Driving to Arizona help?

[Phyrie]

Hi all,

Well, it's virtually certain, we're driving to Arizona for Christmas. I've arranged for Kiba to spend the holiday with his favourite sitter, so we're good to go. Now, for all you Yankees out there, what's the drive going to be like?

We will come south through Seattle and take the I-5 down, probably as far as San Bernadino, befrore heading east. Normally we would turn east at Bakersfield, but we don't want to make that drive in the winter! So the question is:
What can we expect as far as road conditions go? Paul, having been born, raised, and lived his whole life on this island, is a rather nervous driver on strange roads to start with, but add the thought of snow/ice and he's already a nervous wreck! Does anyone have experience and/or knowledge of these roads in December? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Our car should be pretty good in the snow, as it's heavy, rear wheel drive, and big (a 2009 Chrysler 300) but we don't have snow tires or anything like that... Does anyone think we will need them?

Thanks for your help.
Phyrie

[kian]

There is always a chance of Snow up the Cajon Pass and through Bakersfield. The morning drive through there can be a pain with the commuters, so it would be best to wait to take the pass a little later in the morning. Give yourself plenty of time as we have taken that route in December and have found the highway can have some ice on it. We never needed snow tires, however, there have been times when chain up has been required on the pass. Best to watch the forecast a few days before and if you think you need to change routes, we are happy to help. We travelled that a lot from California to Arizona.

Have a great trip!

[kriswak]

Since you aren't turning east in Bakersfield. You will be going over the grapevine. The pass north west of Los Angeles.
It also can be closed due to snow/ice in the late evening or early morning. Sometimes they have to do escorts through.
Definitely would try to go over the pass mid-day.
I would take the 10 to AZ not the 60 in Winter.

Do you have chains? I don't know what the 5 is like through northern California. If I were you I would bring chains.

You can also call 1-800.427.7623 for current highway conditions in California.

[Anonymous15235]

I've made the drive from Seattle to Arizona quite a few times.. I'd expect some Rain (shocker) in the Washington area, fog in the evening time in oregon, rainy just like washington. I-5 is pretty smooth drive all the winters I did that drive. Bakersfeild is just a hole on the map nothing there but some hotels. cali shoudl be ok for you but Kian is better at that. i made that drive 5 years in a row, never hit snow, just rain in Wash/Ore nothing in California, and coming from san Bernadino to AZ ( i just made that drive last week) you won't have any problems...n I do agree though, take the 10 to phx

I'm SOOOOOO excited for you to come to Arizona!!!