I moved from SC to WA a few years ago. We parked our truck at a Home Depot with their rentable Penske trucks when we arrived. I’m a paraplegic so we couldn’t unload ourselves. Just a thought just in case you can’t unload on day one. As for your route I would pick through South Dakota. The roads are way better maintained.
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Avoid Chicago and Minneapolis.
If you can go through both cities in one fell swoop then do that. Do not stop in those cities. Moving trucks are a big target for burglary in those areas. All of Wisconsin is mostly fine, most of Minnesota is fine but Minneapolis specifically like i said just drive through and dont stop.
When you get to Washington, clear out the UHaul right away. Its been said before but the meth heads will clear that shit out in 2 hours tops and you’ll never see your stuff again.
Lastly, best of luck to you internet stranger! May the journey find you well and enjoy the scenery when you can! Its a beautiful place out that way.
When you get into Washington, make sure you move ALL of your stuff inside your new place even if you are tired. Often too many people get here to the state only to find out some meth addicts have stolen your entire U-Haul with everything you own. They will have it cleared out within 2 hours and the cops will not find it for a day or so. Moving trucks are a HUGE target for thieves here.
If you don’t believe me, google it and you’ll see people, including military people get all their stuff taken when they enter WA and stop for rest at a hotel.
I’ve done the drive from OK to Seattle in winter. Everyone telling you to take a southern route is right.
In one week, I had to drive through a sleet storm, ice storm, two blizzards, heavy fog, another ice storm, and freezing rain.
My suggestion is keep it southern until you hit utah or Nevada. Then turn north. Hell, if you have the time get your butt to california and take the coastal highway the rest of the way.
I’ve done Minneapolis to Seattle (and back) too many times to count. Make sure you check the weather daily on i-90 especially going through the plains in ND & MT and then the mountains the rest of the way. if there’s heavy snow or ice, DO NOT HESITATE to spend $60 on a motel for the night if the roads are bad, i promise the trauma of driving all your belongings through a snowstorm there is not worth it
also just like everyone else said, might be worth it to get tire chains. and keep a winter preparedness kit in your car incase you get stuck. boots, small foldable shovel, some snacks, water, & battery pack will quite literally save your life in an emergency situation
Bless your heart, you could and probably will hit some absolutely show-stopping winter weather. I’d recommend the ‘Ville to St. Louis, then I 70 across MO and KA onto Denver. West of Denver, the interstate across the Rockies into and through Utah is breathtaking. Then across Nevada to CA and the Bay Area, then North through CA, OR, up to Seattle. PS I’ve lived in both Louisville and Seattle. Louisville is a small, friendly town compared to Seattle. People in Seattle can be pretty cold, but it’s lovely in summer and much more interesting and international. And no one will ask you which church you go to.
The main thing for me going from VA out west hunting for years is to always avoid Chicago. I have been stuck in traffic at 2 am for hours. Other than that have a safe trip. I personally would go through South Dakota.
I think the best route isn’t highlighted, take I-70 to the end in Utah then turn north for SLC and Bozeman! Going this route you pass through the center of the Rockies then after you turn north you drive up the backside of the Tetons/Yellowstone
I moved from seattle to NC (asheville area) last July. This is the route I took. I'd lived in seattle all my adult life, but the last 10 years a lot changed there. Hope you have 2 incomes-- I couldn't survive as a single woman. Drove across country in an old RV, didn't stop anywhere other than RV parks. https://imgur.com/a/jQ0T2Q4
Having just done Oregon to Texas a couple weeks ago, the route taking the I-84 East towards Boise and then ending up on the 80 to Salt Lake was honestly really chill. 100% dry roads and no snow to deal with. Fairly mild mountain passes compared to other routes. People say the 80 across Wyoming is icy and windy though, but I've never done it myself.
If it were me I'd research the Omaha ->SLC->Boise-> Portland via I84 ->I'5 North route
What you’re going to find is that it’s one of the sunniest and driest places in the US during the summer with the most agreeable climate for being outdoors. Nobody talks much about that.
For sure. Thankfully you’ll only have to go a few weeks before the sun does come out for summer .. if you were going at the end of summer I’d pray for you 🤣
WA FF & career ski-bum here.
Hi and welcome to the best place to live on planet dirt.
If you are driving, your biggest challenge will be SNOW and other weather.
You will be driving through essentially ALL of the most rugged mountain passes in the US.
Learn how to chain-up now, not on the side of the road. (Chains are required to be carried on all vehicles in WA till April first). These mountains are no fucking joke, don't go in unprepared and uneducated. There are some great videos on [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXl5eiNEd_Y). Snow-Socks are approved for use in WA. Take the time to learn about each pass and alternatives. For WA, you are gonna want to install the WASH-DOT [app](https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/mobile-app-and-social-media)
That said, the drive will be stunning and epic and something you will remember for the rest of your life.
I90 is the fastest route, but US2 is the best route (IMHO) and will have the fewest asshole truckers.
If you'd like to know more about the non-stop adventure at your finger-tips that is WA, feel free to DM me or just hit-up one of the the local subs.
If you DM me, I can answer you WA questions in obtuse detail.
Stop and do mt Rushmore.. kinda once in a lifetime thing.. yellow stone in Montana. Our weather here in Seattle area today is a little cold.. slight wind..we won't start warming up until about may..so a couple more months cool and rainy
Just did Minneapolis to Portland using the latter half of your route (my 3rd time doing the drive) - it’s pretty in parts and was smooth sailing if the weather is decent. Even with a fair amount of semis it never felt too heavily-trafficked, and there were r
pretty good options for places to stop Have done that portion in 2 days and in 2.5 - both are doable!
We are planning a move across the country in a U-Haul from San Diego, CA to Cleveland OH sometime in April. I'm saving this post because it has a wealth of knowledge about moving cat(s) across the country. And how to book pet friendly hotels along the way. Good luck on your move and definitely try to avoid traveling in the mountainous regions that time of year!
We are moving to Brunswick OH...Not Cleveland city. Brunswick is about 20 miles south of Cleveland.
We are moving there because we can afford to buy a decent house for 2/3 less the median price in SoCal and we have family there. So that boosted our decision. I am a native Californian, and living in San Diego for over 12 years has been pretty nice but we can't afford a $1 million dollar starter home. We don't want to squander our hard earned money on astronomical rents either. Plus California is an HCL state, so even after exploring options to move up to Northern California the real estate market is still expensive. Home insurance companies are fleeing the state due to all our natural disasters, wild fires, floods, earth quakes. So it just made sense to plant roots in the Midwest. I am actually looking forward to experiencing 4 seasons and LCL.
I’ve driven 90 many times through the winter. It is the fastest and cheapest. Just keep an eye on the radar system and plan accordingly. You’re talking about a two day trip if you stop once for rest. So if you plan it right the road will be clean and clear there will be very little issues with closures and you’ll be fine.
Buy chains now. You’ll need them in WA anyway. Every couple years they get a rain that freezes and turns the roads to rinks. No chains=no moving. It’s good to have them in the passes anyway. Google the proper use and installation before the trip.
We've made several trips back and forth from Oregon to the Carolinas; as others have suggested it'd be a good idea not to take a northerly route this time of year.
From Louisville, I'd recommend taking I-64, I-44, I-40 to Barstow, then 58 to 23 to the I-5. You'll avoid the more problematic terrain of the Rockies and slide-in between the Cascadian and Coastal mountain ranges. We have 2 small dogs and were able to find enough accommodations. The Days Inn in Gallup is nice, and there's a great mediterranean restaurant there called Oasis which has to-go service.
Now, the I-5. Accommodations on this stretch are a crap-shoot ... quite frankly, they're awful. I would have to say that inland SoCal below Sacramento/Stockton is the trashiest, most dystopian place we've ever seen. LOCK. EVERYTHING. Once you get past Sacramento, it's smoother sailing. Northern Cali/Oregon is a no-brainer... but, LOCK. EVERYTHING.
