Hi all. I would like to head out on this trip by mid May. Was wondering if anyone had thoughts on the weather that time of year. Any ideas on which route would be best. Thaks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

I'm heading for Texas early May. I would suggest head straight south until you feel the heat then cut west.

 

OK. This is a fun question. You didn't give any preferences in your route from Manitoba to Sacramento, so I used Mapquest to recommend a route. It recommended going south to I-94, then west to Billings, where it becomes I-90.

I expect a lot of flack from those who love North Dakota, but, I'd recommend not using I-94, but using I-90 through South Dakota. That would take you through the Black Hills area, which includes Custer, Mt. Rushmore, etc.

After the Black Hills, you could follow I-90 through Billings to MT-85 & US-191, again a recommended Mapquest Route.

However, depending on weather & road conditions, you might want to consider going West out of Sheridan through Cody (Stop & spend several hours in the "Buffalo Bill Historical Museum" there) & then you can go through Yellowstone & down to Jackson Hole, WY. Good sights the entire route. [Get a memory card for your digital camera, or bring plenty of film.]

Then you can go south to I-80 & into Salt Lake, or through Idaho Falls to I-15/I-85 through Twin Falls.

That's all the good news.

Northern Route:West of Twin Falls to the Columbia River Gorge is . . . not as scenic as the route I've recommended thus far. If you swing north to Coeur d'Alene, that area is scenic, but little else is. Eventually, that would take you along the scenic Columbia River, through Portland, Oregon (very pretty & worth the stop), & the green (& often rainy) Willamette Valley down I-5 to Sacramento. This is "out of your way," but has good sights.

Southern Route: Salt Lake City to Reno is the most direct route. If you are into "green," "lush," and "fertile," that road is . . . bleak. If you find desert climes "interesting," it is that. Reno, NV & its enviornes is beautiful, & the climb over the Sierras through Lake Tahoe & down into Sacrmento (2 routes off the lake, one to the north, one to the south) is great fun. South Lake Tahoe is always very restful. [More camera film.]

You asked about what weather to expect. It can be cold & snowing in the Black Hills & Yellowstone areas to "reasonably warm" (mid-70's) in northern Oregon, northern Nevada, & NorCal. May is past our wet season, so once you are over the rockies, I expect it to be pretty dry. Which leads to my nextd point:

The biggest "gotcha" from Salt Lake City westward is dehydration. It is generally cool enough you won't think you have to drink a lot of water. My suggestion is take lots of bottled water or a camel-back or two, and constantly force fluids. No sodas, coffees or teas as they are diuretics (water depleters).

PM me a few days before you arrive, & I'll make additional local suggestions

 

Thanks for the awesome information. It is very much appreciated. I'll get the maps out to look over the options you have given me. I have been thru the Black Hills & Yellowstone but never South of that.

 

Any point where you travel through the rockies in May, be prepared for cold and possibly snow. The latter is unlikely to make the roads un-ridable (although it has happened), but you may have to ride through an occasional snow flurry and much cooler temperatures, so be ready.

If you make it as far north/west as Missoula, MT (you can take I-90 west out of Billings) I would highly recommend taking US-12 west into Idaho. The road is amazing and the scenery is spectacular. You can follow that to Kooskia, ID and then hop on highway 13 south into Graingeville, ID. Then take 95 south. It will eventually take you to Winnemucca, NV and I-80. The ride through eastern Oregon is pretty bland, but the rest of the route will make up for it.

 

+1 on Hwy 12 Lolo Pass west to Lewiston ID. From there you have a couple of options follow the Snake & Columbia rivers to the coast then south on 101.
Another option would be at Lewiston head south on Rattlesnake pass to Enterprise OR thats a another great road full of twisties, then southwest to Baker City then west to Bend and south to Crater Lake from there weather permiting you can go to the coast at Grants Pass and out to Crescent City CA and take 101 and go through the Redwoods.

 

Head due south until you reach some warm air and then turn west...Mid may over the Rockies can be a nightmare even in a 4X4 if the weather changes. Maybe head south until you hit Rte 66 and follow that. If you were thinking of heading west to BC and then south, the rockies can bite you hard in May (been there) Whatever you do choose, have a great time. I'm heading down the coastal hwy in june or july
Tim

 

How much of a hurry are you in?

Lots of great rides to get you to Sacramento. Zillions of options.

The quickest way would be to get from Winnipeg to the border, and pick up I-29. Then I-94 west. It will merge into I-90 just east of Billings, MT. Keep going west. At Butte, MT, take I-15 south to Salt Lake City. Then pick up I-80 west all the way to Sacramento.

That is the quickest and most direct route. And it is very scenic in parts. In mid-May, you'll have no problems with weather. Sure, always a chance of rain or snow showers, but that time of year it is *highly* unlikely that it will be too bad. Plus, the Interstates are the first priority for snow-clearance.

Another option is to take I-29 all the way down to Sioux Falls, SD and pick up I-90 west. Then at Buffalo, WY you can pick up I-25 south to Cheyenne and then I-80 west. Or, from Buffalo or Sheridan, cross the Bighorns (US 14 or 16) and go to Cody. Take a quick ride through Yellowstone, come south to Grand Tetons NP and then work your way south through WY until you hit I-80. US 89 will go south from Jackson, slice into Idaho, and into Utah, hitting I-15 a little north of Salt Lake. Very, very scenic road in parts.

If you want to spend more time and explore roads less traveled, figure out how much extra time you have. Happy to suggest something.