Road trip advice, snow edition (PDX to Minneapolis)
March 16, 2020 9:19 AM Subscribe
I'm immunocompromised and have an important doctor's appointment in Minneapolis next week, so I'm driving there from Portland, Oregon. What kinds of snow conditions can I expect if I follow this route? Mainly: I-82 and 395 through eastern Washington, and I-90 through Montana, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
I will have a 4WD vehicle and a driver who's very accustomed to snow driving, but probably not snow tires.
Answers for segments of this route appreciated; I don't expect anyone to know the whole stretch. :)
Also, if you think there's an alternate route that's less risky, please let me know.
I will have a 4WD vehicle and a driver who's very accustomed to snow driving, but probably not snow tires.
Answers for segments of this route appreciated; I don't expect anyone to know the whole stretch. :)
Also, if you think there's an alternate route that's less risky, please let me know.
Response by poster: More info: my appointment is on the afternoon of the 24th so we're planning to leave Portland this Friday, the 20th.
posted by quartz at 9:39 AM on March 16, 2020
posted by quartz at 9:39 AM on March 16, 2020
Looking at mcgsa's map, you may miss the majority of the snow if you take I-94 (splits from I-90 around Billings and takes a more northern route, may add a couple hours to the trip), but you're likely to hit snow in the Mpls/StPaul area regardless.
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:39 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:39 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
Point of clarification: Your post says 'I-90' but your linked map shows you taking the northerly I-94 route.
posted by hydra77 at 10:23 AM on March 16, 2020
posted by hydra77 at 10:23 AM on March 16, 2020
Response by poster: Oops, you're right hydra77; I meant this route.
posted by quartz at 10:26 AM on March 16, 2020
posted by quartz at 10:26 AM on March 16, 2020
Anecdotally, we drove across the country from Portland in the last week of March a few years ago, and had planned to take I-80 (which is to the south of your proposed route) because it looked like a better bet, and no snow in the forecast, but we got stuck in Wyoming for two days (it was March 23, I remember because it was my husband's birthday) because the interstate across the entire state of Nebraska was shut down due to ice.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:16 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 11:16 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
Apologies if you've already done this, but have you contacted your doctor's office to find out what they want you to do?
posted by bluedaisy at 12:14 PM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by bluedaisy at 12:14 PM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by mcgsa at 9:30 AM on March 16, 2020 [1 favorite]