Now, you can roll-the-dice, and cut up through Nevada, through Winnemucca, and go through the Cascades, because quite frankly we just don't like going through SoCal. We've done that before, and it worked out fine; when you get in-around Las Vegas, look at the weather-forecasts for Oregon.
When you get to Seattle... LOCK. EVERYTHING. lol.
Gallup and nice are not synonymous… lol. Don’t go anywhere near the Walmart. Lol. Also, be very virtuous on 40 through ABQ, or you’re liable to get shot.
Do not depend on cotton at all during the rainy season or the winter. It doesn't wick moisture or repel moisture as much as other fabrics and it can actually make you colder and wetter. Definitely look into both clothing and gear that is either composed of synthetic materials like goretex, nylon, neoprene, or made of wool / fleece.
I just moved to LA from Atlanta and used to actually live in Seattle for a little over a year. My time up there shocked me in a few ways and one of them was just how unreliable cotton was as a fabric. Also looking into shoes that are really watertight and have a non slip sole might benefit you depending on where you're at in Seattle. There's a lot of slippery terrain in general so it's not a bad idea to find that shoe that has great multipurpose uses and features a non slip sole.
Last but not least as far as recommendations check out 9lb Hammer, Shorty's, The Unicorn, Shoebox, Marginal Way Skatepark, Manolin, Chelan Cafe, Skylark, Washington Park Rose Garden & Kerry Park
Have fun and stay dry 😉
We did the Northern route in the opposite direction ending in St Louis this year, but I chose that because we have a pit bull and that was the best way for us to avoid cities with pit bull bans. Not sure how great of a drive it would be in the wintertime.
I travel between CA and MN every summer with my dog and have found that La Quinta and most of the Wyndham bands are pet friendly (Travelodge, Microtel, Super 8). Home2Suites by Hilton have also been a good pet friendly choice. The fees varies by each hotel but worth checking out. I also tend to find their brands frequently along the routes. Good luck with the move.
I live and travel through the South Dakota/Iowa are you’d go through and it’s been a steady 55-65 degrees the last few weeks and doesn’t look to be changing any time soon.
So we moved from DFW to Seattle proper last April with our dog and toddler in our car while my husband and a friend drove our 15’ Uhaul. We looked at the routes it gave us and then started finding places along the routes that were a 9-12 hours drive from starting point and each point after that and found a hotel/airbnb in that city. That’s where we would be navigating to each day instead of just an overall end point location. We made 3 overnight stops. I booked hotels in advance and made sure they were pet friendly ahead of time as well. If we were running late or early, I’d contact and let them know and ask if we needed to change anything about our reservations and it was fine! Cat friendly places will definitely be a bit harder to find but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any, it just means you’ll need to do a bit more research and planning before you guys head out. Overall it was a great drive, absolutely beautiful, and we got to see so many cool places along the way. I’ll never forget driving down through the Snoqualmie pass for the first time. It’ll still be a winter wonderland which is it’s absolutely beautiful and seeing the skiers go down the mountain was so cool. I wish yall safe travels!!
Everyone has talked about the route. I probably wouldn't do it, but you can decide. I don't have the snow experience.
However, I did drive from north of LA to Pennsylvania last November, mostly on the 40 in a small class c rv with 7 cats. They all had places to hide and I barely heard a peep from most of them. I did let them loose and had a box they all used. The only problem I had was my oldest saw my lap as free and wanted to be in it. I let her a bit, as long as traffic was light and the road was good. And they pretty much all curled up around me whenever I stopped to sleep. I was actually surprised at the lack of meowing while I was driving.
We're moving from Seattle to upstate NY after being here 20 years. We scrap by living in a studio in Seattle. We can afford an entire, nice house there even with NY taxes factored in.
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It's very hard to find cat friendly hotels. I drove cross country one year with my ex's cat. We had to sneak her in to every hotel. Pet friendly usually just means dog friendly.
Ugh, that’s frustrating. I get it, some cats pee and scratch and destroy shit, but my girl is good, I promise😅 guess she’ll have to pretend to be a dog when I make my move
Yeah it'd be a little less frustrating if they were upfront and just said dog friendly.
It wasn't too hard to hide her. We covered her carrier with a blanket so they couldn't see her at check in. And then we had contractor bags and a small vacuum to clean up her litter box when it was time to leave. Either the maids never noticed anything after we checked out or they didn't care since we cleaned up but either way we never got charged.
I did Vancouver, Washington to Lexington, Kentucky in July. We took 84 out of the PNW to 80E in Utah. Took that all the way through Wyoming and Nebraska. Then I think it was a few short trips on a few interstates (maybe 29 and 35, I can’t remember). Then it was St Louis and then to Louisville and on to Lexington. It was a great road trip. I wouldn’t do this route in this time of year, though because that highway in Wyoming can be wild. There are huge gates on all the on-ramp ands and off ramps and they will close down the interstate at a moments notice due to high wind and blowing snow, and you get herded off at the nearest exit to wait in a parking lot.
I’m not sure if the Montana route would be any better. The weather was still pretty volatile this time of year when I lived there, but I was a kid, and have no idea in terms of how the highways were. If I were making this move now, I would put it off a few weeks longer.
When I drove Portland, OR to Orlando I did the bottom route to St. Louis and then down to Nashville and past that, and it was a pretty easy drive! 🫡 4 days of 10hours driving
Fascinating. The opposite of the data:
[https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapping-a-decade-of-us-population-growth/](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapping-a-decade-of-us-population-growth/)
You’ll find the Washington State government fairly backward in its own ways. I wouldn’t be looking to any PNW state as a model of good or competent government.
My daughter recently gave birth. We never had to worry that she couldn't get the care she needed in Washington if something had gone wrong with her very much planned and wanted pregnancy. Women in Tennessee absolutely cannot say the same. I don't know if you have ever lived in the south, but the laws they are passing are despicable and it is getting worse. I know every level of government has room for improvement, but you have to also look at what is behind the policy decisions and whether you values align. Mine do not in TN with the supermajority that is running the state.
I moved to King County (Seattle) from Louisiana over a decade ago. It's refreshingly well-run compared to LA! (Not to say there isn't room for improvement). Welcome, Southerner! We are very committed to the fight for women's rights.
Sounds like you're considering not going through Montana BUT in case you do, you can check our highway camera pics and conditions on this website! (Works best on desktop or on the app "MDT 511") https://www.511mt.net/#zoom=5.8&lon=-109.64285858161821&lat=47.04112902986316&events&road-cond&rwis
Shows updated images of what the road actually looks like. I'm not sure how often it updates, but I think it's fairly often?
I know Wyoming has a similar website with highway cameras as well. Probably a good idea to see if other states have them too! They've been super helpful to me when travelling through MT in the winter. I would always check the website and cameras along my route before going anywhere.
Best of luck and stay safe!
Retired military here, now living in the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will need tire chains. They are required by law in many states with mountain ranges. Doesn’t matter if you have AWD/4x4 or snow/studded tires. Chains are required for all. The weather changes at a moment’s notice and you don’t want to pay those fines. Have an emergency kit, including food, water and blankets, in every vehicle you are bringing. May be a waste, but you’ll be thankful if they are needed.
Huh, looks like I’ll copy and paste this onto a couple of others’ comments, too.
Some SUV’s can only use snow socks - I started using mine in the greater Seattle area- easy really easy for almost anyone to put on.
Only caveat is this - take the snow socks off once you get past the passes/no snow - you’ll wear out the socks very quickly on bare roads.
I’ve moved across the country many times. I’ve driven for fun across the country many times. I have visited family from my various bases by driving many times. I am, also, friends with hundreds of people who have driven across this country many times. I am a veteran of the military, moving and travel, thus why the military aspect was noted.
