Need Some Advice IL To WA

[jfxg48]

Circumstances, as they often do, have dictated a change in plans. We're now going to be heading west from northern IL to Seattle, starting in late October. We figure to follow the I-90 corridor.

Has anyone crossed the northern tier at this time of year? Advice on possible weather, the nature of the mountains through MT, ID, and WA, and any really interesting places to stay would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[RVerOnTheMove]

The weather should be great. Oh sorry, the weather will be terrible. Oh sorry, no one has any idea what the weather will be. Assuming it's not snowy or icy you will have a great trip (just as you would on any Interstate highway). If the weather is terrible you will need to plan a delay in your travel plans until things improve.

[tbutler]

There aren't any really bad (gear jamming) mountain areas along this route. You will have some extended grades, certainly not northern Illinois flat. Just before you reach Seattle, you will pass through Snoqualmie Pass which is notorious for snow closures during the winter. There are also other areas with elevations high enough that there are gates for closing the highway during winter storms. Late October this shouldn't be a problem but as Bill has forecast, that may not be the case. Check your favorite weather program before you leave camp each morning. Determine what the overall picture is for weather along your travel for the day. If you have doubts, check the weather as you travel. If possible you can also tune in the Weather Channel during a rest or lunch stop to check on weather if you are really faced with some possible difficult weather. When it comes to winter travel, it is always better to be snowed in when you are in a campground, not along the road somewhere. A day or two of delay is always advised if bad weather is forecast. This can include high winds, heavy rain, fog or smoke. The end of September does hail the beginning of the wet season in the northwest US and you will likely see some rainy days and wet roads.

Interesting places to stay, depending on how far off the road you want to go include Wall Drug, Badlands National Park in western South Dakota, Rapid City, SD and the Black Hills, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. You will also pass near the Little Bighorn National Battlefield in eastern Montana. These don't all have places to stay, check information on each attraction. Sometimes it is just nice to have a change of pace and get off the road for an hour, or a day or two. The badlands mentioned above are an excellent opportunity for this. The national park stretches for about 40 miles, paralleling I-90 about 10 miles south of the interstate. You can simply drive through (slowly) and if you want to stop there are numerous places to pull off the road to view the scenery or to stop for a short rest. Almost all the stops are RV friendly and that time of year you should have no problem getting in and out. At each end of the park it connects back to the interstate via a N/S road.

There is some nice scenery along this route, give yourself some extra time so you don't have to rush through it. Have a nice trip.