Thinking of doing a trip to California from NJ with some stops along the way. We would have a Month so we can take our time along the way. We would be using our Audi Q5 with All season tires. We probably can only do it in Jan-March do to commitments. Curious how bad is the Northern route. Are there good weather apps to look at as we could head south if weather turns bad. Are the National parks open in the winter?
Trip NJ to Calif in February
- Thread starter raaizin
- Start date
All of the national parks should be open year round as they are tax payer funded. I know that the Grand Canyon definitely is open 365 days a year as one of the park rangers told me. The NWS should have a good app or a states local dot. In Colorado CDOT has live road cameras all over with a 24 hour road conditions number.
Approximate route
.....salient interests....museums vs gardens....breweries...shopping
quality level of accommodations....
how will eating be handled
age of participants
.....salient interests....museums vs gardens....breweries...shopping
quality level of accommodations....
how will eating be handled
age of participants
NPs should be open but will close temporarily with bad weather in the forecast.
NWS doesn't have an app but the webpage will be fine using your phone. Not only do you get first hand info of winter weather warnings etc...they will offer winter weather probabilities for snow amounts for an event greater than whatever amount you select (for example it might say 100% chance of at least 1" snow, 96% chance of at least 2" snow, 79% chance of at least 4" snow, 37% chance of at least 6" snow, 6% chance of at least 8" snow etc..., same with ice). https://www.weather.gov/cle/winter
Enjoy! I love road trips!
NWS doesn't have an app but the webpage will be fine using your phone. Not only do you get first hand info of winter weather warnings etc...they will offer winter weather probabilities for snow amounts for an event greater than whatever amount you select (for example it might say 100% chance of at least 1" snow, 96% chance of at least 2" snow, 79% chance of at least 4" snow, 37% chance of at least 6" snow, 6% chance of at least 8" snow etc..., same with ice). https://www.weather.gov/cle/winter
Enjoy! I love road trips!
Ya might hit snow in the prairies and Rockies. Sometimes it's predictable and sometimes it's a surprise. I'd worry more about the mountains because they can really wring precip out of the clouds, but a strong wind on flat land can cause snow drifting. Detouring to "The Southern Route" mid-trip will add hundreds of miles of inconvenience, might be better off doing a local tourist thing for a day while they clear the roads.
All season tires... meh... you'll get a lot of dry miles on them so the cost/benefit is probably in your favor of just keeping them on. I'd bring spare wipers and headlight bulbs though as Feb is pretty dark.
+2 on the NWS, their website has no BS, no ads, loads quickly, and is well formatted.
All season tires... meh... you'll get a lot of dry miles on them so the cost/benefit is probably in your favor of just keeping them on. I'd bring spare wipers and headlight bulbs though as Feb is pretty dark.
+2 on the NWS, their website has no BS, no ads, loads quickly, and is well formatted.
In the winter, you will likely run into closures and generally dismal conditions/views if you pick Route 90 or even 80. Seasonal/snow closures can impact your destinations.
I tend to prefer driving in the deep South during the winter months. Just a personal preference, there is plenty to see along with far less gloomy conditions. Can be a nice escape from winter.
Something fun, the interstate system as a "transit map":
Some time back, this was said to be the perfect road trip. While my interests don't coincide with this map, you could develop your own set of national destinations. In New Mexico for example, I was fascinated to visit the National Nuclear Museum, drive the rural mountain roads in the snow and ride the Sandia peak aerial tramway. Same goes for Alabama. Stopped by the NASA facility and watched an SSME test run from WAY TOO CLOSE. That was wild. Find the things that interest you (anywhere) and put them on the map. Then see if the roads connect in a way that works.
Forgot to add, your AWD vehicle will not meet the requirements of some snowy passes, even with chains and even when there is no snow.
There may not always be cops there to stop you. But often lately, there is a government agent.
There may not always be cops there to stop you. But often lately, there is a government agent.
An "all weather" tire with the snowflake symbol would take care of that problem.
What's the calculated distance on that route lol
In Colorado, even in poor conditions, if the road is open all wheel drive will make you “legal”. Chains only required on larger trucks. As others have mentioned, the real issue with winter trips is not only snow but blowing and drifting snow. And it isn’t only you and your vehicle’s abilities, Interstates can be closed for days (ask me how I know…).
For coming into California via I-80 check requirements for R1, R2, and R3 conditions.
R1: Chains or snow tires are required on all 2WD vehicles
R2: Chains are required on all 2WD, 4WD/AWD vehicles must have snow tires
R3: All vehicles must use chains. R3 results usually in road closures.
You don't want to get snowed in at Donner Pass.
I have gotten snowed in a few times in the Tahoe area and in the Eastern Sierra. In one case I could not leave town for 5 days.
R1: Chains or snow tires are required on all 2WD vehicles
R2: Chains are required on all 2WD, 4WD/AWD vehicles must have snow tires
R3: All vehicles must use chains. R3 results usually in road closures.