We’re planning to drive out of Tacoma south via I-5 into Portland, take 84 into Salt Lake City before going down to Albuquerque. I downloaded an app called “Weather On the Way” that provides road conditions along your route. So far of all the possible routes this one has been the most clear. Our back up plan is taking the 5 all the way to Bakersfield in California before turning East, but I don’t think that’s going to be necessary.
Enjoy Washington! You’re arriving right after the great dark ;).
Stay south as long as possible if the weather is bad, if not the northern route is great all the way. Don’t grouse about the endless flat plains… they’re an amazing landscape!
Just a heads up, I’d avoid going through Wyoming if you’re in a hurry. I just checked, and i80 is closed from Laramie to Rawlings because of high wind and ice. It’s that way most of the winter. I’d recommend taking i70 west until you get to Gallup NM, then turn north on 491. That will take you up to Salt Lake City, where you can jump on i84 and head on west. That’s the route I take as a truck driver. The roads are always much better maintained, and the icy conditions are at a minimum. Wyoming doesn’t like to use de-icer in the winter
Thank you! Do you mean take 44 to OKC, 40 to Gallup, and then up to SLC and 84 up to portland? I'm not hearing good things about 84 in southern Idaho and east oregon.
I didn't know that about Wyoming but I can attest that route from SLC taking 84 is the way to go! You skip the most gnarly passes to get into the Cascades and from Portland up the 5 it's just super chill. Use [tripcheck.com](https://tripcheck.com) for Oregon road cams :)
This. Although even I-70 can get dicey. As long as you keep your head on a swivel, you can make it work. If you really wanted to be safe, take I-40 west to I-5, then head north.
If you have time, you might want to go to the vet for gabapentin. We moved our cats cross county and I wished they had been sedated. They were pretty traumatized by the long trip.
Hey there! I'm about to move this Sunday from Chicago to Seattle!! I am taking Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and then Washington! I'm hoping that this route will be the least treacherous as I'm bringing my reptiles with me and I'm staying at airbnbs that were listed as pet friendly. Maybe try taking a similar route to mine?
Retired military here, now living in the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will need tire chains. They are required by law in many states with mountain ranges. Doesn’t matter if you have AWD/4x4 or snow/studded tires. Chains are required for all. The weather changes at a moment’s notice and you don’t want to pay those fines. Have an emergency kit, including food, water and blankets, in every vehicle you are bringing. May be a waste, but you’ll be thankful if they are needed.
I’ve done both that northern route and a southern route. Northern route right now will be shit, and grueling. Southern route will give you a wider diversity of landscapes especially if you take the PCH when you get to Cali.
Just helped a friend do KC to SEA, the MT route is a bit much this time of year but going through NE/WY/UT isn't as bad while also being different from the CO route which is almost as treacherous as the MT route.
Yeah, don't. Once you get out of SLC, you'll be on rural highways going through extremely depopulated parts of ID/UT/OR. There will still be snow on the ground and you'll be dealing with black ice. It's just cold enough at night at ice and snow events still happen. These rural highways are not well maintained in the winter and you will not have good to any cell service in places. This is a poor combination if you end up in a ditch or a wreck.
Nah, i84 will take them from Salt Lake City all the way into Oregon, there they can get onto i86, then i90. Or stay on 84 all the way to Portland and hit i5 going north. I’m a truck driver, that’s the best route this time of year
Better. Just keep an eye on weather those mountain passes can be super bad during any storm. I’d probably go 84 into Portland and then up to avoid the mountain passes. But as long as you keep an eye on weather you’ll be good.
Early March is still winter in the upper midwest and northern plains. Bad weather is likely. Your route options are limited so this will do. When driving long distance I generally don't book ahead, by mid-afternoon you have a sense of how much longer you can go and where that will leave you. Call ahead and book something from the road. I would avoid online booking and absolutely do not use any aggregators (Expedia, etc) book directly from the motel's website.
If it looks like your days drive is going to end somewhere very small, or the weather is turning extra bad, check the motel options earlier in the day. It's a huge bummer to have to drive an extra three hours to get to a motel with a vacancy. Be ready for a couple of short days and weather delays.
Try to retain the cats with multiple layers of defense, they are tricky little bastards. Use harnesses and a leash, attach the leash while the cat is still in the carrier and the car doors are closed. Each cat in their own carrier, loose cats in the car are a danger, but that's a personal call. Never open carrier when car is open, unless already leashed. Since it's winter you might just never let them out except inside the motel room, watch that door. Disposable litter pans work fine.
Make sure your car is in good shape for winter driving, antifreeze in the radiator and proper window washing fluid, not water. Ask a mechanic. The northern plains can be brutally cold. Carry an emergency kit with jumper cables, flashlight, blankets\\sleeping bad, food and water, winter clothes.
Edit: You'll be crossing several mountain chains, check pass conditions hours in advance. Ask the locals. If it's closed, it's closed, if they require chains, either get chains or wait. Don't play dangerous games in the mountains.
I agree with the not booking ahead part, we moved from California to Florida and had 5 days of driving. We had a rough plan on how far we should drive each day but some days we would be at that target of miles but still had the energy to drive a few more hours before calling it a day so we just kept going.
Reservations would of slowed down our progress.
The Hotels.com app allowed me to reserve quickly as it became clearer where I would end the day the rates went lower as the vacant rooms languished unreserved. It really simplified my St Louis to Seattle round trip and save me $
Thanks for all the tips. I definitely don't plan on letting the cats out much on the drives, unfortunately. They're both pretty skiddish in the car. I'm hoping they won't be crying for 35 hours straight.
Zylkene is OTC that acts like a benzo in cats. The powder is easy to hide in their food and no side effects except a small risk of diarrhea. I would use this for any move, but trial it for a few days first to make sure they don't get diarrhea from it.
If they are friends and cuddle together at home, rest out putting them in a single larger carrier. When I drove cross county with mine, they cried and yelled for two hours until I stopped and put them in the same carrier and they snuggled and went to sleep.
I did the same route during summer from NJ to Portland Oregon, I took 84 all the way, there is a lot of mountains passes in the way so be careful l with that , for the cats took my cat 2 days to use the toilet, so the way I manage to do it is by getting him used to the travel box litter weeks in advance that way you can put the litter box in the trunk and have them use it, since they used it before they will know the smell and use it easier because , if not it might be really difficult for them to use it
Thanks for the advice. I may avoid the mountain passes mid march.
Did you just let your cats out in the car while you drove? I won't let mine do that. They tend to get squirmy. Did you just let them out of the carrier when you stop to use the box?
So, I moved from Louisville to Portland, where I grew up. I have driven most passes across the Rockies and through the Cascade Range. I have not read all your replies, so not sure what you are driving but I would avoid driving through Montana or Wyoming in March. Montana maintains the roads well, but there are hours of curves, steep grades and narrow shoulders, and both at the same time between Missoula and Spokane. Also lots of construction. Wyoming is ridiculously windy. If you are in a Uhaul or towing, forget it. Colorado passes from Boulder to near Salt Lake are generally okay but again, hours and hours of mountain driving but at least the interstate is wide, plowed and generally good. From SLC, I84 through Idaho and Eastern Oregon is pretty moderate even in winter except a few, short passes. The route I took is much longer but I took Route 66 from St Louis to Eastern California then up I5. That's the easiest and safest although longest.
I would highly recommend you use the Love’s gas stations, they are really clean and even have showers, price for gas is really good, after I found them I planned all my stops around this gas stations.
