Driving from Florida to Oregon next Wednesday

[neihn]

I will start my trip from SW Florida to Portland OR this coming Wednesday right after signing the closing paper works for my Florida home.

It is going to be four days travel mostly I-10 then I-5 (TN,LA,TX,AZ,CA).

What would happen if the Federal government orders a total lock-down, say on Thursday (where we start our second day of the trip from Baton Rouge to El Paso)

Many counties in California are locked-down? How is I-5 and the gas stations? Are they opened for travelers?

Thanks.

 

[LOL!]

I had a hotel cancel my reservation. A friend stopped his trip because a hotel cancelled his reservation.

If you don't have friends to stay with along the way, then I would plan on getting trapped in some place. Figure out where you would like to be trapped and call ahead.

Even camping along the way could be challenging. State and National parks are closed, but I suppose you could do dispersed camping in national forests and on BLM land, but that might require more gear and planning.

 

[Another Reader]

In your shoes, I would try to avoid California. Right now, I-5 is open and gas is available. That is likely to change and without much notice. As someone that has driven from the Bay Area to Phoenix many times, you do not want to get caught in Southern California if the level of closure increases. Instead, I would cut north somewhere, maybe at Houston (someone more familiar with the area can probably give you the best route), and come across I-70 to Denver. I would go north from Denver and take I-80 to near Salt Lake and pick up I-84. The final leg depends on your destination in Oregon. I-84 would give you a straight shot to Portland.

You will minimize your viral exposure and the chances of getting caught in a complete shutdown by doing this.

 

[MichaelB]

The highways will remain open and gasoline available. Even with a more extreme measure, people will need to travel, supplies must be delivered, safety workers, first responders, health care workers, etc.

 

[neihn]

I had a hotel cancel my reservation. A friend stopped his trip because a hotel cancelled his reservation.

If you don't have friends to stay with along the way, then I would plan on getting trapped in some place. Figure out where you would like to be trapped and call ahead.

Even camping along the way could be challenging. State and National parks are closed, but I suppose you could do dispersed camping in national forests and on BLM land, but that might require more gear and planning.

Oh boy, but thanks for your reply.
My brother is in Houston TX and my son is in Irvine CA, that is my plan B. I am going to book my hotels in Baton Rouge LA, El Paso TX and Bakersfield CA, see if they let me book.

Thanks again.

 

[Aerides]

many hotels are closing or being asked to close. I'd have it all booked but have a plan B, as everything is subject to change day by day.

 

[Car-Guy]

The highways will remain open and gasoline available. Even with a more extreme measure, people will need to travel, supplies must be delivered, safety workers, first responders, health care workers, etc.

Absolutely agree... People will still need to get to the stores (food and TP ) and doctors/pharmacies. The ramifications to try and stop or even curtail that would seem to be worse than the risk of the virus, IMO...


The good thing about a long trip like that is gas is getting dirt cheap.... 1.39 to 1.69 all around here. And even cheaper if you want to try to find it.

 

[neihn]

In your shoes, I would try to avoid California. Right now, I-5 is open and gas is available. That is likely to change and without much notice. As someone that has driven from the Bay Area to Phoenix many times, you do not want to get caught in Southern California if the level of closure increases. Instead, I would cut north somewhere, maybe at Houston (someone more familiar with the area can probably give you the best route), and come across I-70 to Denver. I would go north from Denver and take I-80 to near Salt Lake and pick up I-84. The final leg depends on your destination in Oregon. I-84 would give you a straight shot to Portland.

You will minimize your viral exposure and the chances of getting caught in a complete shutdown by doing this.

Thanks for your suggestion. I am familiar with I-70, I-80 - having done that route couple times, however, I would like to avoid the snowy roads, as this time of the year, there still may be snow up there.

 

[Another Reader]

The highways will remain open and gasoline available. Even with a more extreme measure, people will need to travel, supplies must be delivered, safety workers, first responders, health care workers, etc.

I agree that the highway will be open and gas available for the people you describe. A full lock down could mean individuals that are not traveling for the reasons you list would not be permitted to drive. We are in uncharted waters here, and we are not succeeding with the mostly voluntary quarantine.

In OP's shoes, I would visit the brother in Houston and make the choice to go west or north from there. If he is traveling, he shouldn't be visiting much, as he should self quarantine for two weeks. Especially if there are grand kids involved in Irvine.

 

[neihn]

If he is traveling, he shouldn't be visiting much, as he should self quarantine for two weeks. Especially if there are grand kids involved in Irvine.

I have been home the since early Jan, and very much in lock-down mode the last 3 weeks. However, I don't want to put both my brother and son in an awkward situation (having me visit them during this time).