You don't want to get snowed in at Donner Pass.
I have gotten snowed in a few times in the Tahoe area and in the Eastern Sierra. In one case I could not leave town for 5 days.
Last edited:
The chain business on Donner Pass is no joke. At least you could kick around Reno and eastern Nevada if it's closed. Also, I-80 across Wyoming closes pretty often, as GON discussed here: Consistently the most dangerous stretch of Interstate in the USA Fall- Winter- Spring- I80 Wyoming
I can't really answer your question about the northern route, except to recommend a southern route instead. I've taken I-40 to access places all around the Southwest from fall through early spring--including Moab, Mesa Verde, Santa Fe, White Sands, and Grand Canyon. Winter will be an excellent time of year to see the southern Utah parks and Grand Canyon, too. Crowds will be thinner and the weather is cool to cold but mostly dry and sunny. (Even so, I spent a March night among idling trucks in a McDonald's parking lot somewhere between Texas and Tucumcari waiting for the highway to open. Rain across Oklahoma turned to freezing rain at Amarillo and snow by the New Mexico line.)
Wherever you go, check national park websites for local conditions. Weather can vary dramatically depending on elevation, and a lot of the higher areas have long-term seasonal road closures. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon and part of Mesa Verde are closed in winter, for example.
I can't really answer your question about the northern route, except to recommend a southern route instead. I've taken I-40 to access places all around the Southwest from fall through early spring--including Moab, Mesa Verde, Santa Fe, White Sands, and Grand Canyon. Winter will be an excellent time of year to see the southern Utah parks and Grand Canyon, too. Crowds will be thinner and the weather is cool to cold but mostly dry and sunny. (Even so, I spent a March night among idling trucks in a McDonald's parking lot somewhere between Texas and Tucumcari waiting for the highway to open. Rain across Oklahoma turned to freezing rain at Amarillo and snow by the New Mexico line.)
Wherever you go, check national park websites for local conditions. Weather can vary dramatically depending on elevation, and a lot of the higher areas have long-term seasonal road closures. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon and part of Mesa Verde are closed in winter, for example.
Not a good time of the year to take a cross-country trip, especially in the northern half. One time I did it in February I got caught in a blizzard in north western Kansas hiding into Colorado. You just never know what you can run into on the Great Plains or the mountain passes along the way. I would plan on taking a far southern route. Just my opinion.
West of the Mississippi I would tend to stay not much north of Route 66, You get to places like Wyoming, exits are far, far apart and the potential for road closing snow is great in winter.
To the south, you can see Carlsbad Caverns, Tombstone Arizona, Death Valley National park, the Mohave Desert. I wouldn't want to go through Donnor Pass unless my travel companions were very tasty.
To the south, you can see Carlsbad Caverns, Tombstone Arizona, Death Valley National park, the Mohave Desert. I wouldn't want to go through Donnor Pass unless my travel companions were very tasty.
I-80 in Wyoming can be completely shut down in winter due to snow and winds. They actually have gates across the Interstate that WYDOT will close, if the weather gets bad. Utah has serious snow removal equipment, but you can be caught in storms that UDOT might have trouble keeping up with. They also have traction laws in the canyons which will be enforced if the weather is severe enough. All season tires even with AWD won't cut it. You'll need at least 3PMS rated tires, and possibly chains.
You've already been apprised of what the Sierra's could be like.
Of course you might luck out and have nice weather the entire way. Just plan on being prepared.
You've already been apprised of what the Sierra's could be like.
Of course you might luck out and have nice weather the entire way. Just plan on being prepared.
When roads like I-80 are closed, they are closed. I’ve spent the night (or more) waiting for them to open.
No combination of chains and tires gets you past the Sheriff or State Trooper when the road is closed.
Most National Parks are still open, but often there are parts of the park that are closed from September to May. This picture was taken in Rocky Mountain National park in late June. Behind us is the road. When they say closed, they mean it.
No combination of chains and tires gets you past the Sheriff or State Trooper when the road is closed.
Most National Parks are still open, but often there are parts of the park that are closed from September to May. This picture was taken in Rocky Mountain National park in late June. Behind us is the road. When they say closed, they mean it.
Make that western Nevada.
We did this drive maybe fifteen years ago Cleveland to Coeur d'Alene. Mt Rushmore is something to see and the vast emptiness is impressive. Crossing the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi is neat along with the rocky topography that suddenly manifests. After that, there is Mt Rushmore and, of course, Wall Drug. Crossing into Montana you begin to see the Rocky Mountain range in what appears to be a half hour's drive. After a half hour, it's still quite distant.
We did this in April and while there was still snow at higher elevations in shady patches the roads were all dry.
I don't think I try this route during the winter, though. Too much potential for weather disasters.
We did this in April and while there was still snow at higher elevations in shady patches the roads were all dry.
I don't think I try this route during the winter, though. Too much potential for weather disasters.
Similar threads