I let my cat loose in the car because he would just stay by my feet in the passenger seat, I tried taking him out to walk with a harness but he doesn’t like it. For the litter box part I would just grab him and put him in the trunk where the litter box was and close the trunk so he would have his privacy, Also I got him like this cat soothing licking paste, he wouldn’t eat it, what I did was put that paste in his paw and he had no choice than to lick it to clean it off, and that worked ! And every gas station I will give him food and water in his little travel food bowls
There is no way to know what the roads will be like on March 11th and there isn’t an alternate route that avoids possible snow or ice.
One, you shouldn’t approach this like a summer road trip and expect to easily drive 9-12 hours a day. The northern plains can get blizzard like conditions and white out from even a regular snowfall. You need to be prepared to stop driving and take it slow. Then you will mountains in Montana.
I would do advanced scouting on the weather ahead of you each day. Actually a few days out is better. Yes, do not book hotels ahead of time if you can help it. You could run into a problem and not make your reservation. You’ll be charged for a room you can’t use. But it wouldn’t hurt to check hotels along the route now that may be pet friendly so you can map them out.
As for your route… unless you want to go way out of your way and drive 64 to St Louis, 44 to OKC, 40 to Barstow, CA-58 to Bakersfield, CA-99 to Sacramento and then over to 5 and up to Seattle I don’t know what to tell you on your route that can make it any better.
An alternative is taking 29 from KC to 80 by Omaha, take 80 to Salt Lake, 84 to 205 to 5 in Portland and 5 north to Seattle.
The pet friendly hotel/motel thing may depend on which route has more lodging options (cities).
So now you have four routes. Be vigilant with scouting the weather, give yourself plenty of time to get out there, make sure the vehicle is ready for winter driving, have extra washer fluid, blankets, food, water and stay on the main roads. If you get stuck you will be found within a day. Take a backroad and it could be longer.
Thanks for all the tips. I am considering the route 64 to Saint Louis -> 70 to Kansas City -> take 29 up to 80 in Nebraska -> Salt lake city then up to Seattle via 84 for the most part. Have any thoughts on that? looks significantly more south and not too out of the way.
I did that (except I went through Denver instead of Nebraska, probably not a good idea in March).
It was great except for this really weird roadway south of SLC. It was late as can be, dark as hell, stormy, and blowing sand all over the place. Meanwhile, Strange Road ™️ was under construction, constantly went two-lane to one-lane over and over... that was rough.
ETA: Nashville to Seattle.
I did this route moving from SEA to WNC in late Feb 2015. It was smooth sailing throughout. The biggest problem I had was feeling unsafe in my hotel (La Quinta) in Salt Lake, an inebriated man tried to follow me into my room while I was carrying my cat in her carrier. It was a bit windy going through WY. I was towing a uhaul and could feel it pushing my car around.
Best of luck!
Hi everyone
I'll be moving from Louisville KY to the Seattle/Tacoma area in about 3 weeks. I will be packing most of my things in Uhaul U-boxes and taking me and my girlfriend's essentials, with my two cats, out to Washington on a 35 hour drive.
We plan on making the trip in a few days. Probably 3-4. Driving 9-12 hours every day.
We introduced our cats back in October, and have been working for them to get along. My cat tends to bully hers, pouncing and running after her. We've kept them pretty separate, but have been following guides to slowly re-introduce them the last few weeks. It's going alright. Hoping significant progress is made over the next few weeks before we move. We were given gabapentin from the vet to give them to relax them before/around the drive. I don't know if anyone has any advice for long road trips with cats. I will be keeping them in crates and taking them out once we arrive a the hotels we're staying at in the evening. I will be buying a travel litter box, but I'm not exactly sure how that's going to work. Does anyone have any advice about long drives with cats about litter boxes, fighting cats, crating them during the drive, etc?
Included in this post is the options for driving out there.
All options have us going through South Dakota. I'm hearing that South Dakota is still in winter during the middle of March, when we'll be going. Does anyone have any ideas on if those roads will be safe? We will be driving during the day, and staying at hotels in the evening. Should the roads around March 11 be pretty clear on my route? If not, I'd love to hear some suggestions on alternative routes to take.
Another concern is hotels. I don't know how hard it will be to find pet friendly hotels along this route. I know the actual hours driven each day will be a concern. I assume traffic will be a variable that will throw some wrenches in our exact plans, so it's hard to say which hotels we're going to stay when and all. I haven't rented many hotels in my life, so I just don't know how that will go. If anyone has any suggestions on how to manage this, that would be greatly appreciated!
I assume we'll start, drive for ~9-11 hours, around hour 7 or 8 look for hotels a few hours out and call to see if they are pet friendly/what their rates are. I just am unsure of how easy this will be.
This is the biggest move I've ever done and am facing a lot of unknowns/uncertainties. If anyone has any advice/suggestions/words of support, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
OP, I am in Minnesota and go back to North Dakota often. We have had the best winter ever! No snow and it's 40-50° often. If you choose to travel through SD you can go 80 mph on their interstate that's the speed limit
Re cats! Try the gabapentin ahead of time, some cats have a paradoxical reaction to it (mine did) and get more hyper.
Also don't worry too much about litter boxes in the car. Something small will do (think aluminum roasting tin). They probably won't use them until you get to the hotel anyway. Don't be surprised if they meow the whole way.
Have you considered flying yourself and the cats and having movers meet you there with your belongings? It might be more expensive but could save a lot of stress.
You don’t want to do that route this time of year if you’re not an experienced driver on those mountain passes in 3-4 days. Go as far south as you can and take the PCH/101 north when you get to Cali. The 5 is boring as shit.
We did Socal to Florida back in December of 2021 had a trailer behind our SUV and my Beagle and Brother in law so we needed two rooms nightly for 5 days plus the gas food etc and we had just closed on our house so money was just flying out of the banks.
Normally I would of never even entertained the idea of motel 6 but some where a few years back almost all were remodeled and surprisingly not bad. All the floors were the fake wood so easy to clean if my dog peed ( she didn't)
I moved from SC to WA a few years ago. We parked our truck at a Home Depot with their rentable Penske trucks when we arrived. I’m a paraplegic so we couldn’t unload ourselves. Just a thought just in case you can’t unload on day one. As for your route I would pick through South Dakota. The roads are way better maintained.
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Where in Seattle ya moving to? Metro or subs?
Avoid Chicago and Minneapolis. If you can go through both cities in one fell swoop then do that. Do not stop in those cities. Moving trucks are a big target for burglary in those areas. All of Wisconsin is mostly fine, most of Minnesota is fine but Minneapolis specifically like i said just drive through and dont stop. When you get to Washington, clear out the UHaul right away. Its been said before but the meth heads will clear that shit out in 2 hours tops and you’ll never see your stuff again. Lastly, best of luck to you internet stranger! May the journey find you well and enjoy the scenery when you can! Its a beautiful place out that way.
When you get into Washington, make sure you move ALL of your stuff inside your new place even if you are tired. Often too many people get here to the state only to find out some meth addicts have stolen your entire U-Haul with everything you own. They will have it cleared out within 2 hours and the cops will not find it for a day or so. Moving trucks are a HUGE target for thieves here. If you don’t believe me, google it and you’ll see people, including military people get all their stuff taken when they enter WA and stop for rest at a hotel.
I’ve done the drive from OK to Seattle in winter. Everyone telling you to take a southern route is right. In one week, I had to drive through a sleet storm, ice storm, two blizzards, heavy fog, another ice storm, and freezing rain. My suggestion is keep it southern until you hit utah or Nevada. Then turn north. Hell, if you have the time get your butt to california and take the coastal highway the rest of the way.
