[Hi I'm Ben]

On the 26th of this Month I have to drive from my house here in chicago to my new house in Vancouver Canada. Looking at maps and getting directions on map quest is one thing. Map quest doesn't quite have the "Avoid roads that might be impossible to drive on" option yet and maps just show nice lines through the country that would be cool to follow.

However, if anyone has any experience with a drive through the states or provinces i'd be traveling and would like to give me some input of ways NOT to or TO take that would be great. I'm looking to be safe but not take 3 years to get there at the same time.

Thanks for any help!

[Xeo]

Well, it looks like the vast majority of your travel will be on I-90. And the rest are still on interstates. The travel should be an easy one. When you get to Austin, MN, be sure to check out our SPAM museum.

[GoGoReggieXPowars]

Stay in the US as much as possible, the gas is cheaper.

[Skip Breakfast]

Yep. Take I-90 until it ends and take a right onto I-5 in Seattle. Vancouver is about 2-3 hours north of there, and there is no easier or faster way to do it.

If you have not driven through the Rockies in cold weather or at night I recommend that you pace yourself and stop frequently.

I didn't move out here until Memorial Day so I'd have longer days and nice weather.

[scaught]

Originally posted by Skip Breakfast:

If you have not driven through the Rockies in cold weather or at night I recommend that you pace yourself and stop frequently.

ive done it in a conversion van with 8 people in it towing a trailer that weighed a crapload.

i definitely recommend taking it easy through that stretch.

heh. actually, through a stretch of desert i think in utah or just inside nevada, we had a blowout on the right rear tire on a icy ass stretch of road. like, down to the rim. we got out of the van, and everyone was slipping just trying to stand. i think that trailer saved us from certain doom, or a nasty rollover at least.

[Wiskedjak]

I'd almost recommend heading north to Calgary, then taking the Trans-Canada across the Rockies ... it's a much better mountain-pass than the ones in the US, though going this direction will add several hours to your trip, so I'd recommend it ONLY if the weather is looking nasty.

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally posted by Wiskedjak:
I'd almost recommend heading north to Calgary, then taking the Trans-Canada across the Rockies ... it's a much better mountain-pass than the ones in the US, though going this direction will add several hours to your trip, so I'd recommend it ONLY if the weather is looking nasty.

the point about the gas is true though. Gas is $$ in Canada

[dialo]

I just took I-90 from chicago to seattle (later vancouver via I-5) about 2 months ago. The part through the rockies really isn't bad at all since it's all passes and I-90 is an interstate. It's only slightly crazy through idaho. Pace yourself throughout the trip and it will be fine, though it's long drive.

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally posted by dialo:
I just took I-90 from chicago to seattle (later vancouver via I-5) about 2 months ago. The part through the rockies really isn't bad at all since it's all passes and I-90 is an interstate. It's only slightly crazy through idaho. Pace yourself throughout the trip and it will be fine, though it's long drive.

I'll try and pace myself but more then likely beacuse i'm obsessive complusive i'll end up driving straight through stopping for gas and to pee on the side of the road. About how many hours did it take you?

[residentEvil]

and as always, with any travel in winter, make sure you have packed:

water
snacks
med kit
blankets
shovel
ice scraper
kitty litter/sand
basic tools
duct tape
cell phone/charger or phone card or lots of quarters
check tire pressure and oil at every stop

most of the above should be packed at all times, actually.

edit: flashlight and extra batteries

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by Hi I'm Ben:
the point about the gas is true though. Gas is $$ in Canada

Yes. I'm speaking strictly from a safety perspective. The mountain pass that the Trans-Canada takes is far better for snowy driving than the I-90. Plus, if he fills up in Montana (there are several gas stations between Great Falls and the US-Canada border), he'll likely only have to fill once while in Canada, depending on what he's driving. Of course, once he's living he Canada, he'll be filling up here quite often.

So far, however, long range forecasts are suggesting that the weather for the end of December should be good.

I'm making a similar move at the end of this month as well. I'll be moving from Calgary to Windsor, Ontario (right across the river/border from Detroit). Most of my route will be the same, though in the opposite direction. Once in Windsor, I plan to buy all my gas in Detroit.

