How would you break up this road trip (if at all)?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m not actually seeking advice because we’re probably going to play it by ear, but I’m curious to see how others would approach this.

Later this year, my wife and I are going to take a road trip from LA to Seattle. Google Maps predicts the drive will take 17 hours. We have three days in which to complete the trip. We’re both perfectly capable of driving, although we both prefer it when I drive (I just tend to like driving and I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to being in a car, so it’s best for everyone).

So say you were in this same situation. 17 hours of driving without a huge rush on you. Two capable and willing drivers. The thrust of your vacation is actually at the destination, but you’re free to take an indirect route if that suits you. Or you’re free to power through and get there as quickly as possible. How do you approach it? (Poll to follow.)

Bonus question: given the specific route of LA to Seattle, where would you choose to spend the night, based on however many days you’re planning to drive? And where might you wander off to?

2

By “complete the trip”, do you mean one way or returning to LA?

Round trip= trade off, make the drive in one chunk.

One way= let the control freak drive, check into hotel, finish the next day.

ETA: I would not drive the whole way through in one go with one driver.

3

In similar situations, I’ve stopped only for gas (cooler with food & drink, bathroom breaks combined with fuel stops). I’m all about getting there, and have even switched drivers in motion.

4

I’m talking about one-way. Our time constraints are totally different on the return leg, so I’m not factoring that into this poll.

5

Personally, if I had three days to do it, I would take all three days, assuming there isn’t some constraint we are not aware of. That is, if the car is a beater and might die along the way and there is some horrible penalty if it takes more than three days, then I would power through in two days. I don’t think I could realistically do it all in one day unless I had some real motivation. Personally, I would drive LA to the Bay Area, stop for a quick break there, and end the day just North of the area staying in a small town/cheap motel given how expensive hotels are in the big city. Second day, I would go for Southern Oregon; Ashland or Eugene if I felt up to it. Then Seattle the last day.

6

I *can *power through long trips, but if you’ve got the time, that’s a gorgeous part of the country (I’ve never actually been, but the pictures look nice). Two days.

7

I like to do all the driving but if I have someone with me, I’d let them drive some.

Definitely 2 days. Maybe 6 hours a day for you and 2.5 for Mrs. I used to be more of a power driver but I notice as I get older (and I quit smoking), I’m not as much in to it. Eight hours is a max.

I dunno about sight seeing, but I voted for that.

8

The most I can ever recall driving in a single day was 10 hours (on a remarkably similar trip) from LA to Klamath Falls, OR. Going for a similar amount of time would get us to about Medford on Day 1, which wouldn’t be bad at all. It means we’d get to Seattle on Day 2 without being completely wiped out. I think that’s my gameplan for the time being, although I’ll remain flexible.

9

I assume your plan is to take I-5 all the way down?

(Advice coming from someone who has never done this trip and would like to see some of the things on this route… Also I’m assuming that there is no difference to you if you take 1 day or 3.)

If I had three days, I might go down I-5 to Portland, then take SR 99/18 to Lincoln City, then the 101 into SF. From SF, I would take the PCH all the way down into LA.

I would do this to see the redwoods and the pacific coast (Monterey, Los Padres National Forest, etc). I’ve got three days to kill, and the above route is a 24 hour drive - 7 hours longer than the shortest way (I-5), but far more scenic. You could do shifts of 10, 10, and 4 hours if you wish.

I’ve seen enough highways in the US to understand that they’re really all the same - the good, interesting stuff will be away from the interstates.

10

Of course, I get the route backwards - for some reason, I read the OP as going from Seattle to LA. Sorry about that.

11

Depends on what you have seen in that part of the country. I haven’t seen much of northern California, so I would do it in two days. Day 1 would get to about Redding as fast as possible, then go over to the redwood forests along the coast. Take your time along the second part, find dinner and a place to stay the night. Day 2 would go north some more, maybe still along the coast. Then go back inland around Portland and do the last part as fast as possible.

So then each day is part hard driving, part sight seeing.

12

No worries; the idea is the same. I think we’re going to have more time to go way off the beaten path on the way home, but it’s still worth considering. I’ve lived in CA my entire life, and I’ve still never seen the redwoods.

We’ve done the PCH trip, however, so that one is less of a draw (although I highly recommend it if you’ve never had the pleasure).