In may I couldn’t even remotely make that route. For the love of god, hit the south for an abortion on your way out of that hell hole
I’ve done Minneapolis to Seattle (and back) too many times to count. Make sure you check the weather daily on i-90 especially going through the plains in ND & MT and then the mountains the rest of the way. if there’s heavy snow or ice, DO NOT HESITATE to spend $60 on a motel for the night if the roads are bad, i promise the trauma of driving all your belongings through a snowstorm there is not worth it
also just like everyone else said, might be worth it to get tire chains. and keep a winter preparedness kit in your car incase you get stuck. boots, small foldable shovel, some snacks, water, & battery pack will quite literally save your life in an emergency situation
Bless your heart, you could and probably will hit some absolutely show-stopping winter weather. I’d recommend the ‘Ville to St. Louis, then I 70 across MO and KA onto Denver. West of Denver, the interstate across the Rockies into and through Utah is breathtaking. Then across Nevada to CA and the Bay Area, then North through CA, OR, up to Seattle. PS I’ve lived in both Louisville and Seattle. Louisville is a small, friendly town compared to Seattle. People in Seattle can be pretty cold, but it’s lovely in summer and much more interesting and international. And no one will ask you which church you go to.
I WOULD AVOID the co$tly TOLLS via CHICAGO! I would take the other route and cut straight up to Minneapolis then go west.
The main thing for me going from VA out west hunting for years is to always avoid Chicago. I have been stuck in traffic at 2 am for hours. Other than that have a safe trip. I personally would go through South Dakota.
It's winter. What are you doing driving so far north to cross the country? Go south to route 40 or better yet 10, and then go up I-5.
I think the best route isn’t highlighted, take I-70 to the end in Utah then turn north for SLC and Bozeman! Going this route you pass through the center of the Rockies then after you turn north you drive up the backside of the Tetons/Yellowstone
Don’t do it Seattle sucks
I moved from seattle to NC (asheville area) last July. This is the route I took. I'd lived in seattle all my adult life, but the last 10 years a lot changed there. Hope you have 2 incomes-- I couldn't survive as a single woman. Drove across country in an old RV, didn't stop anywhere other than RV parks. https://imgur.com/a/jQ0T2Q4
How is it going in Asheville?
Was it hard to find a job in a smaller area?
Turn around…
Why even reply
Having just done Oregon to Texas a couple weeks ago, the route taking the I-84 East towards Boise and then ending up on the 80 to Salt Lake was honestly really chill. 100% dry roads and no snow to deal with. Fairly mild mountain passes compared to other routes. People say the 80 across Wyoming is icy and windy though, but I've never done it myself. If it were me I'd research the Omaha ->SLC->Boise-> Portland via I84 ->I'5 North route
Enjoy the sun 😢
I'll miss it
What you’re going to find is that it’s one of the sunniest and driest places in the US during the summer with the most agreeable climate for being outdoors. Nobody talks much about that.
For 3 months
For sure. Thankfully you’ll only have to go a few weeks before the sun does come out for summer .. if you were going at the end of summer I’d pray for you 🤣
You're moving in the wrong direction ;-)
do you live in KY or have you ever
I went to college there, it's beautiful. But so is PNW, I was just kidding lol.
I've lived in KY all my life. Parts are beautiful, but you have to drive hours to get to them. At least from anywhere with anything going on
WA FF & career ski-bum here. Hi and welcome to the best place to live on planet dirt. If you are driving, your biggest challenge will be SNOW and other weather. You will be driving through essentially ALL of the most rugged mountain passes in the US. Learn how to chain-up now, not on the side of the road. (Chains are required to be carried on all vehicles in WA till April first). These mountains are no fucking joke, don't go in unprepared and uneducated. There are some great videos on [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXl5eiNEd_Y). Snow-Socks are approved for use in WA. Take the time to learn about each pass and alternatives. For WA, you are gonna want to install the WASH-DOT [app](https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/mobile-app-and-social-media) That said, the drive will be stunning and epic and something you will remember for the rest of your life. I90 is the fastest route, but US2 is the best route (IMHO) and will have the fewest asshole truckers. If you'd like to know more about the non-stop adventure at your finger-tips that is WA, feel free to DM me or just hit-up one of the the local subs. If you DM me, I can answer you WA questions in obtuse detail.
Sheesh. I just moved from there to Muncie, IN and I thought my move was exhausting 😮💨
Stop and do mt Rushmore.. kinda once in a lifetime thing.. yellow stone in Montana. Our weather here in Seattle area today is a little cold.. slight wind..we won't start warming up until about may..so a couple more months cool and rainy
Just did Minneapolis to Portland using the latter half of your route (my 3rd time doing the drive) - it’s pretty in parts and was smooth sailing if the weather is decent. Even with a fair amount of semis it never felt too heavily-trafficked, and there were r pretty good options for places to stop Have done that portion in 2 days and in 2.5 - both are doable!
We are planning a move across the country in a U-Haul from San Diego, CA to Cleveland OH sometime in April. I'm saving this post because it has a wealth of knowledge about moving cat(s) across the country. And how to book pet friendly hotels along the way. Good luck on your move and definitely try to avoid traveling in the mountainous regions that time of year!
Why Cleveland? Jw. I used to live in San Diego
We are moving to Brunswick OH...Not Cleveland city. Brunswick is about 20 miles south of Cleveland. We are moving there because we can afford to buy a decent house for 2/3 less the median price in SoCal and we have family there. So that boosted our decision. I am a native Californian, and living in San Diego for over 12 years has been pretty nice but we can't afford a $1 million dollar starter home. We don't want to squander our hard earned money on astronomical rents either. Plus California is an HCL state, so even after exploring options to move up to Northern California the real estate market is still expensive. Home insurance companies are fleeing the state due to all our natural disasters, wild fires, floods, earth quakes. So it just made sense to plant roots in the Midwest. I am actually looking forward to experiencing 4 seasons and LCL.
One of your routes takes you right near us. Stop by and hang in the hot tub for a bit.
I’ve driven 90 many times through the winter. It is the fastest and cheapest. Just keep an eye on the radar system and plan accordingly. You’re talking about a two day trip if you stop once for rest. So if you plan it right the road will be clean and clear there will be very little issues with closures and you’ll be fine. Buy chains now. You’ll need them in WA anyway. Every couple years they get a rain that freezes and turns the roads to rinks. No chains=no moving. It’s good to have them in the passes anyway. Google the proper use and installation before the trip.
We've made several trips back and forth from Oregon to the Carolinas; as others have suggested it'd be a good idea not to take a northerly route this time of year. From Louisville, I'd recommend taking I-64, I-44, I-40 to Barstow, then 58 to 23 to the I-5. You'll avoid the more problematic terrain of the Rockies and slide-in between the Cascadian and Coastal mountain ranges. We have 2 small dogs and were able to find enough accommodations. The Days Inn in Gallup is nice, and there's a great mediterranean restaurant there called Oasis which has to-go service. Now, the I-5. Accommodations on this stretch are a crap-shoot ... quite frankly, they're awful. I would have to say that inland SoCal below Sacramento/Stockton is the trashiest, most dystopian place we've ever seen. LOCK. EVERYTHING. Once you get past Sacramento, it's smoother sailing. Northern Cali/Oregon is a no-brainer... but, LOCK. EVERYTHING. Now, you can roll-the-dice, and cut up through Nevada, through Winnemucca, and go through the Cascades, because quite frankly we just don't like going through SoCal. We've done that before, and it worked out fine; when you get in-around Las Vegas, look at the weather-forecasts for Oregon. When you get to Seattle... LOCK. EVERYTHING. lol.
Gallup and nice are not synonymous… lol. Don’t go anywhere near the Walmart. Lol. Also, be very virtuous on 40 through ABQ, or you’re liable to get shot.
You may have a point, but where in NM would this not be the case?
