I plan on traveling with a rental SUV (supposed to be AWD) from OR to CA during next week and it looks like it’s going to be snowing on I-5. Looking at the CA weather and road conditions, looks like it’s expected to be snowing and I know rental cars are not allowing chains on their cars.
Does anyone have experience with how to best plan the trip? My initial plan was to go through I-5, would considering highway 101 be a better option? Is it usually snowing in 101? Also, given rental cars don’t allow them, would you advise to carry chains?
Thanks!
Update: looks like having 4WD with winter tires exempts from chains (in certain conditions of course). I just need to check if the rental company provides it
So on https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ the current situation is “CHAINS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES WITH SNOW TIRES ON ALL 4 WHEELS”
True, not exempt from carrying, but I could still travel safely without needing to put them (and then if even that’s not enough, it might be better to not travel through the pass at all).
Does CA require to carry chains when traveling through the passes? (I could buy ones and just return them when I travel back). Is it the same in 101? In terms of my schedule using 101 should be just fine for me (according to Google Maps). But I am not certain if it’s usually clear of snow.
I meant not exempt from carrying if CA requires to carry at all times. I think WA requires to travel with chains in your car just in case the situation changes. But I am not certain.
So if CA requires to travel with them, I might be exempt from putting them on (if the advisory stays the same) but not from having them in the car. But I don’t know the law in CA.
I guess if I could get the SUV with snow tires that solves the problem given the pass situation won’t be terrible. Otherwise 101 seems to be an alternative route.
I’ve been in some pretty heavy snow storms going to Reno/Tahoe on I-80, one time it snowed so much they closed the highway after I was allowed in. I’ve never been asked to put on chains with an AWD SUV. though, I didn’t have snow tires either. YMMV.
Currently in Bremerton, via Olympia and Medford, beat the current system here (and in Cali) by leaving Bay Area on Saturday. Even though we beat it, it still rained and snowed on us in Ashland and Grant’s Pass, slowed to a crawl with about 20 foot visibility at night. Perfect for a Jeep 4xE. I-5 sucks but is fine in good weather, but 101 is the only route I’ll take when weather becomes a real threat. Rain is pretty much all you’ll get, and it won’t mar your coastal experience one bit. Will be returning to Bay Area after XMas, via 101…Sequim, Astoria, Newport, McKinleyville for layovers, craft breweries at every stop of course! Enjoy the trip on 101.
I’ve gotten past chain control on 50W and I80 from Tahoe in snow conditions w/ 4matic and all seasons. I’ve never been asked to put chains on AWD or 4WD.
OP: just buy some chains from Walmart to be safe, and return them if you don’t use them.
I live in the upstate snowbelt of NY, mountains. I dont use chains, I have studded snows on my F150. However my Bmw 3 series had all season flats, and I drove home in blizzards and went up & down unplowed roads easy, as long as the snow was 5 inches or less and the air was cold. The key is to have X drive or 4 wheel drive and drive at a moderate speed and dont get close to other moving vehicles. The real trick is DONT THINK YOUR A SUPERHERO even with 4 wheel. You can still slide! Take your time. In WHITE OUTS, I drive super slow! And that was a 50 mile commute!
yeah, looks like this is what I might end up doing. it adds about 3 hours total but it’s okay.
Interestingly, Google Maps suggests taking 139 then 395 with a short trip to NV in between. This road is ~2 hours faster than 101. Would that be a good option to consider? That path crosses the mountains in Oregon after Eugene through Oakridge. Asking mainly for curiosity and trying to understand all the options. That 2-3 extra hours is no biggie.
The 101 is the most picturesque trip you will ever take with breathtaking views of the sea.
If no mud slides around Big Sur you will enjoy it,
The 5 is just a bunch of farm land…over and over…
This 139 reroute I’ve never done so can’t say if I like / hate it. The 395 is around Big Bear and mostly bypasses the grapevine.
Whats the goal of the trip? getting from A to B quickly or enjoying the process?
High way 1 as much as you can from top of CA to about San Luis Obispo, then jump back on 101.
1 is the classic costal drive, as long as the roads are open its an awesome drive/trip…from San Luis Obsipo, taking 101 down to Los angeles area vs 5 is about a wash in the scheme of the trip. The time it takes to cut back over to 5 vs just sticking to 101 isnt much of a time saver.
