1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Driving from SF to Bend OR and then Portland OR

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Fresa, Dec 18, 2011.

  1. Fresa

    Fresa New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hey guys!

    I've got a 2010 Prius, and I'm going on a road trip from San Francisco to Portland between Christmas and New Years. I'd like to drop by Bend, Oregon as well, but it looks like road conditions on Highway 20 can be mixed.

    Does anybody have experience driving out there? I checked road cams and things more or less look fine, but if you guys recommend carrying chains/cables I will do that.

    I'm a very experienced winter driver, but I haven't taken this car out into winter conditions before.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Fresa, Dec 18, 2011
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey, I live in the NW. The conditions can change rapidly. So far? It's been a relatively mild winter. But the NW in the winter? I'd always recommend carrying chains/cables.

    Midly annoying case scenario. You haul chains or cables with you, and never have to use them.

    Worst case scenario. You get stuck in Oregon, needing traction devices and don't have them available.

    Road conditions in Oregon can be mixed. They also can change so rapidly. I'd bring them with me...
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Dec 18, 2011
  3. Fresa

    Fresa New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2010
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Yeah, I want to plan for the mildly annoying case scenario.

    I'm planning to buy the SCC Super Z cable product. Any recommendations? Other folks on this forum have mentioned those so it seems like a safe bet...

    Thanks for your help!
     
    #3 Fresa, Dec 18, 2011
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,285
    10,138
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'll also be in Bend for New Years, but expecting to take routes 26/97 instead of 20/I5. And driving an old Subaru with fresh tires, not the 2010 Prius with 3-season (i.e. half-worn All Season) tires that are now worthless in winter conditions.

    I'm not familiar with route 20, nor with 97 across the CA-OR border. But drivers on the other mountain crossings should be equipped with decent tires, chains, and plenty of patience. While not needed most of the time, rapidly changing winter conditions and heavy holiday traffic occasionally make for ugly roads on these routes.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Dec 18, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)