Calif to North Idaho In December?

[Kchula-Rrit]

Would like to know the best route between California (SF Bay area) and Idaho, probably mid-December. The goal is to avoid icy roads.

We just drove a round trip via I-5 to US-97, then to the Interstate (I forget the number at the moment) that runs along the Columbia River, to US-395. Then we caught I-90 at Spokane, then US-95 north from Coeur d'Alene.

I thought of taking I-80 to US-395 at Reno and heading north to Spokane. This route avoids possible snow in the Mt Shasta Pass, on the assumption that I-80 is better cleared.

K-R.

[OldGal3]

Just saw this thread....here's my 2 cents....
I've traveled 395 many times, both starting from
Eastern WA (above Spokane) and Eastern OR (Bend area),
both summer & winter. You'll be taking a chance in
December - sometimes it's grand, other times, not so much.
Remember 395 goes right through Lakeview, OR - the mile
high city, and over Battle Mtn. Current web cam:
US395 at Battle Mountain, Oregon Road and Traffic Cam

May end up being a last might choice - better have plan B....and C.

Enjoy!

[Ford Idaho]

I-84 runs West-East thru OR. and ID..

FWIW.



Trip Check.com is OR road cam site I use.

https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/CCentry.asp

WA. and ID. have a like site.

As you can see weather is damp, snow and cold likely till after mid Feb.

I-5 to I 84 to I-82/395 to I-90 is what I would drive.

Freezing rain can be an issue at times between Portland and Pendleton, OR.

[FollowTheSun]

We returned to Fresno last week from Boise. Did a two week business trip up there and back. We went over Donner Pass both ways, just missing the snow on return. Drove Hwy 80 to Winnemucca, then north on Hwy 95. It's a nice drive, but rather boring after Reno. If you can avoid an active storm, the highways should be snow free after Reno. Could be some black-ice at night or early morning. Can't speak about roads north of Boise. We did an overnight just north of Jordan Valley, got down to 14 degrees early in the morning … other than that everything was pleasant, although we were very comfortable in our coach.