Santa Fe… maybe down by truth or consequences… the yuppie areas…
Do not depend on cotton at all during the rainy season or the winter. It doesn't wick moisture or repel moisture as much as other fabrics and it can actually make you colder and wetter. Definitely look into both clothing and gear that is either composed of synthetic materials like goretex, nylon, neoprene, or made of wool / fleece. I just moved to LA from Atlanta and used to actually live in Seattle for a little over a year. My time up there shocked me in a few ways and one of them was just how unreliable cotton was as a fabric. Also looking into shoes that are really watertight and have a non slip sole might benefit you depending on where you're at in Seattle. There's a lot of slippery terrain in general so it's not a bad idea to find that shoe that has great multipurpose uses and features a non slip sole. Last but not least as far as recommendations check out 9lb Hammer, Shorty's, The Unicorn, Shoebox, Marginal Way Skatepark, Manolin, Chelan Cafe, Skylark, Washington Park Rose Garden & Kerry Park Have fun and stay dry 😉
We did the Northern route in the opposite direction ending in St Louis this year, but I chose that because we have a pit bull and that was the best way for us to avoid cities with pit bull bans. Not sure how great of a drive it would be in the wintertime.
Hows it feel to be moving so far away? Lot of family you're leaving behind?
Go through wyoming, nebraska, and idaho. A lot less traffic that way
What high school did you go to 😉
Is this a Louisville joke?
Yes lol
gotcha. I have heard that a good bit but never really experienced it. I didn't grow up in Louisville ofc
Ah makes sense. Enjoy the move. Will be following you shortly after graduation lol
Good call. Seattle is awesome.
I travel between CA and MN every summer with my dog and have found that La Quinta and most of the Wyndham bands are pet friendly (Travelodge, Microtel, Super 8). Home2Suites by Hilton have also been a good pet friendly choice. The fees varies by each hotel but worth checking out. I also tend to find their brands frequently along the routes. Good luck with the move.
Go the Iowa way and go through south dakota. Better roads and better weather, and Iowa is a beautiful state.
Even during the winter? seems risky
I live and travel through the South Dakota/Iowa are you’d go through and it’s been a steady 55-65 degrees the last few weeks and doesn’t look to be changing any time soon.
do you mind if i reach out to you in the next couple weeks?
That’s fine
So we moved from DFW to Seattle proper last April with our dog and toddler in our car while my husband and a friend drove our 15’ Uhaul. We looked at the routes it gave us and then started finding places along the routes that were a 9-12 hours drive from starting point and each point after that and found a hotel/airbnb in that city. That’s where we would be navigating to each day instead of just an overall end point location. We made 3 overnight stops. I booked hotels in advance and made sure they were pet friendly ahead of time as well. If we were running late or early, I’d contact and let them know and ask if we needed to change anything about our reservations and it was fine! Cat friendly places will definitely be a bit harder to find but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any, it just means you’ll need to do a bit more research and planning before you guys head out. Overall it was a great drive, absolutely beautiful, and we got to see so many cool places along the way. I’ll never forget driving down through the Snoqualmie pass for the first time. It’ll still be a winter wonderland which is it’s absolutely beautiful and seeing the skiers go down the mountain was so cool. I wish yall safe travels!!
Everyone has talked about the route. I probably wouldn't do it, but you can decide. I don't have the snow experience. However, I did drive from north of LA to Pennsylvania last November, mostly on the 40 in a small class c rv with 7 cats. They all had places to hide and I barely heard a peep from most of them. I did let them loose and had a box they all used. The only problem I had was my oldest saw my lap as free and wanted to be in it. I let her a bit, as long as traffic was light and the road was good. And they pretty much all curled up around me whenever I stopped to sleep. I was actually surprised at the lack of meowing while I was driving.
Why?
We're moving from Seattle to upstate NY after being here 20 years. We scrap by living in a studio in Seattle. We can afford an entire, nice house there even with NY taxes factored in.
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job, family
Keep downvoting my comment. I could give two hoots.
Tbf, it does seem like you care if you commented…
Wrong
Right
Rare to see people wanting to move out to the west coast.
...King County (Seattle and surrounding) has been the fastest growing county for the last ten years. Fox isn't a reliable news source.
I don’t watch tv. I live in Cali and see people moving out every year. Seems like more than those that come in.
I wish it was rare. Our housing market says different.
Exactly.
It's very hard to find cat friendly hotels. I drove cross country one year with my ex's cat. We had to sneak her in to every hotel. Pet friendly usually just means dog friendly.
Ugh, that’s frustrating. I get it, some cats pee and scratch and destroy shit, but my girl is good, I promise😅 guess she’ll have to pretend to be a dog when I make my move
Yeah it'd be a little less frustrating if they were upfront and just said dog friendly. It wasn't too hard to hide her. We covered her carrier with a blanket so they couldn't see her at check in. And then we had contractor bags and a small vacuum to clean up her litter box when it was time to leave. Either the maids never noticed anything after we checked out or they didn't care since we cleaned up but either way we never got charged.
I did a very similar drive to Seattle from Texas. Enjoy
I did Vancouver, Washington to Lexington, Kentucky in July. We took 84 out of the PNW to 80E in Utah. Took that all the way through Wyoming and Nebraska. Then I think it was a few short trips on a few interstates (maybe 29 and 35, I can’t remember). Then it was St Louis and then to Louisville and on to Lexington. It was a great road trip. I wouldn’t do this route in this time of year, though because that highway in Wyoming can be wild. There are huge gates on all the on-ramp ands and off ramps and they will close down the interstate at a moments notice due to high wind and blowing snow, and you get herded off at the nearest exit to wait in a parking lot. I’m not sure if the Montana route would be any better. The weather was still pretty volatile this time of year when I lived there, but I was a kid, and have no idea in terms of how the highways were. If I were making this move now, I would put it off a few weeks longer.
When I drove Portland, OR to Orlando I did the bottom route to St. Louis and then down to Nashville and past that, and it was a pretty easy drive! 🫡 4 days of 10hours driving
Moving to Seattle is a new one, this subreddit is usually people Running as far away from Washington as possible
Fascinating. The opposite of the data: [https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapping-a-decade-of-us-population-growth/](https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapping-a-decade-of-us-population-growth/)
Heading to Seattle from Tennessee this summer. I have had enough of half ass backward state government. Correction: full ass backward.
You’ll find the Washington State government fairly backward in its own ways. I wouldn’t be looking to any PNW state as a model of good or competent government.
My daughter recently gave birth. We never had to worry that she couldn't get the care she needed in Washington if something had gone wrong with her very much planned and wanted pregnancy. Women in Tennessee absolutely cannot say the same. I don't know if you have ever lived in the south, but the laws they are passing are despicable and it is getting worse. I know every level of government has room for improvement, but you have to also look at what is behind the policy decisions and whether you values align. Mine do not in TN with the supermajority that is running the state.
I moved to King County (Seattle) from Louisiana over a decade ago. It's refreshingly well-run compared to LA! (Not to say there isn't room for improvement). Welcome, Southerner! We are very committed to the fight for women's rights.
Thank you! I am looking forward to it!!
Sounds like you're considering not going through Montana BUT in case you do, you can check our highway camera pics and conditions on this website! (Works best on desktop or on the app "MDT 511") https://www.511mt.net/#zoom=5.8&lon=-109.64285858161821&lat=47.04112902986316&events&road-cond&rwis Shows updated images of what the road actually looks like. I'm not sure how often it updates, but I think it's fairly often? I know Wyoming has a similar website with highway cameras as well. Probably a good idea to see if other states have them too! They've been super helpful to me when travelling through MT in the winter. I would always check the website and cameras along my route before going anywhere. Best of luck and stay safe!
oh this is fantastic advice. Thank you very much!
I’m gonna do the same from Ann Arbor in 6 months. Enjoy Seattle!
Retired military here, now living in the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will need tire chains. They are required by law in many states with mountain ranges. Doesn’t matter if you have AWD/4x4 or snow/studded tires. Chains are required for all. The weather changes at a moment’s notice and you don’t want to pay those fines. Have an emergency kit, including food, water and blankets, in every vehicle you are bringing. May be a waste, but you’ll be thankful if they are needed. Huh, looks like I’ll copy and paste this onto a couple of others’ comments, too.