Boy boy!

 

[neihn]

I just booked hotel room for all three nights (Baton Rouge LA, El Paso TX, Bakersfield CA), all Hilton chain.

Need a lot of luck this week!

 

[Dawg52]

I just booked hotel room for all three nights (Baton Rouge LA, El Paso TX, Bakersfield CA), all Hilton chain.

Need a lot of luck this week!

Good luck! Stressful times to be making such a move.

 

[pb4uski]

Our friends heading north are hesitant to stay in hotels.... they plan to go straight through or perhaps catch a nap in their car in rest areas or off the highway along the way. We've heard that most reat areas are closed, but I'm not sure if that means the facilities/rest rooms are closed or the entire rest area is closed. We alos heard that in some states the rest rooms are closed but they have porta potties.

In any event, bring your own toilet paper.

 

[ivinsfan]

I just booked hotel room for all three nights (Baton Rouge LA, El Paso TX, Bakersfield CA), all Hilton chain.

Need a lot of luck this week!

Most likely TMI but I am seeing truckers saying rest stops are open but they have closed all the restrooms. The truckers are saying we HAVE to keep working to keep the country running but aren't supposed
to need restrooms!!!

If you end up sleeping in a rest area have a plan for this problem.

 

[ivinsfan]

Our friends heading north are hesitant to stay in hotels.... they plan to go straight through or perhaps catch a nap in rest areas or off the highway along the way. We've heard that most reat areas are closed, but I'm not sure if that means the facilities are closed or the entire rest area is closed. In any event, bring your own toilet paper.

I'm hearing a lot of restrooms are closed completely. Lots of pushback on this from truck drivers so this could be subject to change.

 

[NW-Bound]

Don't quote me, but I think it is unlikely there will be an interstate travel ban. That will leave people stranded unnecessarily, and only adds to the problem, and causes panic.

They may have roadblocks by state troopers, who ask drivers what they are doing, where they are going, take some temperature, etc... This will serve to slow people down, to create a bit of a traffic jam, so that it deters people from traveling for pleasure. People who really need to go somewhere will be willing to suffer some delay in order to get where they need to be.

That's what I would do if I were in charge.

 

[Another Reader]

Don't quote me, but I think it is unlikely there will be an interstate travel ban. That will leave people stranded unnecessarily, and only adds to the problem, and causes panic.

They may have roadblocks by state troopers, who ask drivers what they are doing, where they are going, take some temperature, etc... This will serve to slow people down, to create a bit of a traffic jam, so that it deters people from traveling for pleasure. People who really need to go somewhere will be willing to suffer some delay in order to get where they need to be.

That's what I would do if I were in charge.

That's what I'm thinking, except you may be asked to return home at the first checkpoint. Sort of like a partial snow closure, where you have to turn around if you don't have chains.

 

[NW-Bound]

That's what I'm thinking, except you may be asked to return home at the first checkpoint. Sort of like a partial snow closure, where you have to turn around if you don't have chains.

Yes, you may have to present your driver license to show where your home address is.

 

[neihn]

Yes, you may have to present your driver license to show where your home address is.

The problem is I just sold the home .. hic hic...

 

[neihn]

Good luck! Stressful times to be making such a move.

YES, very stressful. The buyer is also hurry up moving from New Hampshire, I have asked him if he is not in the hurry I can rent place from him for a month, but he wants to move.

 

[NW-Bound]

The problem is I just sold the home .. hic hic...

I thought you have 2 homes. So, your driver license is registered in FL? Maybe have something to prove that you have another residence?

Perhaps they will hassle you for a bit to see if you are sincere, then let you go.

 

[Another Reader]

The problem is I just sold the home .. hic hic...

And that is what you tell them. You are moving from a house you sold and in which you could not stay to your new home. Flying was not an option.

Your bigger problem may be the hotels. Do you have any option to stay in your current area for 30 days?

 

[neihn]

I thought you have 2 homes. So, your driver license is registered in FL? Maybe have something to prove that you have another residence?

Perhaps they will hassle you for a bit to see if you are sincere, then let you go.

Yes, I still have a place in Portland OR. Yeah, I do have the 2019 property tax statement, I will look for it and put it in my backpack.

 

[neihn]

Do you have any option to stay in your current area for 30 days?

I had thought about airbnb in the current area.

 

[RobLJ]

Seattle

Our youngest is selling his house in Seattle and took a job in Reno, so we're driving up Thursday to help him move (help load the Uhaul, etc).
It's a 12 hour drive that we've done many times, so it's not the same as OP driving across the country. If we're stopped, I'm telling them we're getting the hell out of the state ASAP with no intention to stop, except for gas. We're taking our own food.