Winter drive from California to Vancouver, BC?

Question

I'm going to try and get tickets for the winter olympics in February 2010, and I'm thinking if I do get tickets, that I'll drive there. What do any of you think the weather, traffic, and road conditions will be like during the trip?

Answer 1

The road conditions at that time shouldn't be too bad unless a freak snow strom hits.  Interstate 5 receives the most attention so I would chose that route.  Once you get into British Columbia you will be on Highway 99 and you can count on it being in good shape because of the Olympics.  The main problem will be driving through the City of Vancouver as you will be on city streets and not a freeway.  There should be signs posted everywhere pointing the direction to the continuation of Highway 99 over the Lion's Gate or Second narrows bridges onwards to Whistler.  Just for your information, the Sea to Sky Highway (#99) up to Whistler is a very scenic drive and is presently undergoing major updating so it should be a very enjoyable drive.  Hope you enjoy the drive and your visit.

Answer 2

The conditions become unpredictable, especially around Seattle.  They tend to have several winter snow storms, yet could just be rainy.    Most of the days there is no snow.  Plan to leave early, with a couple extra days to get there, so if there is a storm you can wait until it stops and the highways plowed.

You probably wont have any trouble.  Good luck with tickets, maybe I'll see you there.  I live in BC, and hope to also be driving to Vancouver.

Rush hour around Seattle can also be a hassle, try to schedule around that, and/or take the 405 around downtown.  The boarder may have waits, but hopefully it's only half an hour.

Answer 3

The traffic shouldn't be too bad at all, well, of course depending on what time of day you start out each day. The Portland area can get quite congested in the morning, but try to avoid that. There will probably be snow/ice along your way, especially in the Siskyous. Be prepared to chain up your tires. Other places in Washington will probably have snow, especially as you get closer to BC. Just remember, when driving in snow, take it slow. Watch out for other drivers. A lot of people who drive in snow aren't careful. =)

Answer 4

Did you know that they began preparing for those olympics in the summer of 2003? I was there, visiting my grandparents, and the city was already beginning to prepare, which I found funny :)

Answer 5

Oh my, you bring back some memories--I drove south in February one year--and it was very bad in the Siskiyous on I-5. Six inches of snow on the road, in the dark, fog, and then realizing one headlight was out. I couldn't even see to pull over. It was just all white out there. But that section right around the Oregon/California border was the only bad part. Have snow tires on or at least all-seasons, wouldn't hurt to have chains on board, and travel in the daytime through there. In February, from there north to Vancouver, you are unlikely to encounter snow though it's possible and if you do it will probably be wet slippery sloppy snow. Mostly, it will likely be raining. Or it could be sunny and lovely--that's about the start of spring in Seattle and Vancouver.

I know they're planning to have lots of transit to get people to the Olympic venue in the Whistler area, but if you plan to drive there you will want snow tires for sure. It gets noticeably colder after you pass Horseshoe Bay and you may well encounter genuine cold winter conditions after Squamish. Don't forget to have cold-weather grade windshield wiper fluid in the tank and winter antifreeze. And gloves.

Traffic through Seattle on I-5 is almost always nuts in my experience, and Seattle stretches out for quite a ways. I'd try to hit it in the late morning. It's roughly 3 hours to Vancouver from Seattle, so that would put you in Vancouver just before rush hour starts, and you'll be going against it anyway.

Answer 6

Main hazard would be rain and reduced visibility. Black ice during evening and morning.

If it does snow then there will be a lot, though it melts quickly.

North of Vancouver there will be snow. The closer you get to Whistler, the main olympic venue, the greater the probability of snow on the road.

Carry tire chains, a shovel, and warm clothing.