fishenking
Denver Colorado
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Traveling from Denver to Long Beach Washington on Thursday! Any advise on which route to travel, easy in and out gas stations, and rest areas would be much appreciated.
Roy, Jen, and Jess
Camping with our dogs, Toby, Diesel, and Buddy!
2006 Dodge Ram 5.9 Cummins
2006 Pilgrim 319
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hotrod4x5
Southern Calif
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Do you want the quickest route? Or something scenic?
How about I-70, to I-15N, to I-80 W, then get on St Route 20 all the way over to Route 101, then all the way north along the coast to Long Beach.
Rodney 2005 Laredo 29GS 2002 F250 V-10 Hughesnet Satellite Internet
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fishenking
Denver Colorado
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Would prefer an easy route, as we are new to pulling a fiver!
Thank you!
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hotrod4x5
Southern Calif
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Ok, then the route I mentioned is all interstate, until you get to Route 20, which is a two lane road that at first descends the western side of the Sierra through some beautiful forests, then comes out on the flat valley, goes through a few small towns, then continues across some flats until you hit some small hills before getting to HWY 101. HWY 101 is sometimes 4 lanes, sometimes 2, with many towns you go through along the way, and a beautiful drive along Oregon's coast.
Now you will be tackling the Rockies, so not sure how you feel about that on I-70? I have done it many times in my 5er, and even in winter. You just have to use low gear when you go down the other side. Do you have a jake brake? I don't know much about diesels, but I know they don't have the same engine compression braking as a gas truck does.
I am thinking perhaps the 70 and 80 might be scary to you when those routes go over the Rockies and Sierra... But you have to do it sometime.
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mockturtle
Northwest
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Go north to I-80 (avoid going through SLC), then cut over to I-84. While the freeway isn't the greatest in Idaho, it's not bad, and I-84 in Oregon is superb, and scenic to boot. Take the 205 bypass around Portland to I-5, then get off at Kelso to take Hwy. 4 out to Long Beach. Enjoy!
2000 Born Free 24RB Class C
2002 Honda CR-V toad
Roadmaster Sterling A/T towbar
VIP braking system
Eddyline Merlin kayak
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4runnerguy
Glenwood Springs, CO
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When we travel I-84 to the NW, we plan on an overnight stop at Farewell Bend SP in OR. Nice facilities and a nice respite from the desert driving.
Ken & Allison
2 Camping Cats (1 diabetic)
1996 4Runner, TRD Supercharger, Edelbrock headers
2007 Fleetwood Arcadia, Honda EU2000i
4 mountain bikes, 1 canoe, 4 tents, 8 sleeping bags, 2 backpacks
(You get the idea!)
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B. BOOMER
lost somewhere in america
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Joined: 07/10/2004
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No no don't take the Kelso exit off I-5 if you're heading northbound!! Take the FIRST LONGVIEW/Kelso OCEAN BEACHES EXIT #36 which will curve around over the Cowlitz River Bridge, heading west.
Once you are OVER the Cowlitz bridge, then you can either take a righthand lane exit on 3rd Ave/Industrial Way and turn LEFT down at the stoplight and wind around thru the industrial area -- eventually turning LEFT to go up over the Longview/Rainier Bridge {Lewis & Clark Bridge} over the Columbia ... or you can stay straight on Tennant Way which is the entryway road you'll be coming in on from I-5 AND then take a LEFT on Oregon Way {by the ARCO am/pm station across from the Lake} and Oregon Way takes you right on over the bridge. Either way eventually you want to be heading southbound on Oregon Way 
NOW as soon as you cross over the Columbia River Bridge you can follow the signs and take the 1st exit heading westbound towards Clatskanie, Astoria on Hwy 30. This will actually take you down the Oregon side of the river BUT it is a better road with easier grades and lots of passing lanes, so that you don't have to worry about backing up traffic. Just signal and move to the right as soon as the lane starts.
When you get into Astoria, you want to be in the righthand lane, because you will be going up over the Astoria/Megler Bridge. Watch for the signs -- towards the far side of town. This will be quite the scenice route over the Columbia. There is a stoplight at the end of the bridge and you will turn LEFT towards Ilwaco/Long Beach. You will go thru a tunnel ... you WILL fit!!! Then follow the signs. At that point, don't worry it's a penninsula -- you can't really get lost
Is your final destination Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco or Long Beach?
IF you think you might like to try the Washington side on Hwy 4, I can walk you thru that route BUT personally I think it's easier to come back that way than to go down -- and unless you know to take the turn off, the "old old" road is quite curvy {vs the rte along the river from Naselle via 401}.
I also vote for I-84 thru the Columbia Gorge. Yes it's an interstate but the speed limit is only 65, it's a good 4 lane road AND it's still very SCENIC. Take I-205 via Vancouver {middle lane on I-84, this exit is actually rather odd!! It peals away into 3 exits, the rightlane to Portland, the 2nd middle lane to I-5/205 SEATTLE NORTHBOUND and the 3rd in the far lefthand lane to Salem Southbound}. Try to time it so that you don't hit the Portland area after 3pm ... or shoot for a Sat/by mid afternoon Sunday.
HAPPY CAMPING
* This post was
edited 07/06/09 06:08pm by B. BOOMER *
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hotrod4x5
Southern Calif
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I spent 9 months last year in Kelso and Boomer is right, the Oregon side of the river has a better road than the Washington side. Well, both roads are good, but the Washington side is narrower with more curves and slower going.
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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mockturtle wrote:Go north to I-80 (avoid going through SLC), then cut over to I-84. While the freeway isn't the greatest in Idaho, it's not bad, and I-84 in Oregon is superb, and scenic to boot. Take the 205 bypass around Portland to I-5, then get off at Kelso to take Hwy. 4 out to Long Beach. Enjoy!
To avoid Salt Lake City ( worse traffic than Denver!!)North on I 25 to Ft. Collins the 287 to Laramie and I 80. on I 80 just past Rock Springs and Little America take US30 NW all the way to I 15 near Lava Hot Springs Then north through Pocatello to I 80/84. I 84 to Portland then US 30 to Astoria. Cross the bridge into WA and north to Long Beach.
This is by far the most direct and easiest route for you.
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
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hotrod4x5
Southern Calif
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There are other ways to get around SLC. When I traveled the I80, I the 215 around the loop and had no problems with traffic. It was about 11 am, so maybe that had something to do with it.
If I had looked at a map closer, I think I would have taken Hwy 201, which is the first exit on the north 15 past the 80. Then straight west to rejoin I-80, not freeway the whole way, but on the map it looks like a shorter, faster route.
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