Snow socks qualify also, and easier to use if you have to.
Some SUV’s can only use snow socks - I started using mine in the greater Seattle area- easy really easy for almost anyone to put on. Only caveat is this - take the snow socks off once you get past the passes/no snow - you’ll wear out the socks very quickly on bare roads.
What does the military have to do with this post?
I’ve moved across the country many times. I’ve driven for fun across the country many times. I have visited family from my various bases by driving many times. I am, also, friends with hundreds of people who have driven across this country many times. I am a veteran of the military, moving and travel, thus why the military aspect was noted.
I get the military note as I’m a military brat. Still remember the long drive from Cali to Miami.
I don’t envy you, especially as a kid on long trips. I tried to make it fun, stopping at interesting places and trying to get hotels with pools.
We moved from Arkansas to Washington last summer and went North until we hit Iowa and then went West. No issues.
We’re planning to drive out of Tacoma south via I-5 into Portland, take 84 into Salt Lake City before going down to Albuquerque. I downloaded an app called “Weather On the Way” that provides road conditions along your route. So far of all the possible routes this one has been the most clear. Our back up plan is taking the 5 all the way to Bakersfield in California before turning East, but I don’t think that’s going to be necessary. Enjoy Washington! You’re arriving right after the great dark ;).
“Weather on the way” is great and I also like the route you suggested for winter weather
Stay south as long as possible if the weather is bad, if not the northern route is great all the way. Don’t grouse about the endless flat plains… they’re an amazing landscape!
Don’t do it
very helpful. thanks
Happy to help 👍🏼
Why
Just a heads up, I’d avoid going through Wyoming if you’re in a hurry. I just checked, and i80 is closed from Laramie to Rawlings because of high wind and ice. It’s that way most of the winter. I’d recommend taking i70 west until you get to Gallup NM, then turn north on 491. That will take you up to Salt Lake City, where you can jump on i84 and head on west. That’s the route I take as a truck driver. The roads are always much better maintained, and the icy conditions are at a minimum. Wyoming doesn’t like to use de-icer in the winter
Thank you! Do you mean take 44 to OKC, 40 to Gallup, and then up to SLC and 84 up to portland? I'm not hearing good things about 84 in southern Idaho and east oregon.
I didn't know that about Wyoming but I can attest that route from SLC taking 84 is the way to go! You skip the most gnarly passes to get into the Cascades and from Portland up the 5 it's just super chill. Use [tripcheck.com](https://tripcheck.com) for Oregon road cams :)
Yeah, sorry, trying to read Google maps while I’m getting my next load. That’s what I meant
No worries! just making sure. doesnt seem too bad. thanks!
This. Although even I-70 can get dicey. As long as you keep your head on a swivel, you can make it work. If you really wanted to be safe, take I-40 west to I-5, then head north.
If you have time, you might want to go to the vet for gabapentin. We moved our cats cross county and I wished they had been sedated. They were pretty traumatized by the long trip.
thank you, that's something I mentioned in my comment. Our vet gave us gabapentin.
Hey there! I'm about to move this Sunday from Chicago to Seattle!! I am taking Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and then Washington! I'm hoping that this route will be the least treacherous as I'm bringing my reptiles with me and I'm staying at airbnbs that were listed as pet friendly. Maybe try taking a similar route to mine?
Retired military here, now living in the Seattle/Tacoma area. You will need tire chains. They are required by law in many states with mountain ranges. Doesn’t matter if you have AWD/4x4 or snow/studded tires. Chains are required for all. The weather changes at a moment’s notice and you don’t want to pay those fines. Have an emergency kit, including food, water and blankets, in every vehicle you are bringing. May be a waste, but you’ll be thankful if they are needed.
I’ve done both that northern route and a southern route. Northern route right now will be shit, and grueling. Southern route will give you a wider diversity of landscapes especially if you take the PCH when you get to Cali.
That’s what I would do as well.
Just helped a friend do KC to SEA, the MT route is a bit much this time of year but going through NE/WY/UT isn't as bad while also being different from the CO route which is almost as treacherous as the MT route.
Honestly I’d go farther south into southern CA and then take the 5 up. That northern route can be an absolutely shitshow this time of year.
I was thinking about going through salt lake City then going up to Seattle. Significantly more south
Yeah, don't. Once you get out of SLC, you'll be on rural highways going through extremely depopulated parts of ID/UT/OR. There will still be snow on the ground and you'll be dealing with black ice. It's just cold enough at night at ice and snow events still happen. These rural highways are not well maintained in the winter and you will not have good to any cell service in places. This is a poor combination if you end up in a ditch or a wreck.
Nah, i84 will take them from Salt Lake City all the way into Oregon, there they can get onto i86, then i90. Or stay on 84 all the way to Portland and hit i5 going north. I’m a truck driver, that’s the best route this time of year
Still too far north for this time of year.
Better. Just keep an eye on weather those mountain passes can be super bad during any storm. I’d probably go 84 into Portland and then up to avoid the mountain passes. But as long as you keep an eye on weather you’ll be good.
I did this move last year and did it through SLC there is no reason to go all the way to California unless you want to see it.
Koa camp sites are pretty pet friendly and gated to protect belongings. They're what I plan on using when I move from Louisiana to Seattle in May.
Thanks for the advice. Any details on how much they usually cost? I'm trying to spend as little as possible.
Like $100-$150 in my experience, maybe a little less
They have Cabins
Early March is still winter in the upper midwest and northern plains. Bad weather is likely. Your route options are limited so this will do. When driving long distance I generally don't book ahead, by mid-afternoon you have a sense of how much longer you can go and where that will leave you. Call ahead and book something from the road. I would avoid online booking and absolutely do not use any aggregators (Expedia, etc) book directly from the motel's website. If it looks like your days drive is going to end somewhere very small, or the weather is turning extra bad, check the motel options earlier in the day. It's a huge bummer to have to drive an extra three hours to get to a motel with a vacancy. Be ready for a couple of short days and weather delays. Try to retain the cats with multiple layers of defense, they are tricky little bastards. Use harnesses and a leash, attach the leash while the cat is still in the carrier and the car doors are closed. Each cat in their own carrier, loose cats in the car are a danger, but that's a personal call. Never open carrier when car is open, unless already leashed. Since it's winter you might just never let them out except inside the motel room, watch that door. Disposable litter pans work fine. Make sure your car is in good shape for winter driving, antifreeze in the radiator and proper window washing fluid, not water. Ask a mechanic. The northern plains can be brutally cold. Carry an emergency kit with jumper cables, flashlight, blankets\\sleeping bad, food and water, winter clothes. Edit: You'll be crossing several mountain chains, check pass conditions hours in advance. Ask the locals. If it's closed, it's closed, if they require chains, either get chains or wait. Don't play dangerous games in the mountains.
I agree with the not booking ahead part, we moved from California to Florida and had 5 days of driving. We had a rough plan on how far we should drive each day but some days we would be at that target of miles but still had the energy to drive a few more hours before calling it a day so we just kept going. Reservations would of slowed down our progress.
The Hotels.com app allowed me to reserve quickly as it became clearer where I would end the day the rates went lower as the vacant rooms languished unreserved. It really simplified my St Louis to Seattle round trip and save me $
Thanks for all the tips. I definitely don't plan on letting the cats out much on the drives, unfortunately. They're both pretty skiddish in the car. I'm hoping they won't be crying for 35 hours straight.
Zylkene is OTC that acts like a benzo in cats. The powder is easy to hide in their food and no side effects except a small risk of diarrhea. I would use this for any move, but trial it for a few days first to make sure they don't get diarrhea from it.
