I-90 vs. I-5 for scenic road trip (Seattle, Spokane: camp, retirement)

[Chilkoot]

Heading up the coast would be far superior to driving up I-5. I do wonder after a long driving trip like that and getting close to your destination, if you may want to just get to the Seattle area. Since you’ll be living here you’ll be within a few hours of the coast and a couple hours from the Cascades and can go there anytime you want. I would want the most scenic but also the most direct route.

[wolfdog]

If you're doing the Oregon Coast, go north to south. Much safer, and more scenic.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by wolfdog

If you're doing the Oregon Coast, go north to south. Much safer, and more scenic.

Disagree. Safer? Not sure about that, but if you are a single driver your better views would be going south to north as you would have the bird’s eye view going north. Of course you should be watching the road more than the scenery! Of course this argument is bogus as you can’t lose in either direction.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Disagree. Safer? Not sure about that, but if you are a single driver your better views would be going south to north as you would have the bird’s eye view going north. Of course you should be watching the road more than the scenery! Of course this argument is bogus as you can’t lose in either direction.

Everyone in America should drive the OR coast.

[leastprime]

I was not impressed with Big Sur. Hearst Castle was closed last April (covid). And the top end of Big Sur is extemely windy, hugging the cliffs and blind, sharp curves. You absolutely need to keep your eye on the road and on coming traffic. Weather is nice when I toured in April. Weather along the coast of Oregon is still dicey and chilly but when the weather is good, its stupendous.

Suggestion: 3-4 days from Redwoods to Astoria.
2 days LongBeach to Portland. Portland thru the gorge, waterfalls, Bonneville dam to Hoodriver. You can cross the Columbia at Bridge of the Gods, Biggs (us97) or continue I-84 to Umatilla/Hermiston (I-82) and cross there.
2 days on crossing the Columbia to Seattle.

The geology is very interesting between Oregon and Washington ever though it's just a River that separates them.
Hotels are reasonable in the off season.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Disagree. Safer? Not sure about that, .....

Safer because the majority of points of interest require you to cross oncoming traffic 2X for each stop. Many high speed fatal crashes occur when crossing or entering 2 Lane highways. No sense ruining a good vacation or killing an oncoming driver because you wanted a snapshot.

Add a very curvy, limited sight distance highway, where drivers get in a rush. Add the interesting views that can distract drivers and you have lethal driving conditions that can result in high risk.

Any sites within a few hours will be easy (later) for someone who is relocating. Often once you get within a day's drive of your multi-day destination.... You press on to complete the drive. (You've had enough!).

Have a safe trip, enjoy the journey.
Call ahead to assure events and venues are open.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Safer because the majority of points of interest require you to cross oncoming traffic 2X for each stop.

Agree. It is safer to go south if you stop at scenic overlooks and stop often. Going south, it's a right turn. But it's not completely unsafe going north if you stop at towns and parks and do your sightseeing that way. We've driven it both ways, and done fine. If the only way you can go is north, it's still worth seeing.

[dav51lin]

Originally Posted by Returning2USA

I-90 b/c I-5 is not very scenic until you get to Northern California, IMO.

Please look at I-20, the Cascade Highway, also.

true

[dav51lin]

I 90 boring once you get past the gorge

[dav51lin]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Everyone in America should drive the OR coast.

and the calif coast hwy 1