I'm considering driving home for Christmas. I'd be leaving the Bay Area on December 26th and driving all the way to Madison, WI.

I've driven 80 in the winter, but it was ugly (snowing at Donner Pass), and a long time ago (1999).

Any input? I'd be driving alone, and have not made this trip in the MINI yet.

 

First question; what kind of tires do you have? Summer performance tires would be bad in the snow and mountains.

Mark

 

For a short trip that far? (how long are you staying?) Take a plane.
I love road trips, but winter road trips to the great white north?

 

Yes I agree...if there were flights available on the dates I need!

 

Currently I have summer tires. I have the option of putting winter tires on though.

 

I've done the easy portion of this drive in a different vehicle and said "never again." Don't know if my experience translates however.

My trip was from the Denver area to Michigan (through the U.P., so routed pretty closely to Mad-town) in a soft-topped Jeep Wrangler. My primary complaints were related to driving fatigue associated with the soft-topped Jeep, and the cross-winds as I traversed Kansas (took the southern I-70 route on the way East, came back West on I-80). While I was in Michigan, we managed to get 36" of snow in 36-hours, which did make for some fun in the Wrangler.

My advice, if you're to go through with the trip would be:
1) Yes, put on your winter tires.
2) Plan on no more than 750 miles per day. Don't be afraid to be a wimp.
3) At the soonest sign of road weariness, get thee off the road. Take an hour long break somewhere where you can sit-down and eat (and get your eyes off the road!).
4) Don't hesitate to call it a night once the sun sets.

My trip had a hairy moment when coming back between Omaha and Lincoln Nebraska. The roads were *packed* (as they always are travelling that time of year) and it was just getting into the evening hours. I was in the left lane travelling at 45mph (which was about the top speed on the highway at the time) and I hit some black ice (associated with the sun going down). I fish tailed, overcorrected, put myself into the right lane, overcorrected, put myself back in-and-then-through the left lane, wound up in the center median travelling parallel to the freeway but pointed at an angle 45º towards the highway, and for about 10 seconds-that-seemed-to-last-a-week chanted the mantra in my head over and over again: "Don't Roll Don't Roll Don't Roll Don't Roll..." Once I came to a stop, I finally was able to swear. Ended up waiting about 15 minutes for a break in the traffic (there was a lot of curiousity slowing, and as I stated the highway was *filled* with traffic) and limped along the rest of the way to Lincoln. When I finally got out of the Jeep, I found a collection of tall straw jammed into my rims and driver's side door. Couldn't *wait* to call it an evening that night...

The MINI's not a Jeep, but the conditions promise to be similar to what I did a few years ago. I'd not want to make that trip in any vehicle under similar conditions ever again.

My personal solution is likely even less-palattable, however: no willing travel back to the mid-West between the months of October through April. Flying into inclement weather destinations is a non-starter for me during the holidays (sorry Mom and Dad!).

~Neal

 

I've done KC to Portland and back in a Geo Metro Sedan with All seasons on it. If that can be done, anything can be done.

Not to say that it was an easy trip. I left Portland with light snow forecast for the mountains, ended up in a blizzard with 24'' of snow in 10 hours. Only made it to Boise that night but it was the longest 14 hours of my life.

The trip should be beautiful this time of year...but you're taking a risk. Is the risk worth the reward?

 

Yeah my general issues are that I hate flying, and that no matter what, there's no flight available in either direction unless I have overnight layovers.

Well crap, for what I'd spend on hotel, I can spend on gas and get there in almost the same amount of time, minus the cost of the flight altogether.

I'm not *afraid* to drive it in the winter. When I moved here in 1999, I drove it in a hot-pink Chevy Cavalier that had some cheap, $40-apiece tires on it and the only place I was afraid was coming over the Sierras. BUT that was also the only place it snowed.

My general conclusion is that if it doesn't snow, it'll be a breeze. If it snows the whole way, I will be miserable. If it snows part of the way, I won't be thrilled but it'll be aight.

I don't know what to do, I'm torn. On one had I'd like the adventure, on the other, I don't really want to die.

 

Driving that far will easily cost you the $600 - $800 dollars a plane ticket runs. Probably $200 in gas one way so $400 in gas round trip and then the wear and tear on the car which is easily that much. Fly even if tickets are $1000... or stay...

 

If flights are a problem fly into Chicago and take the train up to Madison or rent a car.

 

I just cashed in major frequent flyer miles for a ticket. I decided if the weather looks good when we get closer, I'll drive. If its even moderately questionable, I'll fly.

 

Take a train. I think the Amtrak price from SF to Chi is less than $400 RT and would take about 2-1/2 days. More comfortable than flying and safer than driving in the winter thru Wyoming IMO.

 

Mel, speaking from experience here.

Regardless of which tires you have, get a set of cables.

Take along an emergency kit with water, food, several flares, etc. A cell phone of course, but if you're stuck in a blizzard, they'll need visuals (flares) to find you. A sleeping bag and heavy coat. Gloves of course, and a warm cap or ski mask.

Gas stops are few and far between across Nevada and Wyoming.

The Sierra's won't be half the problem as I-80 across Wyoming. The Sierra's have a lot of places to pull off, and lot's of CHP patrols.

 

Thanks Jim...that's more of the advice I was looking for as opposed to just "don't do it".

 

In Canada we call this ditch wear. Good points though Gromit. Candles are a good thing to have too, they will keep the inside of the car warm if you get stuck in the middle of nowhere. A folding shovel would also be a good idea. And it you have room, a bag of kitty litter can help you get unstuck by providing traction. Also make sure your windsheild washer fluid is winter rated.

Ok, now your ready to hit the road

Mark

 

And Clara will be packed full!!

 

How about organizing a "Clara Takes the States" run?

 

Ha! And hand us off every 200 miles or so?

 

Sure. How better else to spend part of the holidays. Heed the advice of those above, be safe, and let us know how the trip went.

 

I agree with this.......but would definitely recommend snow tires. Another big problem is snowfall and high winds that can make visibility zero, particularly between Rawlins and Laramie, and Laramie and Cheyenne. Also, be aware that if the conditions are really bad, there will be road closures that can last for hours or days. One more heads up, there is a lot of dead space on those roads where there is no cell phone coverage at all.That said, best of luck........and have a great trip!

 

Hey! You didn't say "how do I do it", you said "any input"


On the 'how to be prepared' front, don't forget an ice scraper/snow brush and a can of de-icer that you bring in with you at night. No, we don't have locks to unfreeze, but in freezing rain the window can get stuck and not let the door open. Ask me how I know.

 

If you make it to Iowa and need a hand (get stuck or whatever) let me know I am more than willing to help out!

 

This is dead on correct. My brother lives in Cheyenne. He's lived there since 1981. He won't drive long distances in the winter in Wyoming because of the chance of sudden snow, blizzards, and white-out conditions brought on by high winds.

This is one of the reasons I've been hoping more NAM members would get on the Members Listing for Travelers. Just looking at the Members Map, once you're past Sacramento there aren't any members listed between there and your destination. The closest are two listings near Iowa City, and one near Denver.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=112197

 

More than once I have had to crawl in through the hatch

Mark

 

Here's an idea: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...key=THDSiteMap