[GoGoReggieXPowars]

Originally posted by Wiskedjak:
I'd almost recommend heading north to Calgary, then taking the Trans-Canada across the Rockies ... it's a much better mountain-pass than the ones in the US, though going this direction will add several hours to your trip, so I'd recommend it ONLY if the weather is looking nasty.

Yep, plus Banff and Radium are always fun to visit. Heck, take Crowsnest Pass if you're feeling adventurous It's been a while since I've gone through there to Fernie, etc. but it seemed to be a good way to get to Cranbrook & Kimberly.

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by GoGoReggieXPowars:
Yep, plus Banff and Radium are always fun to visit. Heck, take Crowsnest Pass if you're feeling adventurous It's been a while since I've gone through there to Fernie, etc. but it seemed to be a good way to get to Cranbrook & Kimberly.

Definitely NOT the Crowsnest Pass if it's snowing!

[Spliff]

Ben,

What's the reason for the move? Vancouver is going to feel like a small town compared to Chicago.

Driving through Washington state will be fast but boring. Crossing the Rockies west of Calgary is much more spectacular. You can pop into Banff and Lake Louise. And there is some amazing scenery between Vancouver and the Rockies. Howver, there is a $10 toll on the Coquihalla highway about 2.5 hours from Vancouver.

If you were doing the trip in the summer, Iike I did, I would stay in the States and travel through Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Wyoming. I visited The House on the Rock, the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, and Devil's Tower, to name a few. But maybe you've seen those places before. Then I drove north through Glacier National Park and across the border. It was a great road trip.

[goMac]

If you're going to be on I-90, take it west to Seattle. Right where it ends transfer onto I-5 and go North. I-5 passes right by Vancouver, CA (and it goes through Vancouver, WA if that suits you better).

[Hi I'm Ben]

Originally posted by Spliff:
Ben,

What's the reason for the move? Vancouver is going to feel like a small town compared to Chicago.

Driving through Washington state will be fast but boring. Crossing the Rockies west of Calgary is much more spectacular. You can pop into Banff and Lake Louise. And there is some amazing scenery between Vancouver and the Rockies. Howver, there is a $10 toll on the Coquihalla highway about 2.5 hours from Vancouver.

If you were doing the trip in the summer, Iike I did, I would stay in the States and travel through Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Wyoming. I visited The House on the Rock, the Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, and Devil's Tower, to name a few. But maybe you've seen those places before. Then I drove north through Glacier National Park and across the border. It was a great road trip.

I'll be going to school there.... Ya i've heard of this crazy $10 toll.. that's kind of nuts but it's not as if It's going to break me =) Census is take 90 all the way there. In this case majority rules I think.

[Spliff]

Originally posted by Hi I'm Ben:
I'll be going to school there.... Ya i've heard of this crazy $10 toll.. that's kind of nuts but it's not as if It's going to break me =) Census is take 90 all the way there. In this case majority rules I think.

If I remember, Chicago is surrounded by toll booths.

What school in Vancouver and what subject?

[Mr. Blur]

Originally posted by goMac:
If you're going to be on I-90, take it west to Seattle. Right where it ends transfer onto I-5 and go North. I-5 passes right by Vancouver, CA (and it goes through Vancouver, WA if that suits you better).

Vancouver, WA would mean going south from Seattle..Vancouver, BC, CA is north.

And yes, taiking the I-90 west and then the I-5 is the best way to go.

[Xeo]

SPAM Museum, SPAM Town, USA! (Austin, MN)

The interstate runs past only a few blocks away from it, and you know you're there when you see all the big yellow billboards advertising it.

[goMac]

Originally posted by Mr. Blur:
Vancouver, WA would mean going south from Seattle..Vancouver, BC, CA is north.

And yes, taiking the I-90 west and then the I-5 is the best way to go.

Yes, I know where Vancouver, WA is. : notes location :

[D'Espice]

Make sure you take some coffee with ya and take a break at least every two hours cause it's gonna be damn boring on that trip...

[im_noahselby]

Vancouver is one of the nicest cities in the world. It seems everyone is heading up here these days Chicago to Vancouver is quite a move. Good luck!

Noah

[Athens]

[Athens]