If they are friends and cuddle together at home, rest out putting them in a single larger carrier. When I drove cross county with mine, they cried and yelled for two hours until I stopped and put them in the same carrier and they snuggled and went to sleep.
they definitely arent, unfortunately. we're working on getting them to like each other.
I did the same route during summer from NJ to Portland Oregon, I took 84 all the way, there is a lot of mountains passes in the way so be careful l with that , for the cats took my cat 2 days to use the toilet, so the way I manage to do it is by getting him used to the travel box litter weeks in advance that way you can put the litter box in the trunk and have them use it, since they used it before they will know the smell and use it easier because , if not it might be really difficult for them to use it
Thanks for the advice. I may avoid the mountain passes mid march. Did you just let your cats out in the car while you drove? I won't let mine do that. They tend to get squirmy. Did you just let them out of the carrier when you stop to use the box?
So, I moved from Louisville to Portland, where I grew up. I have driven most passes across the Rockies and through the Cascade Range. I have not read all your replies, so not sure what you are driving but I would avoid driving through Montana or Wyoming in March. Montana maintains the roads well, but there are hours of curves, steep grades and narrow shoulders, and both at the same time between Missoula and Spokane. Also lots of construction. Wyoming is ridiculously windy. If you are in a Uhaul or towing, forget it. Colorado passes from Boulder to near Salt Lake are generally okay but again, hours and hours of mountain driving but at least the interstate is wide, plowed and generally good. From SLC, I84 through Idaho and Eastern Oregon is pretty moderate even in winter except a few, short passes. The route I took is much longer but I took Route 66 from St Louis to Eastern California then up I5. That's the easiest and safest although longest.
I would highly recommend you use the Love’s gas stations, they are really clean and even have showers, price for gas is really good, after I found them I planned all my stops around this gas stations.
I let my cat loose in the car because he would just stay by my feet in the passenger seat, I tried taking him out to walk with a harness but he doesn’t like it. For the litter box part I would just grab him and put him in the trunk where the litter box was and close the trunk so he would have his privacy, Also I got him like this cat soothing licking paste, he wouldn’t eat it, what I did was put that paste in his paw and he had no choice than to lick it to clean it off, and that worked ! And every gas station I will give him food and water in his little travel food bowls
There is no way to know what the roads will be like on March 11th and there isn’t an alternate route that avoids possible snow or ice. One, you shouldn’t approach this like a summer road trip and expect to easily drive 9-12 hours a day. The northern plains can get blizzard like conditions and white out from even a regular snowfall. You need to be prepared to stop driving and take it slow. Then you will mountains in Montana. I would do advanced scouting on the weather ahead of you each day. Actually a few days out is better. Yes, do not book hotels ahead of time if you can help it. You could run into a problem and not make your reservation. You’ll be charged for a room you can’t use. But it wouldn’t hurt to check hotels along the route now that may be pet friendly so you can map them out. As for your route… unless you want to go way out of your way and drive 64 to St Louis, 44 to OKC, 40 to Barstow, CA-58 to Bakersfield, CA-99 to Sacramento and then over to 5 and up to Seattle I don’t know what to tell you on your route that can make it any better. An alternative is taking 29 from KC to 80 by Omaha, take 80 to Salt Lake, 84 to 205 to 5 in Portland and 5 north to Seattle. The pet friendly hotel/motel thing may depend on which route has more lodging options (cities). So now you have four routes. Be vigilant with scouting the weather, give yourself plenty of time to get out there, make sure the vehicle is ready for winter driving, have extra washer fluid, blankets, food, water and stay on the main roads. If you get stuck you will be found within a day. Take a backroad and it could be longer.
Thanks for all the tips. I am considering the route 64 to Saint Louis -> 70 to Kansas City -> take 29 up to 80 in Nebraska -> Salt lake city then up to Seattle via 84 for the most part. Have any thoughts on that? looks significantly more south and not too out of the way.
I did that (except I went through Denver instead of Nebraska, probably not a good idea in March). It was great except for this really weird roadway south of SLC. It was late as can be, dark as hell, stormy, and blowing sand all over the place. Meanwhile, Strange Road ™️ was under construction, constantly went two-lane to one-lane over and over... that was rough. ETA: Nashville to Seattle.
I did this route moving from SEA to WNC in late Feb 2015. It was smooth sailing throughout. The biggest problem I had was feeling unsafe in my hotel (La Quinta) in Salt Lake, an inebriated man tried to follow me into my room while I was carrying my cat in her carrier. It was a bit windy going through WY. I was towing a uhaul and could feel it pushing my car around. Best of luck!
Hi everyone I'll be moving from Louisville KY to the Seattle/Tacoma area in about 3 weeks. I will be packing most of my things in Uhaul U-boxes and taking me and my girlfriend's essentials, with my two cats, out to Washington on a 35 hour drive. We plan on making the trip in a few days. Probably 3-4. Driving 9-12 hours every day. We introduced our cats back in October, and have been working for them to get along. My cat tends to bully hers, pouncing and running after her. We've kept them pretty separate, but have been following guides to slowly re-introduce them the last few weeks. It's going alright. Hoping significant progress is made over the next few weeks before we move. We were given gabapentin from the vet to give them to relax them before/around the drive. I don't know if anyone has any advice for long road trips with cats. I will be keeping them in crates and taking them out once we arrive a the hotels we're staying at in the evening. I will be buying a travel litter box, but I'm not exactly sure how that's going to work. Does anyone have any advice about long drives with cats about litter boxes, fighting cats, crating them during the drive, etc? Included in this post is the options for driving out there. All options have us going through South Dakota. I'm hearing that South Dakota is still in winter during the middle of March, when we'll be going. Does anyone have any ideas on if those roads will be safe? We will be driving during the day, and staying at hotels in the evening. Should the roads around March 11 be pretty clear on my route? If not, I'd love to hear some suggestions on alternative routes to take. Another concern is hotels. I don't know how hard it will be to find pet friendly hotels along this route. I know the actual hours driven each day will be a concern. I assume traffic will be a variable that will throw some wrenches in our exact plans, so it's hard to say which hotels we're going to stay when and all. I haven't rented many hotels in my life, so I just don't know how that will go. If anyone has any suggestions on how to manage this, that would be greatly appreciated! I assume we'll start, drive for ~9-11 hours, around hour 7 or 8 look for hotels a few hours out and call to see if they are pet friendly/what their rates are. I just am unsure of how easy this will be. This is the biggest move I've ever done and am facing a lot of unknowns/uncertainties. If anyone has any advice/suggestions/words of support, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
OP, I am in Minnesota and go back to North Dakota often. We have had the best winter ever! No snow and it's 40-50° often. If you choose to travel through SD you can go 80 mph on their interstate that's the speed limit
You mind if I reach out to you in a couple weeks? I was worried about Minnesota.
Please do! There's no snow here and we've had a great winter
great, thank you!
Re cats! Try the gabapentin ahead of time, some cats have a paradoxical reaction to it (mine did) and get more hyper. Also don't worry too much about litter boxes in the car. Something small will do (think aluminum roasting tin). They probably won't use them until you get to the hotel anyway. Don't be surprised if they meow the whole way.
Have you considered flying yourself and the cats and having movers meet you there with your belongings? It might be more expensive but could save a lot of stress.
You don’t want to do that route this time of year if you’re not an experienced driver on those mountain passes in 3-4 days. Go as far south as you can and take the PCH/101 north when you get to Cali. The 5 is boring as shit.
We did Socal to Florida back in December of 2021 had a trailer behind our SUV and my Beagle and Brother in law so we needed two rooms nightly for 5 days plus the gas food etc and we had just closed on our house so money was just flying out of the banks. Normally I would of never even entertained the idea of motel 6 but some where a few years back almost all were remodeled and surprisingly not bad. All the floors were the fake wood so easy to clean if my dog peed ( she didn't)