by JBM3M

You will have "less" traffic on the Salt Lake route. Frankly I avoid CA, gas is much more expensive.

Thanks. Any advice on which weather apps to watch/trust as our go date approaches? Like I said, I am new to towing and am being very cautious about driving conditions.

[JBM3M]

I use a combination of weather apps, but for prediction I use Windy TV

[jsb5717]

We're also heading from Portland to Tucson but leaving 3/13. Our plan is to head over Mt. Hood...depending on weather. So far it's looking pretty good for that date. You could see some snow on 3/3-5.

[JGrving]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

We're also heading from Portland to Tucson but leaving 3/13. Our plan is to head over Mt. Hood...depending on weather. So far it's looking pretty good for that date. You could see some snow on 3/3-5.

Do you take 20 east to Boise and then 84 to SLC before heading south?

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by JGrving

Do you take 20 east to Boise and then 84 to SLC before heading south?

Our current plan, weather permitting, is taking 26 over the mountain, then 97 to Bend. From there south and taking 31/395 into NW CA, then 80 into NV.

We expect freezing night time temps down through OR but the weather is looking favorable. We have reservations along this route but will make alterations if the weather becomes threatening.

By the time we get to NV we should be in the clear for bad weather and things will be improved a month later when we return.

[travelin texans]

Been both ways & driving wise is about the same, going through California will cost about 50% more in gas. I try to avoid California wherever possible.
I will say this. Coming into Phoenix on 60 it will route you down the 303 loop, once you get back to I-10 don't go east, go west for just a couple miles to
Hwy 85 south towards Gila Bend following the signs to I-8 east then back to I-10 & on to Tucson. This will avoid Phoenix & much less traffic & stress. Towing, just driving, through Phoenix is a nightmare any time of the day.

[JGrving]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Been both ways & driving wise is about the same, going through California will cost about 50% more in gas. I try to avoid California wherever possible.
I will say this. Coming into Phoenix on 60 it will route you down the 303 loop, once you get back to I-10 don't go east, go west for just a couple miles to
Hwy 85 south towards Gila Bend following the signs to I-8 east then back to I-10 & on to Tucson. This will avoid Phoenix & much less traffic & stress. Towing, just driving, through Phoenix is a nightmare any time of the day.

Thanks for the routing tips for Phoenix.

[LHaven]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Coming into Phoenix on 60 it will route you down the 303 loop, once you get back to I-10 don't go east, go west for just a couple miles to Hwy 85 south towards Gila Bend following the signs to I-8 east then back to I-10 & on to Tucson. This will avoid Phoenix & much less traffic & stress. Towing, just driving, through Phoenix is a nightmare any time of the day.

Have you been here since they opened Loop 202? US60 to 303 south, east on I-10, then south on 202... avoids downtown entirely, rejoins I-10 just south of Chandler.

[msubobcats]

Just for your FYI.... Looks like there are + - 600 inches around Donner (I-80) and 700 inches around Mammoth Mountain (hwy 395).. Mammoth is far off 395 so that should not bother you, same with I-80, but an idea of what you could run into. Have a camera 📸 ready.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Have you been here since they opened Loop 202? US60 to 303 south, east on I-10, then south on 202... avoids downtown entirely, rejoins I-10 just south of Chandler.

Having just spent a month there, avoid I-10 between the 303 and the 202! Normal excessive traffic plus major road construction make for an unpleasant drive. The 303 to 85 to I-8 route to Tucson is much more enjoyable.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Having just spent a month there, avoid I-10 between the 303 and the 202! Normal excessive traffic plus major road construction make for an unpleasant drive. The 303 to 85 to I-8 route to Tucson is much more enjoyable.

You beat me with your response.
There's still too much crazy traffic between 303 & 202 for me.
We live about 1/2 way between Phoenix & Tucson & avoid I-10 going to either on side & back roads when at all possible.

[Canonman]

I'd reconsider an early March trip unless you are sure about the weather forecasts over any mountain passes. Northern Utah (OK, southern Utah as well) has been experiencing an exceptionally snowy winter this year. Many of our storms come through Oregon on their way here. Early spring (think early March) snow storms are pretty common.
I would recommend you error on the side of caution if there is any forecast of storms along the I-84 route to SLC. Also any storms along I-15 from SLC to St. George in southern UT.