Road trip Chicago to Portland, OR!

April 30, 2013 9:10 AM

Has anyone driven from Chicago to Portland, OR? I need to know the best way.

Two of us leaving this Friday trying to get to Portland without any sightseeing. There seems to be two routes that are roughly the same driving time. I-80 or I-94. Both going through entirely different state profiles. So, strictly from a drivng standpoint, which one is more scenic? Thanks.

posted by repoman to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

This time of year I'd do I-80, because it'll be warmer. There will be more potential for unexpected snow (especially in mountain passes) along the northern route. Although Nebraska is a pretty boring state to drive through. Not that North Dakota is exactly happening, but I think it's more scenically interesting.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:14 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

A third option is I-90 all the way. This takes you through Rapid City, South Dakota, home of Mt. Rushmore, and very close to the spectacular Devil's Tower, Wyoming. You won't see them out your window while driving by, but if your itinerary allows time, these are worth getting off the interstate to see.
posted by The Deej at 9:25 AM on April 30, 2013

For pure scenery, I'd do I-90. Nebraska and most of North Dakota are snoozefests. The good stuff starts when you get into western South Dakota and it's pretty awesome for the rest of the way. croutonsupafreak does have a point about snow, though - what kind of car do you have?
posted by desjardins at 9:30 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: what kind of car do you have?

It's an old 1994 Ford F150 truck in pretty good shape. No four-wheel drive.
posted by repoman at 9:40 AM on April 30, 2013

I assume that you have to have your truck when you're there, but just in case you don't, the Amtrak Empire Builder from Chi To Pdx is a fantastic route. Not sure how familiar you are with train travel, but you get to see areas that are not exposed to the road, as well as old mining towns, Glacier National and a ride through the Columbia River Gorge right before you arrive. It took 44 hours when I took it in 2008.
posted by SpicyMustard at 9:44 AM on April 30, 2013

I've done both I-80 and I-90. 90 is much, much more scenic and interesting. The drive through Montana alone is worth it. In the more boring spots of South Dakota we tried to take state highways parallel to the interstate. It didn't take much longer and was more interesting.

NB: Mt. Rushmore is definitely worth a stop, but try to time it so you're not staying the night in Keystone. It's a bizarre, over priced, tourist trap of a town.
posted by apricot at 9:47 AM on April 30, 2013

Well, I'd just check the weather forecasts when you leave and if there are any major storms predicted, take the southern route. I-90 in Montana between Bozeman and Missoula can get kind of hairy in the snow. Being from Chicago, you know how it drives in normal snow on flat land, but the mountain passes are a different scenario entirely.
posted by desjardins at 9:49 AM on April 30, 2013

I've done 80 (a few times) and 90. 90 is more scenic, but it's also more stressful, especially this time of year, when the weather in North Dakota and Eastern Montana can be unpredictable. If you don't have four wheel drive and want to ensure a no-weather-hassles option, I would do 80, which will be smooth sailing this time of year. Plus the rest stops on 80 are nicer and there are more food/coffee options.
posted by Lutoslawski at 10:02 AM on April 30, 2013 [1 favorite]

90 all the way. I highly recommend avoiding scenic routes and byways if you are used to driving only on the flat lands of the midwest.
posted by rokabiri at 10:21 AM on April 30, 2013

Are you in a particular hurry?
If not, US-20 out to US-26 in Oregon is definitely the most interesting and scenic way out to Portland.

If you're leaving on Friday, you'll have to detour around Yellowstone since it looks like the entrance road is still closed, but other than that, it should be pretty open.
posted by madajb at 12:43 PM on April 30, 2013

I strongly disagree with the recommendation to take US-20 to US-26 to Oregon unless you already have chains for your tires and experience with pulling over to install them on your truck, plus experience with driving with chains on. It's pretty common to encounter snow on US-26 over Mount Hood at this time of year, and I suspect that mountains further east will likewise present challenges.

You can read about Oregon's chain and traction tire requirements here. According to tripcheck.com, you need to carry chains and/or traction tires for about 15 miles on Highway 26 today, and smaller roads in eastern Oregon are closed right now because of severe weather hazards and snowfall.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 1:10 PM on April 30, 2013