13

Personally, I’d take 395. First stop Mammoth Lakes or Lee Vining, second stop Bend. Save the powering through for the trip home with a stop in Medford.

14

Mcgato and I think alike here, though I would also take the time to do the PCH. WTH, I got three days to kill, right? :slight_smile:

ETA: Just saw your reply. Kill the PCH and do as Mcgato says.

15

Definitely don’t do it in one day: that will result in you being so exhausted you will spend the next two days recovering.

16

For me, the journey is part of the trip. I’d spread it out to the three days and find some interesting spots to stop along the way.

17

Fugeddabout Medford. It’s just a clone of San Fernando Valley. Ashland is just a few miles away, and is vastly prettier.

Ashland reminds me very much of Sebastopol.

18

Whatever you do, you should stop in Portland and have a beer or a bite to eat with one of us PDX dopers.

The longest I’ve ever driven in one shot was about 14 hours, and it was absolutely miserable. It was between southern Oregon and Kalispell, MT. Very pretty drive, lots of scenery. I was by myself so I could listen to my own music choices… still, halfway through the drive I was ready for it to be over. Just way to much windshield time.

Given that experience, I recommend splitting it up into 3 days, with lots of little side trips off the freeway. There isn’t a whole lot to see along I-5, at least not the part I’m familiar with (Ashland to Portland), but get ten minutes from the freeway and there is a lot of beauty that doesn’t see much tourism. The Rogue and Umpqua valleys in particular have some striking scenery.

I can recommend some specifics, if you want.

19

If you stick with this plan, you can stop in Salem, Oregon, for lunch with me and a quick tour of the very interesting historic building in which I work. :smiley:

20

As someone who is well acquainted with most of the route living now in Oregon near Eugene and having lived in San Luis Obispo County for 20 years with parents who live in Ventura County, I would take all 3 days. I’ll share what I would do with the following assumptions: One, the car is in good shape; and two, there’s a lot along this route you haven’t already seen.

The whole PCH is fabulous, but some parts are more fabulous than others. As much as I love the stretch between Morro Bay and Monterey, I would avoid this route at this time of year. First, it’s filled with tourists, too many of whom are dancing their elephant-like RVs on a road not designed for them. Second, when The Valley is hot, it sucks the fog right in against the coastline. You could spend the entire miserable route following a Winnebago and looking out at nothing but cloud cover. Third, the route is much more spectacular traveling north to south. So as stunning as it is, skip it going south to north.

Likewise, skip I-5, unless you want to fill your days with the stench of slaughterhouses, dust and Sacramento. Eeeww.

Get an early start and take the 101 north to San Francisco. Push on a little further and spend the night in a funky little B&B in the wine country, in either Napa or Sonoma County. If you cut over to Guerneville at Santa Rosa, you’ll find a bunch of charming little places. This is a nice “compromise” route. Lots to see and do along the way, picturesque but not the torturous drive along the slow, curvy coastal route on the 1. You’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge in late afternoon and if you time it right, you can grab dinner at any of a generous number of fine establishments in the wine country. Driving time will be about 8 1/2 hours, not including stops at charming farm stands, pictures snapped in Sausalito, etc.

Next day, maybe do a couple little tastings, have a nice brunch and then resume your route along the 101 north to Eureka. From Eureka, continue along the coast into Brookings, OR. THAT… is some spectacular country to drive, not to be missed. It will take you through some of the most gorgeous redwood forests you’ve ever seen. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a herd of elk browsing in someone’s yard. No shortage of spots to take jaw-dropping photographs. Brookings is a sleepy little town with some stunning beach views. Again, I would pick a B&B in Brookings over a regular hotel. Lots of restaurant choices… you can’t go wrong with our seafood, but the vistas are the reason to be there. Be sure to try some of our boutique brews, if you’re into that sort of thing.

Day three, push on along the coast from Brookings to Newport. It’s beautiful the whole drive but it ain’t Big Sur – which is a good thing! Far less traffic, not as many twists and turns and just as gorgeous. From Newport, drive east on the 20 to I-5 and shoot up through the trees into Seattle. This is your longest day of driving, about 9 1/2 hours. But the scenery makes it worth it. Newport is a sweet little town, nice stop for lunch. Have halibut in one form or another if possible, try a few Oregon wines. We’re good at Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir.

Anyway, that’s what I’d do. Whatever route you choose, take some time to enjoy it! So much to see and do all along the way between those two points!