Driving from WA to CA in 2wd?

Question

does anyone know if i would be able to make it from Northern WA to southern CA in a 2wd car, next week? i have heard from a few people that the snow would be too much for my car? is there an alternate route? or would i be able to make it through?

Answer 1

It depends on two things

- Can you get TO the interstate

- are you actually any good at driving in weather.  If you live in WA and drive in snow a lot, you're all good :) but if you're not, a 4WD won't help much, just make you overbold.

I-5 is a straight shot and they generally keep it clear.  I've driven it in December, the most scary thing about it was the traffic.  (I was driving a 2WD U-haul truck towing a car.)   Once you come off Mt. Shasta, you've got smooth sailing til the Grapevine, which gets pretty mild snow compared to Washington state mountains.

Stick to I-5, which gets first and best attention from snowplows.  And not to scare you, but read page 1 of this cautionary tale, about being prepared.  

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/200...

Bring blankets and a few days of food and water jusssssst in case.



Fuel early fuel often, preferably in non-snowy areas.  Truck stops are GREAT places to stop for gas and food (virtually all truck stops have a whole side for cars, they're near the freeway, and there's a ton of traffic in/out so you'll be seen if you get stuck.)